Category: Education

Overview: Texas has joined Louisiana and Arkansas in passing laws requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, sparking lawsuits that highlight both ongoing legal battles over church-state separation and educators’ acts of resistance against coordinated efforts to erode civil liberties. The erosion of civil liberties in service to the establishment of a Christofascist theocracy continues apace in the South, as Texas joins Louisiana and Arkansas in mandating that every K-12 public education classroom display a copy of the Ten Commandments. Texas Senate Bill 10, passed…

Overview: The majority of California’s public colleges are designated as HSIs by: Michael Burke And Amy DiPierro This story was originally published by EdSource. Sign up for their daily newsletter The White House plans to cut about $350 million in grant funding that would have supported minority-serving institutions, including colleges with high numbers of Latino students. In California, there are 167 Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which have received more than $600 million in HSI grants over the past 30 years. The leader of the 22-campus California State University system said the cuts would cause “irreparable harm”…

Overview: The majority of California’s public colleges are designated as HSIs by: Michael Burke And Amy DiPierro This story was originally published by EdSource. Sign up for their daily newsletter The White House plans to cut about $350 million in grant funding that would have supported minority-serving institutions, including colleges with high numbers of Latino students. In California, there are 167 Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which have received more than $600 million in HSI grants over the past 30 years. The leader of the 22-campus California State University system said the cuts would cause “irreparable harm”…

Overview: New Mexico will become the first state to provide universal child care, eliminating income requirements and copayments to give every family free access while investing in facilities, workforce pay, and expanded infant and toddler care to strengthen equity, families, and the state’s long-term prosperity. New Mexico will be the first state in the nation to offer universal child care. One Monday, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department made the historic announcement that will start on November 1. This groundbreaking…

Overview: In 2024, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the nation’s largest continuing measure of student achievement, tested about 23,000 eighth-graders in science, 19,300 twelfth-graders in math, and 24,300 twelfth-graders in reading. Student performance in key subjects has dropped sharply in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest Nation’s Report Card that was released just after midnight. The new results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show average score declines between 2019 and 2024 for eighth graders in science and for twelfth graders in…

Overview: First Lady Melania Trump hosted the second White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education meeting urging responsible guidance. First Lady Melania Trump convened the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Education last week, bringing together Task Force members and private sector leaders to discuss the future of AI in American schools and industries. “I predict AI will represent the single largest growth category in our nation during the Trump Administration—and I won’t be surprised if AI becomes known as the greatest engine of progress in the…

Overview: Florida leaders announced plans to repeal all childhood vaccine mandates, sparking national controversy over public health and medical freedom. In a partnership with Ron DeSantis and the Department of Health, the state of Florida will begin working to repeal all childhood vaccines. Florida’s governor said on Wednesday, he’d ask the state legislature to repeal a statute that currently requires all children to receive mandatory vaccinations for polio, diphtheria, measles, and mumps before entering school. If it passes, Florida will be the first in the nation to eliminate all vaccine mandates for…

Overview: Harvard secured a major legal victory when a federal judge overturned the Trump administration’s freeze on more than $2 billion in federal research funding, ruling the action a violation of constitutional rights and academic freedom. In a landmark victory, a federal judge has sided with Harvard University to restore more than $2 billion in frozen federal funding for research for the Ivy League school. US District Judge Allison Burroughs delivered a major victory to Harvard University and rejected the Trump administration’s argument that they froze the billions in research due to…

Overview: From cupcakes and class pets to big dreams and bigger challenges, these books remind us that school is about more than grades. This collection of books highlights the many ways young people navigate school, friendship, challenges, and self-discovery. From Emily’s cupcake adventures and Mindy Kim’s creative snack business to Frankie Sparks’ inventive ideas for a class pet, readers see how kids use teamwork, creativity, and persistence to solve problems. Stories like Very Bad at Math and Dive explore deeper struggles with learning differences and pressures, showing that success looks…

Overview: An American teacher reflects on his challenging summer in Beijing, where a student named Jerry taught him that being a true Laoshī means. Arrival in Beijing: Teaching Without a Map Day one in China proved to be tougher than I expected. Commissioned to teach a class of first-graders English in the capital city, Beijing, I planned my teaching methods based on my years of experience in America. I created lessons “flawlessly” devoted to teaching Chinese kids English, even though I couldn’t speak their language. The kids called us teacher…

Overview: Climate literacy equips educators to foster student understanding, relationships, and imaginative action in response to the climate crisis. Everywhere I look, I hear about it. See it. Feel it. Experience it. For decades now, I have not been able to escape it for a single day. I don’t necessarily want to escape it; it’s too important to do that. Although it’s such a heart-heavy issue for me that I sometimes wish I could just forget about it. So what, I’ve asked myself time and again, is an English and…

Overview: In a 2025 survey, The Educator’s Room surveyed over 600 educators about their feelings regarding the withholding of federal funds. This summer, when the Trump administration withheld billions of dollars in federal funding from schools, education advocates and state officials sounded the alarm. These funds, intended to support summer and after-school programs for migrant students, English learners, and underserved communities, have yet to be distributed, despite being authorized in a continuing resolution passed in March and signed into law by President Trump. When conversations turn to education, one word…

Overview: Under President Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the U.S. Department of Education rescinded the 2015 “Dear Colleague” guidance on English learners ending federal oversight and supports for more than 5.3 million students, a move advocates warn could harm immigrant children for decades. Under the directive of President Donald J. Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the U.S. Department of Education has ended federal guidelines set in 2015 on how to serve English Language Learners. These shifts are expected to impact more than 5.3 million English learners in the U.S.…

Overview: The move follows the Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action and aims to ensure compliance with federal law On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum requiring universities to collect detailed admissions data to prove they are not shaping student bodies along racial lines, according to the White House. The order marks the administration’s latest step in dismantling affirmative action policies in higher education. The directive, carried out by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, instructs the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to require institutions to report admissions…

Overview: A teacher shares how implementing restorative justice practices—despite skepticism—transformed a troubled student’s behavior and helped foster a more inclusive, supportive classroom environment. Tanya* arrived late to class and told me that Chris* pushed her into the bushes because he thought it was funny. Although I asked Chris about this in a calm and non-accusatory tone, he became confrontational, yelling and dropping F-bombs.  This incident occurred a couple of weeks into the school year, so I didn’t know Chris very well yet. Because he was so easily provoked, I went…

Overview: This essay argues that to truly support parental involvement, schools must move beyond traditional hallway conversations and intentionally engage parents as active partners in classroom learning. As both an educator and a parent navigating two distinct school environments – first as a volunteer instructor in South Bend, Indiana, and later as a parent at Oak Street Elementary in Falls Church, Virginia – I’ve come to recognize that parental involvement in early literacy is as nuanced as it is essential. From informal hallway conversations with refugee and Hispanic families to…

Overview: Building positive communication early and consistently with families fosters trust, strengthens home-school partnerships, and makes challenging conversations easier throughout the school year. The dreaded email or phone call home lurks within every educator’s mind. Whether you are a first-year teacher or a seasoned teacher, you have experienced this feeling. But what if there was a way to make this less troublesome? As I’ve grown professionally as an educator, I have come to find that building partnerships with families is just as important as creating positive relationships with my students.…

Overview: Visualizing math helps students deepen understanding, build confidence, and connect abstract concepts to real-world thinking—one number line or doodle at a time. When you hear or look at the math problem: 33 + 45… what do you see?  I ask students and even adults this question fairly often. The numbers in the equation may change but the question is always about what they see. I teach middle school math and I am a visual math learner. I am not sure when I started seeing math or utilizing visual methods…

Overview: A new teacher in a rural California classroom reflects on how a quiet, overlooked student named Jose Guzman unexpectedly taught her the power of recognition and human connection. I had only just begun my career as a middle school teacher in one of the outer suburbs of Los Angeles. “Outer” meant that the area still retained some of its rural features. Most of the orange groves and cornfields of the closer in San Fernando Valley had already been replaced by track homes and shopping malls. The goat farm where…

Overview: A teacher facing false rumors from a student must navigate personal hurt and professional ethics by enforcing clear, objective team policies rather than excluding the student based on past behavior alone. A Teacher Asks… I am a 12th grade teacher and had a parent (and their child) last year who spread a rumor that I was having an affair with another co-worker. This lie was “corroborated” because both of us coach teams and we’re friends. Nothing inappropriate has (or will ever) happen, but the damage is done. The rumor…

Overview: This teacher’s reflective piece explores the author’s decade-long journey in special education, emphasizing the importance of appropriately placing students in smaller, supportive classroom settings to meet both academic and social-emotional needs, ultimately advocating for individualized learning pathways. Ten years ago, I followed a fascination with how children think, feel, and learn into the world of special education. Since then, working across public school districts has been a journey full of challenges, growth, and purpose. And what a ride it’s been. Over the past decade, I have had the pleasure…

Overview: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting will shut down and lay off most staff by September 30 after Congress cut its $1.1 billion in federal funding, following pressure from President Trump. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced Friday that it will begin a “wind-down of its operations” and cut a majority of its jobs by the end of September following Congress’s approval to cut   $1.1 billion in its federal funding. On Friday, PBS told its employees that the majority of staff positions will be cut by Sept. 30, with only a…

Overview: President Trump has revived the Presidential Fitness Test and Fitness Award through a new executive order, celebrating the return of the tradition with professional athletes—including controversial NFL star Lawrence Taylor—amid a broader effort to address America’s youth health crisis. Washington, D.C. — In an executive order issued this week, President Donald Trump announced the reestablishment of the Presidential Fitness Test and a significant overhaul of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, aiming to combat the nation’s rising health crisis ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. On…

