EdTrust advocated for language to require GAO to review the characteristics of schools identified as in need of improvement and strategies that improve support for their students. Last week we received GAO's report. You can read about the findings and EdTrust's take here: https://edtru.st/4rTcTMj

EdTrust-Tennessee is committed to preserving education access for undocumented students whose right to public schooling is under attack in the state. https://edtru.st/4bthy2H

New data from EdTrust-New York reveals that too many students from low-income backgrounds are not completing college. https://edtru.st/4dvDF9R

At EdTrust we continue to oppose the unlawful dismantlement of the Department of Education. The plan to move the federal student loan portfolio to the Department of Treasury is illegal and puts at risk borrowers with student loans in default. https://edtru.st/4uHAm5C

When the federal government encourages states to loosen school oversight and lower standards, the outcome is obvious: traditionally underserved students will pay the price through persisting and expanding opportunity gaps. https://edtru.st/3NFWvAJ

Tennessee lawmakers passed HB 793, an alarming bill to force schools to verify immigration status of every student. This could cause a ripple effect with devastating consequences to classrooms nationwide. https://edtru.st/4bheEOr

I’m incredibly grateful and honored to have been invited to deliver the 2026 Commencement Address for the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. https://edtru.st/4cPZKjc

Tomorrow, we celebrate Pi Day. As we celebrate the wonder of π, I’m reminded that talent is infinite, and our commitment to equity should be, too.

The Pell program helps more than 7 million students from low- and middle-income backgrounds afford college each year. But Pell is in a $17 billion financial crisis. Congress must ensure Pell remains fully funded by taking action this year! https://edtru.st/47tapwC

This is a great article from EdTrust’s Eric Duncan and The Hunt Institute’s Sean Banks on creating a pipeline of diverse and strong classroom teachers and school leaders that fuels national progress, economic growth, and civic engagement. https://edtru.st/4boc484

Today, I was thrilled to provide the federal advocacy perspective at the D.C. Policy Center’s State of D.C. Schools Briefing. My main takeaway: All our students are brilliant. We need to not just say it but embrace it. https://edtru.st/4ls2Zj9

New research from EdTrust-Midwest: Michigan Has a Leaky Teacher Workforce Pipeline. But We Can Fix It! As Michigan strives to be a top 10 state for education, investment in teacher pipelines is a must. https://edtru.st/3P3mqCI

What lessons could students lose under “patriotic education”? In this must-watch video, the amazing educator and 2022 Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell explains what’s at risk. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CHKnkDmJKJ4

It’s great to see states considering and implementing steps that reject punitive actions around addressing chronic absenteeism. Punishing families, or viewing families as the problem, does not solve chronic absenteeism, but engaging with families does. https://edtru.st/46HbSPQ

I am thrilled to share EdTrust’s latest quarterly update! https://edtru.st/4bpIO1N We are celebrating our 30th anniversary. While our 30th year may be the most challenging yet, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of equity and justice for our nation’s students.

I am thrilled to have partnered with Arlen Benjamin-Gomez and EdTrust-New York on this important piece highlighting how New York can make sure public schools are preparing students for college and career. You can read our piece here: https://edtru.st/4rh0gKL

I am excited to join an expert panel discussion as part of the D.C. Policy Center’s release of its seventh annual State of D.C. Schools report on 3/11 at 9:30 a.m. at the MLK Library. Register here: https://edtru.st/4srLLVt

AI technology will only be useful if educators know how to foster inclusive, engaging, and rigorous learning experiences, and students know the best practices to maximize their learning opportunities. https://edtru.st/4aJCIJq

Check out this new report from EdTrust-New York that highlights significant growth in college in high school participation and strong graduation outcomes for students across the state. https://edtru.st/3MRnNDU

Regardless of politics, thoughtful, student-centered policy can advance. EdTrust-TN recently held its 5th annual Ten for Tennessee, which celebrates the top ten policies and proposals in 2026 that best advance educational opportunity in the state. https://edtru.st/3MBFxmF

Great work, Eric Duncan, advocating for more Black male teachers. It is so vital students have teachers that look like them, see them, and support them. That is how you transform lives. https://abcnews.com/Politics/lawmakers-praise-black-male-teachers/story?id=130492887

Great work, EdTrust-New York and Arlen Benjamin-Gomez emphasizing the importance of Mayor Mamdani’s universal child care plan for immigrant children and families: https://edtru.st/3ZYlPV7

EdTrust-West issued an important statement on an action in California, where "the U.S. Department of Justice recently moved to join a lawsuit claiming Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) discriminates against white students." https://edtru.st/4scaugf

We cannot let colleges “quietly” abandon students of color. Great job, Wil Del Pilar, for not letting colleges silently pull the rug out from under students. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/02/19/colleges-cut-ties-diversity-groups/

ESEA WAIVER ALERT: Idaho declared its intentions to file a waiver request to avoid Elementary and Secondary Education Act testing requirements that ensure students are on grade level. Read our joint comment.

