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In her confirmation hearing on Thursday for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon told the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) that she envisions vastly diminished role for the U.S. Department of Education in the future. “The president has given a very clear directive that he would like to look in totality at the Department of Education, and believes that the bureaucracy of it should be closed, that we should return education to our states, that the best education is that closest to the kids,” McMahon said, adding that she is open-minded on the return of the department's civil rights investigation arm to the U.S. Department of Justice, and on shifting IDEA responsibilities the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During the hearing, McMahon also voiced support for more skill-based learning and dual enrollment in K-12. The HELP panel will vote on advancing her nomination to the full floor next Thursday, after which she is expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

 

The Hill

K-12 Dive

NPR

New York Times

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration order that threatened to cut federal funds for hospitals that provide medical treatments for transgender patients under 19. U.S. District Judge Brendan Hurson in Baltimore issued the temporary restraining order during a hearing Thursday. “This is a population with an extremely higher rate for suicide, poverty, unemployment, drug addiction,” Hurson said during the hearing. Abruptly stopping their health treatments, he said, would be “horribly dangerous for anyone, for any care, but particularly for this extremely vulnerable population.” The ruling follows a lawsuit filed on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children who allege their healthcare has already been compromised by President Donald Trump's executive order directing federally run insurance programs to exclude coverage for gender-affirming care. The restraining order, in effect for 14 days, essentially puts the president's directive on hold while the case proceeds. The restraining order could also be extended.

 

Los Angeles Times

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal

Denver Public Schools is suing the Trump administration to prevent immigration enforcement at schools. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, challenges a policy that allows enforcement at "sensitive locations." The lawsuit claims that the policy has led to decreased school attendance, particularly among immigrant students, and has forced the district to divert resources from education to prepare for potential immigration actions. The district argues that the policy change has caused significant harm, stating: “Attendance has decreased noticeably.” Denver is believed to be the first school district to legally challenge this policy, emphasizing the need for safe educational environments.

 

Chalkbeat

Fewer California high school seniors are applying for financial aid, with applications down 25% compared to previous years. Daisy Gonzales, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, raised concerns that students fear their data may be used for immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The number of seniors completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has dropped by about 48,000 students, with a significant decline among those with undocumented parents. The commission is holding a webinar to address these issues and encourage applications. If the trend continues, Gonzales fears, “we're losing another generation of students who should be enrolling, who should be succeeding.”

 

Press Democrat

Atascadero’s North County Christian School will be renamed Brookside Christian Academy (BCA) starting in the 2025-26 school year. This change includes a return to high school education and a commitment to faith-based learning. The school will implement Classical Christian Education, emphasizing critical thinking and smaller class sizes, with a maximum of 12 students per teacher. Registration for BCA is now open, prioritizing existing families.

 

Atascadero News

Los Angeles USD has voted 5-2 to implement a cellphone ban, ahead of the state-mandated deadline of July 1, 2026. Starting Tuesday, students must keep their phones off and stored away to enhance academic performance and mental health. School board member Nick Melvoin stated, “Kids no longer have the opportunity to just be kids,” emphasizing the need for students to engage more with each other. While some schools may allow phones in backpacks, others will require them to be stored in sealed pouches. Exceptions exist for students with health needs or individualized education plans. Phones will be off-limits throughout the school day, including during breaks, but can be used before and after school.

 

EdSource

Paso Robles USD is set to eliminate at least 54 jobs to address a $4.9m budget deficit, as decided by trustees on Tuesday night. Superintendent Jennifer Loftus stated: “At the end of the day, we are making the best possible recommendations we can make based on the situation that we have.” The deficit is attributed to declining enrollment and the end of COVID funding, which had previously allowed the district to hire additional staff. The cuts will affect various positions, including teachers, counselors, and support staff, with many roles being vacated through attrition. Community members, including counselor Stephanie Russo, expressed concerns about the impact on students, warning that increased caseloads could lead to students falling through the cracks.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Teachers in Oak Grove USD have voted to authorize a strike due to unmet demands for higher salaries. The district's failure to address these concerns has led to frustration among educators, with one teacher stating: “This is a serious situation and we need to be heard.” The district has approximately 800 teachers, and the strike could significantly impact the educational environment. The teachers are advocating for a salary increase of 9%, citing the need for fair compensation in light of rising living costs. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue, with the potential for a strike looming if an agreement is not reached soon.

 

Press Democrat

The Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees recently voted against two resolutions that aimed to eliminate up to 100 employee positions. The proposals were rejected by a narrow 4-3 margin during a meeting on Wednesday. Trustees Jessica Carrasco, Daniel Dodge Jr., Joy Flynn, and Gabriel Medina opposed the cuts, demonstrating their commitment to preserving jobs within the district. The Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers rallied in support of this decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining staff positions.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

California is bracing for severe weather ahead of predicted heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding in areas affected by wildfires. Officials have distributed sandbags and prepared rescue teams, urging residents to be ready with go-bags. Brent Bower, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service, predicts up to six inches of rain in the mountains and three inches in coastal areas. Evacuation warnings have been issued for regions like Mandeville Canyon due to risks of debris flows. Schools closures and evacuation orders have been authorized in some areas.

 

Daily Press

Press Democrat

San Diego State University has achieved a significant milestone by earning a Research 1 ranking from the Carnegie Foundation, thanks to its substantial research funding and robust doctoral programs. This ranking reflects the university's commitment to advancing research and education, highlighting its status as a leading institution.

 

East Bay

Mercury News

In response to the recent tragic shooting at Campus Risbergska school in Orebro, where 10 people were killed, the Swedish government is mandating that all schools and pre-schools develop plans to prevent unauthorized access. Minister of Education Johan Pehrson emphasized the need for measures such as entry registries and locking systems. The government is also expediting legislation to facilitate the installation of surveillance cameras and allow personnel to search bags. This incident has sparked a national conversation about school security, leading the government to consider tightening gun laws.

 

U.S. News

As U.S. students face unprecedented reading challenges, the finalists for the 2025 National Teacher of the Year award emphasize the critical role of literacy in education. The finalists include Ashlie Crosson, who believes that “reading and writing should open doors for students,” and Janet Renee Damon, who warns against “weaponizing” reading assessments. Mikaela Saelua highlights the importance of native languages in learning, stating, “By using Samoan in an academic setting, we're also showing students that their language and culture are valued.” Jazzmyne Townsend focuses on personalizing learning, sharing a note from a student that says, “I love the way that you teach me.” The winner will be announced this spring, advocating for the teaching profession.

 

Education Week News

Mansour al-Mansour, a Saudi educator renowned for his charity work and teaching prisoners, has been awarded the $1m Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Al-Mansour, who is also an author, has made significant contributions to his community, including a program that provided air conditioning maintenance during the extreme summer heat in Saudi Arabia. The award, presented by the Varkey Foundation, recognizes exceptional educators globally. Al-Mansour is the ninth recipient of this prestigious prize, which has previously honored teachers from diverse backgrounds, including a Kenyan teacher who donated his earnings to the poor, a Palestinian educator promoting non-violence, and a Canadian educator who taught a remote Arctic village of Inuit students. The Varkey Foundation aims to highlight the importance of teaching and the impact of educators worldwide.

 

AP News

Gulf News