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Education news, analysis, and opinion about people who specialize in education policy or are employed by education-related businesses
Federal Biden's Education Transition Team Heavy on Obama Officials and Union Staff
The education team that will guide the transition between the Trump and Biden administrations includes many alumni from the Obama Education Department.
Evie Blad, November 10, 2020
2 min read
Federal DeVos Appoints New Director for English-Learner Office
The selection of Lorena Orozco McElwain as director of the office of English language acquisition shakes up a long-standing tradition.
Corey Mitchell, May 13, 2020
1 min read
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks during the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Winter Meeting in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks during the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Winter Meeting in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
School & District Management The Ed. Dept.'s Been Pared Back. Here's What That Means for States
The main federal office overseeing K-12 education lost nearly 14 percent of its staff between the end of the Obama administration and the midpoint of the Trump administration. States are weighing the impact.
Alyson Klein, February 26, 2019
9 min read
Federal Betsy DeVos Gets a New Chief of Staff
Nate Bailey, who has been serving as DeVos' communications chief, will take over for Josh Venable.
Alyson Klein, October 26, 2018
1 min read
Equity & Diversity Nominee to Lead Civil Rights Work Under Betsy DeVos Confirmed by Senate
Kenneth L. Marcus was tapped to serve as the top civil rights official at the Education Department back in October. In fact, Marcus has basically held the job before.
Andrew Ujifusa, June 7, 2018
2 min read
A retired U.S. Army brigadier general and former South Carolina schools superintendent, Mick Zais is the nominee to be U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ right-hand man at the Education Department. As South Carolina’s top schools officer, he championed school choice and rebuffed what he saw as a heavy federal footprint in K-12.
A retired U.S. Army brigadier general and former South Carolina schools superintendent, Mick Zais is the nominee to be U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ right-hand man at the Education Department. As South Carolina’s top schools officer, he championed school choice and rebuffed what he saw as a heavy federal footprint in K-12.
Jeffrey Collins/AP-File
Federal Senate Confirms Trump Nominee for Deputy Secretary Under Betsy DeVos
Senators confirmed Mick Zais, the former state schools chief for South Carolina and a retired Army brigadier general, by a 50-48 vote on Wednesday.
Andrew Ujifusa, May 16, 2018
1 min read
Federal Trump's Education Department Picks Get Senate Committee Approval
Jim Blew, Kenneth L. Marcus, and Mick Zais got the OK from the Senate education committee for positions under Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
Andrew Ujifusa, January 18, 2018
1 min read
Special Education Senate Sets Hearing Date for Nominee to Federal Special Education Post
Johnny Collett, the Trump administration's pick for assistant secretary for the office of special education and rehabilitative services, has been getting a warm reception so far from disability advocates.
Christina A. Samuels, November 28, 2017
3 min read
Federal Here's What to Watch as Key Trump Ed. Dept. Nominees Face Senators
Lawmakers will get the chance to question Mick Zais, the nominee for deputy secretary of education, and Jim Blew, the pick for head of planning, evaluation, and policy analysis.
Alyson Klein, November 14, 2017
4 min read
Federal Comments About Muslims, Women in Science Sink Trump Education Nominee
Tim Kelly, the pick for assistant secretary for career and technical education, authored a personal blog that, among other things, made pointed statements about Muslims, Head Start parents, and federal efforts to recruit women into the sciences.
Alyson Klein, November 9, 2017
1 min read
Federal How Far Behind Is Trump in Staffing the Ed. Dept. Compared to Obama?
The Trump team is really behind the eight-ball when it comes to filing top positions at the U.S. Department of Education, compared to the previous administration's pace.
Alyson Klein, October 16, 2017
5 min read
Federal Trump Taps Michigan Lawmaker to Head Up Career and Technical Education
President Donald Trump has tapped Tim Kelly, a Michigan state representative to serve as assistant secretary for career and technical education.
Alyson Klein, October 2, 2017
1 min read
Federal Trump Taps School Choice Champion Jim Blew to Serve in Key Ed. Dept. Policy Post
Jim Blew, the director of Student Success California, a 50CAN affiliate, has gotten the official White House nod to lead the office of planning, evaluation, and policy analysis at the U.S. Department of Education.
Alyson Klein, September 29, 2017
1 min read
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Federal Betsy DeVos Taps Two New Top Advisers
Michael Wooten, will head up the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, at least for now. Leonard Haynes, is likely to be a postsecondary education point person.
Alyson Klein, September 26, 2017
2 min read