Department of Education News

Welcome to your weekly update on the U.S. Department of Education, where we cut through the noise to spotlight what matters for education today.

This week's top headline: The Department's Student Privacy Policy Office launched an investigation into Tufts University and the National Student Clearinghouse over allegations that the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement illegally shared student data to sway elections, potentially violating FERPA privacy laws. The Department also issued new guidance rescinding Biden-era policies that pushed schools to join this program, warning institutions using its upcoming data release could face penalties unless they get student consent first.

On the higher ed front, big moves are underway. The Department announced the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization committee, with nominations due by February 26—meetings kick off in April to slash red tape, prioritize data-driven student outcomes over DEI standards, and block discriminatory practices like race-based scholarships. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent celebrated a separate breakthrough, saying, "After more than 15 years of regulatory uncertainty, we've developed an accountability framework that institutions can work with, students will benefit from, and taxpayers can rightfully expect to improve outcomes." This new system holds all programs accountable via earnings thresholds—if they fail two out of three years, they lose federal loans and potentially Pell Grants.

Budget-wise, President Trump signed a $79 billion FY26 funding bill, up slightly from last year, rejecting deep cuts and preserving Pell at $7,395 max while mandating on-time grants to states and staff to handle core duties amid interagency shifts.

For American families, this means stronger student data protections and fairer loans, curbing debt traps. Colleges and states gain streamlined rules but face outcome-based scrutiny, pushing better value. Businesses benefit from workforce-aligned programs without political bias.

Listeners, nominate negotiators for AIM rulemaking at ed.gov by February 26, or comment on student loan proposals by March 2.

Watch for April sessions and final rules. Dive deeper at ed.gov. Get involved—your voice shapes these changes.

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Welcome to your weekly update on the U.S. Department of Education, where we cut through the noise to spotlight what's shaking up schools and campuses.

This week's top headline: The Department just announced negotiated rulemaking to overhaul higher education accreditation, kicking off the AIM Committee to slash red tape, prioritize student outcomes over DEI mandates, and welcome new accreditors. Nominations for negotiators are due by February 26, with sessions in April and May.

Key moves include ending Biden's moratorium on new accreditors, redistributing $15 million in grants to foster competition and easier switches for colleges. They're also rewriting the Accreditation Handbook to enforce merit-based standards, ban race-based scholarships, and fix credit transfer rules that trap students in debt. Echoing this, the White House is pushing school choice via executive orders, prioritizing grants for K-12 scholarships and eyeing the Department's closure to empower states.

Leadership under Secretary Linda McMahon is streamlining, with functions like elementary education shifting to the Labor Department and special ed potentially to Health and Human Services. Budget talks propose $66.7 billion for FY26—a 15% cut—merging grants into a $2 billion state-focused pot, though Congress is pushing back with a $79 billion draft.

For American families, this means cheaper college paths, more school options, and less federal overreach—but potential chaos in special ed and civil rights probes. Businesses and colleges face lighter regs but accreditation shakeups; states brace for shifted burdens and funding uncertainty. "The administration is moving to systematic changes impacting all institutions," says policy expert Fansmith.

Experts like Sasha Pudelski warn of planning nightmares for districts. Watch April sessions and FY26 budget fights.

Citizens, nominate negotiators at ed.gov or report DEI issues via their portal. For details, visit ed.gov/news.

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Welcome back, listeners. We're diving into what's shaping up to be a transformational moment for American higher education. The Department of Education just wrapped its final negotiations on a historic accountability framework that could fundamentally change how colleges operate and which programs get federal funding.

Here's what's happening. After more than fifteen years of regulatory uncertainty, the Education Department has reached consensus on new rules that will hold all postsecondary institutions accountable for student outcomes. According to the Department, this ends what they call selective enforcement based on tax status and politics, replacing it with earnings-based standards that apply equally to certificate programs, bachelor's degrees, and graduate studies alike.

The mechanics are straightforward. If institutions fail to meet earnings thresholds for two out of three years, they lose access to Direct Loan programs. If half their federal funding comes from failing programs, those programs also lose Pell Grant eligibility. This applies across all sectors for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Department is simultaneously overhauling the accreditation system itself. New negotiated rulemaking begins in April and May to make it easier for new accreditors to enter the field and for colleges to switch accreditors. The Department signaled it wants accreditors focusing on student outcomes data rather than what they characterize as DEI-based standards.

