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Dozens of U.S. Department of Education officials were placed on paid administrative leave Friday night, according to Brittany Holder, a spokesperson for the American Federation of Government Employees. The union estimated that at least 55 staffers received leave notices on Friday, but the group expects that number to climb. The employees worked in multiple offices across the agency and included civil rights attorneys, public relations and IT specialists, people who helped students defrauded by colleges and others. Sheria Smith, union president for Department of Education career employees, said the employees placed on paid leave had attended a two-day diversity training seminar in 2019 during the first Trump administration “that was required for senior-level employees and strongly encouraged for others,” as well as similar training under the Biden administration. Others affected had either participated in a one-day lunch training on DEI or had volunteered with an agency group or committee that plans programs such as Black History Month celebrations.

 

CNN

USA Today

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The Biden administration's efforts to expand Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students have been thwarted by a federal court ruling, which reinstated the Trump-era policies. The Education Department's new guidance mandates a return to the 2020 rules established by former Secretary Betsy DeVos, which include live hearings and greater protections for accused students. U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves criticized Biden's rules as an overreach, stating: "There was nothing in Title IX suggesting it should cover anything more than it did when Congress created it." The shift has sparked controversy, with advocates arguing that the DeVos rules unfairly favor the accused, while victims' rights groups claim they deter reporting of assaults. The Education Department has already initiated investigations under the new guidance, signaling a significant policy reversal.

 

Orlando Sentinel

Many parents express concern that teachers may not hear continuous glucose monitor (CGM) alarms in busy classrooms, leaving them responsible for their child's safety. Taylor Inman, a pediatric pulmonologist and mother of Ruby, who has Type 1 diabetes, stated: "Ruby got little help from her San Diego public school." After the school refused to monitor CGM alarms through an app, Ruby's family opted for a diabetes support dog, Echo, trained to detect abnormal blood sugar levels. They later transferred Ruby to a private school that provides remote monitoring of her alarms.

 

Orlando Sentinel

Sun Sentinel

The $2.8bn NCAA antitrust settlement is facing over a dozen objections, but attorneys remain optimistic about its approval. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken will review these objections before the April 7 hearing. Rakesh Kilaru, the NCAA's lead counsel, stated: “We don't think there's anything in the objections that will give the judge reason to change her mind.” The settlement aims to provide former athletes with back pay and allows schools to distribute up to $20.5m annually for athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) use. Key concerns include the salary cap, Title IX compliance, and roster limits, with critics arguing that the $20.5m cap is arbitrary. Despite the objections, experts like Gabe Feldman believe the settlement is likely to be approved, emphasizing that “there is no way to have a perfect agreement.”

 

Local10

According to a recent EdWeek Research Center survey, a significant 60% of educators feel their districts have not clearly communicated artificial intelligence (AI) policies to them or their students. Pat Yongpradit, chief academic officer at Code.org, emphasized that the technology is “still very new,” and while there is no lack of will, districts need time and resources to develop effective policies. Many educators express confusion over how to manage student misuse of AI tools, with one Virginia tech coach noting that “fear of doing it ‘wrong’” hampers policy development. A New Jersey principal highlighted the importance of providing thorough guidance on AI usage, stating, “Students need to be well-educated on ethical use of AI.” As AI continues to evolve, districts are urged to enhance their understanding and create clearer policies to support educators and students alike.

 

Education Week News

Florida schools are using Xello, a platform that provides real-life simulations and career explorations for teachers and students. The platform is user-friendly and geared to age-appropriate grade levels, helping students create goals and plan to achieve them. It allows students to explore educational requirements, job outlooks, and schools around them. Xello also has a real-life simulator that teaches kids extensive budgeting, including housekeeping supplies, appliances, and property taxes.

 

My Pan Handle

Momentum is building for regulating how social media companies manage minors' data, especially with the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) in focus. President Donald Trump paused a TikTok ban, stating, “I think we have bigger problems than that,” raising concerns about prioritizing young people's data protection. Despite this, experts like Amelia Vance, president of the Public Interest Privacy Center, believe that federal support for protecting kids' data remains strong. KOSA aims to enhance protections for young users, requiring companies to offer better privacy options and limit harmful content access. While the bill passed the Senate, it stalled in the House, but advocates like Ariel Fox Johnson from Common Sense Media emphasize the ongoing bipartisan concern for minors' data privacy. Schools play a crucial role in educating students about data protection, especially in the context of advancing technology. Vance noted, “We all have to live in a world where we understand how our data's being used.”

 

Education Week News

The recent breach of PowerSchool, a major provider of student information systems, has raised significant concerns regarding the security of children's personal data. This incident is described as potentially the largest breach of American children's information to date, affecting tens of millions of students. According to Beth Keebler, a PowerSchool spokesperson: “We recognize the significance of this incident and are deeply regretful that it occurred.” The breach was attributed to a lack of multi-factor authentication on a single employee's account, allowing hackers to access sensitive data. Cybersecurity experts, including Bill Fitzgerald, criticized the failure to enforce basic security measures, saying: “If you're not enforcing multifactor authentication, that's just not best practice.” The incident highlights the urgent need for improved cybersecurity standards in the education technology sector.

 

NBC Miami

The demand for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) has surged, particularly in computer science and coding, as highlighted in Code.org's 2024 State of Computer Science in Education report. The report reveals that 60% of high schools now offer foundational computer science courses, up from 47% in 2019. However, disparities persist, especially for women, who face systemic barriers in accessing these educational opportunities. "When women do decide to pursue STEM careers, those in computing jobs face more gender discrimination than men," according to a 2017 Pew Research survey. Despite progress, the tech sector's cutbacks on diversity initiatives hinder further advancements. Collaboration between education and tech sectors is essential to ensure equitable access and support for all students in the evolving job market.

 

Bradenton.com

Florida International University will see a reduction of 29 courses in its core curriculum this fall, following a decision by the state's Board of Governors. This change affects all 12 state universities, with classes in sociology, anthropology, and history being moved to elective status. The changes comply with a 2023 state law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who emphasized the need for degrees that are “meaningful.” Chancellor Ray Rodrigues noted a Gallup poll indicating only 36% of Americans approve of higher education, attributing this to perceived political agendas.

 

NBC Miami

Brenda Cassellius, a former Minnesota commissioner of education, and Jonathan Klein, chief executive of UndauntedK12, highlight the importance of modernizing school infrastructure through HVAC upgrades. With funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, districts can implement energy-efficient systems, which not only enhance student comfort but also lead to significant cost savings. "Every child deserves to learn in a safe, comfortable environment," they assert. For instance, the Sun Prairie Area School District saved $1.9 million last year through energy efficiency measures. As many schools face aging infrastructure, the authors urge district leaders to advocate for preserving federal funding opportunities to ensure that schools can continue to improve their facilities and learning environments.

 

Education Week News