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
Oct 26 Watch 9:07 Six years on, Arne Duncan says we’re testing kids too much By PBS News Hour Standardized testing in schools has gotten out of hand, according to the Obama administration. After being supportive of testing and assessment, the White House has reversed policy and now recommends capping testing at 2 percent of class time. Gwen Ifill… Continue watching
Oct 14 Pilot program expands student aid for non-traditional education By Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press Thousands of students could be eligible for federal student aid as part of a new pilot program that will offer certificates and college credit for non-traditional programs. Continue reading
Oct 02 Column: Saddled with student loans? Beware of online debt relief firms By John Wasik What can be done to effectively aid the two-thirds of graduates who leave school with an average $30,000 in debt?… Continue reading
Sep 06 As school begins, many kids still waiting on Common Core results By Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press With new backpacks, pens and pencils and clothes, millions of children are back in school or heading there after summer vacation. Many are excited, some are anxious - and still waiting for the results of the new tests they took… Continue reading
Jul 03 How Obama reversed course on federal college ratings By Josh Lederman, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama dearly wanted to get the government in the business of rating colleges and universities based on value and affordability, promising a new system by 2015. Now that goal is shriveling under the weight of a… Continue reading