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The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California, challenging state policies that permit transgender students to participate in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The lawsuit claims that the state's Sex Equity in Education Act violates Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools. The lawsuit states: “Despite Title IX's equal opportunity mandate, Defendants have adopted and implemented policies that force girls to compete against boys.” This legal action is part of a broader strategy by President Donald Trump and the Justice Department to threaten federal funding for educational institutions that do not align with their policies. Bill Essayli, the US Attorney for the Central District of California, criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for not complying with federal mandates regarding women's rights in sports.

 

CNN Edition

U.S. News

Washington Post

The New Jersey school segregation lawsuit, initiated by the Latino Action Network and NAACP in 2018, is advancing to an appeals court, potentially bypassing a lengthy trial. The plaintiffs argue that residency laws contribute to segregation in public schools, causing "irreparable harm to generations of low-income Black and Latino students." Appellate Court Judge Heidi Currier has granted the appeal following a previous ruling by Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy, which acknowledged the segregation issue but did not issue a summary judgment. Lawrence Lustberg, an attorney for the plaintiffs, expressed gratitude for the court's decision, stating, "Doing so will bring us one step closer to erasing the disgrace of the fact that New Jersey has one of the most segregated school systems in the nation." The case's outcome could reshape how children are assigned to schools in New Jersey.

 

New Jersey Herald

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is grappling with a $734m deficit, prompting concerns over potential layoffs and budget cuts. Interim chief executive Macquline King said: “We are currently working with state and local partners to maximize opportunities for additional revenue, including Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) surplus funds.” The district has already implemented cuts, including layoffs of central office staff, and is under pressure to finalize its budget by August 28. Rising costs for students with disabilities and maintaining aging facilities are significant factors contributing to the financial strain. The Chicago Teachers Union, represented by Vice President Jackson Potter, is advocating for more funding and urging the state to call a special legislative session to address these challenges. Without new revenue sources, CPS's deficit could escalate to $1.3bn by 2030.

 

Chalkbeat

Options Schools plans to urge the Indiana legislature to restore funding for alternative schools, which have seen a drastic reduction from over $5m to just $760,000 for the 2025-2027 budget. These schools cater to students who struggle in traditional settings, often serving as their last chance for a diploma. Chief executive Mike Gustin emphasized the importance of acclimatizing students, explaining that, by doing so, "they're more likely to attend at a higher rate.” The funding cuts, attributed to a projected $2bn decrease in state revenue, threaten the existence of over 200 alternative schools in Indiana. Samantha Bandy, Education Director at Dynamic Minds Academy, expressed concern that fewer programs may lead to more students missing graduation opportunities. Gustin said he remains hopeful for future discussions with lawmakers regarding budget re-evaluation.

 

Chalkbeat

Massachusetts is on the verge of implementing a statewide ban on cellphones in schools, a move that has garnered support from lawmakers and parents alike. The bill, spearheaded by state Senator Julian Cyr, aims to prohibit cellphone use from the start to the end of the school day. Senate President Karen Spilka stated, “The cellphone is one of the most distracting devices ever created,” highlighting the negative impact of phones on student learning and teacher effectiveness. If passed, the ban would take effect in the 2026-2027 school year, with schools required to establish enforcement mechanisms. Currently, some districts, including Boston and Brockton, have already begun limiting cellphone use. This legislation aligns Massachusetts with over two dozen other states that have enacted similar restrictions.