Overview: A specialist teacher argues that they must be included in school leadership to truly support the whole child. There’s this unspoken rule in schools that you learn pretty quickly when you’re a specials teacher: You’re here to give the “real teachers” a break.  Whether you teach art, music, P.E, STEM, Language, or any enrichment class, you feel it. The unintentional (and let’s be honest – sometimes intentional) dismissal of your role as anything more than a planning period for someone else.  But what if I told you that some…

Overview: Oklahoma lawmakers and law enforcement are calling for transparency after explicit images were reportedly displayed on a TV in Superintendent Ryan Walters’ office during a State Board of Education meeting, prompting an official investigation. Oklahoma lawmakers and law enforcement are calling for transparency and further investigation after reports surfaced that explicit images appeared on a television in Superintendent Ryan Walters’ office during an executive session of the Oklahoma State Board of Education. While in office, Walters has been known to push for the implementation of education policies based on…

Imagine it is the last hour of the day. You have given directions for the students to start on their class reading assignment, but all of a sudden, you see 5 students raising their hands. You go over and address one student, and then another student raises their hand. Now you are overwhelmed because you can’t reach every student within the allotted time.  Throughout the past few years, reading scores have not been where they should be. As mentioned by Marie (2024), “The latest Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) results show…

Overview: Character education expert Dr. Marvin Berkowitz emphasizes that schools must go beyond stated values to foster a culture of inclusion, authentic relationships, and ethical modeling—especially among adults—to truly shape students’ character and academic growth. “A child is the only known substance from which a responsible adult can be made.” –Tom Lickona, Raising Good Children The University School of Milwaukee (USM), where I am the Middle School Head, has a core set of values that we refer to as The Common Trust. Our core values are respect, trust, honesty, fairness,…

Overview: Project 2025’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education and eliminate Head Start poses a critical threat to early childhood education, deepening disparities and undermining decades of research-backed progress for our most vulnerable learners, according to this teacher. Federal Dismantling and Early Learning Disparities in Head Start  As a veteran early childhood educator with over 15 years of experience, I’ve witnessed how a quality preschool education can positively change the trajectory of a child’s life. This is why, as a nation, we should be alarmed as President Trump begins…

Overview: A Brooklyn parent’s quiet protest against her daughter’s public school uniform policy reveals the broader inequities, outdated justifications, and disproportionate impact of dress codes—especially on students of color, low-income communities, and marginalized identities—highlighting the urgent need for inclusive reform. At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, in a passive protest to my preschooler’s uniform policy at her public elementary school in Brooklyn, I bought slate blue pants instead of the required navy blue. I understood the risks, but I did not care. My favorite online clothing outlet for…

Overview: A new NCTE-funded study reveals that despite growing advocacy for diverse literature, the most frequently taught books in U.S. secondary English classrooms remain overwhelmingly authored by white men and largely unchanged for over 35 years. According to a study funded by the NCTE, despite nationwide efforts to diversify texts used by teachers in secondary English literature classrooms, the list of books most taught by the nation’s teachers is written by dead, white men. In the study “The State of Literature Use in US Secondary English Classrooms,” funded by the…

Overview: A veteran math teacher explains how using the AI tool Magic School has helped her make math instruction more engaging and relevant by personalizing content around students’ interests and real-world applications, ultimately sparking deeper learning and collaboration in the classroom. As a classroom teacher of 35 years, I find myself challenged to create relevancy with the subject matter in my math classroom in our ever changing world.  The topics of today’s youth and the scenarios they are going to encounter in the “real world” are foreign and seem somewhat…

Overview: After bipartisan pressure, the Department of Education has reversed course and announced the release of over $5 billion in paused federal funds—originally withheld by the Trump administration—restoring critical support for after-school programs, teacher training, and English language learners nationwide. In an abrupt move, the Department of Education announced on Friday that it would release over $5 billion in funding to school systems after the Trump administration paused it on July 1 without warning. These already approved federal funding is intended to support summer and after-school programs for migrant students, English…

Overview: China has a plan for education reform focused around AI. This teacher gives us the lessons and warnings for the global classrooms. China’s Ministry of Education recently made an ambitious move that has attracted global attention. The ministry announced a comprehensive plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its educational system from primary schools to universities. Branded as part of the country’s “strong-education nation” strategy, this campaign pledges to redefine Chinese students’ learning experiences and their modes of thinking, working together, and inventing. Consequently, educators around the world are…

Overview: The death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner deeply impacted the Black community—especially Gen X—because he symbolized familial connection, positive Black representation, and compassion for learning differences, leaving behind a powerful legacy as a Renaissance man beyond his iconic role as Theo. Like so many Gen X adults, the death of Malcolm Jamal Warner was a shock. As the kids often say, it hit different. I have read so many articles and seen so many tributes to his impact and legacy that I felt compelled to capture how much his life has…

Overview: Generative AI is reshaping writing instruction, raising questions about academic integrity, authorship, and the ethical integration of technology in the classroom. Imagine that you’ve just assigned your students a reflective essay on something that they’ve read or on a project that they recently completed. Eventually, you begin sifting through the submissions, but you notice some marked differences from previous years. For instance,several essays are polished but kind of generic, with an overly refined tone that doesn’t at all match how the students communicate verbally in class. One student reluctantly…

Overview: A teacher argues that in the Big Beautiful Bill, we need to focus on restricting AI to protect students intellectual and social emotional development. “What does ‘nucleation’ mean?”  I asked Josh (not his real name) after I handed him back his write-up on his class presentation.   “Uh… I don’t really know Mr. T,”  Josh responded.  He grinned as he immediately realized he was caught.   “Why is that concept in your presentation on Mentos in Soda then?” I asked.  Josh looked around for help that wasn’t coming. “Rewrite this without…

Overview: A veteran teacher highlights how true DEI—diversity, equity, and inclusion—thrives in his underfunded San Diego school community. The following is my DEI report to the Department of Education:  There’s now a webpage on the US Department of Education’s website asking for folks to report cases of DEI. Some folks are looking to embrace these anti-DEI measures. A recent oped in my area even asked teachers to help Trump dismantle DEI measures in schools.  I’m not sure who else in education is thinking about filing a report, but I think…

Overview: The NEA Board of Directors voted not to cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League despite criticism of the organization’s stance on Israel, following a divisive internal debate and calls for the ADL to support free speech and protest rights. Last night, the nine-member NEA executive committee voted against severing ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) over claims of how it treated organizations critical of Israel. “Today, following the culmination of a thorough review process as governed by NEA rules, including a vote by NEA’s Executive Committee earlier this week,…

Overview: The Oklahoma State Department of Education is introducing a new initiative to assess educators in U.S. Civics, Constitutional Principles, American History, and the biological differences between boys and girls. The Oklahoma State Department of Education is introducing a new initiative to assess educators who are relocating to the state from other states with ” progressive education policies”. According to State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the assessment will evaluate teachers’ knowledge in areas such as U.S. Civics, Constitutional Principles, American History, and the biological differences between boys and girls.” The initiative…

Overview: The Trump administration has agreed to unfreeze more than $1 billion in 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding for after-school and summer programs—following an 18-day delay that triggered bipartisan backlash, multiple lawsuits, and widespread disruption for districts and families nationwide. The Trump administration will unfreeze more than $1 billion for after-school and summer programming, according to a source within the administration. This comes after funding was paused on July 1, and across the country, school districts and state officials have been on the official. According to ABC News, “The…

Overview: Congressional Republicans are set to introduce a bill to revoke the NEA’s federal charter, accusing the nation’s largest teachers union of pushing a partisan agenda instead of supporting educators. If two Congressional Republicans have their way, the NEA, the largest labor union in the United States, will no longer have congressional ties. In a bill to be introduced tomorrow, Wednesday, July 16, Republicans Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina and Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee will introduce the National Education Association Charter Repeal Act in their respective chambers, aiming…

Overview: In examining The Zone of Interest and Ohio’s “divisive concepts” legislation, a retired teacher argues that just as parents must confront difficult truths to raise resilient children, educators have a moral obligation to teach the full, unvarnished history—including its atrocities—so that students can develop critical thinking skills and a just moral compass. One of the most chilling movie scenes I’ve ever seen is of a woman removing laundry from a clothesline. Allow me to explain. The film, not well known but critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated for Best Motion Picture,…

Overview: By grounding professional development in shared challenges, collaborative book study, and personalized coaching and academic coach has changed the writing culture at her Title 1 school. Elementary school is where a child’s love of writing formulates and blossoms. For some of those schools, including my Florida Title I school, writing instruction has become more complex and inconsistent. A survey I conducted about professional development with my teachers revealed that 69% of them dreaded teaching writing and wished they had more support.  But it was not only the teachers who…

On July 10, Head Start providers nationwide were notified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that they must now verify children’s citizenship and immigration status before enrollment, a policy that could prevent some families from accessing the program. Head Start, a program dedicated to promoting school readiness among low-income children, supports more than 1 million children and families each year across the United States. Since its launch in 1965, it has reached over 38 million children and families nationwide, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia,…

Overview: By grounding professional development in shared challenges, collaborative book study, and personalized coaching and academic coach has changed the writing culture at her Title 1 school. Elementary school is where a child’s love of writing formulates and blossoms. For some of those schools, including my Florida Title I school, writing instruction has become more complex and inconsistent. A survey I conducted about professional development with my teachers revealed that 69% of them dreaded teaching writing and wished they had more support.  But it was not only the teachers who…

Overview: Colorado has enacted a new law requiring K-12 public schools to implement standardized Black history education as part of the state’s social studies curriculum by 2028. In early June, Governor Jared Polis signed into law legislation to establish statewide Black history education standards in Colorado’s public K-12 schools.  HB25-1149, sponsored by Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, and Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, requires the Colorado Department of Education to develop a standard K-12 curriculum for Black history and cultural studies with support from a 17-member advisory committee. “Black…

