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

"California’s fractured education governance system has contributed to persistent inequities disproportionately impacting low-income students, students of color and multilingual learners...EdTrust-West commends Governor Newsom for championing these essential reforms." https://edtru.st/4pM5nBO

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “The complete education gives one not only...the accumulated knowledge of the race but also the accumulated experience of social living.” Let’s follow Dr. King’s call and reimagine education to serve students, knowledge, and society.

Catch Augustus this afternoon on NewsNation as he discusses fair school funding and responds to a new Michigan bill proposing to eliminate school-based property taxes for residents without children in public schools.

At a time when affordability is front and center, the resumption of wage garnishment to pay for student loans in default may transform problems of affordability into full-blown crises for millions across the country. https://edtru.st/3ZcphuK

Public funds should be exclusively invested in public services, including public schools. Vouchers drain funds from public schools and fail to address the educational needs of students, especially students historically underserved in public and non-public school settings. https://edtru.st/49m8n2X

EdTrust-Midwest's great work on teacher diversity and improving the teacher pipeline was highlighted by The Detroit News. https://edtru.st/4qTOR3H

What happens when you fire essential civil rights investigators and ignore legitimate complaints from students and families? •Racial epithets with impunity •Unfair disciplinary targeting •Racial bullying This refusal to investigate is part of Jim Crow 2.0. hechingerreport.org/probes-into-...

"Iowa’s approval drew backlash from education groups. Allison Socol, a vice president [at EdTrust], said it will 'divert federal funding away from students with the greatest needs,' including English learners and those who benefit from after-school programs." https://edtru.st/3Ngtqev

"Today, the U.S. Department of Education took the first step in dismantling those protections by approving a waiver for Iowa that would allow the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) to divert federal funding away from students with the greatest needs." https://edtru.st/4qmDQry

Early indications are that the Trump administration will stop governors who seek to craft programs that best fit the needs of their states and families. It’s time to invest more — not less — in our public education system. https://edtru.st/4jATrBp

Meeting the Moment: EdTrust in MA released a new brief on the state of math instruction. Districts must adopt high-quality math curricula across districts and increase the availability of well-prepared educators who can deliver rigorous, grade-level instruction. https://edtru.st/4rZESeB

Diverse teacher workforces = improved test scores, fewer absences, higher graduation and college enrollment rates, and increased student-teacher trust. EdTrust-Midwest met the moment with a new report showing a path forward to build a strong and diverse teacher workforce. https://edtru.st/49cT9Nv

I had the privilege to testify before Sen. Hirono’s forum on illegal efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. Stripping students of civil rights, destabilizing millions of student borrowers, and pushing privatization must be stopped. https://edtru.st/4pIzYAU

EdTrust’s Qubilah Huddleston: “For the states that have recently universalized, like Texas and Tennessee and other states that could soon see vouchers as a result of the federal program, they need to view Florida as a cautionary tale of what happened.” www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to help the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) celebrate 20 years of supporting educational equity through data. EdTrust's vital partnership with DQC makes sure every student is seen and that we use data to drive transformational change for all the students we serve.

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with The Century Foundation's Angela Hanks to explain the latest steps to dismantle the Department of Education and the risks to higher education. https://edtru.st/4a9Pm4v

Sometimes you see something that you just know cannot be true. That is the case of a recent poll that suggested teachers want the type of whitewashed “patriotic education” being pushed by the Trump administration. https://edtru.st/48GJBZD

One-in-five of college students are parents and disproportionately women, Black, Latino, first-generation, and from low-income backgrounds. Congress must reauthorize CCAMPIS to make sure every student parent has the chance to succeed in school. https://edtru.st/3KMN2WO

Arizona is a flashing red warning sign that vouchers are not a golden ticket to opportunity for all. • Per pupil funding that rates 49th in the country. • The 2nd most crowded class sizes in the country. • A teacher retention crisis. • The 2nd worst student-to-counselor ratio in the country.

Please read Allison Socol's blog for the anniversary of IDEA. "Those of us who believe that a just society is one that includes full participation of all people must fight to keep the promise we made 50 years ago to students with disabilities and their families." https://edtru.st/4rewM1b

For Day 4 of our recognition of IDEA, I want to celebrate special education teachers, as well as general educators broadly, for the critical role they serve. A high-quality educator is essential for delivering the targeted supports and resources each student needs. https://edtru.st/3ELYzCA

For Day 3 of our recognition of IDEA, I want to highlight how discipline systems continue to fail to support students with disabilities by perpetuating bias, neglecting legal mandates, and relying on punitive measures. https://edtru.st/4kkkWiP

Meeting the Moment: Today our own Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D., testified before the House’s Committee on Education & Workforce on The Future of College: Harnessing Innovation to Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs. https://edtru.st/4i7DPVm

