Nov 23 Education Department considers narrowing civil rights work By Maria Danilova, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Education Department wants to narrow the scope of civil rights investigations at schools, focusing on individual complaints rather than systemic problems, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. Continue reading
Jun 16 Trump administration quietly rolls back civil rights efforts across federal government By Jessica Huseman and Annie Waldman, ProPublica Previously unannounced directives will limit the Department of Justice’s use of a storied civil rights enforcement tool, and loosen the Department of Education’s requirements on investigations. Continue reading
Feb 22 Watch 5:00 How scrapping transgender bathroom guidelines impacts schools By PBS News Hour Federal guidelines advising schools to let transgender kids use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity are being withdrawn by the Departments of Justice and Education. What will the Trump administration’s change mean for schools and students? William Brangham… Continue watching
Jan 17 Watch 9:30 What will Betsy DeVos' focus on school choice mean for public education? By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jan 16 Watch 7:29 Why so many students from for-profit schools are left in debt limbo By PBS News Hour Students who attend for-profit college and training programs are more likely to borrow, borrow more and struggle to repay their loans. Not only that, but the overall graduation rate at for-profit institutions is just 27 percent. Meanwhile, a number of… Continue watching
Nov 18 Watch 7:23 Sessions known for tough stance on immigration -- and failed judgeship By PBS News Hour For attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump selected an early supporter: the junior senator from Alabama, Jeff Sessions. Sessions has served as a U.S. attorney and Alabama’s attorney general, but he was denied a federal judgeship in 1986 based on controversial… Continue watching
Sep 14 Watch 6:29 Inmates get a 'second chance' at federal grants for higher ed under experimental program By PBS News Hour In a pilot project announced this summer, the Department of Education will partner with dozens of colleges to provide higher education to prisoners who can't afford to pay; eligible inmates will be able to apply for federal grants under the… Continue watching
Jun 13 New rule aims to streamline debt forgiveness for victims of rogue for-profit schools By Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press The Education Department says a rule proposed Monday would lay out a clear relief process for borrowers who believe they were lied to about job prospects after college or otherwise deceived in order to enroll in the school. Continue reading
Feb 25 Obama's pick for Education says teachers saved his life By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press President Barack Obama's choice to serve as Education Secretary says he rose to his current position because New York City public school teachers "literally saved my life."… Continue reading
Feb 23 Proposed rule to help minority students in special education By Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press The Obama administration says too many minority students are being singled out for special education and is asking states to address the issue. Continue reading