Overview: Heritage language is vital for preserving cultural identity, fostering intergenerational connections, and combating global language loss through the promotion of multilingualism. Language loss poses a significant threat to the preservation of culture and indigenous knowledge worldwide. It is estimated that nearly 40% of the world’s 7000 languages are endangered. When a language is lost, it results in the erasure of cultural and traditional knowledge along with it. The growing trend of multilingualism in various parts of the world may be a sign of hope. In Europe, for example, 80…

Overview: The Supreme Court paused a lower court’s order requiring the reinstatement of nearly 1,400 Education Department employees, allowing the Trump administration to proceed with its controversial plan to dismantle the department through mass layoffs and program transfers. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to pause a lower court order requiring the Department of Education to reinstate nearly 1,400 employees laid off earlier this year. The unsigned ruling blocked a May decision by U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, who concluded the administration lacked the authority…

Overview: Title I funding is essential for supporting the academic, emotional, and behavioral needs of students in high-poverty alternative schools, and proposed federal cuts threaten to dismantle the critical services that help these vulnerable learners thrive. As an educator in a Title I alternative school, I see students walk inside each morning, burdened by far more than textbooks. They carry trauma, learning disabilities, food insecurity, unstable home lives, and a deep sense that school has never truly welcomed them. Yet with focused, trustworthy support, I’ve watched those same young people…

Overview: The Oklahoma State Department of Education is introducing a new initiative to assess educators in U.S. Civics, Constitutional Principles, American History, and the biological differences between boys and girls. The Oklahoma State Department of Education is introducing a new initiative to assess educators who are relocating to the state from other states with ” progressive education policies”. According to State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the assessment will evaluate teachers’ knowledge in areas such as U.S. Civics, Constitutional Principles, American History, and the biological differences between boys and girls.” The initiative…

Overview: The unintended consequences of relying on AI-generated writing tools like ChatGPT in education should prompt teachers to prioritize originality, critical thinking, and authentic student writing rather than opting for convenience. Chat GPT, please write an introduction to an article about the pitfalls of using artificial intelligence-generated content in education. Make the author sound authoritative, yet casual.  Disclaimer: This is an actual article. In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, tools like ChatGPT have emerged as powerful allies in productivity, creativity, and communication. From drafting emails to generating complex…

Overview: The NEA voted to end its partnership with the ADL, citing concerns over biased materials and the ADL’s attacks on educators advocating for Palestinian rights, sparking national debate over the role of politics in public school education. The National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers’ union, has voted to sever the partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a civil rights group focused on combating antisemitism, according to an NEA spokesperson. This would call for the union to no longer use ADL materials on antisemitism and Holocaust education. The proposal…

Overview: Combining art with financial literacy helps young students better engage with money concepts by making learning creative, personal, and deeply memorable. I’ve been teaching middle school for 3 years and college for 6. While these two levels can be quite different, commonalities are present. Whether a student is in junior high or a junior in higher ed, one often asks a similar question: “Why aren’t we taught about money in school?”. Regardless of program or area of study, I feel we should all learn about money throughout our time…

Overview: Standardized testing demands too much from students with visual impairments, forcing them to endure assessments that fail to accommodate their needs says one teacher. The moment that broke me was quiet. The lead tester and I locked eyes from across the room, and both of us mimed a slow groan. My student’s finger—just one small hand on one long page—hadn’t moved in over an hour. He wasn’t distracted. He wasn’t lazy. He was simply doing his best to read a one-page story in braille, letter by painstaking letter, and…

Overview: A retired high school teacher traded her California home for life aboard a cruise ship, where she plans to live for the next 15 years. Sharon Lane, a 77-year-old retired foreign language teacher from Orange County, California, has turned her dream of ocean living into a full-blown reality. After decades of teaching high school students in Los Angeles and San Bernardino, she’s now taking a crash course in world travel—aboard a cruise ship she’ll call home for the next 15 years. Lane recently traded her apartment in Laguna Woods,…

Overview: The House’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act slashes $930 billion from Medicaid, threatening essential school health services—especially in rural communities—and prompting warnings from educators, healthcare leaders, and disability advocates. In a narrow 218-214 vote on July 3, the House passed the final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), enacting devastating Medicaid cuts that will impact school health services, especially in rural communities. Despite Republican control, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) joined Democrats in opposing the bill. This change has…

The Daily Dispatch is our quick bites of real talk in education, every weekday. We publish every morning at 5:00 a.m., just in time for your daily coffee. Federal NewsBillions in approved federal K–12 education funds remain withheld by U.S. Department of Education (The Educator’s Room) GOP ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ threatens key services for students (The Educator’s Room) Supreme Court upholds Oklahoma decision, in blow to religious charter schools (Breanne Deppisch, Bill Mears, and Shannon Bream, Fox News) Funnies Dystopian Teacher Tales: What a Stupid Question (T.Courtney, The Educator’s Room) Research…

Overview: Playing purposefully with students during recess can reduce behavioral issues, foster inclusion, and create a smoother transition back to learning, all while helping teachers build stronger relationships and classroom culture. It’s a Friday, and you’ve got a terrific math lesson planned. All you need to do is move your group of math geniuses from where they line up after recess back to your classroom. But as you have been dreading, there’s another argument between two young men on the playground. What if someone hadn’t “started something” to begin with?…

Overview: The U.S. Supreme Court let stand an Oklahoma ruling that blocks public funding for a religious charter school, citing violations of both state and federal constitutional provisions separating church and state. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 4-4 decision, effectively upholding the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that it would be unconstitutional for St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma City to receive public funding. The tie vote means the lower court’s decision remains in effect. Due to the evenly split vote, the court issued a…

Overview: As Congress debates the Big Beautiful Bill Act, education advocates warn that the proposed Republican-backed budget reconciliation bill would slash funding for Medicaid, SNAP, and Pell Grants, restrict state regulation of AI, and expand private school vouchers—deeply undermining public education and services for millions of students. Washington, D.C. — Senate Republicans narrowly passed Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” on Tuesday morning after an all-night filibuster. The vote was 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina joined Democrats and voted…

Overview: As of July 1, the U.S. Department of Education has withheld over $6.2 billion in congressionally approved K–12 education funds—jeopardizing critical programs for underserved students and prompting potential legal action for unlawful impoundment. As of July 1, billions in federal education funds approved by Congress remain frozen by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), raising alarms among education advocates and state officials. These funds, intended to support summer and after-school programs for migrant students, English learners, and underserved communities, have yet to be distributed, despite being authorized in a…

Overview: What would it be like if in a near future that students are blatantly told they are “stupid”, modeling some of the politicians from 2025, Recently, I met a man named Professor Marvin Dunn, from Miami, Florida. Professor Dunn purchased five acres on which sit several key sites of the Roseville massacre, where scores of Black Americans were murdered in 1923. Professor Dunn told us that while surveying the property so he could lead tours there, he, his son, and several friends were nearly killed by a man shouting…

Overview: The SCOTUS ruling will require schools to allow parents to opt-out of LGBTQ+ reading materials. Today, in a 6-3 vote along ideological lines, the Supreme Court in MAHMOUD ET AL. v. TAYLOR ET AL on Friday gave a win to parents who objected to their children reading LGBTQ+ themed books in  Maryland elementary classrooms. In 2023, parents from various religious faiths, including Muslim, Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Orthodox, and others, sued the Montgomery County Public Schools after the district ended its policy allowing them to opt out of lessons they objected to,…

Overview: Florida is set to develop it’s own higher education accreditation agency in collaboration with five other Southern states. In a power play with other Southern higher education leaders, Florida is spearheading a new university accrediting commission in response to existing agencies, the governor says, that have a “monopoly of the woke accreditation cartels.” Today, during a Thursday news conference at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced, alongside State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues and university leaders from Texas and South Carolina, that the states are…

Overview: ICE Raids in small town America are contributing to the death of the rural school districts. The high visibility of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and anti-ICE protests in cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Denver has drawn the attention of national media to these major urban areas. Meanwhile, largely unnoticed, small, rural communities in the Midwest have been slowly and silently collapsing. School districts across America’s agricultural belt have already been struggling with Trump-era cuts and are now finding their populations are being decimated…

Overview: Teaching in American schools has changed- some say for the worse. Read this educator’s experience and what can be done to change the relationship schools have with parents. “How dare you count my child absent?” “Why did you grab my child by the face?” “My four-year-old daughter says her teacher pushed her down. What are you going to do about it?” “That teacher called my son names in class.” “You’re not a fit.” Welcome to the daily accusations aimed at educators across the country. One might think these complaints…

Overview: Reading curriculums have been found lacking in the scientific evidence on how to teacher students how to read those in special education. For years, teachers have been waiting for commercial reading curricula and textbooks used in college reading methods courses to fulfill the fairy tales they’ve been promised.  For instance, we may be dreaming of meeting Prince Charming and living in his magnificent castle. Even in our nightmares, nobody wants to walk down the street without clothes. I contend that most commercial reading curricula and textbooks are much like…

Since Donald Trump took office, the news cycle has reached an unprecedented level of intensity around education. The constant stream of breaking news, viral controversies, and information overload can be overwhelming, making it difficult to distinguish fact from noise. That’s why at The Educator’s Room, we are committed to helping educators and the broader community make sense of it all. Our goal is to break down what truly matters and provide the context needed to navigate these complex times. Independent journalism thrives with the support of readers like you. If…

Overview: Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it. –Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland This is my story. It’s the story of a life spent in schools—as student, teacher, administrator, parent, trustee, guardian ad litem, and tutor. It’s the story of disillusionment and hope. Revelation It began when I was 12 and riding my bike to school. The morning was warm and sunny, early June, the smell of freshly cut grass–the fragrance of freedom–signaling the last days of the school year. Thick green leaves shaded the street, and…

