Educational News Round Up, April 22, 2025

by Mandy Morgan April 22, 2025

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$3 billion yanked from schools to help pay for Trump’s tax cuts

The abrupt termination of pandemic-era relief funds by the federal government not only jeopardizes essential literacy and tutoring programs but also forces schools to reallocate budgets for preregistered contracts, risking widespread educational setbacks. Despite a provision for project-specific extensions, the withdrawal undermines critical initiatives aimed at addressing learning losses and supporting educational infrastructure, triggering legal challenges from multiple states over its potentially unlawful execution.

Munster parents seek accountability amidst probe into conduct of special education teacher

The School Town of Munster is investigating a special education teacher at Elliott Elementary School following complaints of misconduct, including allegations of yelling at and mocking students and improperly secluding them as a form of punishment. Despite parents’ and staff concerns about unaddressed harassment and retaliation within the school, the administration has yet to take formal disciplinary action but has pledged to thoroughly investigate and address the issues to ensure student welfare and program integrity.

Pair of 60-page bills aimed at making CT schools more equitable

The debate over Connecticut’s proposed House Bill 7277 and Senate Bill 1561 reveals a divide among special education advocates and lawmakers, with concerns centering around the bills’ potential to enhance equitable funding and accountability for special education services, while possibly hindering private providers and imposing unsustainable financial demands on the state’s education system. As the legislative process unfolds, proponents emphasize the need for structured cost control and increased oversight, while detractors, pointing to past failures, caution against risks to service availability and quality for students with significant disabilities.

Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says

The Education Department will resume the collection of federal student loans in default, marking an end to pandemic-era leniency and stirring concerns among advocates about the economic impact on borrowers, particularly those facing financial distress and uncertainty over evolving repayment policies. This decision, announced under the Trump administration’s guidance, includes wage garnishments and government payment offsets, prompting criticism for its potential to exacerbate economic instability for millions already struggling to manage their debt.

What the dismantling of the Education Department means for its data

The Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education and reallocate its functions to other agencies poses significant challenges for data stewardship and transparency, potentially disrupting the collection and dissemination of vital educational data. The downsizing has already put essential data systems, crucial for policy development and student outcomes, at risk of being siloed and less accessible, while minority-serving institutions may face hurdles in accessing necessary grant information due to delays and resource constraints.

Woodland Joint Unified is “failing” special education students, parent and advocate allege

In a three-part investigative series, CBS13 examines allegations against Woodland Joint Unified School District (WJUSD) for failing to uphold the federal education rights of special education students, highlighting systemic issues exacerbated by staffing and funding inadequacies. These challenges, echoed across California and the nation, bring to light the broader crisis in special education, as the district faces federal scrutiny and increasing advocacy efforts to address legal deficiencies and improve services for vulnerable students.