The Department of Education (DOE) released guidance last week for schools closing in response to the spread of COVID-19. As more schools implement a minimum two-week closure, DOE says “it will consider providing states with one-year waivers of assessment requirements” mandated under ESSA. Specifically, DOE...
Last week, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced “a new Title IX enforcement initiative, led by the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), to combat the troubling rise of sexual assault in K-12 public schools.” Strengthening schools’ ability to respond to sexual harassment and...
In an interview with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos by Cal Thomas, DeVos claims President Trump’s latest budget proposal includes “a significant step toward returning flexibility to the states through a proposal to block grant all of the elementary and secondary education funds … and...
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced several new steps “to protect religious liberty and ensure the Department is acting in accordance with the first amendment, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The proposed new rule would address “five...
In The 74, Carolyn Phenicie takes a look at the first thousand days of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ tenure, noting that among her detractors, her department’s “weak implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act” is among “her most egregious actions.” However, to her supporters, “weakening...
School spending by the states is the latest issue to garner criticism from the U.S. Department of Education, as Andrew Ujifusa writes for Education Week. Information on school spending is mandated under ESSA and, so far, 17 states have reported it, with a lot more...
“U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released updates…to clarify existing statutory obligations of local education agencies (LEAs) to provide equitable educational services to eligible private school students, their teachers, and their families” under changes made to Title I by ESSA. These updates are intended to...
Last week, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced “$123 million in new grant awards to 41 school districts, nonprofit organizations and state educational agencies across the United States as part of the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program.” EIR grants—which are authorized under the...
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced the release of “important information on how local education leaders can make sure parents and caregivers have accurate and accessible information on how schools are performing in their state.” This new guide, entitled Opportunities and Responsibilities for State...
According to KUAC, last week, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was in Alaska, where she discussed ESSA (among other topics) with state education stakeholders. Hosted by the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, the round-table discussion focused on workforce development. At the event, participants “talked about the...
