The U.S. Department of Education has escalated its Title IX enforcement efforts against the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), formally referring the case to the U.S. Department of Justice for legal action and initiating proceedings to revoke the state’s federal K -12 education funding. This move comes after the DOJ launched an investigation in February […]
Current Events in Education
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Who’s in charge here? The erosion of authority in schools
“I’d like you to go back to your seat,” I said after the third reminder for off-task behavior. “What!? Why?” she exclaimed, apparently totally stymied as to why I’d ask her to do such a thing. “Because a few minutes ago I told you that if you keep socializing, I would move you back to […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Trump administration gives guidance to school districts to use Title 1 to provide school choice
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has issued new guidance to state education officials, clarifying how they can use federal formula funds to expand school choice initiatives. The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order and campaign promises to expand school choice. This move would divert Title 1 funds […]
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Trump administration requests Supreme Court to halt teacher training grants
Update: 4/4/2025: On Friday, the Supreme Court allowed President Trump to temporarily freeze millions of dollars in grants to states used to address teacher shortages. The decision was 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberal-leaning justices dissenting. In an unsigned option, the states have indicated “that they have the financial wherewithal to […]
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New lawsuit alleges cuts to the Department of Education impact students’ civil rights
Today, the National Education Association, a coalition of civil rights advocates that include the NAACP and American Federation of States, filed a federal lawsuit in federal district court arguing that the cuts to the Department of Education will impact the civil rights of students and will cause the agency not able to carry out many […]
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USDA Cuts $1 Billion in School Meal Funding, Threatening free lunch access for millions of kids
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cut over $1 billion in funding that supports local food programs for schools and food banks. This move by the Trump administration, canceled the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program as part of broader efforts to cut funding for the National School Lunch Program, which was started under […]
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U.S. Department of Education warns 60 universities over antisemitism allegations
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued formal warnings to 60 universities across the country, cautioning them about potential enforcement actions if they fail to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment and discrimination. The letters, sent today, remind institutions of their legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights […]
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Trump’s Draft Executive Order Seeks to Abolish the Education Department
President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order as soon as Thursday directing the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, according to sources briefed on the matter. A draft of the order, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” […]