Among remembrances of former president Jimmy Carter is his signing of S. 210 on October 17, 1979, which created the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and became operational in May of 1980. In creating the USDE, Congress said the intention of the agency was to strengthen equal education opportunities for…
According to research from sociologists at the University of Arkansas, students who are suspended or expelled can experience elevated rates of depression through their teen years and into early adulthood. Although previous studies connect suspensions and expulsions to a range of poor academic outcomes (e.g., lower standardized test scores and…
According to a report by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) increased by almost 19% during the 2023-24 school year as half of all National School Lunch Program (NSLP) schools now use the provision that lets low-income schools serve free meals to…
On December 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) withdrew a proposed federal rule that supporters said would have made it easier for schools to be reimbursed for school-based Medicaid services. It was seen as a way to reduce schools’ paperwork burdens and increase reimbursements for the rendering of…
Citing legal challenges and searing public comment, along with the inauguration of a new president, on December 20, 2024 the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) withdrew its proposed rule that would have extended Title IX protections to transgender student athletes. The notice, published in the Federal Register, states the USDE…
At a December 13, 2024 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ listening session, those testifying lamented the adverse effects brought on by the highly qualified special education teacher shortage crisis. In his testimony, Aaron Parsons, public policy chair for the National Association of Private Special Education Centers, said that if the situation persists,…
In light of an expected mass deportation of undocumented immigrants by the incoming administration, many school districts are examining their policies and protocols. School districts are also stepping up efforts to help ensure that staff and the public are aware of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s policy designating schools…
The U.S. Department of Education’s (USDE) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has released a new resource outlining 21 examples of how artificial intelligence (AI) could contribute to discrimination in schools and colleges based on race, color or natural origin, sex or disability. The resource clarifies for school leaders how existing…
According an announcement by the National Assessment Governing Board, instead of relying solely on students’ eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch to gauge low socioeconomic status, the 2024 Nation’s Report Card will debut a new measure of student socioeconomic status that will also include the number of books in a…
A national movement accelerating social inclusion among young people with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) has reached a historic milestone. Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® (UCS) programming now partners with 10,000 schools, from Pre-K through university, in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Together,…