Overview: This teacher doesn’t want to leave anything up to chance and instead is debating renting a storage unit. A Teacher Asks… We get out of school next week, and usually we lock everything in our cabinet and go home for the summer. This year, we’re having to take all of our personal belongings home or put them in storage at our county office, but space is limited, as our school is being repainted and undergoes other remodeling. The problem is that I live in a studio, and it’s not…

The Daily Dispatch is our quick bites of real talk in education, every weekday. We publish every morning at 5:00 a.m., just in time for your daily coffee. International NewsUS Student Visa Pause: What international students need to know before studying in the US this year (Financial News) Judge Delays Ruling on Trump Efforts to Bar Harvard’s International Students (New York Times) Cape Town safety fears force parents to seek former white-only schools (BBC, Africa) ‘Scientific asylum’: How Europe is luring US researchers amid Trump fears (Aljazeera) Local News Bokoshe Public…

Overview: A story about fatherhood, fried eggs, and finding peace in the mess as an educator. This column is a series of fiction stories inspired by reality. We publish short stories written by teachers each week. This week, a principal recounts her last week before summer break. Mr. Harris—Coach H to most—had three full-time jobs: teaching sixth-grade science, coaching middle school football, and raising two little girls under the age of ten. And he did them all while running on coffee, four hours of sleep, and stubborn love. Every weekday…

Overview: Summer slide is real, parents use these evidence based strategies to make sure your kids are having fun and learning. You can see it as a teacher when students walk back into the classroom in the fall. The confident rhythm they had in May is gone. Kids forget how to decode simple words, form letters, and add and subtract with ease. It’s most evident in kindergarten through third grade when foundational reading, writing, and math skills are still developing. For struggling students, summer break doesn’t just pause learning. It sets…

Overview: In this piece, a journalism educator argues for a separate media literacy course is needed to help fight against misinformation and disinformation targeting students. In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, traditional literacy skills alone are no longer sufficient. Recent reports reveal alarming gaps: students graduating from high school without basic reading and writing proficiency, and college students widely relying on AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to complete assignments. These trends expose a critical shortfall in how education prepares young people for a media-saturated society where misinformation, disinformation, and digital…

Overview: Museums are more than just historical pieces in black history, they have the responsibility to defend it. Growing up in Washington, D.C., I wandered the museums of the National Mall searching for something familiar, somewhere in the glass cases and solemn wall texts where my history might be acknowledged. Instead, I often found my heritage simplified, misrepresented, or entirely absent. It wasn’t until the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture that I encountered a museum that felt like it was built for someone like…

Overview: In this white paper, a young teacher laments about the crisis among the nation’s young educators and what districts can do about it. January Blues: The New Teacher Conundrum It was January. A month that, in the education world, is full of the mid-year blues, especially for new teachers. To those in the elementary world, it was a month of goal setting and getting the kids back into the swing of school after a long break with their parents and all the joys that came with it. To those…

Overview: This column is a series of fiction stories inspired by reality. We publish short stories written by teachers each week. This week, a principal recounts her last week before summer break. The final bell echoed through the halls of Lakeview Elementary, followed by the usual stampede of feet and the buzz of excited chatter. Emily James* stood by her classroom window, watching the buses roll out. Her fourth-grade room—still humming with the ghosts of laughter and spelling tests—had never felt so still. On her desk sat an open laptop…

Overview: The suit, filed by Boston-area mothers Karrie Conley and Michele Hudak on behalf of their children, was filed in December, targeting literacy authors Lucy Calkins, Irene Fountas, and Gay Su Pinnell, along with their respective publishers. BOSTON — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a group of Massachusetts parents who argued that their children were negatively affected by three reading programs, including Units of Study and Fountas and Pinnell, developed by three well-known literacy experts. The suit, filed by Boston-area mothers Karrie Conley and Michele Hudak…

The Daily Dispatch is our quick bites of real talk in education, every weekday. We publish every morning at 5:00 a.m., just in time for your daily coffee. Federal NewsSupreme Court declines case about T-shirt declaring ‘only two genders’(Justin Jouvenal, The Washington Post) Supreme Court’s Free Speech v. Paxton Decision Could Protect Kids Online (Clare Morell, Newsweek) Supreme Court upholds Oklahoma decision, in blow to religious charter schools (Breanne Deppisch, Bill Mears, and Shannon Bream, Fox News) Judge Tells Trump Admin. to Reverse Education Department Layoffs (Brooke Schultz, Ed Week) Funnies Bearly Hanging…

Overview: What would happen if religious charter schools were approved and taxpayers paid for them? Read this short story that explores that. Last week, the US Supreme Court was deadlocked 4-4 on a ruling that would have allowed a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma to receive public funding. In the decision, Amy Coney-Barrett recused herself. Although this decision at first might seem like a victory for public and secular schools, it may just lead to some dystopian future rulings at the state level. If the US Supreme Court takes in…

Overview: From Steps and Lanes to Student Gains: How Instructional Coaching Bridges the Gap Between Teacher Growth and Classroom Impact If you’ve been in education longer than a decade, you likely experienced (or heard legends of) the teacher compensation model that encouraged continuous learning at post-secondary institutions. This paralleled state licensing that required graduate credits as part of the license renewal process. The “steps and lanes” approach provided teachers with periodic raises based on years of service (steps) and graduate credits earned (lanes). Essentially, teachers who continued to take credits…

As a classroom teacher, I have seen firsthand how AI can spark student curiosity. Students are hearing about AI and are excited about the future of technology. But with that flame of curiosity comes a spark of concern. “How can I tell if an image is AI?” “Why do I need to learn how to do this if AI can just do it for me?” These are valid questions that educators need to address with their students. Twenty-first-century students need a space where they can learn and explore proper AI…

Overview: An elementary school principal in KY barely survives the final two days which includes a black bear. This column is a series of fiction stories inspired by reality. We publish short stories written by teachers each week. If anyone ever tells you elementary principals, have it easy in May, they’ve never tried to corral 600 sugar-charged children through Field Day, an awards ceremony, end-of-year testing, and a surprise visit from a full-grown black bear — all before 3:00 p.m. It all started like any other last week of school…

Overview: A federal judge has blocked former President Trump’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, ruling the move likely exceeded executive authority and violated federal law. The court also ordered the reinstatement of over 1,300 employees who were abruptly laid off as part of the administration’s effort. In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday halting efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The judge’s decision also mandates reinstating over 1,300 employees terminated as part…

Overview: Dr. Pratt is a veteran educator who is one of our 50 exemplary educators. Dr. Jennifer Pratt’s journey in education is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and purpose. From the very beginning, her love for learning and her desire to help others have been the driving forces behind a career marked by innovation, inclusivity, and impact. “A love for learning and helping others sparked my journey in education,” Dr. Pratt shares. “Additionally, my inspiration stemmed from influential teachers who ignited my curiosity.” Ms. Jennifer Pratt is…

Overview: This is a weekly short story series that focuses on teachers’ crazy stories—but with a little fiction in them to protect the innocent (and guilty). This week, it went down between a teacher, AI and her students, all over a Chemistry exam. I’ve taught chemistry at Eastwood High for thirteen years. Long enough to tell when something doesn’t add up—even when it looks perfect on paper. It started last Tuesday, after I finished grading the midterms. Normally, I’d be overjoyed when students scored high, but this time, something was…

Overview: Nationwide, students in K-12 participate in multiple standardized tests each year. Read what this retired educator has to say about them. Standardized testing killed my career.  We live in a country where teachers are not respected on the whole. They are tasked with teaching a group of diverse learners with so many different backgrounds, learning styles, and degrees of readiness -whether developmental or amount of exposure. There are special needs students and students who are not native English speakers. Behavior must also be factored in because more often than…

Overview: Subbing allowed this educator to reclaim his time and save his mental health after having a stressful school year. I never planned on becoming a recovering subbing educator. It just happened. It was the end of my final year as a full-time teacher. One week earlier, I had led what I thought was a killer lesson about The Outsiders. I made all the right teacher moves. My students activated multiple kinds of learning. There was scaffolding, there was differentiation, there was everything you wish you could include in your…

Overview: Idaho teacher Sarah Inama resigns after being ordered to remove inclusive “Everyone is welcome here” posters. Sarah Inama, a sixth-grade history teacher at Lewis and Clark Middle School in Meridian, Idaho, has submitted her resignation following a dispute with the West Ada School District over inclusive signage in her classroom. Inama, a veteran educator, chose to step down rather than comply with a district directive to remove a poster that read “Everyone is welcome here” and featured diverse hands and affirming words such as “welcome,” “important,” “valued,” and “equal.”…

Overview: Discover how literature circles transform student attitudes toward reading by promoting choice, peer discussion, and deeper comprehension. Walk into any given classroom and survey the students about reading. Some students will say that they love it, others may say they read because they have to, and another group would put it last on their list of things they enjoy about school. Perhaps they just haven’t found a book genre they love, or maybe they haven’t found characters they can relate to or connect with. As an elementary school teacher,…

Overview: In a letter addressed to the President of Harvard University, the Secretary of Education accused them of violating federal law. In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent a blistering letter to Harvard President Dr. Alan Garber on May 5, 2025, declaring the university would no longer be eligible for federal grants. She cited what she called a “systemic pattern of violating federal law.” “Receiving such taxpayer funds is a privilege, not a right,” McMahon wrote. “Yet…

Overview: This new guidance would require states to broaden the definition of an unsafe school and open more avenues to charter schools. In a letter from the feds, the U.S. Department of Education has released a new letter urging states to identify more schools on the Unsafe Schools list and offer more choices for them to move to charter public schools. This move would strengthen the implementation of the Unsafe School Choice Option under Section 8532 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) established in 1965. The provision requires…

