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A federal judge has blocked Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing private data from the Education Department, Treasury Department, and Office of Personnel Management(OPM). U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued a preliminary injunction following a lawsuit by the American Federation of Teachers and other unions, which claimed the Trump administration violated privacy laws by granting DOGE access to the personal information of millions without consent. Boardman said: “They trusted the federal government to safeguard their information. That public trust likely has been breached.” The injunction protects the personal data of the plaintiffs and could be challenged on appeal. The lawsuit accused the Trump administration of handing over sensitive data for reasons beyond its intended use, violating the Privacy Act. Instead of carrying out the functions of the federal student loan program, the lawsuit says, DOGE has been accessing loan data “for purposes of destroying” the Education Department. Boardman previously issued a temporary restraining order preventing DOGE from accessing the data from the Education Department and the OPM, but she declined at the time to extend the block to Treasury data, citing a different federal judge’s preliminary injunction effectuating the same relief plaintiffs sought against that agency.   The lawsuit is one of more than a dozen pending cases challenging DOGE’s structure or access to systems at various federal agencies.

 

The Hill

Courthouse News Service

The Oregonian

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Los Angeles USD has implemented a cellphone ban across approximately 800 campuses, utilizing Yondr's locking neoprene pouches to enforce the policy. This initiative has reportedly led to increased student participation and social interaction, with students at University Charter High School noting: “Classes feature more participation and lunchtime became more social.” While some students express frustration over the sudden change, others acknowledge the benefits, such as improved focus and better grades. Yondr chief executive Graham Dugoni emphasized the importance of creating distraction-free environments, and of developing new solutions, adding: “We know that anything we design... they're gonna keep finding different ways around it.” The program has garnered support from educators, with reports of enhanced classroom engagement and reduced conflicts among students.

 

Los Angeles Times

The Princeton City School District in Ohio is facing potential closures and staff cuts if an emergency operating levy does not pass in the upcoming May 6 ballot. The district aims to raise $12.8m annually over ten years to avoid an operating deficit, following a previous levy failure in November 2024. This failure led to significant budget cuts, including a hiring freeze and reduced transportation services. Tricia Roddy, the district's director of communications, said that if the May levy fails, the district will have to make "even more difficult financial decisions," which could include staffing reductions and the closure of two elementary schools. The district has engaged the community through thirteen "Listening Sessions" to discuss financial concerns and encourage public involvement in the funding discussion.

 

Cincinnati Enquirer

In Kentucky, students have turned to the Bullitt County Public Library for internet access after severe flooding closed schools. Tara O'Hagan, the library's executive director, said “Internet access is a luxury,” highlighting the digital divide in the area. The library relies on the federal Universal Service Fund, which is facing a Supreme Court challenge that could significantly impact funding for libraries, schools, and hospitals. Critics argue that the fund's structure is problematic, with Trent McCotter, an attorney, warning of a “death spiral” for the program. Meanwhile, John Heitmann from the National Lifeline Association emphasized that low-income individuals would be most affected by potential funding cuts. A decision from the Supreme Court is expected by the end of June, which could reshape the future of internet access for many Americans.

 

CNN

The ongoing debate over Senate Bill 287, which aims to make school board races partisan, has intensified in the House. Authored by Sens Gary Byrne, Chris Garten, and Blake Doriot, the bill proposes that candidates declare a party affiliation and undergo a primary election process. Rep. J.D. Prescott's amendments have sparked controversy, including a provision allowing candidates to choose nonpartisan status, which would leave a blank space next to their name on ballots. Critics like Rep. Blake Johnson argue that the bill complicates the election process, stating, “This bill started as a solution in search of a problem.” Rep. Sue Errington highlighted concerns from constituents, noting that making these elections partisan could deter potential candidates and divert focus from educational qualifications. The bill is set for a final vote in the House.

