Did you know that school choice programs have been debated for decades, with mixed results? On January 29, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order supporting the use of public funds for private school vouchers, a move that could divert money from already struggling public schools. While supporters argue that school choice improves education, research suggests it has little impact on student achievement and may worsen funding issues for public schools. 

Did you know that a nationwide test tracking student performance for over 50 years just got canceled? The U.S. Department of Education has decided not to fund the 2024-25 NAEP Long-Term Trend assessment for 17-year-olds, leaving a significant gap in understanding older students' academic progress, as data hasn’t been collected since 2012. Experts worry that this decision, along with other cuts, could weaken trust in the program and hinder efforts to track post-pandemic learning recovery. 

 How do Missouri’s strict school district boundaries affect students? A new report reveals that these boundaries often align with historic redlining maps, disproportionately limiting access to high-performing schools for low-income students and students of color. Advocates argue that Missouri should adopt open enrollment policies to give families more school choices, especially when districts have available space. 

 Which U.S. government department recently canceled over $600 million in grants to prepare teachers for high-need schools? Despite calling teaching a "noble profession" during her confirmation hearing, education secretary nominee Linda McMahon now faces scrutiny as the Department of Education, where she seeks to serve, abruptly revoked funding for teacher preparation programs. The cancellations, which impact scholarships and training initiatives focused on increasing teacher diversity and addressing shortages, have sparked a backlash from educators and institutions, with some planning legal challenges. 

 Who was one of the first people to explore the educational potential of generative AI before the public launch of ChatGPT? Kristen DiCerbo, the chief learning officer at Khan Academy, got early access to OpenAI’s GPT-4 in 2022 and helped develop Khanmigo, an AI tutoring tool designed to enhance learning. While Khanmigo has received both praise and criticism, DiCerbo remains optimistic about AI’s role in education, emphasizing its potential to support teachers rather than replace them. 

 How much school time do teens lose each day because of smartphone use? A new study found that teens spend an average of 1.5 hours on their phones during school, often exceeding the time allotted for lunch and breaks. Researchers tracked real usage through an app and found that older teens, girls, and certain racial groups used their phones more, while students with college-educated parents used them less. Experts warn that this distraction not only harms learning but also limits valuable social interaction, prompting discussions on stricter school phone policies. 

Which students in Michigan are most likely to be taught by inexperienced or underqualified teachers? According to a recent report, students in the highest-poverty districts are nearly three times more likely to have a new teacher and 16 times more likely to be taught by someone with temporary or emergency credentials than those in wealthier districts. The study highlights how teacher shortages, lower salaries, and challenging working conditions disproportionately impact these communities, leading to significant educational inequities.

 Many states are passing laws to regulate social media for minors, such as requiring parental consent, banning addictive feeds, or suing platforms over concerns about mental health and privacy. However, critics argue that these measures may violate First Amendment rights, weaken privacy protections, and be difficult to enforce on a global internet. While companies like TikTok and Meta face lawsuits from multiple states, legal battles continue over whether such regulations will truly protect young users or simply create more challenges for both lawmakers and tech developers. 

 Did learning management systems make teaching easier during the pandemic? Surprisingly, our study found that teachers using these systems, like Canvas and Schoology, reported higher levels of burnout, rather than relief. Instead of replacing old tasks, these platforms often added extra work, requiring teachers to submit lesson plans in both paper and digital formats. To truly support educators, schools must ensure that new technologies streamline workloads rather than increase them. 

Will Trump try to end the Department of Education and can he even do it?