Rejection of Black educator angers some Mississippi senators
March 30, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's Republican-led Senate voted Wednesday against confirming veteran educator Robert P. Taylor as state superintendent of education, angering some Black Democrats who said the rejection was at least partly because Taylor is Black and wrote years ago about the state's racist history.
Mississippi Senate votes to tweak school funding formula
March 7, 2023 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi senators voted Tuesday to revise the state's education budget formula that has been in law since 1997 but has been fully funded only two years.
The bill passed without debate, but it is unclear whether the proposed change will survive in final negotiations between the House and Senate.
Feds: Tenn. plan to forgo school funds ‘political posturing’
February 10, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education is criticizing a proposal floated by a top Tennessee Republican lawmaker to cut off federal K-12 funds, describing the proposal as “political posturing.
Tennessee House speaker mulls rejecting US education money
February 9, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — One of Tennessee's most influential Republican lawmakers says the state should stop accepting the nearly $1.8 billion of federal K-12 education dollars that help provide support for low-income students, English learners and students with disabilities.
US Education Department investigates removal of LGBTQ books
December 20, 2022 GMTGRANBURY, Texas (AP) — The removal of LGBTQ-themed books from the library of the Granbury, Texas, school district is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's civil rights division.
Students turn to TikTok to fill gaps in school lessons
December 13, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Mecca Patterson-Guridy wants to learn, but for some subjects, she isn’t always comfortable asking her teachers. So she has been turning to TikTok.
Online, the 17-year-old high school junior in Philadelphia has found videos on social media platforms about protests over police shootings, civic engagement and Black and Latino history in the U.S.
Iowa school district agrees to deal with racial harassment
December 6, 2022 GMTOTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — A southeast Iowa school district failed to protect a Black student from pervasive racial harassment and now must take steps to help the student and ensure it responds appropriately to any future racist actions, according to the U.S.
NM relaxes testing for students on track to graduate in 2024
December 3, 2022 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is relaxing requirements for some high school students by eliminating the need to pass standardized tests as a way to demonstrate they're ready to graduate, the state Public Education Department said.
Investigation underway into antisemitism at U of Vermont
September 13, 2022 GMTThe U.S. Department of Education is investigating allegations of antisemitism at the University of Vermont, including that some Jewish students were excluded from campus clubs and a teaching assistant threatened to reduce the grades of students who support the state of Israel.
Arizona school district takes steps after student harassment
August 23, 2022 GMTTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — An Arizona school district has taken preventative steps after being accused by federal officials of failing to protect a female student from months of anti-Semitic harassment.
Oklahoma lawmaker sues for coronavirus relief fund records
August 17, 2022 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma lawmaker has filed an Open Records Act lawsuit seeking records about expenditures from Governor’s Emergency Education Relief, or GEER, funds.
Republican Rep. Logan Phillips filed the lawsuit Tuesday against the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and said Gov.
Feds investigate USC student’s complaint of anti-Semitism
July 26, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education will investigate the University of Southern California after a Jewish student claimed she resigned from student government because she endured harassment over her pro-Israel views.
Audit critical of Oklahoma’s use of education relief funds
July 20, 2022 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal audit report sharply criticizes Oklahoma officials for a lack of transparency, oversight and accountability in the use of coronavirus relief funds that were intended for education.
Ex-Virginia school administrator gets 5 years for fraud
July 20, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Richmond woman was sentenced Tuesday to more than five years in prison for directing a yearslong scheme to defraud state and federal officials of at least $230,000 in student financial aid funds, a prosecutor said.
3 WVa colleges receiving $650,000 in pandemic relief funds
July 20, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Three higher education institutions in West Virginia are receiving a total of more than $650,000 from federal funds to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding goes to the New River Community and Technical College, Alderson Broaddus University and Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, U.S.
What to know about public service loan forgiveness
July 8, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — More than 145,000 U.S. borrowers have had the remainder of their student loan debt canceled through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and officials say many more likely qualify.
Work at a school or nonprofit? You could erase student loans
July 8, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — When Melissa Martinez applied to have her student loan debt forgiven more than a decade ago, the U.S. Department of Education told her she was ineligible.
Martinez, a professor, tried again this past year and managed to erase the last $6,000 she owed for her doctorate.