 

Politico

In a reflective piece, Bruce Lear, a veteran educator with 38 years in public schools, discusses the challenges teachers face today compared to the past. He recalls moments of "classroom lightning," where discussions became spontaneous and engaging, but notes that such moments are increasingly rare. Lear highlights the impact of political decisions, such as the gutting of Iowa's public sector bargaining law and the regulation of classroom discussions, which have contributed to a decline in teacher morale and autonomy. He urges voters to hold politicians accountable and encourages parents to support teachers by being involved in their children's education. "If we don't, we'll have full classrooms, empty of qualified teachers," he warns, emphasizing the need for collaboration and trust in the teaching profession.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

The recent tax and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump significantly reduces federal funding for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which experts warn will adversely affect schools and students. Lynn Nelson, president of the National Association of School Nurses, noted: “That's a huge funding cut for schools,” emphasizing the potential harm to children and families. The bill imposes work requirements that could lead to fewer parents qualifying for benefits, further limiting access to free school meals. As states bear more costs, they may restrict eligibility for SNAP, impacting the number of students who can receive free meals. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that federal funding for SNAP will decrease by $186bn by 2034, which could result in fewer children receiving essential food assistance and negatively affect their educational outcomes.

 

Education Week News

Alabama is facing a significant rise in teacher retirements, with a 15% increase expected this year. State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey reported that around 3,500 teachers are anticipated to retire in 2025, up from 3,094 in 2024 and 2,810 in 2023. Many educators delayed their retirements to benefit from a 2022 law that provided substantial pay raises, with some receiving increases of up to 20%. This change allowed teachers to enhance their pensions, as retirement benefits are calculated based on their highest salary years. However, despite the pay increase, educators are still grappling with high stress, challenging student behavior, and increased demands, leading to burnout exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Tuscaloosa News

In response to a declining membership and an aging workforce, the National Education Association (NEA) has initiated a working group aimed at supporting early-career teachers. Em DePriest, a teacher from Kansas, emphasized the importance of this initiative, commenting: “People look at us and say, [early-career teachers] haven't been here for 25 years. They weren't a pandemic teacher. They haven't been in the fight and don't know what it's like. And sure, that might all be accurate, but we are in it now. That fight is going to continue with or without us, so we have to be able to put our fists up against it.” The group will focus on professional development tailored for teachers in their first seven years, addressing the high turnover rates among young educators. NEA spokesperson Celeste Fernandez noted that approximately 30%-35% of union members are early-career teachers. The goal is to enhance retention by providing relevant training and fostering community among new educators.

 

Education Week News

The Trump administration has intensified its conflict with Harvard University, announcing that the Department of Homeland Security would issue subpoenas regarding alleged misconduct by foreign students. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services indicated that Harvard's failure to address claims of harassment against Jewish students could lead to the loss of its accreditation, which would make students ineligible for federal financial aid. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard. Now, through their refusal to cooperate, we have to do things the hard way." The administration aims to instigate change at Harvard and similar institutions, asserting they have become centers of leftist ideology and antisemitism.

 

Politico

U.S. News

The federal government significantly underreported the number of international students in the U.S. last year by over 200,000, according to corrected data from the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) released by the Department of Homeland Security. Chris Glass, a professor at Boston College, highlighted this discrepancy, commenting: “It's critical data at a moment when people are paying close attention to the number of international students in the U.S.” The revised figures show a year-over-year growth of 6.5%, aligning with data from the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, which reported a record number of international students for the 2023-24 academic year. The situation has sparked ongoing debates regarding international student visas, particularly in light of recent legal battles involving institutions like Harvard.

 

CNBC

According to a study reported by Inside Higher Ed, recommendation letters for Black, Hispanic, first-generation, and other marginalized student groups are often shorter and less detailed than those for their white and Asian counterparts. The analysis of over 600,000 letters revealed that private school students received letters that were, on average, 20% longer than those for public school students. Julie J. Park, an admissions researcher at the University of Maryland, emphasized the need to consider the context of opportunity when evaluating these letters. She said: “If you are going to keep letters, you need to be reading them with the context for opportunity in mind.” The findings raise questions about the necessity of recommendation letters in the college admissions process.

 

EdSource

Pakistan's federal government is to distribute 100,000 laptops to students across the country, as part of the Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme 2025. A high-level meeting of the scheme’s third special committee was held on Tuesday, chaired by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui; officials reviewed the regional distribution of applications and quota allocations. He announced later that the central launch ceremony will be held on July 25th at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, adding: “Access to technology is key to Pakistan’s development."

 

Islamabad51