Federal

Education news, analysis, and opinion about federal education policies and federal officials.
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    A pencil leaning against the wall. The shadow of a ladder shade reflected on the wall.
    Education Week + E+/Getty
    Federal Opinion Trump's K-12 Leader: Let’s Improve Assessment Without Sacrificing Accountability
    The Ed. Dept. is shrinking the federal footprint but raising academic expectations, says Kirsten Baesler.
    Kirsten Baesler, May 15, 2026
    4 min read
    Education Secretary Linda McMahon arrives to testify during the House Education and Workforce Committee hearing titled "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education," in Rayburn building on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
    Education Secretary Linda McMahon arrives to testify during the House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on Thursday, May 14, 2026. She defended the movement of dozens of her department's programs to other agencies and a budget proposal that would eliminate dozens of federal education programs.
    Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP
    Federal 'Creative' or 'Illegal?' Congress Debates Trump's Dismantling of Education Dept.
    Republicans praised Linda McMahon for shrinking the federal K-12 footprint. Democrats raised concerns.
    Alyson Klein, May 14, 2026
    6 min read
    Collage of the Capitol building and McMahon.
    Collage with Jason Andrew for Education Week + Canva
    Federal Democrats Challenge Plan to Dismantle Office for English Learners
    The Education Department notified Congress in February of its plans to dismantle OELA.
    Ileana Najarro, May 13, 2026
    6 min read
    Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks as President Donald Trump listens before the signing of a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
    Federal Trump Brings the Presidential Physical Fitness Award Back, Reviving Annual Test
    Trump is bringing back a competitive fitness test that was a public-school fixture for decades.
    2 min read
    Financial literacy and education concept. A woman looks up at a broken ladder to knowledge.
    Vanessa Solis/Education Week + iStock/Getty
    Federal Trump Admin. Doesn't Deem Education Degrees 'Professional' in Student Loan Rule
    The regulation confirms new limits on graduate student borrowing under Trump's major policy bill.
    Evie Blad, May 1, 2026
    3 min read
    LindaMcMahon03B
    Secretary of Education Linda McMahon prepares to testify before a Senate appropriations subcommittee on the U.S. Department of Education's fiscal 2027 budget proposal in Washington on April 28, 2026.
    Marvin Joseph for Education Week
    Federal McMahon Still Wants to Relocate Special Ed.—And Other Budget Hearing Takeaways
    The education secretary also told skeptical lawmakers that Ed. Dept. program transfers are working.
    Mark Lieberman, April 28, 2026
    6 min read
    A courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, left, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents dinner in Washington, appearing before Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh, in federal court, Monday, April 27, 2026 in Washington. Allen worked as a part-time tutor, according to an online resume.
    A courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen appearing before Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh, in federal court on April 27, 2026 in Washington. Allen worked as a part-time tutor, according to an online resume.
    Dana Verkouteren via AP
    Federal Part-Time Tutor, Game Developer Charged With Attempted Assassination of Trump
    Cole Tomas Allen apologized to friends and former students, according to a criminal complaint.
    The Associated Press & Education Week Staff, April 27, 2026
    4 min read
    U.S. Secret Service agents surround President Donald Trump before he was taken from the stage after a shooting incident outside the ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington.
    U.S. Secret Service agents surround President Donald Trump before he was taken from the stage after a shooting incident outside the ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. The alleged assailant's online resume said he worked for a private tutoring company.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Man Accused of Firing Weapon at Event With Trump Has Background as Tutor and Programmer
    Social media posts said the individual has worked for company that has provided test-prep and academic support.
    The Associated Press, April 26, 2026
    2 min read
    Students use their cellphones as they leave for the day the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts High School in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2024.
    Students use their cellphones as they leave for the day the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts High School in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2024.
    Damian Dovarganes/AP
    Federal A Federal School Cellphone Policy? Big Barriers Stand in the Way
    Other countries have nationwide restrictions, but in the U.S., states and districts have set the agenda.
    Lauraine Langreo, April 21, 2026
    6 min read
    Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer speaks with a reporter at the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington.
    Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer speaks with a reporter at the White House, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington. Chavez-DeRemer, whose department is in the process of taking over day-to-day management of dozens of federal education programs, resigned from her post on April 20, 2026, amid allegations that she abused her position's power.
    Evan Vucci/AP
    Federal Trump's Labor Secretary Leaves Cabinet After Abuse of Power Allegations
    The department she led has been taking on day-to-day management of dozens of federal K-12 programs.
    The Associated Press, April 21, 2026
    6 min read
    A photograph of a letter from the United States Department of Education dated February 13, 2026 stating that "This letter officially provides such notice of her proposal, including rationale, to redelegate OELA's programs and duties to other offices, thereby dissolving the need for a standalone OELA."
    Gina Tomko/Education Week via Canva
    Federal Ed. Dept. Moves to Shutter Its Office for English Learners
    Officials plan to move all federal English-learner programs and duties out of a standalone office.
    Ileana Najarro, April 14, 2026
    6 min read
    Photo collaged image of the U.S. Department of Education shattering.
    Vanessa Solis/Education Week + AP + Getty
    Federal Tracker See Which Ed. Dept. Programs Are Moving to New Agencies: A Tracker
    K-12 and higher education programs are heading to new agencies as part of Trump administration downsizing.
    Mark Lieberman, April 1, 2026
    1 min read
    President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, on March 26, 2026, in Washington.
    President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, on March 26, 2026, in Washington. Six Cabinet members are now on track to have a hand in managing U.S. Department of Education programs.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal Meet the Trump Cabinet Secretaries Taking Over Ed. Dept. Programs
    The U.S. Department of Education is shifting more than 100 programs to other federal agencies.
    Mark Lieberman, March 31, 2026
    1 min read
    The U.S. Department of Education building is pictured on Oct. 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
    The U.S. Department of Education building is pictured on Oct. 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The agency said Thursday it will move to a different building starting this summer.
    Maansi Srivastava for Education Week
    Federal Trump Administration to Move Dept. of Ed. Out of Its Longtime Offices
    The move follows a year of efforts to dismantle the federal agency.
    Sean Cavanagh, March 26, 2026
    2 min read
    A woman embraces her child outside a House hearing room during protests against a bill that would allow public and charter schools to deny immigrant students from enrolling for classes in Nashville, Tenn., March 11, 2025.
    A woman embraces her child outside a hearing room at the Tennessee State Capitol during protests against a bill that would have allowed public and charter schools to deny immigrant students from enrolling in school, in Nashville, Tenn., on March 11, 2025. Lawmakers are expected to vote on an amended version of the bill that would require schools to collect students' immigration status information.
    George Walker IV/AP
    Federal Q&A Why the Heritage Foundation Is Targeting Plyler v. Doe
    Lora Ries explains how the Supreme Court could overturn the 1982 Plyler v. Doe decision.
    Ileana Najarro, March 26, 2026
    4 min read