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The White House has announced a plan to dismantle the Education Department by transferring its core responsibilities to other federal agencies, aligning with President Donald Trump’s long-term goal of closing the department. Duties for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education will shift to the Labor Department, while child care grants and foreign medical school accreditation will move to Health and Human Services. Meanwhile, Fulbright and international education programmes will go to the State Department, and the Office of Indian Education to the Interior Department. “The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement Tuesday. “Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission.” Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) responded by calling the proposals "outright illegal," adding that the Education Department's programs are being spun off "to agenices with little to no relevant expertise." She also noted that federal law requires an act of Congress to close the department.

 

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U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia has ruled that Senate Bill 10, which mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in Texas public school classrooms, violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of 15 multifaith families. “Plaintiffs do not wish their children be pressured to observe, venerate, or adopt the religious doctrine contained in the Ten Commandments,” Garcia wrote, noting that the plaintiffs come from backgrounds “including atheist, agnostic, Christian, Jewish, Baha’i, and Hindu.” The judge's order requires affected school districts, including Comal, Georgetown, and Fort Worth, to remove the displays by December 1. The order is temporary, and further court proceedings will determine its ultimate fate.

 

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The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board has unanimously decided to hire a lawyer to evaluate the legality of a proposed reset of the 2026 board elections, which would shorten the terms of five members. General counsel for the school board will now retain and engage with outside legal counsel to look into both the legality and constitutionality of the election realignment.  The Shelby County Commission's decision to realign MSCS board elections, made possible by a recent state law, has faced significant community opposition. The board's resolution emphasized the need to protect the integrity of its governance structure and uphold the democratic process.

 

Memphis Commercial Appeal

In Florida, the Legislature is actively considering proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes, a move that could significantly enhance housing affordability but also disrupt funding for essential local services. Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the current proposals as insufficient, stating: "The reality is, he's not been someone who's been supportive of these efforts." The most drastic proposal could slash over $10bn from local budgets, raising concerns among local leaders about the potential impact on services like fire departments and parks. The proposals aim to protect school and law enforcement budgets, but other essential services may face severe cuts. Local government officials, including Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, have expressed worries about the detrimental effects on community resources. The outcome of these discussions could lead to multiple ballot measures for voters next year, with significant implications for local governance and community welfare.

 

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In a recent discussion, Rick Hess, director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and Jal Mehta from Harvard University, explored the complexities of educational change. They emphasized that real transformation is often slow and uneven, with Mehta noting: "Change is a generational proposition." The conversation highlighted the importance of local relationships and trust in facilitating change, as demonstrated by Alice Tucker's successful implementation of higher-order questioning techniques among teachers. Hess pointed out that while policies can drive change, their effectiveness depends on how they are applied. The dialogue concluded with a recognition of the disconnect between policymakers and educators, underscoring that educational change requires clear direction, cultural shifts, and institutional support to be meaningful and lasting.

 

Education Week News

State and city leaders in Indianapolis are considering creating unified transportation and facilities authorities to manage buses and buildings for all public schools, within Indianapolis Public Schools' boundaries. Supporters, including Rep. Bob Behning and Councilor Maggie Lewis, argue that centralizing these services under professional managers could cut costs, improve efficiency, and ensure equitable resource distribution. IPS leaders say they already transport most students in the city but would need charter-school funding, especially as IPS operations revenue declines, and warn that charters may need to adjust schedules or bus-stop expectations under a unified system. The proposed facilities authority could also replace the controversial “$1 law” governing unused buildings. Parents prioritize safety and reliability but remain cautious about outside influence, and governance changes are likely to be debated as the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance continues its meetings.

 

Indianapolis Star

Walter Gonsoulin, the first Black permanent superintendent of Jefferson County Schools in Alabama, has significantly improved the district since his appointment in 2019. Under his leadership, the graduation rate of high school seniors equipped with essential skills has risen from 66% to 82%. The class of 2024 alone secured over $108m in scholarships. Gonsoulin emphasizes the importance of personal connections, commenting: “It’s all personal to me.” His innovative strategies include establishing 20 “Signature Academies” that provide students with practical skills and industry certifications. Gonsoulin's commitment to education stems from his own challenging upbringing, and he continues to advocate for his students by ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed. His leadership has not only transformed the district but also settled a long-standing desegregation lawsuit, marking a new chapter for Jefferson County Schools.