Overview: Far-right groups like Moms For Liberty are attacking public education and civil rights under the guise of “liberty.” The gathering strength of the anti-public education movement only becomes more and more impossible to deny. As education groans beneath a lack of funding, the onslaught of charter schools, and the dismantling of the Department of Education, educators across the nation wearily ask themselves one question: “What’s next?” As more and more of us have found ourselves under assault in many states and areas, there are still those of us who…

Overview: Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9th. This upcoming week of May 5-9 is Teacher Appreciation Week, with Teacher Appreciation Day being May 6th. According to the nonprofit TCEA, the origins of Teacher Appreciation Week started in the early 1940s, when Mattye Whyte Woodridge, a teacher from Arkansas, lobbied political and educational leaders to advocate for a day that honored teachers. Scroll down for the businesses (both large and small) offering discounts and freebies. Aroma Joe’s Free 24-ounce drink with a valid teacher ID on May 6, Teacher Appreciation Day. Bravo…

Overview: The Trump administration has ended $1 billion in Biden-era school mental health grants, citing concerns over race-based initiatives and shifting education priorities. The Trump administration has decided not to renew $1 billion in federal grants created under former President Joe Biden to expand school mental health services. According to the AP, affected grant recipients received notice this week that the funding will not continue after this year. A notice reviewed by AP said that the Education Department reviewed the programs, finding they violated the purpose of civil rights law…

Higher education is engulfed in fear, hyperbole, and competing virtue-signaling performances across the political spectrum. Conservatives are viewing the Anti-DEI Trumpian movement as a harbinger of positive regression towards the past collegiate atmosphere, while at the same time, liberals are suggesting the removal of DEI is a return to Jim Crow and segregation. As per usual, both extremist sides are exaggerating, wrong, and attempting to fill all non-believers with existential dread if their particular ideology loses. Unfortunately, what is missed in the overly dramatic fight between DEI and Anti-DEI forces…

Overview: Morning Choice is a scheduled 15-minute block in the morning that offers students a way to ease into the school day. The bell rings. The hallways are bustling with children as they begin the new school day. Let’s stop for a minute. Re-wind. Zoom in on the child with their head down as they saunter towards their homeroom, thinking about the argument they just had 30 minutes ago with a parent about their outfit. Next, let’s catch up with the friend who appears to be sprinting towards the finish…

Overview: Vivian Ifeagwu-a Nigerian educator and advocate transforming African education through personalized learning and sustainable teaching models. “A golden fish has no hiding place.” —Vivian Ifeagwu Vivian Ifeagwu’s journey into education was not accidental—it was destiny. Inspired by her mother, a beloved mathematics teacher who made learning joyful and deeply engaging, Vivian grew up already embodying the essence of an educator. “I knew immediately that teaching is a career I have been called for on this earth,” she reflects. Like the biblical Jonah, she initially dodged her calling, but her…

Overview: Making sure all students belong in your classroom is something that all teachers can strive to do Every year, I hope to create a safe space for my students. You never really know the dynamic of your class or how the kids will feel. You strive for the best while you hope it all works out. It’s always interesting to see how my class dynamic is never the same, and there are always many reasons why. Life lately has become challenging for kids as young as 7. Some kids…

Overview: Not only is teacher rage normal but there is a scientific explanation on why we have it and a three step method to stop it. There was a long moment of silence after I’d turned around and hurled my chalk to the floor with great force, eyes glaring, lips bared, a growl escaping from between my clenched teeth. Chalk dust was settling on my shoulders, and my seventh-grade class was staring at me like I was a wild animal. The kid who interrupted me had handed me my last…

Overview: These seven executive orders are targeting workforce development to AI to college accreditation. President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on April 23 aimed at overhauling key aspects of U.S. education policy. The wide-ranging actions touch nearly every level of education — from K–12 classrooms to higher education institutions — and seek to advance workforce readiness while scaling back what the administration calls “ideological overreach.” Boosting AI Education and Certification Programs One of the centerpiece directives focuses on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into K–12 education. The order…

Overview: Federal judges in Maryland and New Hampshire blocked Republican President Donald Trump’s administration from following through on threats to cut off funding. Two federal judges, on Thursday, from both New Hampshire and Maryland blocked Trump administration directives that threatened to cut federal funding from public schools implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. US District Judge Landya McCafferty from New Hampshire sharply criticized and partially blocked a Trump administration policy that threatened to cut federal funding from schools engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts or considering race…

Overview: This centers the reciprocal nature of the learning experience and acknowledges the blind spots educators may have when judging students. Educators don’t always have the luxury of complete control of the curriculum or class size. What we do have is the power to check if stereotyping students is a silent danger that could impact how we teach and what students learn. We, ourselves, are just as likely to be stereotyped by the students who may judge our professional merit based on our age, ethnicity, and gender. ~ Day One: …

Overview: A teacher chronicles her journey from classroom struggles and near burnout to discovering her passion and purpose in the virtual classroom, where she now thrives as an educator and leader. On my first day in a classroom full of kindergarteners, I stood before them in the most adorable flats designed to look like pencils. On the board, I had the most perfectly crafted calendar full of rainbows and polka dots. My heart and face were full of hope and joy for the year ahead. A year later, my feet…

The following story is fictional, set in a third Trump term. The President has recently alluded to the idea of seeking a third term, and as imagined in this story, that could lead to deep-rooted changes for children in schools. In the story, a single mother and her son Jamaal struggle with finding a proper school fit. To many, this will be a recognizable condition in today’s school climate. However, with the potential closure of the Department of Education, which oversees and enforces IDEA protections for inclusivity, this environment will…

Overview: A psychology instructor confronts her own biases and discovered the transformative power of listening to students’ stories. Educators don’t always have the luxury of complete control of the curriculum or class size. We have the power to check if stereotyping students is a silent danger that could impact how we teach and what students learn. We, ourselves, are just as likely to be stereotyped by the students who may judge our professional merit based on our age, ethnicity, and gender. ~ Day One: My first day on the job…

Overview: Planning a field trip has the ability to teach something that can stay with you for twenty years. Planning a field trip has the ability to teach something that can stay with you for twenty years. My classroom is full of treasures. Pictures from years past, drawings from students who wanted to leave me with a piece of their creativity, and a big red button labeled Do Not Push – because, let’s be honest, I had to know which kid was willing to risk it all. But the most…

Overview: Kennedy Jr. is a prime example of individuals who have forgotten the power and potential harm that words can cause harm to autism students. Words matter. We often learn this simple but important concept before we enter preschool or kindergarten. For some reason, many people with large platforms often seem to forget this principle. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a prime example of individuals who have forgotten the power and potential harm that words can cause. In a recent interview, Kennedy referred to autism…

Overview: Amplify Our Voices is a storytelling initiative to dismantle stigma, center authentic narratives, and give neurodivergent Black children the spotlight they deserve. When Toni Morrison famously said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it,” Michele Lamons-Raiford took it personally—and literally. Inspired by her journey as a mother of a Black son with autism, the veteran educator, writer, and advocate, Michele Lamons-Raiford, created Amplify Our Voices, a storytelling initiative rooted in the power of representation, empathy, and…

Are you finding it hard to engage your students in coursework? Do your lessons sometimes feel dragging? I’ve been there, and trust me, I’ve got a solution that might change how you approach teaching. Let me tell you about an experience I had that turned everything around. A couple of semesters ago, in my creative writing class, I had a student who struggled with using his voice in class. His writing was always excellent, but he couldn’t find the words when participating in discussions. I could tell he had so…

Overview: Lawsuit alleges the agency stripped award-winning books and canceled cultural events, chilling free speech in classrooms for thousands of military kids. By: Markus Schmidt – April 15, 2025 This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury on April 15, 2025. The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the U.S. Department of Defense over what it calls a sweeping campaign of censorship in public schools run for military families, including one in Virginia, accusing federal officials of banning books and curricula related to race, gender and civil rights in violation of…

Overview: DEI programs are under attack. Here’s what private institutions like Fordham University and Georgetown Law are doing. “Principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central to our mission as a Jesuit institution and connect us to a long Catholic tradition of advocating for the dignity and worth of every person.” The quote above came from an April 9, 2025 mailing from the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Fordham announcing Pre Commencement Celebrations for groups ranging from Black, Latine, and Asian, to LGBTQ+ students.   In it, Fordham affirmed its commitment to…

Overview: Harvard University will not comply with the Trump administrations demands citing intellectual freedom. According to a statement issued today to its community, Harvard University will not comply with the Trump administration’s 10 demands that focused on eliminating so-called DEI initiatives and screening for international students “supportive of terrorism and anti-Semitism.”. “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement. The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” the statement read from the University. “The administration’s prescription goes beyond…

Overview: Play is the highest form of research. “But I can express myself only through writing. I don’t know any other way,” said my 10-year-old student. “Now, how do I respond to this?” I wondered. Still figuring out within myself, I was in for a surprise when the teacher within me immediately agreed with the student. “Yes, I agree. I have seen you express yourself so beautifully in all your assignments. And now I want you to try some new things.” As a teacher, I often encounter moments like these…

Overview: The USDOE has referred Maine’s Title IX case to the Department of Justice and begun proceedings to revoke the state’s federal K-12 funding. 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 against Maine with allegations that the state continues to allow transgender…

Overview: The erosion of traditional authority in society has profoundly impacted classroom dynamics, leaving teachers struggling to manage student behavior. “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 your own seat and, unfortunately, you are still socializing.” She rolled her eyes, picked up…

Overview: Memphis Shelby County School Board member Towanna Murphy has issued an apology after facing backlash for threatening to deport a Hispanic former student during a heated social media exchange, prompting community outrage and renewed scrutiny of the district’s leadership. Memphis Shelby County School Board member Towanna Murphy apologizes for threatening to deport a Hispanic women who messaged her on social media to criticize her tenure on the school board and called her names. Murphy, the District 7 school board member, represents the Whitehaven and Hickory Hill communities in Memphis Shelby…

