According to a February 2, 2026 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) spent nearly $1 million per week on salaries for Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforcement staff it had put on administrative leave beginning in March 2025, paying up to $38 million in total…
On February 2, 2026 the FY26 education funding bill was finally signed into law. As a result, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is now funded for fiscal year 2026. The compromise measure won final approval from the U.S. House by a 217-214 vote. The budget funds the USDE at…
The measles outbreak in South Carolina has been steadily increasing. As of January, 30, 2026, the state has confirmed 847 cases since the first case was reported in October 2025, making the outbreak bigger than the one in Texas, which started just over a year ago. Dr. Linda Bell, South…
Parents and advocates are expressing concern over the possibility of being confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents that are unfamiliar with their circumstances and lack training necessary to help them deal with children with disabilities. The families of disabled children, who already fear their kids shutting down, running…
On January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) signed a joint motion to dismiss an appeal in a lawsuit that sought to allow it to move ahead with its anti-DEI policy. In abandoning its appeal, the agency signaled that it’s effectively stepping back from trying to enforce the policy. In…
On January 14, 2026, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 was signed into law. The bipartisan legislation permits schools to provide whole milk and nondairy beverage options in federally subsidized school meals. School districts are currently permitted to only serve fat-free and low-fat milks in school meals…
On January 14, 2026. the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) announced a string of Title IX investigations into state and local school systems with policies that allow transgender students to play on sports teams aligning with their gender identity. The 18 investigations come just a day after the U.S. Supreme…
To limit reliance on ultra-processed foods in school meals, a majority of school nutrition directors report needing additional resources that include funding, menu development, culinary training, staffing, and equipment and infrastructure, according to survey data released on January 6, 2026 by the School Nutrition Association (SNA). The survey was conducted…
On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) announced that Iowa became the first state approved for a waiver for certain federal education regulations that will allow the state to have greater decision-making in academic programming and fiscal management. The waiver allows the Iowa Department of Education to…
On January 6, 2026, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to halt anti-DEI requirements and layoffs nationwide, citing an ‘impossible situation’ for providers. The federal judge in Washington state temporarily blocked actions taken by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last…
