EdTrust

??Republican governors from 10 states attended Trump's Executive order signing to dismantle the Department of Education. But these states' students are performing below the national average. Read more in our newest blog post, linked here: https://edtru.st/4iK1T07 #k12 #educationnews #departmentofeducation

Education Department reopens suspended student loan repayment applications The move will restore federal student loan borrowers’ access to some of the most affordable repayment plans. The department had shut down an application for all income-driven repayment plans in February after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit expanded an injunction blocking President Joe Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education program, commonly known as Save. That left millions of borrowers unable to access plans that cap monthly payments at a percentage of earnings with the promise of loan forgiveness after 20 to 25 years. It’s unclear how the department will handle the loans of borrowers who apply for the IDR plans now. Applicants are typically placed in what’s known as a processing forbearance, which postpones their payments for up to 60 days, during which time they still receive credit toward PSLF. But servicers say they have yet to receive guidance from the department. Source: @washingtonpost

??This week, our very own Denise Forte brought the receipts to a powerful panel hosted by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading where she spoke about the history of the U.S. Department of Education. She walked the audience through more than 150 years of federal involvement in education — starting in 1867, just after the Civil War, when the federal government first stepped in (briefly!) to support schools during Reconstruction. Denise highlighted a theme that’s been there from the beginning: the tension between federal responsibility and local control — especially when it comes to equity. Spoiler alert: “local control” has often meant looking the other way when students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities were being left behind. She also reminded us that data is power and that shining a light on student outcomes is how we make sure systems are serving every student, not just some. From No Child Left Behind to ESSA, federal law has helped make sure schools can’t hide behind averages — and that we’re holding the system accountable for student learning and opportunity. From the founding of the Department in 1980 to today’s efforts to dismantle it, Denise made one thing clear: the federal role in education has always been about making good on the promise of public education for all. And that promise only works when we stay focused on equity, data, and results. Denise inspired us — and yes, we’re taking notes. We can’t afford to go backward. That’s why we’ve pulled together the tools and resources you need to speak out, organize, and act to save our students. Check out our #SaveourStudents Advocacy Toolkit here: https://edtru.st/3XwQ8l2

?? Three Things We’re Watching This Week in Education ?? 1?? Dismantling the Department of Education? A proposed shift to block grants could eliminate key federal education programs and deeply impact how schools serve students nationwide. We’re watching how this proposal reshapes public education funding. ??AP News: https://edtru.st/421Gvw5 2?? Layoffs = Less Support for Students with Disabilities The Education Department's looming layoffs may severely reduce services for historically underserved students—especially those with disabilities. The potential consequences are real and far-reaching. ?? NBC News: https://edtru.st/4c5j6P0 3?? Who's Picking Up the Pieces? If core functions of the Education Department are moved to other federal agencies, are those agencies equipped and ready to meet student needs? We’re keeping a close eye on the details. ??ABC News https://edtru.st/423D0p2 ?? The future of education equity is on the line—and we’re staying locked in. #EducationEquity #StudentsFirst #EdPolicy #DisabilityRights #PublicEducation

"How are the children?" President Trump signed an executive order initiating the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, aiming to shift oversight to states and local governments. But what does this mean for the *millions* of children with special learning needs, children who are English language learners, and children from economically challenged families who rely on federal funding and protections? Register today: https://bit.ly/3Vpb3VR and join the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading today from 3–4:30 p.m. ET as we unpack the implications and discuss what comes next w/Amalia Chamorro from UnidosUS (@WeAreUnidosUS), Robert (Bob) Cunningham, Denise Forte from EdTrust, Lindsay Jones from CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), Elson Nash from the Education Commission of the States, & Leslie Villegas, MSc from New America.

ICYMI: Here’s what the Education Department layoffs mean for higher education in prison. Incarcerated borrowers’ access to services will be limited even further. https://edtru.st/4lbrdh8

??The Trump administration just announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be taking over student loans. ??The Trump administration’s proposal to transfer the federal student loan portfolio, totaling $1.6 trillion, to the Small Business Administration (SBA) is a reckless and poorly crafted move that puts borrowers at risk and undermines the federal government’s responsibility to ensure access to higher education. ??This decision is not about improving efficiency, it is about dismantling federal oversight of education and paving the way for privatization. ??Let’s be clear: SBA is wholly unequipped to manage this portfolio. With a discretionary budget of just $1 billion, SBA lacks the infrastructure, expertise, and capacity to oversee federal student loans effectively. This move sets borrowers up for failure, creating unnecessary confusion and increasing the likelihood of mismanagement. ??Families, students, and borrowers deserve stability, not confusion. Right now, students and their families have no clear understanding of who will be responsible for addressing complaints and ensuring their rights are protected. Will borrowers reach out to SBA for assistance with their loans? The administration’s haphazard approach makes it clear that confusion is the goal. ??EdTrust urges policymakers to reject this misguided proposal and protect the integrity of the federal role in education.

?? Just ONE WEEK until #AILiteracyDay! Join us in celebrating AI education & empowering learners with the skills they need for the future. ?? https://lnkd.in/eznVzeup

New on the Blog: Returning Education Entirely to the States is a Dangerous Proposition. Dismantling the Department of Education and returning education to the states will put all U.S. students at risk. Read the full blog: https://edtru.st/4bJd8mI

This evening, President Trump signed an executive order further gutting the Department of Education. For nearly three decades, EdTrust has stood on the frontlines to ensure that every student, especially our most underserved, receives the high-quality education they deserve. We have not wavered in that mission and will not turn our backs on the students and families now under attack by this administration. Read the full statement: https://edtru.st/4iJEQlv