After months of uncertainty, education leaders, teachers, researchers, and advocates received an answer to whether state annual assessments would resume this school year following an abrupt cancellation this past spring due to the coronavirus. In a letter to all state superintendents – not just the...
In a piece exploring the potential choice of former presidential contender Elizabeth Warren as the next Secretary of Education, New America’s Wesley Whistle ponders the implications that a Biden administration’s cabinet selections could have on a number of education issues. Notably, Warren’s Department of Education...
In the span of a week, two federal judges pressed pause on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ spring rule to allow a larger portion of federal stimulus dollars targeting public schools to be allocated to private institutions. After the passage of the CARES Act in March,...
In a recent notice, the U.S. Department of Education proposed collecting new data on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ways in which states use federal aid and flexibility. Specifically, the department is interested in reviewing state data pertaining to federally granted waivers of...
As states continue to navigate the specifics of starting the school year amid a global pandemic, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has communicated an expectation to states, districts, and even educators that student learning will continue despite localized virus realities. In driving forward this message,...
In an online event for the Education Writers Association, Department of Education Assistant Secretary Jim Blew told reporters that the DOE’s “instinct” is to not grant state waivers of federal testing requirements, as established by the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015. Blew stated, “There...
Earlier this month, the Trump Administration demanded that schools reopen full-time in the fall despite the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance to maintain social distancing. However, the federal government has little authority in the reopening of schools as decision-making, in large part, remains...
According to the Catholic News Agency, “Federal coronavirus aid to private schools is now enforceable by law.” This notice comes after “concerns that Catholic and other non-public schools were being excluded from sufficient epidemic relief funds to support protective equipment for students and teachers, cleaning,...
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced a new, $3 million grant program that “gives districts flexibility to combine federal, state and local funding streams to educate disadvantaged students.” The grants are authorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act and are aimed at supporting...
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...
