Federal

Education news, analysis, and opinion about federal education policies and federal officials.
  • Federal Video Linda McMahon: 5 Things to Know About Trump's Choice for Education Secretary
    President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate former pro-wrestling CEO Linda McMahon to lead the education department.
    Evie Blad & Lauren Santucci, November 21, 2024
    1 min read
    Linda McMahon, former Administrator of Small Business Administration, speaks during the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
    Linda McMahon speaks during the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. McMahon has been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as as the next secretary of education.
    J. Scott Applewhite/AP
    Federal The K-12 World Reacts to Linda McMahon, Trump's Choice for Education Secretary
    Some question her lack of experience in education, while supporters say her business background is a major asset.
    Brooke Schultz, November 20, 2024
    7 min read
    President Donald Trump listens during a "National Dialogue on Safely Reopening America's Schools," event in the East Room of the White House, on July 7, 2020, in Washington.
    President Donald Trump listens during a "National Dialogue on Safely Reopening America's Schools," event in the East Room of the White House on July 7, 2020, in Washington. He returns to power with more momentum than ever behind policies that allow public dollars to pay for private school education.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal What a National School Choice Program Under President Trump Might Look Like
    School choice advocates—and detractors—see a second Trump term as the biggest opportunity in decades for choice at the federal level.
    Alyson Klein, November 20, 2024
    8 min read
    Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington on Oct. 3, 2018.
    Linda McMahon speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington on Oct. 3, 2018, when she was serving as head of the Small Business Administration during President Trump's first administration. McMahon is now President-elect Trump's choice for U.S. secretary of education.
    Susan Walsh/AP
    Federal 5 Things to Know About Linda McMahon, Trump's Pick for Education Secretary
    President-elect Donald Trump’s selection, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment has long spoken favorably about school choice.
    Brooke Schultz, November 20, 2024
    7 min read
    Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump in Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, March 29, 2019.
    Then-SBA Administrator Linda McMahon speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, March 29, 2019. Trump has tapped McMahon to serve as education secretary in his second term.
    Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
    Federal Trump's Education Secretary Pick Is Linda McMahon, Former WWE CEO
    McMahon led the Small Business Administration in Trump's first term and is co-chair of the president-elect's transition team.
    Brooke Schultz, November 19, 2024
    6 min read
    Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Walker, Mich.
    Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before President-elect Donald Trump at a campaign event on Sept. 27, 2024 in Walker, Mich. Trump has selected Kennedy to serve as secretary of health and human services in his second term.
    Carlos Osorio/AP
    Federal What Could RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary Mean for School Vaccine Requirements?
    The vaccine skeptic in line to lead the mammoth federal agency could influence schools' vaccine rules, even though they're set by states.
    Matthew Stone, November 15, 2024
    6 min read
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks on crime and safety during a campaign event at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Howell, Mich.
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks on crime and safety during a campaign event at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Howell, Mich.
    Evan Vucci/AP
    Federal Can Trump Force Schools to Change Their Curricula?
    Trump's bid to take money from schools that teach "critical race theory" or pass policies for transgender kids raises legal complexities.
    Alyson Klein, November 14, 2024
    9 min read
    Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Sept. 27, 2024 in Walker, Mich.
    Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Sept. 27, 2024 in Walker, Mich.
    Carlos Osorio/AP
    Federal Trump Chooses Anti-Vaccine Activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary
    Kennedy has espoused misinformation around vaccine safety, including pushing a discredited theory that childhood vaccines cause autism.
    The Associated Press, November 14, 2024
    2 min read
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
    Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
    Evan Vucci/AP
    Federal Video Trump’s Pledge to Ax the Education Department: Can He Do That?
    Trump would need approval from Congress to dismantle the Education Department or change federal education policy.
    Evie Blad & Lauren Santucci, November 14, 2024
    1 min read
    Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
    Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and the owner of X, left, shakes hands with now President-elect Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
    Alex Brandon/AP
    Federal What Elon Musk's New Role in the Trump Administration Could Mean for Schools
    Musk’s new role as a chief architect of Trump’s plan to slash and remake the federal government may have big implications for schools.
    Alyson Klein & Lauraine Langreo, November 13, 2024
    9 min read
    A photograph of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager who died a day after a fight in a high school bathroom, is projected during a candlelight service at Point A Gallery, on Feb. 24, 2024, in Oklahoma City. Federal officials will investigate the Oklahoma school district where Benedict died, according to a letter sent by the U.S. Department of Education on March 1, 2024.
    A photograph of Nex Benedict, a nonbinary teenager who died a day after a fight in a high school restroom, is projected during a candlelight service at Point A Gallery, on Feb. 24, in Oklahoma City. Federal officials determined the district was "deliberately indifferent to students' civil rights" based on its responses to reports of sexual harassment.
    Nate Billings/The Oklahoman via AP
    Federal Nex Benedict's District Was 'Indifferent to Students' Civil Rights,' Feds Find
    Federal officials found an Oklahoma district responded inconsistently to sexual-harassment claims.
    Caitlynn Peetz, November 13, 2024
    5 min read
    Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
    Sonia Pulido for Education Week
    Federal Opinion With Trump in Office, Schools Should Ask Themselves These Questions
    The incoming administration could change many laws and rules that would affect public education. Larry Ferlazzo explains how to respond.
    Larry Ferlazzo, November 13, 2024
    5 min read
    Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga.
    Donald Trump, now president-elect, speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga. The education world is eager to find out who he will appoint to be U.S. secretary of education in his second term.
    Mike Stewart/AP
    Federal Trump's Potential Picks for Education Secretary: What to Know
    Who could be tapped to lead an agency the president-elect has pledged to abolish?
    Alyson Klein, November 12, 2024
    7 min read
    Hands reach out to each other. Handshake.
    Alona Horkova/iStock + Education Week
    Federal Opinion A Reminder to America: We Still Agree on More Than We Don’t
    In the wake of the election, the education sector has important work ahead to bridge our political differences.
    Katy Anthes, November 11, 2024
    4 min read
    Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks during a briefing at the Department of Education building in Washington on July 8, 2020.
    Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks during a briefing at the Department of Education building in Washington on July 8, 2020.
    Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
    Federal Q&A Betsy DeVos' Advice for Trump's Next Education Secretary
    DeVos is eager to see a second Trump administration finish what she helped start on school choice and rolling back the federal K-12 role.
    Alyson Klein, November 7, 2024
    6 min read