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The U.S. Department of Education has announced new grant priorities focusing on expanding school choice, state oversight, and literacy improvement. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said on Tuesday that discretionary grants "will now be focused on meaningful learning and expanding choice, not divisive ideologies.” This shift aims to replace the priorities set by the Biden administration, which emphasized diversity, equity, and inclusion. The new priorities will be open for public comment for 30 days before finalization. While competitive grants represent a small portion of the department's budget, the changes signal a significant policy shift, emphasizing charter schools and educational savings accounts. However, they do not affect the largest portions of federal K-12 funding, which go toward grants that the Education Department allocates to states by formula, such as Title I, to support students from low-income communities, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which supports services for students with disabilities.

 

Education Week News

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A Massachusetts college student has agreed to plead guilty to hacking cloud-based education software provider PowerSchool and stealing data related to millions of teachers and students. The information was used by hackers to extort the company, and school districts across North America, into paying ransoms. Matthew Lane, a student at Assumption University in Worcester, entered into the deal on Tuesday to resolve charges of hacking two companies. PowerSchool, whose software is used by more than 18,000 schools to support over 60m students, disclosed the breach in January. It has said it learned of it on December 28, 2024 and decided to pay a ransom to prevent data from being made public. According to prosecutors, Lane used the credentials of a PowerSchool contractor in September to gain access to its network and obtain the data, which he transferred in December to a computer server he leased from a cloud storage provider in Ukraine. He faces at least two years in prison

 

Reuters

According to a recent AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll, young Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander adults are largely against reducing federal funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education. The survey indicates that about 90% of AAPI adults under 30 oppose such funding cuts and deportation of students involved in campus protests. In contrast, older AAPI adults show less overwhelming opposition, with around 50% against these measures. Iris Chiou, a 28-year-old Taiwanese American medical student, expressed concern for foreign students facing deportation, commenting: “The fact that you have people disappearing and being deported... I think that's going to scare people.” The poll highlights the importance of a college degree for AAPI adults, with many viewing it as essential for achieving career success. The survey was conducted from April 7-14, 2025, with a sample of 1,094 U.S. adults from the AAPI community.

 

US News

Florida school districts are grappling with issues like declining enrollment and achievement gaps, which are exacerbated by frequent changes in leadership. Dr. Carlee Simon, who led the Alachua County Public School District for just over a year, exemplifies the instability that can distract school boards from focusing on education.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The School District of Lee County is pursuing $17m in federal funding for essential safety upgrades, including intercom replacements and secure vestibules. The district is collaborating with U.S. Reps Byron Donalds and Greg Steube to secure these funds through the federal earmarks process. The requests include $7m for upgrading intercom systems at 57 schools and $10.05m for installing secure vestibules at 65 schools. The total cost for these projects is projected at over $73m, with significant local investment already committed. As the district navigates the complex federal appropriations process, it aims to finalize its budget amid ongoing discussions about teacher pay and staffing needs.

 

Naplesnews

News-Press.com

WINK News

EdFed recently celebrated the achievement of nearly 200 high school students in Miami-Dade County who received personal finance certifications during a ceremony at Miami Dade College's North Campus. The certifications were awarded through EdFed’s CUPED (Credit Union Professional & Educational Development) program, which provides students with hands-on experience in credit union management. “EdFed remains dedicated to enriching young minds with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate key financial milestones in adulthood,” stated Cindy Reyes, EdFed’s Financial Education Manager. The program requires students to complete 40 hours of instruction and pass a final exam. EdFed, established in 1935, is the largest credit union in Miami-Dade County, serving over 110,000 members with more than $1.7bn in assets.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

The Manatee County school board's recent decision to terminate Dr. Jason Wysong's contract has sparked significant debate among members. Critics highlighted Wysong's handling of a misconduct case involving a middle school teacher accused of grooming an 11-year-old. Despite the criticism, Wysong defended his record, noting improvements in graduation rates and ongoing school construction. Ultimately, the board voted 3-2 to terminate his contract, with Wysong set to receive 20 weeks' pay plus an additional 90 days' pay due to the lack of notice. Dr. Kevin Chapman has been appointed as the interim superintendent.

 

News 13

Tampa Bay Fl News

Pasco County will not see the establishment of a new 1,300-student charter high school as the Patel Foundation for Global Understanding has withdrawn its proposal. The decision comes shortly after the school board approved the construction deal. The foundation had been negotiating with the school district for over a year to expand its operations beyond its existing campus in Tampa. Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School, which currently operates in Tampa, will not be moving forward with plans to open a new campus in the Trinity community.

 

Tampa Bay Times

An investigation into a complaint from a parent revealed that Melissa Calhoun, a teacher at Satellite High School, was the only one among four educators who admitted to using a student's chosen name without parental consent. Calhoun claimed it was an oversight. Despite a recommendation for a reprimand, Superintendent Mark Rendell opted not to renew her contract due to uncertainty about the state's response to the incident. This decision marks Calhoun as the first known Florida educator to lose her job under a new rule requiring parental permission for using any name other than a student's legal name. The investigation concluded that Calhoun had violated state statutes and district policies, leading to her contract non-renewal.

 

Florida Today

Orange County Public Schools is suspending new school construction due to an anticipated decline of over 3,000 students in the 2024–25 academic year. The decision follows years of expansion, particularly in areas like Horizon West and Lake Nona, where 28 new campuses were established in the last decade. The impending decline is attributed to falling birth rates and the growth of Florida's school voucher program, which diverts public funds to private education. The district will monitor enrollment trends and may resume construction if numbers improve, but the construction freeze could last until 2031.

 

Bradenton.com

Click Orlando

Fox 35 Orlando

Fox 35 Orlando

Orlando Sentinel

In a call for educational reform, Rabbi Moshe Matz, executive director of Agudath Israel's Florida office, emphasizes the importance of the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). This proposed legislation aims to extend Florida's successful school choice model nationwide, allowing parents to use funds for various educational expenses. Matz highlights the significant impact of school choice in Florida, noting that over 500,000 students participated this year. The ECCA, which proposes $10bn in annual scholarships, is seen as an investment in the future of students and society. Matz urges Congress to pass the ECCA to empower parents and enhance educational opportunities for all families.

 

Orlando Sentinel