Yesterday, the Education Department announced new steps to dismantle the agency. These actions move family engagement functions out of the Department and risk real disruption for students and families. Read our full statement here: https://edtru.st/4tYnN5K

I am proud to share our 30th anniversary timeline. This interactive timeline takes you on a historical journey of EdTrust’s major milestones, policy-shaping wins, expansion, and impact. https://edtru.st/3ZTHeim

EdTrust’s Nathan Kriha contributed to this powerful article about writing in the age of AI: “We cannot allow...AI tools to smooth over the friction or the productive struggle students encounter as they learn to write and critically analyze text.” https://edtru.st/4kE1dem

Land-grant institutions must do better. Coordinated policy action is essential to honor tribal sovereignty, address historical injustices, and ensure that land-grant universities fulfill their public mission for Indigenous students. https://edtru.st/4c64voq

Meeting the Moment: Great work from EdTrust’s Jinann Bitar explaining the consequences of the Trump administration’s attack on the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program. https://edtru.st/3MgHuVu

Protecting Students from the #GreatAmericanHeist: We published a guide outlining five urgent threats posed by the federal government’s retreat from public education, along with concrete actions for advocates. https://edtru.st/4qEWQkJ

Great work, Augustus Mays, who testified last week before Congressman Scott and members of the House Democratic Caucus on the dismantling of the Department of Education. https://edtru.st/4riAC9l #GreatAmericanHeist

Check out this must-read op-ed from EdTrust-New York's deputy director Jeff Smink: https://edtru.st/3MoqfBC

Meeting the Moment: EdTrust in Massachusetts’s Chanthy Lopes Toro tells us why, if we want to close the higher education opportunity gap, the FAFSA needs to become a requirement in MA, and, I believe, across the country. https://edtru.st/462tbKI

Great article from Janice Robinson-Celeste on the dangers students of color face when the federal government abandons students and returns education to the states. https://edtru.st/3OACJqd

Secretary McMahon cost the U.S. taxpayers as much as $38 million when she fired 300 employees from the Office for Civil Rights. Thousands of complaints have been dismissed without investigation, and the backlog of complaints continues to grow. https://edtru.st/3O4OULL

EdTrust in Louisiana is fighting for the state’s students in this latest budget cycle as the state decides between prioritizing investments that strengthen public education or continuing the expansion of programs that lack guardrails or accountability. https://edtru.st/4rDVck0

It was great to partner with Jennifer Mrozowski and EdTrust-Midwest to highlight the youth literacy crisis, and the critical steps Michigan is taking to address it. https://edtru.st/4r7bLVN

New poll reveals widespread student use of artificial intelligence, sharp divisions in parent sentiment, and a strong demand for digital literacy. "We need policies shaped with families at the table.” https://edtru.st/3OrtMPZ

Get the facts about the federal tax credit giveaway. 1. Will the Education Freedom Tax Credit improve student outcomes? NO 2. Does this program take money from local public schools? YES 3. Will this program cost families and taxpayers? YES https://edtru.st/49V6N8s

The NYT released a poll revealing some of the consequences of the Great American Heist. P-12 education is quickly becoming part of the country's affordability crisis. We cannot let the administration abandon public schools and the students they serve. https://edtru.st/4tbJMFO

EdTrust-TN recently released The Undercount, an analysis of the state’s current definition of “economically disadvantaged,” which leaves roughly half of eligible students unseen and under-resourced. Great work, Tennessee! https://edtru.st/4a4Tt1e

From the EdTrust blog: "For undocumented and mixed-status families, daily life has become a series of impossible choices: risk arrest and deportation by sending children to school or keep them home at the expense of their education." https://edtru.st/4qVt3oI

Meeting the Moment: Great work from EdTrust in Louisiana's Tramelle Howard arguing that investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities strengthens the state’s workforce and economy. https://edtru.st/3Zr0DXL

Attempts to remove students without documented immigration status from public schools threaten to undermine the fabric of our nation and deny all students the equitable and appropriate resources and support they deserve.

I am thrilled to welcome Brian Love back to the EdTrust family as the new state director of EdTrust – Midwest! I am looking forward to the great things to come for education equity and student success in Michigan!

This year, we celebrate 30 years of impact and recommit to the fierce, unapologetic advocacy that has always defined EdTrust. EdTrust will continue to shape the national conversation on education and elevate student voices to redefine what’s possible. https://edtru.st/4q0VOiw

The U.S. Department of Education drafted regulations that detail how postsecondary programs will be held accountable for graduate outcomes. Two key and concerning takeaways: •Debt-to-earnings is eliminated. •Failing programs can still receive Pell Grants. https://edtru.st/4a6m5ai

Join the Conversation: EdTrust in Louisiana's Tramelle Howard will be part of a First Focus on Children event in D.C. to discuss how states will manage the cuts from last year's H.R. 1. This law will impact children’s health, education, nutrition, and economic security. https://edtru.st/4qCwOzk

Use EdTrust’s new dashboard to learn about the potential impacts of newly proposed rules from the Department of Education that narrow the definition of “professional programs” that would qualify for higher graduate loan limits. https://edtru.st/4pRWV43