Fisk gets $1.4 million to help Nashville high schoolers
May 27, 2022 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Fisk University has won a five-year, $1.4 million grant to help low-income high school students in the Nashville area become the first in their families to attend college, the school announced this week.
2 West Virginia students named Presidential Scholars
May 13, 2022 GMTMORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Two students from rival West Virginia high schools have been named Presidential Scholars, the U.S. Department of Education said.
Alice Guo of Morgantown High School and Luke Watson of University High in Morgantown are two of 161 U.S.
3 Tennessee students named Presidential Scholars
May 13, 2022 GMTMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — High school students from three Tennessee cities have been named Presidential Scholars, the U.S. Department of Education said.
Greta Li of University School of Nashville, Shawn X.
CMU defends decision to cut men’s track, says no racial bias
April 29, 2022 GMTMOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — Central Michigan University is defending its decision to eliminate the men's track team, saying it was a financial move and not a discriminatory step.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights informed CMU this week that it had received a complaint.
Federal investigation of LGBTQ dating ban at BYU dismissed
February 10, 2022 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education has dismissed a civil-rights investigation into how LGBTQ students are disciplined at Brigham Young University, saying it doesn't have the authority to enforce the matter at the private religious school.
LGBTQ dating ban at BYU probed in federal investigation
January 20, 2022 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education has opened a civil-rights investigation into how LGBTQ students are disciplined at Brigham Young University, a private religious school.
Mississippi receives over $500K for K-12 school support
December 30, 2021 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi is receiving $543 million from the federal government to implement health measures to keep K-12 schools open during the ongoing pandemic and provide internet access, tutoring and mental health support to students.
Federal officials investigating access to Mankato study pods
December 22, 2021 GMTMANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Federal official are investigating whether handicapped people can access Minnesota State University-Mankato's new anti-COVID-19 study pods.
The university installed 100 pods using $1 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Maine legislators want college prep program funding back
December 6, 2021 GMTFARMINGTON, Maine (AP) — Legislators from Maine are pushing back against a federal decision to reject a public university's application for a college prep program grant.
The four members of Maine's congressional delegation said the U.S.
Texas school district under civil rights investigation
November 18, 2021 GMTSOUTHLAKE, Texas (AP) — A Texas school district is under civil rights investigation amid allegations of discrimination based on race and sexual orientation.
Judge nixes challenge to ban on Florida school mask mandates
November 5, 2021 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's ban on coronavirus mask mandates in the state's schools will stay in effect after a judge on Friday dismissed a challenge to the rule from several school districts.
Feds, school reach agreement on student restraint, seclusion
November 5, 2021 GMTSACO, Maine (AP) — The federal government and a Maine school district have reached a voluntary agreement that seeks to avoid unnecessary use of restraint or seclusion of students.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights said Friday it reached the agreement with Saco schools.
Feds move to block Florida’s school virus mask penalties
October 28, 2021 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education asked an administrative judge on Thursday to block the state of Florida from slashing federal aid money to two school districts over their coronavirus mask mandates.
Florida submits plan for final $2.3 billion in school relief
October 7, 2021 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida submitted its plan to draw down its remaining $2.3 billion in federal school relief money late Wednesday, proposing to boost reading and math programs and help students who want to learn a trade.
Feds: Florida missed deadline to receive $2.3B in school aid
October 5, 2021 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is the last state to submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Education that's required before more than $2.3 billion in federal aid for Florida schools can be released, according to a letter sent to the state Monday.
Education professor married to Mississippi ex-governor dies
September 27, 2021 GMTMADISON, Miss. (AP) — Melody Bruce Musgrove, former director of the Office of Special Education Programs for the U.S. Department of Education and wife of former Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, died Monday.
1st Florida school district gets US cash for virus mask vote
September 23, 2021 GMTGAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida school district has received cash from President Joe Biden's administration to make up for state pay cuts imposed over a board's vote for a student anti-coronavirus mask mandate.
3 elementary schools recognized for academic excellence
September 22, 2021 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Three West Virginia elementary schools have gotten national recognition for academic excellence.
Soldotna Montessori earns national Blue Ribbon School award
September 22, 2021 GMTSOLDOTNA, Alaska (AP) — Soldotna Montessori Charter School has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for2021.
It was one of 325 schools to earn this award nationally, and the only in Alaska, the Peninsula Clarion reported.
7 Kentucky schools get national recognition
September 22, 2021 GMTLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Seven Kentucky schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021, the U.S. Department of Education said.
The recognition is based on a school’s academic performance or its progress in closing achievement gaps, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Tuesday in a statement.
Maine schools get additional $137M from American Rescue Plan
September 14, 2021 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education is releasing $137 million for Maine schools following approval of a state spending plan.
The money represents the last installment from the American Rescue Plan funds for Maine schools.
Nevada’s pandemic relief spending plan for schools approved
September 14, 2021 GMTCARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education on Monday approved a plan submitted by the state of Nevada to spend more than $1 billion in pandemic aid earmarked for K-12 schools.
The approved $1.1 billion plan outlines Nevada's strategy to reopen all schools for in-person learning in the current school year, directing districts to use funds to close opportunity gaps for underserved students, expand access to technology, and enable distance learning.
Texas NAACP files federal complaint over “The Eyes of Texas”
September 8, 2021 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas chapter of the NAACP and a group of students have filed a federal civil rights complaint against the University of Texas for its continued use of school song “The Eyes of Texas," which has racist elements in its past.
Montana rule urges schools to give parents say on masks
August 31, 2021 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte announced a rule Tuesday that encourages schools to give parents final say on whether children should wear facial coverings after several large districts imposed mask requirements amid surging COVID-19 infections in the state.
20 states sue over Biden admin school, work LGBT protections
August 30, 2021 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys general from 20 states sued President Joe Biden's administration Monday seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ people, ranging from transgender girls participating in school sports to the use of school and workplace bathrooms that align with a person's gender identity.
Nevada K-12 schools get $1.58 billion in pandemic aid
August 28, 2021 GMTCARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada's K-12 schools have long sat near the bottom of national rankings in terms of per-pupil spending, class size and student achievement.
Feds approve Connecticut plan for school relief money
August 27, 2021 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's plan for using $110 million in federal pandemic relief funds to reopen the state's K-12 schools for in-person learning, while addressing the effects of lost instructional time last school year and reducing education gaps over the long-term, has been approved by the federal government, Gov.
Louisiana education board wants to skip school letter grades
August 16, 2021 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s top school board agreed Monday to seek federal permission to shelve the issuance of letter grades for K-12 public schools this year because of classroom upheaval sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
State’s plan for using federal funds for schools approved
August 12, 2021 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education said Thursday it has approved North Dakota's plan to use federal coronavirus relief aid for schools.
The federal approval unlocks the remaining $101 million of the $305 million directed to North Dakota from the American Rescue Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund.
Montana schools get $127 million to address virus fallout
August 5, 2021 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education on Thursday approved Montana's plan to use federal coronavirus relief funds, distributing $127 million to the state's K-12 schools.
The most recent round of funding is the third and last delivering the $382 million allocated to Montana schools through the federal American Rescue Plan.
3 WVa higher ed institutions share $516K for COVID response
August 5, 2021 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education is providing more than $516,000 to three higher education institutions in West Virginia to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state's U.S.
The Latest: Education Dept OKs Georgia plan for relief funds
July 24, 2021 GMTATLANTA — The U.S. Department of Education approved Georgia’s plans to use $1.4 billion in federal coronavirus relief money.
Federal officials already distributed two-thirds of the $4.2 billion that Georgia schools received under the American Rescue Plan, the relief bill backed by President Joe Biden.
Georgia’s plan approved to spend $1.4B in federal school aid
July 24, 2021 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia has received approval for its plans to use $1.4 billion in federal coronavirus relief money.
The announcement by the U.S. Department of Education was made Thursday.
Most of the money is being directly allocated to Georgia’s 180-plus school districts, with $425 million held by the state Board of Education to address statewide needs.
Navajo College accepts Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination goal
June 5, 2021 GMTTSAILE, Ariz. (AP) — A college on the Navajo Nation has accepted President Joe Biden's challenge to get students and others vaccinated against COVID-19 by July 4.
