Puerto Rico
News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Puerto Rico
Education
U.S. Supreme Court Nixes Payments to Puerto Rico Catholic School Pension Trust
The justices threw out rulings that required the Archdiocese of San Juan to pay nearly $5 million into a pension trust for employees of Catholic schools.
Education
Judge Rejects Ex-Puerto Rico Schools Chief's Bid to Relocate Fraud Trial
A judge has denied a request by Julia Keleher, Puerto Rico's former secretary of education, to have her trial moved from the U.S. territory to the mainland.
Education
Puerto Rican Teacher on Earthquakes: 'It's More Difficult Than Maria'
The Puerto Rican government announced Jan. 17, roughly three weeks after earthquakes began hitting the island, that of the 561 schools that had been inspected for damage, 326 were deemed eligible to open.
Education
New Julia Keleher Arrest Involves Charge Company Acquired Part of a Public School
In a federal indictment, Keleher is accused of using her position as education secretary to get a sweetheart deal on an apartment, in exchange for allowing a company to acquire public school land.
Education
Puerto Rico Schools Shut Down After Earthquakes Strike Island
Puerto Rico's schools were closed Wednesday as the U.S. territory continued to take stock of damage caused by a series of earthquakes, and it's not clear when they'll reopen.
Education
Why Julia Keleher Doesn't Want Her Fraud Trial to Be in Puerto Rico
The former education secretary of Puerto Rico who was arrested on fraud charges last summer said the media environment and public awareness of her situation will make it impossible for her to get a fair shake on the island.
Budget & Finance
Lawmakers Seek Funding Fix to Help Students Who've Left Puerto Rico
Schools that have welcomed students relocating from Puerto Rico after devastating storms in 2017 are not receiving their fair share of federal aid, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers says.
Teaching Profession
Questions About Education Contracts Shake Up Puerto Rico Yet Again
The president of Puerto Rico's teachers' union said her decision to step down was not connected to questions about her husband's contracts with the U.S. territory's Department of Education.
Budget & Finance
Audit of Puerto Rico Education Dept. Finds Lack of Oversight for Disaster Aid
Puerto Rico's education department "lacks critical mechanisms for safeguarding Restart and other Federal program funds from fraud, waste, and abuse," the U.S. Department of Education's office of inspector general says.
Education
Puerto Rico Is in Turmoil, But Dramatic Changes to Its Schools Might Endure
Political volatility has renewed the spotlight on major education policy changes on the island over nearly the past two years, including charters, vouchers, and school closures.
School & District Management
Former Puerto Rico Ed. Secretary Arrested, Charged With Fraud
Julia Keleher, the former education secretary of Puerto Rico, has been arrested by federal agents in Washington on charges related to fraud and corruption, a U.S. attorney confirmed.
States
Leaked Puerto Rican Leaders' Messages Include Reference to Teachers' Union as 'Terrorists'
One of the Puerto Rican governor's top officials labeled the teachers' union as a group of "terrorists" in messages that were made public by an investigative reporting team.
Education
Puerto Rico's Former Education Secretary Arrested on Fraud Charges
Julia Keleher, the former education secretary of Puerto Rico, has been arrested by federal agents in Washington on charges related to fraud and corruption, a U.S. attorney confirmed.
Education
Puerto Rican Students Need Jobs. These Efforts Are Meant to Help. Will They?
Education leaders in Puerto Rico say ensuring students are prepared for jobs on the island is key to the U.S. territory's long-term future. But will its efforts be enough to make young people stay?