Instruction & Curriculum

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched a directed investigation into the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) following allegations that the state continues to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports and denies female athletes access to female-only facilities. The investigation extends to Maine School Administrative District #51 (MSAD […]

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education announced the termination of more than $600 million in grants previously awarded to institutions and nonprofit organizations for teacher training programs. The catastrophic decision affects funding that supported initiatives to prepare future educators and education agencies with professional development and training on various educational frameworks and teaching strategies […]

Schools rely on a multitude of people to fully function for each child. The same child who needs a bandage today needs a counselor tomorrow, requires a reading specialist next week, and could benefit from a table adjustment that requires a custodian the day after. Often teachers feel as though we wear multiple hats in […]

In a sweeping move, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has declared race-based scholarships, cultural centers, and graduation ceremonies illegal, signaling a significant shift in federal policy. Over the weekend, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a letter prohibiting all race-conscious college programming and spending. The directive states that institutions failing […]

Oedipus Wrecked: A reflection on a champion teacher 1974. Ninth grade. The Agnes Irwin School, a private all-girls’ school outside of Philadelphia, where most of my female relatives had also gone to school. I was a lifer, which meant I came in kindergarten and grew up with many of the same girls, but in Ninth […]

This week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced directed investigations into the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), claiming that both organizations plan to allow male athletes to compete in women’s sports and use women’s intimate facilities.  “The Minnesota State High School League […]

Today, the U.S. Department of Education canceled over $350 million in contracts and grants to several Regional Educational Laboratories and Equity Assistance Centers, claiming the review of the contracts uncovered “wasteful and ideologically driven spending not in the interest of students and taxpayers.” The Department of Education terminated 10 contracts totaling $336 million with the […]

Months after being named President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Education, Linda McMahon faced intense questioning from senators on Capitol Hill on Thursday regarding the agency’s future. The president has repeatedly expressed his desire to dismantle the department, calling it mismanaged and ineffective. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee […]