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Between March 11, when the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) began reducing its staff levels, and June 27, the agency dismissed 3,424 complaints, according to court documents filed by Rachel Oglesby, who has been chief of staff at the Education Department since January. By contrast, the office dismissed 2,527 cases in the three-month period between November 2024 and January 2025 under the Biden administration. “A dismissal rate this high suggests a fundamental shift in how OCR is triaging and processing complaints,” said Jackie Gharapour Wernz, an education civil rights attorney who worked for the OCR under the Obama and first Trump administrations. “It raises serious concerns about whether civil rights issues are being meaningfully evaluated and whether the agency is adhering to its own case processing manual and relevant law in dismissing cases.” In response, Education Department spokesperson Julie Hartman said the OCR is taking actions according to federal law, regulations and the OCR case processing manual, which outlines the steps the agency must take to process complaints. 

 

K-12 Dive

Oregon's ongoing legal dispute regarding the treatment of students with complex needs is set to return to federal court. A three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the case back to U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken after she previously dismissed it, citing new legislation, Senate Bill 819, aimed at addressing the issue. Disability rights advocates argue that the law alone is insufficient, as there is little evidence of its enforcement. Tom Stenson, deputy legal director at Disability Rights Oregon, expressed concerns about the lack of oversight, adding: “There was never really a concerted effort by the Oregon Department of Education to address the root causes.” The court's decision emphasizes the need for further examination of how the new law is being implemented and its impact on students' educational experiences.

 

OregonLive.com

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has adopted new student discipline rules, effective July 11, despite concerns from families and advocates. Critics argue that the changes grant teachers more authority to remove students from classrooms without adequate parental notification. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal explained that  the former rules "created a disincentive to address classroom behaviors in the moment,” and emphasized the need for less bureaucracy. However, advocates fear these changes may lead to increased exclusions, particularly affecting students of color and those with disabilities. Krystina Cummins, a parent, expressed her frustration, stating: “Parents need to be at the table when you are creating these laws.” The new rules align with guidelines from the Professional Education Standards Board but have raised alarms about potential negative impacts on student behavior and communication between schools and families.

 

The Columbian

The School District of Philadelphia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania have entered into a deferred prosecution agreement allowing the district to avoid criminal prosecution, provided it meets federally mandated asbestos inspection and remediation requirements. For the past several years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been investigating the district’s handling of its asbestos risk, and found it violated the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, or AHERA, enacted in 1986 to require public schools to meet monitoring and remediation requirements to reduce exposure to damaged asbestos by students, teachers and others. In the criminal charges it filed, DOJ says the school district failed to meet the three-year inspection requirement at seven of its schools and the six-month requirement at one school. If a court finds the district meets its inspection and remediation requirements for five years, the criminal charges will be dropped.  

 

K-12 Dive

Parents in Madison County have expressed relief at the announcement of a new Hazel Green Middle School is set to address overcrowding issues. Amy Cochran, a local resident, expressed her concerns about overcrowding, commenting: “It's too crowded, and those kids are on top of each other, and they fight more...it's just going to be so great to be able to have those numbers shrunk down.” The $53 million school will accommodate 1,200 seventh and eighth graders and is part of efforts to manage the area's growth, according to David Vess, a member of the Madison County Board of Education. The school is scheduled to open for the 2027-2028 school year, with groundbreaking planned for later this month. Changes will also be made to other schools in the district to further alleviate overcrowding.

 

Al.com

The recent withholding of nearly $6.8 billion in federal education funding has led to significant job losses and program cuts across the nation. In Missouri, the Laclede Literacy Council has laid off 16 of its 17 staff members due to the lack of expected funds. Kevin Huffman, former Tennessee education commissioner, expressed concern, commenting: “It feels very pointless” to plan for academic outcomes when funding can be abruptly withdrawn. The U.S. Department of Education's announcement, delivered via a brief email, has drawn criticism from various state governors and education organizations. The loss of funding will affect over 600 districts, with significant impacts on low-income students and English learners. As districts scramble to create contingency plans, many fear that essential services and programs may be lost if the funding is not released soon.

