Education
Can charter schools be religious? If so, what does that mean for public education?
The case could transform public education in the Unites States.
Supreme Court to hear school disability discrimination case
At issue is a case testing the reach of federal laws that promise special help for children with disabilities in public schools. Specifically: What do parents have to prove in order to get that specialized help?
Why judges blocked the Trump admin’s school DEI crackdown
On Thursday, three federal judges in Maryland, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C., said Trump's anti-DEI efforts were on shaky legal ground.
Trump signs executive actions on education, including efforts to rein in DEI
The directives include new efforts to curtail DEI programs at colleges, and discipline guidance for public schools.
What to know as the government begins collections on defaulted student debt
The Department of Education says it will resume collections on May 5 and send wage garnishment notices "later this summer." Here's how to know — and what to do — if you'll be affected.
Supreme Court leans toward parents who object to LGBTQ books in public schools
At the center of the case is the school system in Montgomery County, Md., the most religiously diverse county in the U.S., with 160,000 students of almost all faiths.
Inside Harvard’s lawsuit against the Trump administration
Harvard's lawsuit questions how freezing research funds will further the administration's goal of eliminating antisemitism on campus.
Supreme Court weighs who should decide public school curriculum: Judges or school boards?
At issue is whether school systems are required to allow parents to opt their kids out of classes because of religious objections to classroom materials.
Harvard sues Trump administration to stop a freeze of more than $2 billion in grants
Harvard University announced Monday that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administration's demands to limit activism on campus.
Trump Administration to resume collections on student loan borrowers in default
The Education Department says millions of borrowers in default will have a chance to make a payment or sign up for a repayment plan. But on May 5, those who don't will be referred for collection.
Head Start advocates brace for possibility of Trump eliminating funding
A Trump administration document, cited by news reports, proposes eliminating funding for Head Start, which is dedicated to early child care services. An advocate says the move would be "catastrophic."
History shows revoking Harvard’s tax status won’t be easy — or fast
A presidential effort to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status could run up against a number of challenges, including violating federal law.
Nearly 300 scientists apply for French academic program amid Trump cuts in U.S.
Nearly 300 U.S.-based researchers have applied to one program that promises "scientific refugee status" for those fleeing Trump's academic funding rollbacks.
LA schools superintendent says he’ll protect undocumented students ‘to the very end’
DHS said it was conducting wellness checks on students who arrived unaccompanied to the border. The head of the Los Angeles Unified School District has a different account.
With federal funding on the line, school leaders weigh Trump DEI order
The Trump administration has told states they have until April 24 to promise to end DEI programs in K-12 schools, or risk losing federal dollars.
Harvard professor gives perspective on the Trump administration clash with university
What does the clash between Harvard and the Trump administration look like from the perspective of its faculty? NPR's Michel Martin akss Harvard Law School professor Nikolas Bowie.
Families say school civil rights investigations have stalled after federal cuts
The U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights investigates discrimination in schools. It recently lost more than 40% of its staff.
Higher ed war heats up as Trump threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status
The president's comments came after the administration froze $2 billion in federal grants for Harvard after the university rejected what it saw as illegal government demands.
As special ed students are integrated more at school, teacher training is evolving
General education teachers are more likely than ever to be working with students who have special needs.
Harvard rejects Trump administration’s demands for deep changes
The university refused to make changes it said would "dictate what private universities can teach" and "whom they can admit and hire," among other things.
DOGE abruptly cut a program for teens with disabilities. This student is ‘devastated’
The program, Charting My Path for Future Success, aimed to help teens with disabilities transition from high school to the real world. It abruptly ended when DOGE terminated its federal contract.
Federal judge orders USDA to unfreeze funds to Maine
The funds had been initially withheld following President Trump's clash with Maine Gov. Janet Mills over the issue of transgender athletes.
Most of the families applying for Alabama’s new school vouchers have kids in non-public schools
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office released application figures Tuesday for the CHOOSE Act, the new program which will help eligible families tap state dollars to help pay for private school or home-schooling costs.
Americans without a degree still believe in the value of college, a new poll says
The majority of Americans without degrees still believe in the value of higher education, according to the poll. But not all college degrees are created equal.
USAID enabled 208 Afghan women to defy the Taliban ban on college — until now
A USAID grant enabled them to either study online or enroll in college in another country. Now the grant has been terminated.
Bienvenidos! Some colleges are targeting a long-neglected group: Hispanic students
Colleges are recognizing the importance of this growing pool of potential students.
Supreme Court sides with administration over Education Department grants
By a 5-4 vote, the justices allowed the administration to freeze millions of dollars in grant funding for diversity and instructional programs at public and private universities.
Education Dept. warns schools: Eliminate DEI programs or lose funding
The department sent a letter to state leaders threatening the loss of funds for K-12 schools that don't follow its interpretation of civil rights laws.
How the Education Department helps students with disabilities get an education
Special education laws and the U.S. Department of Education have evolved together over nearly five decades. Now, the Trump administration seems to want to separate the two.
Parents sue Bucknell alleging hazing led to freshman football player’s death
Freshman Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr., died after his first practice at the university. His parents are suing the school, also alleging staff neglected to account for his sickle cell trait during training.
6 things borrowers should know about federal student loans right now
NPR has spent the past few weeks catching up with student loan experts and asking the Trump administration for clarity on some of borrowers' biggest questions.
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.
