Educational News Roundup, March 18, 2025

by Jon Scaccia March 18, 2025

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The overhaul of the federal education department. What you should know

The U.S. Department of Education, led by Linda McMahon, has initiated drastic cuts, with plans to halve its workforce as the first step toward President Trump’s goal of dismantling the department, which has tested the resilience of state education systems like Connecticut’s. While these cuts could lead to significant disruptions in federal services critical to diverse student populations, including low-income and special education students, and create operational backlogs, state officials in Connecticut, leveraging reserved funds and legislative collaboration, are preparing to reinforce and maintain the quality of educational services amid uncertainties and potential federal disengagement.

Donald Trump’s investigation of OSU is an assault on the First Amendment freedom of speech

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati, and 43 other schools for their involvement with the PhD Project, a program aimed at increasing diversity in business school faculties by encouraging diverse individuals to pursue doctoral degrees. This investigation raises concerns that such initiatives might violate federal civil rights laws by potentially limiting participation based on race, reflecting broader scrutiny on diversity and inclusion programs following President Trump’s executive orders and a Supreme Court ruling against race-based admissions.

In Texas, Christian right grows confident and assertive

The article highlights a contentious debate in Texas where the Christian Right is increasingly pushing for legislation to infuse more Christianity into public schools, citing declining church attendance and moral values as justifications. This trend is part of a broader strategy by Christian nationalists who feel emboldened by recent legal and political shifts, aiming to dismantle church-state separation and potentially affecting students’ mental health by introducing divisive religious elements into their educational environment.

Mental health outcomes following a four week online training on social emotional and ethical learning for public school teachers

The study highlights the effectiveness of the Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning Online Training (SEELOT) for Brazilian public school teachers, showing significant improvements in their well-being, attention, motivation, and stress reduction compared to a control group. These findings, gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggest that SEELOT could be an accessible and equitable tool for enhancing teacher resilience and emotional skills, potentially transforming educational environments despite existing challenges like online fatigue and resource constraints.

Parents, teachers at Missouri school want answers after string of cancer diagnoses

At Warren Hills Elementary in Liberty, Missouri, a wave of cancer diagnoses among staff, including six breast cancer cases from 2013 to 2022, has heightened fears within the community, particularly regarding a nearby cell tower. Although studies show cancer rates consistent with broader trends, concerns about potential environmental factors persist, prompting calls for further investigation and greater transparency from the school district and health officials.