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In her confirmation hearing on Thursday for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon told the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) that she envisions a vastly diminished role for the U.S. Department of Education in the future. “The president has given a very clear directive that he would like to look in totality at the Department of Education, and believes that the bureaucracy of it should be closed, that we should return education to our states, that the best education is that closest to the kids,” McMahon said, adding that she is open-minded on the return of the department's civil rights investigation arm to the U.S. Department of Justice, and on shifting IDEA responsibilities the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During the hearing, McMahon also voiced support for more skill-based learning and dual enrollment in K-12. The HELP panel will vote on advancing her nomination to the full floor next Thursday, after which she is expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

 

The Hill

K-12 Dive

NPR

New York Times

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that threatened to cut federal funds for hospitals that provide medical treatments for transgender patients under 19. U.S. District Judge Brendan Hurson in Baltimore issued the temporary restraining order during a hearing Thursday. “This is a population with an extremely higher rate for suicide, poverty, unemployment, drug addiction,” Hurson said during the hearing. Abruptly stopping their health treatments, he said, would be “horribly dangerous for anyone, for any care, but particularly for this extremely vulnerable population.” The ruling follows a lawsuit filed on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children who allege their healthcare has already been compromised by President Donald Trump's executive order directing federally run insurance programs to exclude coverage for gender-affirming care. The restraining order, in effect for 14 days, essentially puts the president's directive on hold while the case proceeds. The restraining order could also be extended.

 

Los Angeles Times

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal

An independent audit of the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district, ordered by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, has revealed a “culture resistant to change” that hampers its effectiveness, particularly affecting vulnerable students. The audit, conducted by MGT of America Consulting, emphasizes the need for systemic changes to prioritize student needs. “MPS must make systemic changes to ensure that students—particularly the most vulnerable—are at the center of every decision,” the report states. The district, which serves over 66,000 students, has been urged to implement the 29 recommendations from the audit swiftly. Evers highlighted the audit as a crucial step towards improving educational outcomes, stating, “This audit is a critical next step for getting MPS back on track.” The district plans to use the audit as a guide for improvement while acknowledging the need for focused support.

 

WiscNews

Fresno USD in California is facing significant backlash from educators over its decision to eliminate the Designated Schools program, which provides 30 extra minutes of instruction daily to over 24,000 students. Manuel Bonilla, President of the Fresno Teachers Association, expressed that this move is a "huge cut to trust" and disrespects educators by removing resources without community input. The district claims the program was not consistently effective, with interim Superintendent Misty Her stating, "Are we getting the return for the investment that we’re making?" Despite the district's assertions, teachers argue that the additional instructional time is crucial for student success, with one teacher noting, "Having that 30 extra minutes makes such a difference for these students." The decision is part of broader budget cuts due to declining enrollment and funding challenges.

 

EdSource

Mississippi House leaders announced that House Bill 1433, which aimed to allow some parents to use taxpayer funds for private school tuition, lacks sufficient support to pass this session. House Speaker Jason White stated, “You probably won't see us take up that bill. We don't have a consensus.” The bill, proposed by House Education Chairman Rob Roberson, would have enabled students from underperforming districts to access state funds for private education. However, ideological divisions among Republicans and concerns over potential impacts on public schools led to its demise. Opponents argued the bill could undermine public education and limit opportunities for low-income families. Despite the failure of this bill, the House passed another measure to increase charter schools in the state, indicating ongoing debates over school choice in Mississippi.