Overview: Logan has taught high school and university-level English for 13 years, with courses on everything from writing to activism to superheroes. He also illustrates inspirational cartoons and graphic essays and is the creator of AsMuchGood.com. In his spare time he enjoys Indian food, the Chicago Cubs, national parks, and occasionally dressing up like Batman. The author and Anthony, a teacher and headmaster in the Kiryandongo district of Uganda. An elephant had waltzed through Anthony’s schoolground the morning of the day I interviewed him. Turns out that’s a thing teachers deal…

Overview: Teachers are often tasked with “teaching with urgency” but yet, kids need time to practice being good little humans. I’ve heard every teacher I know say it at least once: “My students need to practice manners.” Here’s something else I’ve heard them all say right after that: “I don’t have time to teach my students manners.” I get it. I teach English at a middle school on a block schedule. I teach with a sense of urgency, every day, every lesson. I use SEL, ELD, UDL, PBL and a…

Overview: Analysis of 50 years of research argues that there isn’t strong evidence for the academic advantages of placing children with disabilities in general education classrooms This article first appeared in The Hechinger Report, a national nonprofit newsroom that reports on one topic: education. Contact staff writer Jill Barshay at 212-678-3595 or [email protected]. A prominent professor of special education is about to ignite a fierce debate over a tenet of his field, that students with disabilities should be educated as much as possible alongside their peers in general education classrooms, a strategy known…

Overview: The U.S. Department of Education’s will divert funding from Title 1 toward school choice initiatives 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 from schools and push them to other programming preset by the state education department. The Department’s letter, sent to…

Overview: Donald Trump wants the Supreme Court to freeze millions in teacher training grants. On Wednesday, the Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to permit the freezing of millions in state grants intended to address teacher shortages, citing concerns that the funds were being used for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. “This case exemplifies a flood of recent suits that raise the question: ‘Does a single district-court judge who likely lacks jurisdiction have the unchecked power to compel the government of the United States to pay out (and probably lose…

Overview: DEI initiatives provide teachers with training to improve their cultural competence and bias awareness, ultimately fostering a more supportive and effective learning environment Times are strange, aren’t they? Everyday, sometimes every hour, we are bombarded with  “unprecedented” news. As educators, we are accustomed to navigating the twists and turns that come with constant power struggles in our country. However, few things have impacted education as profoundly as the recent bans on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in American schools.  These bans are reshaping curricula, affecting student well-being, and…

Overview: These dystopian teacher tales are currently not true, with the demise of the Department of Education this could very well become true. Although the following story is fiction, it isn’t as far-fetched as you might imagine. Without the US Department of Education or teacher union protections, many states may move to arm teachers in response to school shootings. In some places, they already are. Schools may also partner with associations and businesses that would not have been appropriate with national oversight. This move could indeed place cameras in the…

Overview: New lawsuit alleges that gutting the Department of Education will send class sizes soaring along with gutting student civil rights protections. 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 of its mandatory functions. “America’s educators and parents won’t be silent as Donald…

Overview: President Donald Trump announced the transfer of federal student loan management to the Small Business Administration and special needs funding oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services as part of his executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education. President Donald Trump announced Friday that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will assume responsibility for the federal student loan portfolio. At the same time, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will oversee funding for special needs students. The decision follows his executive order signed earlier…

Overview: Donald Trump signed an executive order to transfer education oversight to individual states, initiating a process to dismantle the DOE. Today, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Education to transfer education oversight to individual states. The order initiates a process requiring congressional approval to eliminate the department fully. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon released a statement following the announcement, calling the executive order a “history-making action” that will “free future generations of American students and forge opportunities for their success.” “Education is fundamentally…

Overview: This executive order will be signed on Thursday afternoon in a ceremony attended by several Republican governors and state education commissioners. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday aiming to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign pledge, according to senior administration officials. The order has been in development for weeks and will be signed during a White House ceremony attended by several Republican governors and state education commissioners. According to a White House summary of the order first reviewed by…

Overview: Democratic attorneys general have filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s drastic staff cuts at the Department of Education, arguing they unlawfully undermine federally mandated programs and responsibilities. Twenty democratic states have filed a new lawsuit against Linda McMahon and the Trump administration’s recent staff reduction at the Department of Education, highlighting ongoing concerns about the administration’s broader agenda. This lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of “nullifying” mandates by Congress that require the department to carry out certain functions. This comes after Linda McMahon and staff announced a reduction…

Overview: In this fictional narrative, Veteran Teacher Thomas Courtney writes from the perspective of a future gay educator in a world without the Department of Education. Even though Mr. Courtney writes fictionally, should the Department of Education fall, this tale may be more nonfiction than fiction in some states.  Today is Monday in Room B, and it’s going to be a doozy. The kids are a bit nuts what with Christmas Break coming up, and the mandatory state testing benchmarks we have to review. I admit that I could have…

According to an internal email confirmed by The Educator’s Room, staff at the U.S. Department of Education were instructed to vacate their offices by 6 p.m. Tuesday. All department locations in Washington, D.C., and regional offices were ordered closed on Wednesday. The message, sent by James Hairfield of the Office of Security, Facilities, and Logistics, cited “security reasons” for the closure. Employees with approved telework agreements were advised to work from home and to take their laptops with them upon leaving Tuesday. “Employees will not be permitted in any ED…

Overview: Roughly 20 million children benefit from the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which enables high-poverty schools to provide free meals to all students without requiring families to verify income. 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 President Joe Biden in 2021. The…

As a retired elementary educator, I’ve seen firsthand how foundational reading skills shape the trajectory of a child’s academic success and overall confidence. I had the privilege of working with a former student we will call Ethan. Ethan was a bright and curious child who struggled deeply in reading. He stumbled over very simple words, had no confidence, and avoided reading tasks due to embarrassment. His frustration was evident and his confidence quickly unraveled. I focused on systematic, explicit phonemic awareness and phonics instruction. We practiced structured literacy intervention and…

Overview: The U.S.D.O.E. Office for Civil Rights has issued warnings to 60 universities across the alleging they failed to protect Jewish students from antisemitism. 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 Act to ensure Jewish students have uninterrupted access to campus facilities…

Overview: The role of a teacher must be like that of a farmer. After all, a farmer does not instruct a plant on how to grow—he nurtures it. Change is as constant as learning is to survival. I visited a cousin of mine who lives in a village in Meghalaya. To support her family, she sells momos and aloo muri. The steady stream of customers at her shop is a testament to how good her food is. One afternoon, when I visited her house, I noticed her using a grinding…

Overview: The Executive Order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the 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” of the department, by legal limits. The move aligns with longstanding conservative efforts to…

Overview: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as of 2021, only 51.8% of parents reported reading to children ages five years and under. Podcasters, pundits, comedians, bloggers, and professors rant, joke, and expound on what is wrong with American education and how to fix it. They present their lists of punch-line problems coupled with foolproof solutions that make educating American youth seem a simple person’s game. Whether they recommend more gamification, abolishing standardized tests, social-emotional learning, banning smartphones, tough love, private school vouchers, breaking up massive…

Overview: This threatening of federal funding goes against Free Speech according to critics of President’s Trump’s social media post. U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Tuesday of plans on Truth Social to cut federal funding for colleges that permit what he described as “illegal protests,” a statement that civil rights groups have condemned as an attack on free speech and assembly. In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump reiterated ideas from executive orders he issued during his first term in 2019 and again on January 29. Both orders labeled…

Overview: The act of co-serving is when special and general education teachers are equally responsible for delivering specially designed instruction. In today’s inclusive classrooms, where students with and without disabilities learn alongside one another, the partnership between special and general education teachers is more important than ever. Yet, too often, this collaboration stops at planning: brief meetings to align lesson plans, modify or accommodate learning tasks, and set goals. While useful, this approach isn’t enough to fully meet every student’s needs. To unlock the full potential of inclusive classrooms, teachers…

Overview: Linda McMahon has been confirmed as the Secretary of Education by the Senate in a vote of 51-45, making her the choice for the top office. The Republican-led Senate voted 51-45 on Monday to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s next Secretary of Education. This would place her at the helm of a department that President Trump has criticized and pledged to dismantle. This announcement follows last week’s announcement by staff members in the Department of Education, which is offering most of its employees a buyout…

Overview: Jacqueline Clay, the Department’s Chief Human Capital Officer, announced the incentive with employees having until Monday to accept the offer. According to a department-wide email obtained by The Educator’s Room, the Education Department is offering most of its employees a buyout of up to $25,000 to voluntarily resign or retire ahead of what officials describe as a “very significant” workforce reduction. In a memo sent Friday afternoon, Jacqueline Clay, the Department’s Chief Human Capital Officer, announced the one-time Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) to all eligible staffers. Employees have…

Overview: In a letter sent today to the CEOs of BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street, T. Rowe Price, Fidelity, and TIAA, the AFT urging immediate action to protect pension funds and retirement savings tied to the struggling automaker. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President, Randi Weingarten is calling on the nation’s largest asset management firms to reassess their investments in Tesla as the company faces a steep decline in value and increased financial instability. In a letter sent today to the CEOs of BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street, T. Rowe Price,…

A coalition of educators and sociologists has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent policy that threatens to withhold federal funding from schools and universities that do not comply with new guidelines by February 28. The lawsuit, brought by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT-Maryland, and the American Sociological Association, argues that the policy undermines civil rights laws and restricts academic freedom. At the center of the legal challenge is a “Dear Colleague” letter issued by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on…

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution on Tuesday evening that could significantly impact Medicaid-funded school services. The resolution narrowly passed with a 217-215 vote, with only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, joining all House Democrats in opposition. The Republican-led proposal includes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $230 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—reductions aimed at offsetting costs supporting former President Donald Trump’s tax plan. The decision sets the stage for significant funding reductions in school-based health services, which rely…

