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U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education during a contentious House education committee hearing, arguing that the administration is returning authority over education to states, parents, and local leaders. McMahon said President Donald Trump was elected with a mandate to “sunset” the federal education bureaucracy, as Democrats accused the administration of weakening civil rights protections and destabilizing key education programs. Since 2024, the department’s workforce has fallen from roughly 4,200 employees to about 2,300, while more than 100 programs have been shifted to other federal agencies. Republicans largely praised the restructuring efforts, with some lawmakers openly supporting the department’s eventual elimination. However, questions intensified over the administration’s handling of student loans, special education oversight, and staffing cuts within the Office for Civil Rights. McMahon confirmed the administration is considering transferring oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to another agency, though no final decision has been made. Disability advocates have strongly opposed any move away from the Education Department. Lawmakers also pressed McMahon over deep cuts to the Office for Civil Rights, which lost roughly half its staff during previous layoffs. McMahon said the administration is rehiring attorneys and described civil rights enforcement as important, despite the administration simultaneously proposing a 35% funding reduction for the office. On student achievement, McMahon highlighted literacy gains in states such as Louisiana and Mississippi that adopted science-of-reading reforms, while backing the administration’s proposed “Make Education Great Again” block grants.

 

Education Week News

NPR

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Mayor Brandon Johnson has firmly ruled out the possibility of school closings in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) despite a projected $732m deficit for the upcoming school year. Johnson emphasized the need for the Illinois General Assembly to approve progressive revenue measures to avoid classroom cuts, stating: "Are we going to fully fund our schools or not?" He highlighted the lessons learned from past school closures, which have left lingering community resentment. Johnson's administration aims to prioritize vulnerable populations and seeks support from state lawmakers to address the financial challenges facing CPS. As he approaches his third anniversary in office, Johnson said he remains focused on educational funding and community investment.

 

Chicago Sun Times

A planned overhaul of the federal E-rate program is drawing criticism from schools, libraries, and broadband advocates, who warn that a new centralized bidding portal could complicate procurement and create additional compliance burdens, particularly for small and rural districts. Beginning in July 2027, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will require E-rate competitive bidding activity to move to a centralized online portal managed by the Universal Service Administrative Company. Federal officials say the change will improve transparency, strengthen oversight, and help prevent fraud by giving regulators direct access to procurement records. The FCC said the new system addresses concerns raised in a 2020 Government Accountability Office report, which found that participants largely self-certified compliance with bidding rules under the current decentralized system. Under the revised process, vendors will submit bids through the portal, while schools and libraries will upload bid evaluations, contracts, and procurement documentation. The FCC argues the changes will modernize E-rate oversight and align it more closely with other federal procurement systems. Critics warn the new federal requirements could conflict with existing state and local procurement rules, increase legal and administrative complexity, and create additional training and compliance demands for applicants. Rural education leaders also fear the portal could discourage smaller vendors from participating, reducing competition and making it harder for underserved districts to secure broadband services. 

 

Government Technology

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2026-27 budget proposal would provide billions of dollars in additional funding for schools and community colleges, including higher cost-of-living increases, expanded special education support, and larger discretionary grants for districts. The revised plan would raise Proposition 98 education funding to a record $127.1bn, with per-student funding exceeding $21,000. Newsom proposed increasing the cost-of-living adjustment for school districts from 2.87% to 4.31%, while also adding $2.4bn in extra special education funding, which he described as a historic investment. The governor also increased a proposed one-time discretionary block grant from $2.8bn to $5bn, giving districts flexibility to spend on priorities such as literacy, math instruction, career pathways, and student support services. Despite the additional funding, school groups remain sharply critical of Newsom’s decision to continue withholding $3.9bn in Proposition 98 funding until early 2027. Education organizations argue the money is constitutionally guaranteed and needed immediately to help districts manage rising costs, staffing pressures, and potential layoffs.