 

Education Week News

Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), Pennsylvania's largest cyber charter school, is resisting state mandates for weekly wellness checks on students, claiming it is "unreasonable" to expect staff to see all 30,000 students weekly. The matter has become more urgent in the wake of a case involving a 12-year-old student who died under abusive conditions, prompting lawmakers to push for clearer regulations. State Rep. Pete Schweyer expressed his shock at CCA's stance, commenting: "I didn't have a full grasp on how brazen... some cyber schools were to just disregard the health and well-being of their kids." As lawmakers work to tighten regulations, CCA maintains it prioritizes student safety through its internal policies and home visits. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of ensuring student welfare in the rapidly growing cyber education sector.

 

Chalkbeat

The School District of Osceola County in Florida has partnered with Smart Radar System to enhance school bus safety using advanced 4D radar technology. This system provides real-time monitoring for pedestrians and alerts drivers through LED lights and audio alarms. The technology includes sensors that detect passengers inside the bus, significantly reducing the risk of leaving children behind. Approved by the Florida Department of Education in September 2024, the system aims to improve safety for the district's nearly 27,000 students. A district representative commented: “This collaboration reflects Osceola County’s continued commitment to investing in safe, forward-thinking transportation for its students.” Other districts have shown interest in adopting the technology.

 

School Bus Fleet

President Donald Trump has enacted 10 executive orders on immigration, declaring a national emergency at the southern border. This has led to a surge of anti-immigrant policies that have instilled fear among undocumented students. Many are concerned about their safety and ability to continue their education, especially after restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in schools, churches, and hospitals were lifted. EdSource’s California Student Journalism Corps conducted interviews with undocumented students and those from mixed-status families to explore the personal impacts of these policies. One student expressed, "We are afraid to go to the grocery store or even to campus." The new administration's actions have created a climate of uncertainty that affects students' daily lives and academic pursuits.

 

EdSource

Andy Markus, the assistant facilities manager at Draper Park Middle School in Utah's Canyons school district, initiated a mentoring program in 2022 aimed at students who vandalized school property. His efforts have not only led to cleaner facilities but also improved student behavior and academic engagement. Recognized as the 2025 National Education Support Professional of the Year by the National Education Association, Markus emphasizes the importance of a positive school environment. He states, “The physical environment affects everything in these buildings. I think school pride matters.” Through his program, students have taken ownership of their school, leading to a significant cultural shift where they actively participate in maintaining cleanliness and respect for their surroundings.

 

Education Week News

In Iowa, STEM education begins as early as preschool, with children engaging in play-based learning. Rebekah Domayer, STEM education manager at the Iowa Children's Museum, emphasizes the importance of play, stating, “That's our big mission for every child, to imagine, create, discover and explore.” The state's STEM Scale-Up program, initiated in 2012, supports educators in public and private schools, providing grants for high-quality programs. Matt Stier, manager for the Southeast Iowa Regional STEM Advisory Board, notes that the program offers “something for everybody.” The North Linn Community School District has successfully implemented STEM programs, with students participating weekly. Jennifer McKneill, the district's STEM integrationist, highlights the positive impact on students' knowledge. The Children's Museum also hosts STEM-focused summer camps and events, fostering community engagement. Overall, Iowa's approach to STEM education combines play, collaboration, and community involvement to enhance learning experiences for young students.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

Underqualified teachers are exploiting a loophole to work in Victorian and NSW classrooms without meeting the states’ minimum qualifications, following a West Australian decision to lower its standards. Dozens of teachers have already used a mutual recognition agreement to register in states where they cannot directly qualify to work, prompting the Victorian and NSW governments to investigate ways to close the loophole ahead of an expected flood of less qualified WA teaching graduates later this year. A national agreement to improve teaching standards meant all states and territories have set a minimum two-year full-time study requirement for all postgraduate teaching degrees since 2014. But, faced with a national teacher shortage, the Teaching Registration Board of Western Australia last year stepped away from the agreement and reintroduced registration for graduates who complete only a one-year diploma of education. Acting NSW Education Minister Courtney Houssos said dealing with the national teacher shortage was the government’s top priority, but lowering the quality of teaching standards was not the answer. “Research shows the biggest factor in improving student outcomes in the classroom is the quality of the teacher in front of them," she added.

 

The Age