Overview: The roles of various school support staff, highlight their contributions, challenges, and best practices for collaboration with teachers. In Part 1, we took a look at the staff on our campuses that do not have a teaching credential. In Part 2, we’ll introduce you to the various folks outside our school classrooms that support us with pegagogy and practice.  As with classified or non-credentialed staff, it’s important to understand the expertise these folks bring to the table. Nevertheless, of the many expert teachers I spoke with, nearly all of…

Overview: Maine is at the center of debate for federal education money due to their stance on transgender athletes competing against girls. 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 #51), where Greely High School has reportedly permitted at least one transgender female…

Overview: The joint status report filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the states stated that they “have never moved — and do not plan to move — the court to declare or enjoin Section 504… as unconstitutional on its face.” Disability advocates are raising alarms as a lawsuit brought by Texas and 16 other states challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This key federal law protects people with disabilities from discrimination in education, health care, housing, and other areas. The legal action, Texas…

Overview: Understanding school personnel is crucial for effective teaching, as office staff, custodians, cafeteria workers, counselors, and health professionals each play vital roles in supporting students and maintaining school operations. 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 our day, but great teachers…

Overview: The 1890 National Scholars Program partners with 19 HBCUS to provide full scholarships in agriculture, food sciences, and natural resources. The Trump Administration has suspended the popular 1890 Land Grant program after a series of sweeping executive orders focused on eliminating race-based decisions in P-16 education. This program focused on advancing agricultural research, education, and extension programs across the United States. Partnering with 19 historically Black universities established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, the program ensures high-quality agricultural education while fostering a pipeline of skilled graduates in…

Overview: The U.S. Department of Education has terminated over $600 million in grants for teacher training programs that included Critical Race Theory, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and other equity-focused initiatives, aligning with broader Trump administration policies to end any type of inclusion. 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…

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 to comply within 14 days could face federal investigations and potential funding cuts. Expanding the Supreme Court’s Ruling The letter, signed by Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor, presents a broad interpretation of…

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 grade, the class expanded, with girls joining us from public schools that ended before high school. We went to school in the new wing—a 1960s addition with lots of glass and a wall of windows…

Overview: The Department of Education terminated 10 contracts totaling $336 million with the Regional Educational Laboratories, which are intended to support applied research, development, and technical assistance activities. 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 Regional Educational Laboratories, which are intended to…

Overview: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) retaliates against 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.  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…

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 conducted the hearing, where McMahon—a businesswoman with close ties to Trump but no teaching experience—defended her nomination. Trump has criticized the Department of Education, referring to it as a “con job” and signaling his intent…

Overview: The U.S.E.D has urged the NCAA and NFHS to restore records and accolades to female athletes who previously competed against transgender women. The U.S. Department of Education has called on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to restore records, titles, awards, and recognitions to female athletes who previously competed against transgender women. In a letter sent by the Department’s Office of General Counsel (OGC), federal officials urged the organizations to retroactively adjust athletic records, aligning with recent policy changes…

Overview: The Trump administration has canceled over $900 million in Education Department contracts, significantly reducing federal education research and data collection. The Trump administration- along with Elon Musk- has terminated more than $900 million in Education Department contracts, taking away a key source of data on the quality and performance of the nation’s schools. The cuts were made at the behest of Elon Musk’s cost-cutting crew, the Department of Government Efficiency, and were disclosed on X, the social media platform Musk owns, shortly after inquiries were made to the U.S.…

A high-stakes lawsuit, Texas v. Becerra, is currently making its way through the courts, threatening crucial protections for people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Seventeen states have challenged the federal government’s updated rules, putting at risk decades of legal safeguards that ensure accessibility in education, healthcare, and other public services. In this case, a coalition of 17 states ( Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Flordia, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia) has sued the U.S. government, arguing…

Overview: There’s a list of spoken (and unspoken) rules for using the restroom at school. Here you go. Restroom etiquette at a public (or private) school. We don’t discuss the issue enough. But we should, as it directly affects every gainfully-employed educator. Regardless of what type of school you work at, or what your school’s restroom situation is, there is likely a bit of intra-staff strife about proper conduct in the communal loo. If we are to have a civilized society, the most-basic courtesies for the faculty water closet(s) are…

Yesterday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at barring transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports, a move he says will protect fairness in competition. “The war on women’s sports is over,” Trump declared during a signing ceremony held in the White House East Room on Wednesday, surrounded by women and girls who supported the measure. The executive order mandates that schools allowing transgender women and girls to compete in women’s sports could face investigations for violating Title IX—a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools that receive…

Overview: This move would make good on campaign promises to Trump’s base that promised the elimination of the Department of Education. According to a White House source, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing steps to defund the federal Education Department, with an official announcement expected later in February. According to earlier reports from the Wall Street Journal, Trump’s advisers were evaluating executive actions to dismantle the Education Department, aligning with efforts by billionaire Elon Musk and his allies to reduce the size of the federal workforce. According to the report,…

Overview: Between January 20 and January 31, 2025, Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders that will have a grave impact on education and members of our community. Between January 20 and January 31, 2025, Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders that will have a grave impact on education and members of our community. The Trump administration has revoked long-standing policies that designate schools, churches, and hospitals as ‘sensitive areas.’  Other significant orders include the elimination of DEI programs, the revocation of protections for transgender students, the promotion of…

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 grade, the class expanded, with girls joining us from public schools that ended before high school. We went to school in the new wing—a 1960s addition with lots of glass and a wall of windows at the rear of the English classroom. I…

I learned so much from a recent episode of Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast featuring an interview with Trevor Noah that I felt the need to write a second article. Many of the issues discussed were ones I could relate to based on my experiences in education. As a teacher, I strive to ensure my students know that I love them and want them to feel safe in my classroom. In this interview, Noah introduced the topic of the importance of safety in contrast to love. “We all have a…

Overview: President Trump signed an executive order expanding school choice initiatives, directing federal agencies to support state-based educational options, including private, charter, and faith-based schools. Two executive orders issued last night by President Donald Trump have directed federal agencies to support school choice for families in hopes of expanding school choice initiatives and ending radical indoctrination. The orders, issued under the authority of the President, Trump directed the secretaries of Labor and Education to review their discretionary grant programs and submit plans to “expand education freedom for America’s families and…

Overview: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating Denver Public Schools for allegedly violating Title IX by converting a female restroom into an all-gender restroom at East High School, potentially denying female students equal restroom access. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced that they have launched an investigation into the Denver Public Schools District over allegations of discrimination against female students at East High School. The investigation follows reports that the district converted a female restroom into an all-gender restroom,…

Overview: Why have all the men left teaching? Listen to this male educator tell us why. A stanza from the infamous anti-war poem ‘Boots’ by poet Rudyard Kipling is highly encouraged to be read in its entirety at a rate of two words per second, to match the sound of marching boots by the thousands of British infantrymen on their crusade in South Africa during the Second Boer War.  What teaching is like In a stuffy classroom packed to the brim with what seems like an endless roster of middle…

Overview: The Trump administration has ordered a federal funding freeze on grants and loans to review alignment with the president’s policies. A memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is calling for a freeze on federal assistance spending by 5 p.m. Tuesday, a move that could impact aid to nonprofits, universities, small business loans, and state and local government grants. The potential freeze could have far-reaching consequences, with the White House noting that $3 trillion was allocated to federal assistance programs in 2024. “This memorandum requires…

Overview: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has dismissed 11 book removal complaints, rescinded related guidance, and ended investigations into claims that removing age-inappropriate or explicit materials from school libraries violates civil rights laws. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced on Friday that it has dismissed 11 complaints about removing certain books from school libraries. The complaints alleged that local school districts created a hostile environment for students by eliminating materials deemed age-inappropriate, sexually explicit, or obscene. OCR also announced it has…

Overview: The Air Force has removed and is reviewing a basic training course featuring videos on the Tuskegee Airmen and WASPs to comply with President Trump’s executive order halting DEI programs. The Air Force has temporarily removed and is reviewing a basic military training (BMT) course featuring videos on pioneering Black and female pilots from World War II, including the Tuskegee Airmen and Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order halting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In an internal Air Force message, leaked…

Overview: The conference was focused on highlighting the voices and experiences of HBCU leaders and students in workforce development. President Donald J. Trump’s recent executive orders have led to the cancellation of the HBCUs and Registered Apprenticeship Mini-Conference in a move that has drawn widespread criticism. Originally scheduled for next week, the event was organized by the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI) to highlight the voices and experiences of HBCU leaders and students in workforce development. However, Trump’s sweeping new policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs…

Overview: The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether Oklahoma can establish the nation’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a proposal from two Catholic dioceses to establish the country’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school. The case, originating in Oklahoma, has raised fundamental questions about the separation of church and state. The legal dispute centers on St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a collaborative initiative by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa. The proposed school aims to…

The U.S. Department of Education removed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from its workforce and public communication channels today. These actions follow President Trump’s recent executive orders and guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) aimed at reorganizing federal agencies and addressing the use of DEI programs. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) laws and programs have faced criticism and challenges for years, particularly from Republican lawmakers who argue that such initiatives undermine merit-based hiring, promotion, and educational opportunities, with a specific focus on concerns about impacts on white…

Overview: Federal immigration authorities will be allowed to target schools and churches seeking individuals who are in the United States without legal status. Starting Tuesday, federal immigration authorities are permitted to target schools and churches in ICE raids. This follows President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke a directive that previously barred arrests in “sensitive” areas, as authorities seek to locate individuals residing in the United States without legal status. “This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including…

Overview: Denise Carter has spent more than 30 years supporting and leading federal operations and has received Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards in recognition of her achievements at the Department and HHS. President Donald Trump has appointed Denise Carter to lead the Department of Education on an interim basis while the Senate considers his nominee, Linda McMahon, for the position of Secretary of Education. This move, policy experts say, is a typical step during the early days of a new administration. Carter, the former acting COO of the Office of Federal…

