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A group of former federal special education officials has written to leaders of the House and Senate education appropriations subcommittees urging them to reject efforts to move oversight of special education services to the U.S. Department of Education. The Supreme Court's decision to allow the Education Department to continue downsizing clears the way for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to be moved under the auspices the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, although no formal plan has been made public. In addition to warning against this, the letter also asks Congress to reject President Donald Trump’s plan to combine into a block grant certain funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in fiscal year 2026. It argues that a current Republican-led proposal to consolidate IDEA’s preschool funding and support for teacher training, technical assistance, and special education research “would have an immediate detrimental impact on special education, students with disabilities, schools, and states.” The National Down Syndrome Congress said: “IDEA is an education and a civil rights law, not a social service, and it must remain in a department dedicated to education to ensure strong oversight, enforcement, and accountability." 

 

K-12 Dive

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision has allowed mass layoffs within the Department of Education, significantly impacting the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and leaving numerous cases unresolved. K.D., a parent whose daughter faced racial harassment, expressed her frustration, commenting: “We were so close,” as her case now faces delays due to the office's reduced capacity. The OCR's caseload has surged to a record high of 22,687 complaints, with many cases pending and investigations stalled. Catherine Lhamon, former assistant secretary for civil rights, emphasized the dire need for more staff, adding: “There is no universe in which we would have needed fewer people.” The layoffs have raised concerns about the ability of the OCR to effectively address discrimination complaints, leaving families like K.D.'s feeling abandoned and hopeless.

 

EdSource

The Sierra Sands USD Board of Education will convene to discuss a memorandum of understanding with the Desert Area Teachers Association. This agreement will allow Title I Special Projects teachers at Vieweg Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy, Pierce Academy of the Arts, and Richmond Elementary School to receive compensation for up to five extra days of work in preparation for the 2025-26 school year. The district is set to open two magnet schools for that academic year, with Richmond Elementary moving from its temporary location to a new site. Significant planning is essential during the summer of 2025 to ensure a smooth opening.

 

The Daily Independent

The California School Boards Association (CSBA) has launched a comprehensive set of resources aimed at assisting school leaders in effectively utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in education. This initiative includes fact sheets, research briefs, and webinars covering various aspects of AI, such as legal considerations and ethical frameworks. The CSBA is committed to providing ongoing support and resources as AI technology continues to evolve.

 

EdSource

Todd Finnell, the Imperial County Superintendent of Schools, has been elected as the president of the California County Superintendents for the 2025-2026 term, starting July 1. Finnell, who has experience as both a teacher and an administrator, emphasized the importance of collaboration in education. He said: “The future of education lies in our ability to work together, across counties, systems, and communities, to reimagine what’s possible for every learner.” He will be joined on the Executive Committee by Tim Hire and Richard DuVarney, superintendents from Tulare and Tehama counties, respectively.

 

EdSource

In the realm of education, social-emotional learning (SEL) is increasingly recognized as essential for fostering a supportive classroom environment. Michelle Makus Shory, Ed.D., emphasizes the importance of creating welcoming spaces for multilingual learners, explaining: "It is important that when students enter the room, they see images that are reassuring and representative of their cultures." Effective strategies include using dialogue journals for personal communication, incorporating movement and mindfulness practices, and establishing community norms. Melanie Battles, Ph.D., highlights the significance of organic check-ins with students, allowing them to express their feelings and build connections. Leah Porter, a 3rd-grade teacher, shares that the most impactful SEL moments often arise from small, everyday interactions that foster empathy and support among students. Overall, SEL practices are vital for nurturing a sense of belonging and community in classrooms.

 

Education Week News

According to a report by the Urban Institute, there has been a notable increase in college applications from Black and Latino students between fall 2023 and fall 2024, with Black applicants rising by 0.47% and Latino applicants by 0.65%. However, the report reveals a concerning trend: fewer of these students were admitted to colleges, marking the first decline in Black admissions since 2018 and in Latino admissions since 2021. Jason Cohn, a researcher at the Urban Institute, emphasized the importance of looking beyond enrollment numbers, commenting: “One of the big takeaways for me is just how much can be hidden if you only look at the enrollment numbers and aren’t seeing what’s happening in the rest of the admissions pipeline.” This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by underrepresented groups in higher education.

 

EdSource

An independent investigation has found that Canada's N.W.T. government was slow to take action after lead was detected in school drinking water, because two of its departments failed to understand the health implications of the situation. Students, staff and parents at École William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School in Yellowknife found out on May 27 that there had been elevated levels of lead found in the drinking water at a single water fountain in each school.  The following month, further testing confirmed high levels of lead at both schools. In a statement Monday afternoon, Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland said the investigation confirmed "warning signs were missed, key test results weren't escalated quickly enough and communication between departments and with the public was inconsistent," adding: "These are serious systemic failures that affected both safety and trust. That is not acceptable. I take full responsibility for ensuring we fix it." She said changes are already underway, including developing a territory-wide testing program for water in schools, with public reporting.

 

CBC News