So what does this mean for you? Students may see programs eliminated if they don't produce graduates earning sufficient wages. Colleges will need to demonstrate concrete economic returns on education. Taxpayers get an accountability framework officials say will improve outcomes. Institutions have until April and May to weigh in during the accreditation negotiations.

There's one wrinkle timing-wise. As we record this, the federal government faces a funding deadline of today, January thirtieth. If Congress doesn't act, the Education Department could shut down for the second time in three months, furloughing over two thousand staffers and halting grant competitions and civil rights investigations.

Looking ahead, listeners should watch the April and May rulemaking sessions and track whether new accreditors actually emerge. You can find details on all these initiatives at ed.gov.

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Welcome to your weekly update on the U.S. Department of Education, where we cut through the headlines to show how these changes hit home for families, schools, and communities.

This week's biggest story: The Department reached consensus on a historic new accountability framework for higher education, wrapping up its AHEAD negotiated rulemaking sessions. For the first time in decades, every postsecondary program—from certificates to graduate degrees—faces uniform standards based on student earnings. Fail two out of three years on earnings thresholds, and programs lose access to Direct Loans; if they make up half of an institution's Title IV aid, Pell Grants vanish too. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent called it a breakthrough: "We've developed an accountability framework that institutions can work with, students will benefit from, and taxpayers can rightfully expect to improve outcomes."

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reshaping the agency itself, detailing 40 to 50 employees from higher education programs to the Labor Department as part of six new interagency agreements. This aims to streamline operations and push education back to states, but Congress is pushing back hard. A bipartisan spending package unveiled this week funds Education at $79 billion for fiscal 2026—$217 million above last year—with mandates to keep staff levels steady, deliver grants on time, and halt unauthorized transfers. As the National School Boards Association's Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs put it, this preserves "essential expertise and civil rights protections."

Secretary Linda McMahon is also honoring everyday heroes, naming Louisiana custodian Donella Wagner the 2026 RISE Award winner.

For American families, this means better odds of debt-free degrees aligned with real jobs, but K-12 leaders face uncertainty with shrinking federal support for special ed, rural schools, and English learners—potentially delaying funds and straining budgets. Businesses cheer workforce-focused Pells, while states and districts brace for chaos in grant delivery and enforcement shifts targeting DEI under Title IX and VI. Experts like Columbia's Jonathan Collins warn: "Expect less from the feds—anything you're used to getting, plan for less."

Deadlines loom: Watch for the rulemaking's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking soon, and Congress votes on the budget by January 30.

Keep an eye on Supreme Court Title IX cases and more employee shifts. Dive deeper at ed.gov/newsroom, and if you're in education, submit comments on the proposed rules via regulations.gov.

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Welcome to your weekly update on the U.S. Department of Education. This week’s top headline: the Department reached consensus on a historic new accountability framework for higher education, wrapping up negotiated rulemaking sessions under Secretary Linda McMahon and Under Secretary Nicholas Kent.

They agreed on rules holding all postsecondary programs—certificates to graduate degrees—accountable for student outcomes using earnings thresholds. Fail two out of three years, and programs lose Direct Loan access; if they dominate an institution’s Title IV funds, Pell Grants vanish too. “We’ve developed a framework institutions can work with, students will benefit from, and taxpayers expect,” Kent said. This ends selective enforcement and regulatory whiplash from past administrations.

Meanwhile, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education urged states to expand Title I schoolwide programs, letting schools blend federal, state, and local funds to cut red tape and boost achievement. Assistant Secretary Kirsten Baesler noted, “Schoolwide programs break down silos for local decisionmakers to better serve students.” States can approve any Title I school now.

On the partnership front, ED and the Department of Labor detailed staff starting January 20 to align postsecondary education with workforce needs, ensuring programs match career demands.

Congress pushed back on Trump’s budget slash, proposing $79 billion for fiscal 2026—up slightly from last year—preserving TRIO at $1.2 billion, FSEOG at $910 million, and Gear Up at $388 million for disadvantaged students.

These shifts empower states and locals but spark uncertainty. For American families, it means more flexible school funding and career-focused college options, potentially lowering debt. Businesses gain better-prepared workers; states handle more without federal strings, though superintendents like those at AASA warn of planning headaches. Higher ed faces real accountability, curbing low-value programs.

Watch for rulemaking publication soon and state waiver approvals like Iowa’s. Citizens, contact your state school officer to push schoolwide flexibility.

Tune in next week for updates. Resources at ed.gov. Subscribe now!

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