 

U.S. News

Susan Popkin and David Bateman highlight the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in education, recalling a time before significant reforms in the 1970s. With recent cuts to the federal Department of Education, advocates fear a regression in the support provided to students with disabilities. Denise Marshall, chief executive of the Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), expressed concern, stating: “It does seem like so far ago, but right now we’re witnessing all we accomplished could go away in the blink of an eye.” The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the number of students receiving special education accommodations has increased to 7.5m. However, experts warn that the reduction in the Department's workforce will hinder the distribution of essential resources, leading to disparities across states.

 

EdSurge

According to a recent survey by the EdWeek Research Center, 50% of teachers reported receiving professional development on artificial intelligence (AI) this fall, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. This growth reflects significant advancements made by school districts and education organizations in equipping educators with knowledge about AI. Pat Yongpradit, chief academic officer for Code.org, said: "We're getting out of the early-adopter phase. We're entering the later-adopter phase." Despite this progress, experts emphasize the need for ongoing investment in professional development, as many teachers have only attended one session, which may not provide comprehensive training. Lisa Herring, former superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, highlighted the urgency of familiarizing educators with AI, and added: "If we expect educators to meet the pace of the reimagined classroom, we must urgently invest in their training." The survey also indicated that school and district leaders are more likely to have received AI training than teachers, suggesting a need for broader access to professional development opportunities.

 

Education Week News

Alabama is considering a pay raise for teachers, but this may lead to increased health insurance premiums. State Superintendent Eric Mackey expressed concern over the rising costs and a projected $380m budget shortfall for the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP) for fiscal year 2027. He said: "I know that the governor is closely looking at the possibility for pay raises right now." PEEHIP, which covers approximately 350,000 individuals, is consuming a growing portion of the state budget. The board has requested $1.5bn from the legislature to address the shortfall. If funding is not secured, local school boards may need to adjust employer contributions, which could rise significantly. Neah Scott from the Retirement Systems of Alabama noted that "health care costs are going up nationwide; this is not a specific PEEHIP issue." The situation presents a challenging balance between educator compensation and health benefits.

 

Al.com

School bus driver employment has grown modestly over the past year, supported by a 4.2% inflation-adjusted rise in median hourly wages to $22.45, yet overall staffing remains 9.5% below 2019 levels, reflecting ongoing shortages. Across K-12 jobs, employment is up just 1.4% from 2019, with steep declines in custodian roles and strong growth among paraprofessionals. EPI notes that recent wage gains for bus drivers break from a long pattern of stagnant or negative growth, though recruitment remains difficult due to split shifts, low pay, and a workforce disproportionately made up of women, Black and brown workers, and older employees. Over the past year, state and local schools added nearly 9,900 bus driver positions while the private sector lost 8,200, yielding a net gain of about 2,300 jobs. Pandemic-related labor disruptions make long-term trends hard to interpret, but EPI says the latest wage growth represents a needed investment, even as shortages continue to force school closures and route consolidations in several districts.

 

K-12 Dive

The New Zealand Government has advanced the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill, aiming to improve teacher education, school property management, curriculum standards, and attendance enforcement. Key measures include transferring initial teacher education standards and teacher registration oversight to the Ministry of Education, establishing a dedicated school property agency, requiring schools to participate in PISA assessments, and expanding charter school provisions to support school choice.

 

The National Tribune

The Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Poole, U.K., has banned songs from the popular film K-Pop Demon Hunters due to concerns over its themes not aligning with the school's “Christian ethos.” Acting principal Lloyd Allington informed parents in a letter that some community members are “deeply uncomfortable” with references to demons in the film. K-Pop Demon Hunters, Netflix's most-viewed film, features a fictional K-pop girl band battling demons. Allington acknowledged the positive feedback from parents but emphasized the need to respect differing views, stating: “For some Christians, references to demons can feel deeply uncomfortable.”

 

Star-Telegram