 

Chicago Tribune

Ohio lawmakers are proposing House Bill 187, which would mandate a daily moment of silence in public schools for reflection or prayer. Proponents, including Rep. Gary Click, argue that this initiative provides students a necessary break from constant distractions, stating, "Our kids are bombarded with outside messaging." However, opponents, such as Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association, express concerns about the potential imposition of religion in schools and the diversion of focus from essential funding issues. DiMauro emphasizes the need to protect the First Amendment rights of all students, commenting: "We have to protect the freedom of all students." Similar legislation has been enacted in other states, raising questions about the balance between mindfulness and religious freedom in education.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

The Westport Public Schools board has unanimously approved a $150.4m operating budget for 2025-26. The package will comprise around 63% of all the Connecticut district's public expenditures in the new fiscal year. In addition to the operating budget, the finance panel unanimously backed nearly $7.7 million to service the school district’s long-term debt. The biggest slice of the education budget remains salaries for certified and non-certified personnel. Under contractual agreements for 2025-26, the total amount paid certified staff will be $79.1 million, or 4.6% higher than this year, and for non-certified staff the total is $19.5 million, rising 4.9%.

 

Westport News

The New Jersey Senate has unanimously approved the creation of a Special Education Transportation Task Force aimed at enhancing safety for students with disabilities. This decision follows several tragic incidents, including the death of 19-year-old Matthew Rossi, who was found unresponsive after a school bus ride. The task force, consisting of 22 members including parents, educators, and advocates, will investigate current transportation practices and recommend necessary reforms. Paul Aronsohn, the state's ombudsman for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Today's vote represents a big, important step forward in our effort to ensure the safety of students with disabilities.” The legislation also seeks to improve accountability among local school boards and will require an identical Assembly bill to pass before reaching the governor's desk.

 

New Jersey Herald

Matthew Karabinos, a 6th grade math teacher at Williamsburg Elementary School in Pennsylvania, initially hesitated to use ChatGPT, fearing it would complicate teaching. However, after successfully using it to create quizzes, he embraced artificial intelligence (AI) for lesson planning, stating, “It gives me that first step so that I don't have to literally sit down and find and research all these thinking tasks ahead of time.” According to a February 2025 RAND report, only 21% of math teachers utilize AI for instructional planning. Many educators express a desire for professional development on AI, with varying needs based on their experience. Advocates argue that AI can alleviate teachers' workloads and enhance teaching methods, allowing more time for student engagement.

 

Education Week News

A Korean American student, Yunseo Chung, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent her deportation, claiming her lawful permanent resident status is being revoked due to her participation in pro-Palestinian protests. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, argues that actions against Chung "form part of a larger pattern of attempted U.S. government repression of constitutionally protected protest activity." The Trump administration has targeted foreign pro-Palestinian protesters, alleging they hinder U.S. foreign policy and support Hamas. Columbia University faculty and students have rallied in defense of academic freedom and democracy, emphasizing the importance of protecting students' rights to protest.

 

CNN	US News and World Report

The Covid-19 pandemic transformed parental involvement in education, as many parents, like Esti Iturralde, became away of what they perceived as the shortcomings of traditional schooling. Iturralde noted, “It really wasn’t until the school closures that I began to understand what she was missing.” This led parents to question educational practices and advocate for change, particularly regarding reading instruction. Scott Moore, head of education group Kidango, emphasized that prolonged school closures broke the social compact of education, leaving parents feeling abandoned. Advocates like Lakisha Young and Megan Potente have highlighted systemic failures, especially for low-income children of color, urging parents to take control of their children's education. Young stated, “We’re freeing our families from the system.” The pandemic has thus catalyzed a movement of parental empowerment, pushing for reforms in public education.

 

EdSource

The Brazilian Ministry of Education has launched the country’s first-ever course on hybrid education for public secondary school teachers. The project, designed for approximately 1,000 public school teachers across 23 Brazilian states and the Federal District, introduces hybrid teaching methods that combine virtual and in-person learning. The 80-hour course consists of 72 hours of virtual learning and 8 hours of in-person sessions.

 

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