 

EdSource

Weld RE-5J, a school district in Colorado, has successfully implemented an online program that caters to students facing challenges such as anxiety and health issues. Gracie, a junior, shared her experience: "It was giving me a lot of anxiety." The district's program allows students to take a mix of online and in-person classes, with plans to expand enrollment to 120 students next year. Alexandra Ham, the district's online administrator, emphasized the importance of gradual growth: "It's really important to us to grow slowly enough that we grow well." The program, supported by Colorado Digital Learning Solutions, aims to retain students who might otherwise leave for multi-district online schools. With a modest in-school requirement, the program ensures that students receive necessary support while benefiting from flexible learning options.

 

Chalkbeat

Spring at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, offers a unique educational experience that transforms the end-of-year dread into an opportunity for experiential learning. The school, known for its innovative approach, replaces traditional classes with elective courses that emphasize practical skills and interdisciplinary studies. A hallmark of this program is the mandatory backpacking project for freshmen, requiring them to hike approximately fifty-five miles on the Appalachian Trail. Glenn Cassidy, the director of the project, emphasizes teamwork and preparation, stating: "Rule No. 1 is stay together." This initiative not only fosters personal growth but also cultivates leadership and empathy among students. As one student reflected, “If I could do the A.T., I can do anything.” St. Benedict's model demonstrates that shared experiences can effectively engage students and enhance their learning, suggesting that other schools could benefit from similar projects.

 

Los Angeles Times

Research indicates that teenagers aged 13 to 18 are increasingly distrustful of news media, a trend that affects their ability to differentiate between fact and fiction. According to a 2024 survey by the News Literacy Project, 50% of teens reported that news “finds them” primarily through social media, while 36% do not actively follow news. Peter Faustino, a licensed school psychologist, noted that this reliance on social media leads to a narrow perspective, reinforcing distrust when confronted with differing information. Pamela Brunskill, a senior director at the News Literacy Project, emphasized the importance of teaching media literacy to help students approach information critically. She stated: “Always start with the kids' lives. Make it authentic.” Schools play a crucial role in fostering discussions about information sources, yet educators often hesitate to engage in potentially divisive topics. As Andrew Shtulman, a psychology professor, pointed out, today's youth face a unique challenge in navigating a landscape filled with misinformation.

 

Education Week News

In Roxbury, New Jersey, students from Roxbury High School are actively contributing to affordable housing efforts by partnering with Habitat for Humanity. On May 7, they delivered their third modular home, a two-bedroom, one-bath residence, which was constructed over two years by approximately sixty students under the guidance of Teacher Frank Caccavale. Caccavale expressed pride in his students, stating: "Each day, I watched students come to school excited to learn and eager to give back to their community." The project, which involves collaboration with expert builders from Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity, emphasizes community involvement and provides students with hands-on experience in construction. Doug Wright, chief construction officer for GMM Habitat, highlighted the importance of community support, noting that "Roxbury as a community came together to support this project." The new home will soon be occupied by a family selected through a process that requires applicants to contribute "sweat equity."

 

New Jersey Herald

North Dakota voters will decide in November whether the state should provide free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 public school students under a constitutional amendment approved for the ballot as Measure 3. The proposal, backed by the Together for School Meals coalition, would require the state to fund school meals beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The measure proposes using earnings from the state’s Legacy Fund, which is financed through oil and gas tax revenues, unless lawmakers identify another funding source. Supporters said the initiative reflects broad concern about food insecurity and student well-being, arguing that universal school meals are critical for children’s health and academic success. The state Department of Public Instruction estimates the program would cost about $133m during the 2027-29 budget cycle, although federal free and reduced-price meal funding would offset part of the expense. The measure would apply to public schools, while allowing private schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and tribal schools to participate. Polling has shown broad public support for free school meals in the state.