Overview: President-elect Trump appointed Penny Schwinn as the next United States Deputy Secretary of Education. President-elect Trump appointed Penny Schwinn as the next United States Deputy Secretary of Education. Schwinn previously served as the Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner and vice President for PK-12 and pre-bachelor programs at the University of Florida and the Texas Education Agency. On late Friday, Trump announced the pick on Truth Social but initially misspelled Schwinn’s first name as “Peggy.” The spelling was corrected Saturday morning. “Penny has a strong record of delivering results for…

Overview: The breech resulted in the unauthorized access of personal data from millions of current and former students and teachers. School districts across the United States are grappling with the fallout of a cyberattack on edtech giant PowerSchool, which resulted in the unauthorized access of personal data from millions of current and former students and teachers. The breach, first detected on December 28, 2024, compromised PowerSchool’s customer support portal and provided attackers access to the company’s Student Information System (SIS), used by more than 60 million students nationwide. PowerSchool has…

Overview: Trevor Noah was featured on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, the world’s top Health and Wellness podcast. I recently listened to an episode of Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, the world’s top Health and Wellness podcast. This episode featured an interview with Trevor Noah. I learned so much from this conversation and quickly realized that so much of what was said was directly relevant to the current state of education. Like many educators, I fear for the future of our profession and am seeking anything that might offer a…

Overview: Dr. Mike Dunn is a trailblazing educator who instills passion for wonder and curiosity in the classroom through his work in Colorado. If you look at Dr. Mike Dunn’s resume, you’ll almost immediately guess he loves adventure and the outdoors. But to meet him is to meet someone deeply passionate about education and ensure all students and their community’s complex needs are met.  I first met Mike ten-plus years ago- he started writing for The Educator’s Room back when education was coming off the Race to the Top Initiative,…

[Atlanta, Georgia] – The Educator’s Room, LLC  is proud to announce the recipients of The Educator’s Room Trailblazing Educators recognition, honoring outstanding educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the education and development of their students and communities. This prestigious recognition celebrates educators who go above and beyond to create impactful learning environments, foster student growth, and transform communities in ways that shape education’s future. These trailblazers were selected from a pool of nominees who exemplify the best of the education profession. These educators represent diverse backgrounds, teaching methods, teaching…

Overview: Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, a former peanut farmer, and Navy lieutenant known for his landmark foreign policy achievements, passed away at 100, leaving a legacy of peace, diplomacy, and service. Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday. He spent his final moments at home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. State Funeral Planned: An official state funeral for Carter will take place in Washington, DC, on January 9, as confirmed by the White House. President…

Overview: If signed by President Biden, legislation passed the bill into law it would apply to all benefits payable after December 2023. Last night, the Senate voted 76-20 to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, a bill aimed at repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which affect the Social Security benefits of over 2.8 million Americans, including numerous educators. Both provisions could help public service employees retire with more funds in their retirement accounts. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), enacted in 1983, reduces the Social…

Despite the expectation that students master basic reading skills by third grade, a significant number of older students continue to face reading challenges. A recent study by the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF) reveals that nearly half of grade 3–8 teachers report their students frequently struggle to read instructional materials. The findings, released by AERDF’s Reading Reimagined program in collaboration with ETS Research Institute, shed light on a critical factor in these struggles: the “decoding threshold.” This threshold represents a pivotal point where students can read text accurately…

Overview: Governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act, ensuring access to diverse, age-appropriate books in New Jersey schools and libraries while safeguarding intellectual freedom and librarians’ rights. PRINCETON, N.J. — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act into law on Monday, reinforcing New Jersey’s stance against book bans and ensuring access to diverse and age-appropriate materials in schools and public libraries. The bill signing at Princeton Public Library brought together advocates, educators, and legislative sponsors committed to protecting intellectual freedom. “The Freedom to Read Act…

Overview: A lawsuit accuses developers and publishers of early literacy curricula, including Lucy Calkins and Fountas & Pinnell, of neglecting evidence-based phonics instruction and instead promoting discredited methods like cueing, which encourage guessing over reading. Boston, MA – In a landmark lawsuit filed on December 4, 2024, a group of parents and students filed a lawsuit this week in Suffolk County Superior Court against several prominent creators and publishers of early literacy curricula. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants engaged in deceptive marketing and sold flawed products that omitted critical…

Overview: This bill was introduced on November 21, 2024 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for further review. Washington, D.C. – Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) has introduced legislation to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, marking a significant move in the ongoing debate over federal involvement in education policy. Filed on November 21, 2024, S.5384 proposes eliminating the Department of Education and redistributing its functions to state and local governments, as well as other federal agencies. The bill has been referred to the…

Overview: With the announcement of WWE Co-Founder, Linda McMahon, being named the Department of Education this could have dire consequences for students. There has never been a time in my life when I needed the services of a doctor or lawyer that I did not first check their credentials. As an educated person, I pride myself on performing my due diligence when searching for practitioners because I want to ensure they have the proper schooling and experience to help me solve the problem I have. So, it is excruciatingly uncomfortable…

PBS KIDS has introduced a groundbreaking new animated series, Carl the Collector, which debuted on November 14, 2024. Announced earlier this year at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, the 2D series is tailored for children aged 4 to 8 and marks the network’s first show to feature autistic central characters. Created by New York Times bestselling illustrator and author Zachariah OHora (My Cousin Momo), Carl the Collector celebrates neurodiversity through engaging storytelling and authentic representation. The series follows the adventures of Carl, an autistic raccoon with a passion for…

Overview: MIT will eliminate tuition for students from families earning less than $200,000 annually. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced a landmark expansion of its financial aid program, starting in the fall of 2025, eliminating tuition for students from families earning less than $200,000 annually. Families earning under $100,000 will receive even more support: tuition, housing, dining, and other fees will be fully covered, and students will receive an allowance for books and personal expenses. Currently, MIT waives tuition for families earning less than $140,000 and covers fees for…

Overview: If approved, the state will offer $60 per student to districts adopting Bluebonnet Learning, a potential draw for financially struggling schools. In an 8-7 decision, the Texas State Board of Education indicated preliminary support for Bluebonnet Learning, a state-authored elementary school curriculum that has drawn scrutiny for its prominent inclusion of biblical teachings. The board is set to vote officially on the matter this Friday. On Tuesday, eight of the 15 board members expressed their preliminary approval of the curriculum designed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) earlier this…

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a new resource, Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Artificial Intelligence, aimed at helping schools understand how AI technologies can enhance educational opportunities and contribute to discrimination if improperly designed or implemented. The guidance responds to Executive Order 14110, which calls for the development of policies and resources ensuring the safe, responsible, and equitable use of AI in various sectors, including education. The resource highlights legal standards OCR applies to assess potential discrimination and outlines scenarios that could…

Overview: McMahon has a bachelor’s degree in French from East Carolina University. She will oversee the agency that oversees education in the United States. President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly selected Linda McMahon as the next U.S. Secretary of Education, a move that could significantly shift the nation’s education policy. During his campaign, Trump has signaled plans to eliminate the Department of Education entirely, making McMahon potentially its last leader. The decision comes as McMahon, a prominent figure in Trump’s orbit, was previously considered for Secretary of Commerce—a role ultimately given…

Overview: The Oklahoma State Department of Education has purchased more than 500 Bibles for use in AP Government classrooms. The Oklahoma State Department of Education announced Thursday that it has purchased more than 500 Bibles for use in Advanced Placement government classrooms. According to spokesperson Dan Isett, the purchase cost the agency $25,000. The acquisition is part of a broader plan to provide resources such as the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution. Following the cancellation of a previous request for proposals reported by Oklahoma…

A focus on disrupting, eliminating, and restricting programs that have historically been in public schools. Donald J. Trump is set to serve a second presidential term, and with both chambers of Congress likely under Republican leadership—pending the final decision on the House—the future of U.S. education may undergo significant changes. Throughout the campaign trail, Trump has pledged to dismantle the Department of Education, restrict federal funding for schools that include critical race theory in their curriculum, and prohibit transgender female athletes from competing in school sports. Here is a roundup…

The phrase thinking classrooms has stormed the field of math education in the past year or so. From networking events to classrooms, book talks to conferences, that phrase keeps surfacing! So, what’s all the buzz? Institutional Norms Versus Classroom Norms The book Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl quietly hit the market in Fall 2020. At that time, there wasn’t much in-person classroom learning happening, so it makes sense why interest has peaked in our post-pandemic, back-to-school efforts. Based on 15 years of research, Liljedahl dropped this reformation bomb, motivated…

Overview: The alleged comments came after discussing election results in reference to Project 2025. A Seminole County high school teacher has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation after making politically charged comments in class following the recent election results. The teacher, who works at Lake Brantley High School, reportedly warned her students, “If you are not white, you are going to be in trouble over the next four years as far as the living situation in the United States, and I’m not kidding.” The remarks allegedly referenced Project…

Overview: The decoding threshold plays a significant role in hindering older students’ ability to comprehend text. Despite the expectation that students master basic reading skills by third grade, many continue to face challenges with reading well into upper elementary school and beyond. A recent study, commissioned by the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF), has revealed a troubling trend: 44% of grade 3–8 teachers report that their students frequently have difficulty reading the instructional materials used in classrooms. To understand why so many older students struggle, AERDF’s Reading Reimagined…

Overview: What does the Department of Education actually do? In this article, the intricacies of this department is delved in. …With only days left until Americans determine the next leader of the free world, it is incumbent upon educators to have serious talks with the people in their communities to ensure they understand the importance of the Department of Education and what the country stands to lose in its absence.  As we continue to hear rumblings around the possible dismantling of the Department of Education, it is imperative that voters…