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The Trump administration is transferring key Education Department responsibilities, including special education programs and civil rights enforcement, to the departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Justice as part of its broader effort to dismantle the Education Department. The move follows similar transfers of education-related functions to the Labor and Treasury departments and is intended to demonstrate that the agency’s responsibilities can be distributed across the federal government without congressional approval to formally close the department. Under the plan, oversight of special education programs, including administration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and roughly $15bn in federal funding for students with disabilities, will move to HHS. Meanwhile, the Office for Civil Rights will increasingly rely on the Justice Department to investigate and resolve discrimination complaints involving schools and colleges. Administration officials said students will retain all existing legal protections and argued the changes will improve coordination and enforcement. However, disability advocates, civil rights groups, and former Education Department officials warned that splitting responsibilities across agencies could weaken oversight, complicate complaint processes, and undermine protections for students. 

 

Education Week News

New York Times

Politico

Washington Post

Education leaders testifying before a U.S. Senate hearing called for stronger safeguards around artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, while emphasizing that AI can enhance learning if it supports, rather than replaces, human judgment and teacher expertise. Delaware Education Secretary Cynthia Marten told the Senate Subcommittee on Education & the American Family that AI has the potential to expand educational opportunities, but only if schools implement clear guardrails and keep students at the center of decision-making. She highlighted Delaware’s AI Assurance Lab, which evaluates AI tools with input from teachers before they are adopted in classrooms. Witnesses also stressed the need for greater investment in teacher training, arguing that educators must be equipped to use AI effectively as the technology evolves rapidly. According to testimony, more than half of schools have yet to provide professional development on the safe use of AI, although training levels are improving.

 

Education Week News

Long Beach USD has appointed David Zaid as its new superintendent, continuing a tradition of promoting from within. Zaid, who has dedicated 32 years to the district, previously held roles such as director of employee relations and assistant superintendent. The decision followed a nationwide search conducted by Leadership Associates, which received 21 applications and gathered community input through surveys and listening sessions.

 

EdSource

Press-Telegram

Los Anegeles USD has revised its fiscal stabilization plan, maintaining the Black Student Achievement Plan amid community opposition. The new budget cuts $500m annually from high-need schools, with significant job losses projected over three years. Despite the cuts, board members, including Kelly Gonez, successfully amended the plan to restore $50m of the $125m allocated to the Black Student Achievement Plan. Acting Superintendent Andres Chait said: “These are difficult conversations, because every decision affects people.” The district faces a projected deficit of $1.3bn next year, necessitating these cuts to comply with California law. The approved plan still includes reductions in discretionary spending and potential layoffs, with the full budget vote scheduled for next week.

 

EdSource

Los Angeles Times

Pajaro Valley USD is set to discuss its draft Local Control Accountability Plan for the 2026-27 academic year during a board meeting. The plan outlines the district's progress and areas needing improvement, emphasizing the importance of targeted support for students. "While these gains are encouraging, academic outcomes remain below standard overall," officials said, highlighting the need for focused instructional support, particularly for English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. The district's graduation rates improved to 92.3% in 2025, but chronic absenteeism remains a significant challenge. The projected revenue for the district is $364.4m, with $229.6m coming from the Local Control Funding Formula. The board will also consider a new mobile phone policy and conduct a public hearing on the proposed budget.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The Lucia Mar USD recently faced pressure to remove Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" from its library, but the school board voted 5-2 to retain the novel. This decision follows previous votes to keep other challenged books, highlighting a commitment to literary freedom. Critics of the book argue it is inappropriate, with one speaker labeling it "trash." However, Jennie Merritte, who requested its removal, shared her personal trauma related to the book, stating: "The thought of picking the book up again made me want to vomit." The Modesto Bee says that banning books due to discomfort undermines educational values and the importance of confronting difficult topics. It commends the school board for their courageous stance in preserving access to significant literature.

 

The Modesto Bee

The future of Locke High in Watts is uncertain as the Los Angeles County Board of Education considers its fate. Los Angeles USD has labeled the school "chronically underperforming," leading to a narrow vote for closure. However, supporters argue that the school has shown significant academic growth among disadvantaged students. "Locke educators say evaluators have bypassed a crucial element: academic growth," highlighting the need for a more comprehensive evaluation. Despite improvements in graduation rates and test scores, Locke's performance remains below state averages. The decision will weigh the school's progress against the district's concerns, with community support advocating for its continuation.