Diné College Incident Command Director Velveena Davis said COVID-19 remains a threat to the Navajo Nation, “so the college would like to do its part to expand the efforts of having our employees and students vaccinated.”
Feds warn Wisconsin it may lose $1.5 billion in school aid
May 28, 2021 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education warned Wisconsin's state superintendent of schools Friday that the state could be in jeopardy of losing $1.5 billion in federal funding if a Republican education plan becomes law.
Plan released for $440M in Idaho education rescue money
May 24, 2021 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho education officials said Monday the state’s primary challenge in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is helping students make up lost ground.
The State Department of Education identified that as a top priority in its draft plan for spending $440 million Idaho is receiving in federal rescue money for more than 300,000 students in grades K-12.
Ex-consumer watchdog tapped to manage federal student aid
May 3, 2021 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A former federal consumer watchdog and Democratic nominee for Ohio governor has landed his next job...
Vatterott College system closes all 15 campuses
December 18, 2018 GMTST. LOUIS (AP) — A for-profit college that operates several Midwestern campuses has suddenly closed, citing mounting financial problems...
Financial aid season kicks off with 1st day for applications
October 2, 2018 GMTLet the race for financial aid begin.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, became available Monday...
Discipline Problems
August 11, 2018 GMTAt first, a press release from Fort Bend ISD announcing the end of a six-year investigation of racial disparities in the district’s student discipline seemed to be cause for celebration.
Certainly, district officials initially painted it as such: “The U.S.
Crapweasel of the Week: Educrat Arne Duncan
June 1, 2018 GMTEducrat (ED-yoo-krat) noun, usually pejorative. A government school official or administrator whose primary function is to spend tax dollars telling other parents what to do with their children.
Beltway education bureaucrats abhor families who choose to keep their kids out of public schools -- unless it's to grandstand over gun control.
Feds approve Minnesota’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan
January 11, 2018 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Education says the state has won federal approval for its updated plan on how it holds schools accountable...
Michigan rep loses federal education nomination
November 9, 2017 GMTLansing — Michigan state Rep. Tim Kelly confirmed Thursday that the Trump administration has pulled his nomination for a career, technical and adult education post in the U.S. Department of Education.
Wisconsin gets $95M charter school grant from US Department of Education
October 10, 2017 GMTWisconsin got the largest grant in the U.S. this year for charter schools, with the state education head saying the money will go to expanding schools for high school students from low-income families.
Investigator in Trump tax return case is taken into custody
August 11, 2017 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Louisiana private investigator accused of trying to illegally obtain Donald Trump's tax returns before last year's U.S. presidential election has been arrested for violating conditions of his pretrial release, prosecutors said.
Devos poised to roll back campus sex assault policies
July 28, 2017 GMTThe University of Montana, for all its struggles in recent years, can proudly claim some important successes. One of the most important of these is its work in prevention and response to sexual assaults on campus.
Education plan draws criticism from state legislators
June 16, 2017 GMTDemocratic state lawmakers raised concerns Thursday about New Mexico’s plan to implement a new federal education law, questioning some of the ambitious goals outlined in the document and the lack of details on how the state will pay for initiatives to reach those targets, and expressing alarm over a possible voucher-like program.
Report: Coastal Carolina University ranks first in nation for alcohol violations, second for drugs
May 30, 2017 GMTCOLUMBIA — Coastal Carolina University tops the nation in liquor law violations per capita of any four-year college and ranks second in the country in drug violations, according to a recent study.
All Under One Roof decries and opposes President Trump’s revocation of rights of transgender children
February 23, 2017 GMTPOCATELLO — Today, President Donald J. Trump rescinded guidance issued in 2016 to school districts throughout the country by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice on accommodating transgender and gender nonconforming students under Title IX.
Lawsuit: Men treated unfairly in college sex assault cases
December 13, 2016 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Drake University student who says the Des Moines-based university failed to consider his allegations of sexual assault against a female student but believed her allegations against him is challenging federal guidelines for investigating such cases...
Penn State won’t fight $2.4M fine for lax crime reporting
November 25, 2016 GMTSTATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State said Friday it won't fight a $2.4 million fine stemming from a five-year federal investigation that found the university repeatedly violated campus crime reporting requirements, including in the case of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who is now serving decades in prison on child sexual abuse charges...