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Federal Education Policy

The federal government provides about 8 percent of K-12 dollars, primarily through Title I funding for children from low-income families and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Obama administration sought to expand leverage over states through the Race to the Top competition, but a deadlock in Congress over reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act has left federal policy in flux.
Federal Education Policy
August 31, 2020

USDA allows school districts to resume serving free grab-and-go meals through 2020

The US Department of Agriculture announced Monday that it will allow schools to offer free grab-and-go meals to any student, regardless of eligibility, as they did over the summer.

Ali Tadayon
Commentary
August 17, 2020

Federal government must ensure schools have funds to re-open safely

Districts have incurred many new costs as a result of the pandemic and face budget deferrals and cuts as a result of the financial crisis.

Jenny Fitzgerald
Commentary
July 22, 2020

Budget deferrals today could force schools into a $23 billion hole next year

Do not be lulled into the mistaken idea that schools have been protected from cuts by the state budget solutions adopted last month.

Robert Manwaring
Analysis
July 14, 2020

Local control of schools defeats Trump efforts to bring students back to class

Despite threats from President Trump and Betsy DeVos to cut off federal funding, growing number of districts in California say they will open in fall offering mostly distance learning

Louis Freedberg
Federal Education Policy
July 14, 2020

Trump administration rescinds policy that put international students at risk of deportation

The decision was announced at the beginning of the first hearing of a federal lawsuit filed by Harvard University and M.I.T.

Zaidee Stavely, Paula Kiley and Marisa Martinez
College & Careers
July 9, 2020

Thousands of California students could be forced to take in-person classes or leave the country

The state of California and the University of California are both suing the federal government over the policy.

Zaidee Stavely, Paula Kiley and Marisa Martinez
Coronavirus
July 8, 2020

California sues Betsy DeVos over rule steering coronavirus aid to private schools

Attorney General Becerra charges education secretary exceeded her authority, diverted money from low-income public schools.

John Fensterwald
Federal Education Policy
July 6, 2020

President Trump accuses schools of “extreme indoctrination” of children

President says children are being “taught to hate their own country,” while former vice president Joe Biden says teachers should have more authority in the classroom

Louis Freedberg
Federal Education Policy
June 15, 2020

Democrats and Republicans in Congress spar over need for more federal education aid

If Congress fails to approve additional funding, it would have a drastic impact on education in California.

Louis Freedberg
Student Wellbeing
May 29, 2020

School district leaders from around the U.S. rethink education, emphasize online learning

Pandemic exposed the digital divide and the needs of students in crisis, leaders said, adding that more teacher training is also necessary.

Theresa Harrington
School Finance
May 20, 2020

California schools can’t reopen safely without more federal dollars, state schools chief says

California schools will not be able to reopen safely unless they receive additional federal dollars, said California schools chief Tony Thurmond.

Diana Lambert
Commentary
May 19, 2020

New federal campus sexual harassment rules strive for balance

Instead of fixating on grievances against the new regulations, it is time to direct energy toward improving their application.

Liz Paris
Coronavirus
May 14, 2020

Education funding in new stimulus bill in House falls far short of education leaders’ requests

Education organizations have been pushing for about $250 billion for both K-12 and higher education, but the House bill calls for about $100 billion.

Louis Freedberg
Coronavirus
May 5, 2020

Big variations per student in what California districts will get in federal stimulus aid

Large urban and small rural districts in California will get the largest shares of $1.65 billion in federal stimulus funds aimed to help school districts across the country weather the coronavirus pandemic.

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
School Finance
April 30, 2020

How bad will it be? One expert looks at K-12 budget cuts on the horizon

The coronavirus and the recession could be a double whammy for schools, and tools to minimize the damage will be limited, warns consultant.

EdSource staff