Educational News Round Up, April 17, 2025

by Jon Scaccia April 17, 2025

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RFK — not familiar with previous reserach

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s alarmist stance on autism rates, claiming an “epidemic” linked to recent environmental exposures, overlooks the scientific consensus that autism is predominantly heritable, with rising diagnoses largely due to expanded diagnostic criteria and increased awareness. His call to “start from scratch” in autism research disregards existing studies that debunk myths—such as those linking vaccines to autism—and undermines years of scientific progress in understanding the complex genetic and environmental factors that contribute to autism.

EXCLUSIVE: Blue State Schools Facing Trump Admin Investigation Helped Hundreds Of Kids Change Their Gender Last Year

Several California school districts have supported students in changing their gender identity on official records, often without parental notification, raising concerns about transparency and parental rights. The situation has prompted legal actions, including a federal lawsuit challenging California’s law prohibiting parental notification, and discussions about its implications on educational and parental rights under laws like FERPA and IDEA.

Opinion: Federal government must keep helping fragile children

The Trump administration’s directive to dismantle the Department of Education without ensuring continuity of services for medically fragile children is causing unnecessary fear and suffering, undermining critical support systems like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that serve millions of children. This lack of planning, compounded by personnel cuts and oversight transitions to an unprepared Department of Health and Human Services, threatens to disrupt essential services and exacerbate the challenges faced by families who rely on these programs for their children’s education and well-being.

Texas moves to increase school support

The Texas House has initially approved House Bill 2, which seeks to increase school funding, raise teacher salaries, and improve special education while addressing the use of educators without formal training; however, despite bipartisan support, some lawmakers argue that the $8 billion investment doesn’t fully meet the substantial needs of struggling districts. The bill’s progression to the Senate faces challenges, as differing priorities include debates over compensatory education funding and charter school accountability, despite broad consensus for increased teacher pay and special education resources.

‘I’m really, really scared’: How dismantling the Department of Education may impact college campuses

President Donald Trump’s executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education could fundamentally alter the landscape of U.S. education by shifting federal oversight, impacting student financial aid, civil rights protections like Title IX, and potentially deepening systemic marginalization, leaving students and families uncertain and concerned about future educational equality and access. While the changes are pending implementation and require congressional action, higher education communities and advocacy groups are already voicing significant concern about the implications for student welfare and institutional responsibilities.