 

The Bismarck Tribune

North Dakota Monitor

Detroit has made public buses free for all K-12 students, but many students still face long waits, overcrowded buses, and poorly coordinated schedules that make getting to and from school difficult. The city launched the free transit pilot program in April under Mayor Mary Sheffield, aiming to support students and improve access to education. However, many bus routes remain badly aligned with school schedules, forcing students to wait extended periods before or after class. At Southeastern High School, for example, students often wait more than 30 minutes after dismissal for a bus, while some leave class early to catch the only bus arriving shortly after school ends. Delays are compounded by Detroit’s bus system, which has an afternoon on-time rate of roughly 70%. An analysis by Outlier Media found that more than 40% of Detroit Public Schools Community District high schools are served by buses that either run infrequently or do not match school bell schedules. Students who require transfers often face even longer delays and may miss connections entirely. Transit officials acknowledged the scheduling issues and said adjustments, including revised schedules and larger buses on student-heavy routes, could be implemented before the next school year. Education advocates said unreliable transportation contributes to chronic absenteeism and disrupts learning. A recent pilot program providing yellow bus transportation at two Detroit high schools suggested better transit options could improve attendance.

 

Chalkbeat

The Arkansas State Board of Education has approved emergency rules to implement new legislation governing the creation and funding of smaller school districts that separate from previously consolidated districts. The legislation, passed in April, outlines how assets, property, debt, and funding will be divided when an isolated district detaches from an existing district. The new emergency rule expands access to state funding previously available only to districts following consolidation or annexation, extending it to newly detached isolated districts as well. Education Department Deputy Commissioner Stacy Smith said the emergency rule will remain in effect for four months while the state develops a permanent version. Under the law, personal property located within the newly formed isolated district must be transferred from the existing district following voter approval of the detachment. The isolated district will also assume debt tied to transferred real property. The legislation further requires the existing district to transfer 90% of the state per-student funding associated with students attending the isolated school. Arkansas will provide public schools with $8,037 per student during the 2026-27 school year.

 

Arkansas Advocate

The U.S. Department of Justice has accused the Yale School of Medicine of violating antidiscrimination laws by allegedly favoring Black and Hispanic applicants over more qualified white and Asian students. This marks the second major medical school targeted by the Trump administration in eight days, following similar findings against the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, stated: "This department will continue to shed light on these illegal practices, and demand that institutions of higher education comply with federal law." The Justice Department's investigation highlights concerns regarding Yale's use of holistic admissions reviews, which they claim may circumvent the Supreme Court's recent ruling against race-conscious admissions policies. Despite the ruling, Dhillon's findings indicate that Yale's admissions outcomes have not significantly changed, suggesting a "willful failure to comply" with the decision.

 

Boston Globe

MIT President Sally Kornbluth warned that federal funding cuts, tax increases, and restrictive immigration policies are causing a sharp decline in research activity and graduate student enrollment at the university. Federally funded research at MIT has fallen more than 20% compared to last year, while new federal research awards are also down by more than 20%. Overall research activity, including private and philanthropic funding, has declined 10%, according to Kornbluth. The university also expects graduate student enrollment to fall roughly 20% from 2024 levels, representing about 500 fewer students, as uncertainty around research funding and immigration policy discourages applicants, particularly international students and scholars. Kornbluth said senior faculty members with long histories of securing grants are being forced to reduce lab staff, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research programs as federal support slows. MIT’s financial pressures have been compounded by a higher federal tax on university endowment returns. Congress increased the tax to 8% this year, leaving MIT expecting to pay about $240m annually.

 

Washington Post

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is shutting down several outdoor education programs and facilities, citing tens of millions of dollars in required maintenance and repair costs, a move critics say will disproportionately affect low-income students. The board said it will close the Warren Park outdoor education center, end leases at the Forest Valley and Etobicoke sites, and discontinue programs at the Toronto Urban Studies Centre and Island Natural Science School. Two outdoor education centers, Mono Cliffs and Hillside, will remain open. Education advocates and local officials criticized the cuts, arguing that outdoor learning provides important hands-on experiences that many lower-income students would not otherwise have access to. Experts said wealthier families can often access similar opportunities through camps and travel, while many urban students rely on school programs for exposure to nature and environmental education. The cuts follow broader cost-saving measures by the TDSB, the largest school board in Canada, including layoffs of more than 200 administrative staff positions, as the board remains under provincial supervision amid wider governance reforms introduced by the Ontario government.

 

CBC News