Category: U.S. Department of Education

US Education Department Issues Pride Month Promise to Public Schools

LGBT Pride Month has come to public schools nationwide with a Twitter announcement by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). “Everyone in the school community should feel valued for who they are and free to be their authentic self. Our message to LGBTQI+ students, teachers, and staff as we begin #PrideMonth: ED has got your…


8th Grade History, Civics Scores Drop Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Average U.S. history and civics test scores have dropped among eighth graders since before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The 2022 findings from the NAEP—dubbed “The Nation’s Report Card”—were released on May 3, revealing a five-point drop in U.S. history scores and a two-point drop—the first ever—in civics scores…


GOP Senators Express ‘Grave Concern’ to Education Secretary Over Taxpayer-Funded Anti-Semitic Near East and Mideast Programs

Republican senators expressed “grave concern” on March 8 to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona over U.S. taxpayer-funded anti-Semitic Near East and Middle East programs on America’s college and university campuses. The letter was signed by Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Cynthia…


Los Angeles Unified School District Hit With Ransomware Attack

The information technology systems of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in California, the second largest school district in the United States, were targeted by a ransomware attack over Labor Day weekend, the school system announced Monday. Following the “external cyber attack” on IT assets, LAUSD quickly responded to minimize disruptions to its network, including…


Michigan Charter Schools Sue US Department of Education Over New Rule

An organization representing Michigan charter schools is suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule its lawyers say will undermine charter schools. The Biden administration, which is closely aligned with public school teachers’ unions, is hostile to charter schools. On the campaign trail in 2020, then-candidate Joe Biden said he’s “not a fan…


22 States Sue Over ‘Gender Identity’ Rule Controlling $29 Billion For Poor Kids’ Meals

Twenty-two states are suing President Joe Biden’s administration for threatening to zap school-meal program funding unless the states comply with new rules surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation in schools. The lawsuit represents the latest volley fired in the ongoing battles between state officials and Biden, who they accuse of usurping their authority through his…


Federal Judge Sides With DeSantis on Mask Mandate Ban

On Wednesday night, a Miami federal judge handed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a victory when he ruled against parents of students with disabilities in a lawsuit over public school mask mandates. Twelve parents from eight different Florida school districts whose children have special needs sued the governor and the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) over…