Every week our newsroom monitors the news for the top stories in education from a variety of sources ranging from the mainstream media to blogs and other analysis, and compile them for you. Here’s the latest in education:

Trump’s plan to reshape America’s schools is heating up

Business Insider

President Donald Trump’s education agenda marks a sharp shift, targeting schools that don’t align with his political views. His administration has launched widespread investigations into K-12 and higher education institutions over DEI programs, transgender inclusion, and perceived ideological bias. Schools risk losing federal funding if they don’t comply. Notably, Maine faces a funding freeze over its transgender sports policy, prompting a lawsuit. Critics say these aggressive actions are unprecedented and politically driven. While past presidents used investigations for civil rights enforcement, experts argue Trump’s scale and speed go far beyond precedent, likely sparking legal battles across the country. 

Supreme Court hears major case on public school curriculum and parental rights

PBS News

The U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing an upcoming case revolving around parental rights and school curriculum standards. The state in question is Maryland and the books in the case feature explicit sexual material and LGBTQ+ characters that many parents are objecting to over concerns about religious freedom and beliefs. The school board in Montgomery County, Maryland banned parental opt-out from the school curriculum in 2022 in order to facilitate more inclusion and diversity in the classroom. Some parents, however, were understandably not pleased with being shut out from discussion and input in the education of their children, wishing to have a say with these particular topics and books being taught to their children at such young ages. The decision will have a major impact in public schools throughout the country for teaching and curriculum, with a ruling likely to come before the court has its summer recess in late – June, 2025. 

AI Education in K-12 Classes Might Become US Policy, Per Trump EO Draft

eWeek

A potential Executive Order could be coming from the Trump Administration that would allow  K-12 Public Schools to teach AI skills and academic topics in the classroom. The potential policy is still a draft and is subject to review before being formally implemented by President Trump. AI technology has seen an upsurge in recent years and learning these innovative skills would be an important part of shaping well-rounded students to enter the workforce or decide to pursue further education at the college level. Federal agencies would also work to implement public-private partnerships with nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses with training protocols and practices around AI technologies. Some of the potential skills and subjects would include AI ethics, software, and careers in AI.

States have the tools to improve literacy — now they need to use them

National literacy rates are well below average in the majority of the country, according to NAEP scores. Although already in place state policies and tools can hopefully change this. There are multiple steps that can be taken to ensure success in students’ education. Firstly lawmakers can hold hearings for future updates and improvements. Screening can be put in place for younger students to help identify students strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, by strengthening  training programs for teachers, students  will be able to receive the best practices. 

Public Education Makes Economic Sense

Time

The Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Education threatens public schooling and could empower predatory for‑profit operators. Drawing on his tenure as Secretary of Education, the author recalls federal efforts to expose and curb illegal practices in for‑profit higher education, which had saddled students with debt and delivered minimal value. Without a federal oversight body, accreditation and accountability would erode, allowing K–12 for‑profit schools to exclude high‑need students and deepen inequities. Public education underpins the future workforce in AI, clean energy, manufacturing, and more, offering far greater long‑term economic returns—and cost savings—than alternative pathways. Dismantling it risks America’s competitiveness and social equity. 

Federal judge blocks Trump push to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs

AP

A federal judge blocked Trump administration directives threatening to cut federal funding for schools with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The National Education Association and ACLU sued, arguing the Education Department’s February “Dear Colleague” letter and April certification order violated due process and First Amendment rights. Judge Landya McCafferty found the guidance unconstitutionally vague—failing to define “DEI program”—and likely amounting to viewpoint discrimination by punishing teachings on structural racism. States faced a Thursday deadline to certify compliance or risk losing Title I and other federal grants, but several Democratic-led states refuse to comply, asserting the administration overreached its authority.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon Gives Teachers Authority to Discipline “Disruptive” Students

2Paragraphs

President Trump signed an executive order revoking Obama-era school discipline guidelines, which aimed to prevent racial discrimination in student discipline. White House staff secretary Will Scharf criticized the former policy for promoting diversity ideology over classroom safety. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the new order restores teachers’ authority to discipline disruptive students. Critics argue the move contradicts conservative calls for less federal control in education. The Heritage Foundation, a key influence in Trump’s policies, supports the change, claiming the Obama guidelines led to racial quotas and worsened behavior. Many Democrats on social media called out the inconsistency in Trump’s federal intervention. 

19 states, including Mass., sue Trump administration over push to end DEI in public schools

Boston.com

Nineteen states have not only turned down participation in a directive given by President Trump that aimed to eliminate DEI programs in public schools, but are now also suing the administration, claiming the directive is unlawful and harmful. They also referred to the order as being too ambiguous, and threatening vulnerable student populations, such as special needs children. States had been instructed to gather signatures from local school systems certifying their compliance by April 24th.