Educational News Round Up, May 6, 2025

by Mandy Morgan May 6, 2025

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195,000 student-loan borrowers in default have only 30 days before a portion of their federal benefits might be seized, Trump’s Education Department says

The Trump administration has resumed involuntary collections on defaulted student loans after a five-year pause, putting borrowers at risk of losing federal benefits such as tax refunds and Social Security checks. Starting this summer, over 5 million borrowers will face potential wage garnishment, unless they engage with programs like loan rehabilitation, amidst concerns about affordability and a call to reform the higher education finance system.

Inside the Schools Bringing Therapy Directly to Students

K-12 schools are witnessing an alarming increase in student mental health challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and digital exposure, as indicated by recent data from the CDC’s YRBS and other sources. Despite heightened awareness and initiatives like universal mental health screenings, schools face critical hurdles due to funding cuts and resource limitations, complicating efforts to meet the recommended psychologist-to-student ratios and provide adequate support, particularly affecting marginalized communities and potentially worsening as federal grants for mental health services in schools are halted.

Six-figure damages agreed over school abuse claims

The settlement of Angus Bell’s case against Loretto School for severe student-on-student abuse highlights the grave implications of unchecked violence in educational institutions and underscores the necessity for school accountability and intervention to prevent such experiences. This case, potentially paving the way for similar actions, exposes a systemic failure to protect students, with allegations of institutional cover-ups, raising concerns about the oversight of private boarding schools.

Student loan collections resume as record number of borrowers fall behind on payments

With federal student loan collections resuming on May 5 after a pandemic-induced pause, borrowers face increased financial pressure as delinquency rates soar to record highs, highlighting potential challenges for struggling individuals and emphasizing the need for improved outreach and income-driven repayment plans to prevent defaults. The Department of Education’s decision to restart collections underlines the broader implications on credit scores and the necessity for timely policy interventions to mitigate the financial strain on millions of U.S. borrowers.

Washington isn’t listening, but deaf education changes lives (opinion)

The federal government’s decision to revoke funding for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education graduate program at Teachers College, Columbia University, threatens the availability of specialized educators who play a critical role in the development and success of DHH students nationwide. This cut not only jeopardizes aspiring teachers’ accessibility to essential training but also risks depriving DHH students of tailored educational support, undermining their potential for personal and academic growth.

‘My daughter would be here with me’: Victim’s parents say Antioch school shooter should have been held more accountable

The tragic shooting at Antioch High School has sparked outrage, as the victim’s family discovered the shooter had a juvenile criminal history and exhibited multiple red flags that went unaddressed, potentially preventing the incident. This incident raises critical questions about the effectiveness of juvenile justice interventions and school communication, as legal constraints and rehabilitation-focused approaches are scrutinized in the aftermath of a fatal school shooting.