Today, the Trump administration began the process of selling off the Department of Education for parts...The law is clear: only Congress can dismantle the Department of Education. https://edtrust.org/press-room/dismantling-of-the-department-of-education-fails-students/

Since it became law, IDEA has significantly reduced chronic absenteeism among students with disabilities and, more generally, brought more students with disabilities into public education. But more must be done. https://edtrust.org/blog/how-educators-can-support-chronically-absent-students/

Sunday, November 29th signifies 50 years of IDEA, the law supporting the rights of students with disabilities. This week I want to highlight the experiences of students with disabilities, and the critical role IDEA plays in delivering essential services and protections. https://edtru.st/4oOyQvk

State and federal policymakers take note of Thrive Scholars. By combining academic rigor with personalized college and career guidance and preparation, alongside robust data collection and outcome tracking, we can transform lives and enhance the value of a college degree. https://edtru.st/3JDuuYG

At EdTrust, we are encouraged by long overdue congressional action to reopen the government and -- our work continues: Protecting student civil rights. Fighting against the Great American Heist. Advocating for fair school and student funding.

The Trump administration may be turning its backs on students, but states like Illinois are showing a better way forward to build a future where all students — no matter their income or ZIP code — have a real opportunity to access an affordable, high-quality education. https://edtru.st/3LtpJ4x

Did you know that 1 in 5 college students is a parent? On our blog, EdTrust published a great interview with a student-parent on the challenges of returning to college, along with suggestions on ways that colleges and programs can better support students like her. https://edtru.st/3LwtXIl

In the midst of this government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Education is launching a two-pronged attack on students with disabilities — putting their rights and access to education at risk. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N0YoEQQoGR8

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is reshaping federal student aid. Students of color will be disproportionately affected – forced into private loans with riskier terms or discouraged from graduate school altogether. Upcoming rules must ensure student loans remain affordable for all students.

High schoolers face an unaffordable and inaccessible higher education landscape. States should make sure students can use financial aid for all higher education-related expenses and that financial aid eligibility reflect the needs of today’s students. https://edtru.st/3JbHh4l

I'm thrilled to highlight the great work of EdTrust to explain the risks state waivers pose to students. Allowing states to alter assessment systems and hide data on school quality will leave parents and educators without the information they need to support students. https://edtru.st/4oIqLI1

Registered teacher apprenticeship programs (RTAPs) strengthen and diversify the teaching profession by opening doors to dedicated individuals who were shut out of more traditional pathways. https://edtru.st/4oukIqj

Today we called on the Trump administration to end its unprecedented attacks on the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Office for Civil Rights. Hollowing out these offices is a grave disservice to all students. https://edtrust.org/press-room/joint-statement-on-oese-ocr-cuts/

EdTrust supports the idea that the teaching of history and civic education is critical and deserving of federal support. BUT students deserve the whole truth. https://edtrust.org/press-room/joint-comment-on-secretarys-supplemental-priority-and-definitions-on-promoting-patriotic-education/

Excited to share this op-ed I co-authored with Sameer Gadkaree, the President and CEO of The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS). https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-we-cannot-let-higher-education-become-a-gated-community-for-the-wealthy-but-thats-exactly-where-it-is-headed/

Today is the 46th anniversary of the law that created the Department of Education.

Despite Congress doubling down on short-term training pathways, Black and Latino students are increasingly pursuing bachelor’s degrees while community college enrollment declines. https://edtrust.org/rti/mapping-postsecondary-pathways-understanding-state-student-college-enrollment-trends/

As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, I want to share a poem from Briceida Cuevas Cob: Memory is a kite. Little by little you let it go, enjoying its flight. At its height the string of your memory breaks and you sit and watch as the distance possesses it.

The message from these Mississippi towns is clear: Privatization of education would be a big step backwards. A great read from last week that flew under the radar. https://mississippitoday.org/2025/10/07/mississippi-towns-say-no-to-school-choice-as-state-level-push-continues/

I am calling on the Trump administration to reverse these cuts immediately. Its action abandons the 7.5 million students with disabilities and their families. https://edtrust.org/press-room/the-trump-administration-continues-the-great-american-heist-with-assault-on-students-with-disabilities/

Chronic absenteeism is a problem we know how to solve. The results from our scan are not part of a shame game, but rather a step to help all 50 states wisely invest resources to decrease chronic absenteeism and improve student learning outcomes. https://edtrust.org/rti/chronic-absenteeism/

Impact Aid funds schools on federal land. Because of the shutdown, payments have stopped. 7.3M students depend on Impact Aid. We need to make sure someone is minding the store and Impact Aid gets out as soon as possible. https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5537471-vulnerable-schools-shutdown/

College students deserve programs that lead to real opportunity, not more debt and disappointment. https://edtrust.org/rti/making-the-new-higher-education-accountability-framework-pay-off/