Education
NPR speaks to a former Education Secretary about dismantling the department, arrests
NPR's Emily Kwong speaks with former Education Secretary John B. King Jr. about the dismantling of the education department and recent arrests of international scholars.
How the Ph.D. Project, and 45 colleges, became a target of the Trump administration
For about 30 years, the Ph.D. Project has supported students from underrepresented groups who are earning doctoral degrees in business. Now, it's attracted the attention of the Trump administration.
What we know about the case of detained Georgetown professor Badar Khan Suri
The Indian national and postdoctoral fellow is the latest scholar detained or deported by the Trump administration for speaking in support of Palestinian rights or criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.
Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, ‘special needs’
The president said federal student loans would move to the Small Business Administration, and hinted that the Department of Health and Human Services would take over special education oversight.
How the Education Department cuts could hurt low-income and rural schools
With cuts to nearly all the staff at the Department of Education's primary data agency, low-income and rural schools may not get the federal funds they rely on in coming years.
Trump suspends $175 million in funding to University of Pennsylvania over trans athletes
The University of Pennsylvania found itself at the center of the trans athlete debate when one of its trans students won a series of events during the 2022 swim season.
Trump to sign order aiming to close the Education Department
The Trump administration has already moved to cut the department's staff by half.
Louisiana has a long history with French. This immersion school aims to keep it alive
Most Louisianans no longer speak French, but a growing number of schools are now immersing kids in it. At École Pointe-au-Chien, the focus is on teaching local French dialects first.
Harvard will be free for students whose families make $100,000 or less
The expanded financial aid plan will also offer free tuition to families that make $200,000 or less. The move comes after affirmative action was barred from the admissions process.
How Alabama students went from last place to rising stars in math
Alabama is the only state where 4th-grade math scores are higher now than they were in 2019, before the pandemic. This is the story of how the state pulled it off.
March Madness begins for NPR’s College Podcast Challenge
Our 10 finalists for the best college podcasts in the country include students from some familiar schools, and a few surprises.
As enrollment in online college grows, students wonder: Why does it cost more?
Rather than lowering the price, some universities use online courses to subsidize everything else.
Turmoil rocks Columbia University as Trump administration demands changes — or else
The Trump administration delivered an ultimatum to leaders of Columbia University: Make a series of major changes or lose out on billions in federal aid.
Over 50 universities are under investigation as part of Trump’s anti-DEI crackdown
The schools under scrutiny include dozens of state schools and two Ivy Leagues. A number of private schools are also being targeted, including Georgetown, Rice, Vanderbilt, and New York University.
UW among over 50 universities under investigation as part of Trump’s anti-DEI crackdown
The schools under scrutiny include dozens of state schools, including the University of Washington, and two Ivy Leagues. A number of private schools are also being targeted.
What parents, teachers and school choice groups think of Education Department cuts
Teacher unions and some parent groups condemned the cuts, while school choice advocates celebrated them.
Universities across the U.S. freeze hiring as federal funding hangs in the balance
With uncertainties around federal funding for higher education, some schools are cutting back. Experts say that could hurt not only students and faculty, but ultimately make the U.S. less competitive.
U.S. Education Department switches to remote work amid talk of layoffs
The announcement further unsettled department employees who have spent the past several weeks anticipating sweeping staff cuts.
ICE arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests
Mahmoud Khalil was inside his university-owned apartment Saturday night when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered and took him into custody.
Trump signs executive action targeting public service loan program
The program forgives the loans of borrowers who work in public service. The executive action would exclude those who work for certain organizations.
Trump administration cancels $400 million in federal dollars for Columbia University
The administration said it was cancelling grants and other federal awards for Columbia for an alleged failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.
State Supreme Court races can be costly, competitive and combative. Why?
Wisconsin is on track to break spending records once again in a high court contest that's at times turned heated. But these races weren't always like this.
Trump prepares order dismantling the Education Department
The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress, and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.
Bill would ban drag performances in public schools and libraries
Some Alabama lawmakers want to ban drag performances in public libraries and schools. But opponents fear the bill might have broader implications when it comes to self-expression and First Amendment rights.
Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump’s secretary of education
The White House has been clear that it intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and that it will be McMahon's job to oversee that effort.
Foreign students say the threat of Trump’s executive orders is getting real
President Trump warned international students that if they support groups the U.S. deems terrorist organizations, "we will find you, and we will deport you." It's left many student activists anxious.
Trump suspends the head of ‘The Nation’s Report Card’
Peggy Carr, a federal official who leads one of the country's most extensive student testing programs, known as The Nation's Report Card, was placed on administrative leave.
Rollback of diversity efforts leaves teachers wondering about effects on Black History Month
The Education Department's efforts to keep racial diversity out of schools has left educators wondering how and when to teach students about Black history, especially during Black History Month.
A 10-year-old’s story of family immigration that spans three continents
A California fourth-grader's interview with her grandfather, who was forced out of Uganda before moving to the U.S., is one of our outstanding podcasts.
Republicans’ love/hate relationship with the Education Department
President Trump has made clear he wants to close the U.S. Department of Education, but Republicans seem torn on just how far to go.
How many fourth-graders does it take to make a podcast? Here’s what we learned
Students in an elementary school broadcasting club in California are among the youngest winners of NPR's Student Podcast Challenge.
Sweeping cuts hit recent federal hires as Trump administration slashes workforce
Employees across several agencies including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy and the General Services Administration have all been affected this week, with many being given notice on Thursday.