 

Los Angeles Times

Sequoia UHSD is under pressure to decide on a cellphone policy by June 30, as required by state legislation. The Board of Trustees discussed whether to implement a ban during instructional time only or a more comprehensive "bell-to-bell" ban. Associate Superintendent Bonnie Hansen emphasized the need for students to take breaks from technology, stating: “There is certainly much research to show that students and adults are spending far too much time on technology.” While some trustees support a limited ban, others argue for a complete ban to teach self-regulation. Trustee Sathvik Nori noted a shift in his stance, reflecting parents' preferences for a stricter policy. Ultimately, the board agreed to proceed with a ban during instructional time, with plans to revisit the issue in December after further studies.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

The Sonoma Valley USD Board of Trustees is set to discuss campus flag practices and the 2026-27 budget during their meeting tomorrow. The flag policy has sparked controversy, particularly after the removal and subsequent restoration of the progressive pride flag at Sonoma Valley High School. Board President David Bell initially directed the flag's removal on January 16, but after community backlash, it was restored on January 20. Superintendent Jason Sutter presented four policy options regarding flags other than the U.S. and California flags, highlighting the board's diverse opinions. Although the flag issue will be discussed, no vote is scheduled.  

 

Press Democrat

The U.S. Supreme Court recently dismissed two student speech cases, including E.D. v. Noblesville School District, which involved an Indiana high school student who faced backlash for promoting an anti-abortion club. Justice Samuel Alito dissented in the ruling, which highlighted the tension between student expression and school authority. Judge Nancy Maldonado noted: “This is not a case about tolerating private student speech,” emphasizing that the issue revolves around whether schools must support student messages using their resources. The case has sparked discussions about the need for courts to reevaluate student speech rights more broadly.

 

EdSource

As college costs continue to rise, many families are struggling to find ways to pay for their children's education. A survey by College Ave revealed that only 44% of parents felt prepared to cover college expenses, with 80% unable to rely solely on savings. The average annual cost for a four-year public university is $24,920, while private institutions average $58,500. To navigate these financial challenges, families are encouraged to create a comprehensive plan, prioritize college funding over personal savings, and explore grants and scholarships. "It's not impossible to come up with ways to pay for college even if you have no savings," the article states. Engaging with financial aid offices and considering work-study programs can also provide valuable support. The College Ave survey, conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights, included 1,000 parents of undergraduate students and was fielded in April-May 2025.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Half of the world’s children are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, according to a new UNICEF report, highlighting the growing impact of climate change on young people’s health, education, and daily lives. The report found that more than 1bn children face multiple threats, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and storms, while almost every child globally is exposed to at least one climate-related hazard. UNICEF identified parts of Africa’s Sahel region and countries including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan as among the most severely affected. While lower-income regions face the greatest risks, the report noted that wealthier countries are also affected. In Italy, for example, more than 6m children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought. UNICEF is calling on governments and businesses to reduce emissions and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems, arguing that stronger adaptation measures are essential to protect children from the growing impacts of climate change.

 

Euronews

The Guardian

Private school enrollment in Canada continues to outpace growth in the public system as parents increasingly seek smaller class sizes, specialized learning environments, stronger academic outcomes, and networking opportunities they believe will give their children a competitive edge. According to Statistics Canada, enrollment in private and independent schools rose about 9% between the 2019-20 and 2023-24 school years, compared with 3.6% growth in public school enrollment. Families are often paying annual tuition of C$15,000-C$50,000 ($10,711-$35,705), with many making significant financial trade-offs, including delaying retirement savings, reducing vacations, cutting extracurricular spending, or taking on debt. Education consultants and financial planners cited concerns about academic support, university admissions, future job prospects, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market as key factors driving demand. Schools such as Toronto’s Bishop Strachan School have also reported rising applications and increased demand for financial assistance, even amid broader economic pressures.

 

The Globe and Mail