 

US News and World Report

Iowa's K-12 schools are set to receive a general state funding increase of approximately 2%, the lowest in five years. The proposals, approved by majority Republicans in both chambers, differ slightly, with Senate Republicans advocating for a 2% increase and House Republicans proposing 2.25% along with additional aid for inflation. “We are proposing 2% because we know it is sustainable within our whole budget,” stated Sen. Lynn Evans. Democrats argue that both proposals are inadequate, calling for a 5% increase to address significant challenges faced by students. The debate continues as lawmakers work to finalize an agreement before sending it to Gov. Kim Reynolds for approval.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly impacting the teaching profession, with 90% of educators surveyed by the EdWeek Research Center acknowledging its influence. Nearly all respondents (97%) anticipate changes in teaching roles over the next five years. While some educators express concerns about AI's biases and potential negative effects, others have begun integrating AI tools into their classrooms. Amanda Pierman, a high school science teacher, noted, “I don’t get burnt out as much,” thanks to AI's ability to streamline tasks like generating quiz questions. Similarly, Joe Ackerman, a fifth-grade teacher, highlighted that AI has allowed him to save time on administrative duties, stating, “It has helped me free up my time [that I can] then devote to teaching.” Yana Garbarg, an English teacher, emphasized that AI has made her feedback more comprehensive and timely, helping reduce teacher burnout. The educators encourage their peers to explore AI tools to enhance their teaching experience.

 

Education Week News

An arbitrator has ruled in favor of Denver Public Schools (DPS) regarding teacher raises for the current school year. The conflict arose from a provision in the teachers union contract that allowed for larger cost-of-living raises if state funding increased. Although Colorado lawmakers eliminated the budget stabilization factor last year, DPS claimed the funding increase was insufficient to meet the union's demands for a 5.2% raise. Instead, teachers received a total raise of 5.2%, which included both cost-of-living adjustments and step-and-lane increases. Superintendent Alex Marrero noted that the district also promised a $1,000 one-time payment to union members, which the arbitrator ordered to be paid within 90 days. The next step involves the Denver school board voting on the arbitrator's decision.

 

Chalkbeat

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visited Emerald Academy, a charter school in Knoxville, and is advocating for significant changes to Tennessee's charter school law. The proposed legislation aims to allow charter operators to bypass local school boards and apply directly to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission for authorization. If passed, the bill would create three new pathways for charter school approval, including a provision that allows operators to apply directly to the state if their application is denied by local boards three times within three years. This move could further diminish local control over charter schools in Tennessee, as the commission, appointed by the governor, already oversees 25 charter schools and has expanded its authority through recent laws.

 

Chalkbeat

As U.S. students face unprecedented reading challenges, the finalists for the 2025 National Teacher of the Year award emphasize the critical role of literacy in education. The finalists include Ashlie Crosson, who believes that “reading and writing should open doors for students,” and Janet Renee Damon, who warns against “weaponizing” reading assessments. Mikaela Saelua highlights the importance of native languages in learning, stating, “By using Samoan in an academic setting, we're also showing students that their language and culture are valued.” Jazzmyne Townsend focuses on personalizing learning, sharing a note from a student that says, “I love the way that you teach me.” The winner will be announced this spring, advocating for the teaching profession.

 

Education Week News

In response to the recent tragic shooting at Campus Risbergska school in Orebro, where 10 people were killed, the Swedish government is mandating that all schools and pre-schools develop plans to prevent unauthorized access. Minister of Education Johan Pehrson emphasized the need for measures such as entry registries and locking systems. The government is also expediting legislation to facilitate the installation of surveillance cameras and allow personnel to search bags. This incident has sparked a national conversation about school security, leading the government to consider tightening gun laws.

 

U.S. News

Mansour al-Mansour, a Saudi educator renowned for his charity work and teaching prisoners, has been awarded the $1m Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Al-Mansour, who is also an author, has made significant contributions to his community, including a program that provided air conditioning maintenance during the extreme summer heat in Saudi Arabia. The award, presented by the Varkey Foundation, recognizes exceptional educators globally. Al-Mansour is the ninth recipient of this prestigious prize, which has previously honored teachers from diverse backgrounds, including a Kenyan teacher who donated his earnings to the poor, a Palestinian educator promoting non-violence, and a Canadian educator who taught a remote Arctic village of Inuit students. The Varkey Foundation aims to highlight the importance of teaching and the impact of educators worldwide.

 

AP News

Gulf News