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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
A coalition of education advocacy groups, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities, has sued the Trump administration, alleging the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Education unlawfully withheld congressionally appropriated funding for the Institute of Education Sciences. The lawsuit argues the administration has prevented the agency from spending funds approved by Congress, placing $793m for education research programs at risk of expiring on September 30, alongside $50m for the Comprehensive Centers program and additional funding for the Education Innovation and Research program, which expires later in the year. Plaintiffs say the funding freeze could have a devastating impact on education research, teacher support, and programs serving students with learning disabilities and high-need communities, while the Education Department said it remains committed to meeting its statutory obligations and supporting high-quality research.
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Education Slice
California
California's new state budget has transferred significant powers from the elected schools superintendent to a governor-appointed official, a move supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom and education reform advocates. This change, described as "a monumental victory for California's students" by Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, aims to streamline oversight of the state's $149bn public education system, which serves over 6m students. Critics, including candidates for the superintendent position, argue that this shift undermines democratic processes and the will of voters, as it bypasses the traditional legislative process. The new law allows the governor's education commissioner to control the education budget and policy, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in public education. Both candidates, Sonja Shaw and Richard Barrera, have expressed strong opposition to the changes, fearing they will diminish the independent voice of the elected superintendent.
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Education Slice
Texas
Texas families have started receiving funding from the state's billion-dollar school voucher program, which promised to prioritize students with disabilities. However, many families are finding that the average awarded amount is only around $16,000, significantly less than the promised $30,000. Dee Carney, director of the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency, noted: "For whatever reason, there's a disconnect between the voucher program and what supporters promised for students with disabilities." Despite the funding, some families still cannot afford private school tuition, which can exceed the voucher amount. The comptroller's office reported that approximately 28,000 students with disabilities from low-income households received awards, but 1,134 opted out due to financial constraints. Carney emphasized that while applications are prioritized, this does not guarantee admission to a suitable private school.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Florida
Florida’s latest A-to-F school grades showed broad academic gains, with 76% of public schools earning A or B grades, up from 71%, while D and F schools declined. Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County all retained A grades, with Broward and Palm Beach doing so for the third consecutive year and Miami-Dade continuing its strong record since 2018, outside the pandemic years. Broward had no D or F schools for a second straight year, while Miami-Dade and Palm Beach each reported isolated low-performing schools. Leon County earned a B, narrowly missing an A, but highlighted major improvements at Sealey Elementary and Fairview Middle. Jefferson and Franklin County Schools improved to B grades, while Wakulla, Liberty and Lafayette maintained A grades. Alachua County also retained a B, with 16 A-rated schools, though Rawlings Elementary fell to an F. Duval County kept its districtwide A, with 98% of traditional schools earning A, B or C grades. Escambia County earned its first A grade, helped by gains in math and major school-level improvements. Lake County secured another A rating, Sumter County maintained its A, and Palm Beach reported stronger reading, math, science and acceleration results. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said Florida’s results show that “high expectations, expanded school choice and strong accountability produce real results for students.”
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