School Board Meeting of 6.3.25 Report - By Ray Gaer and Ruben Mancillas
On Tuesday night, the ABCUSD school board held a lengthy meeting with a full agenda. This included public hearings regarding the School Consolidation and Reconfiguration Report, the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), and the Preliminary Budget for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.
This week, our YOUnion news will focus on the most recent board meeting and some of its implications for the future. The next school board meeting will be held on June 17.
Tuesday night’s board meeting was filled with hours of thoughtful and factual comments from parents, students, and employees (a special acknowledgement to those members who took the time to speak Tuesday night). Most of those who commented during the public comment period were concerned because they are being impacted by some of the possible changes being discussed.
The ABCUSD School Board trustees voted 7-0 to bring the School Consolidation and Reconfiguration Report forward as an “action item.” At this Tuesday’s meeting, this item was an “information item,” which means that the report was up for discussion and public comments. The board could only decide to either table the report indefinitely or bring the report back as an “action item.” By bringing the topic of school consolidation and reconfiguration back as an “action item” and listing it on a future school board agenda, the school board trustees are provided with the opportunity to propose or implement a policy change. This action item can be approved, rejected, or modified.
Click here to see the updated Consolidation and Reconfiguration Report slide deck.
It is ABCFT’s understanding that the action item for the possible consolidation and reconfiguration in ABCUSD will be on the June 17th school board meeting. We will have a follow-up YOUnionews on June 20th so that members are fully aware of any changes in policies or implementation of new plans.
SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET REPORT
Regarding next year’s budget, Deputy Superintendent/Chief Financial Officer Nguyen presented a report noting that this year the district had a structural deficit of $4.1 million. The board currently has a list of nine proposed cuts totaling $ 5.7 million. These include reducing department budgets by 20%, reducing nine management positions, reducing ten TOSA positions, and implementing strategic hiring, which involves a freeze on filling positions deemed non-critical. If the board were to approve all of these cuts, Mr. Nguyen projects a deficit of $ 1.7 million for next year. Post May Revise, the COLA for 2025-2026 is 2.3%, more than twice this year’s 1.07% COLA. CLICK HERE TO SEE CFO TOAN NGUYEN’S BUDGET PRESENTATION and the
Preliminary Budget Slide Deck he presented.
A brief recap of our health benefits: our members can choose either Kaiser or Blue Shield. Our health benefits committee works throughout the year with providers, examining utilization rates and opportunities to achieve savings before determining next year’s rate. Blue Shield will have no increase, while Kaiser has an increase of 15.38%. The district budget projects an overall increase in the high single digits. There is a placeholder line in the budget up to that amount. That is, funds are already committed to pay for increases of just under 10%. Combined increases above that amount will incur additional costs in that year’s budget.
SCHOOL BOARD REPORT: PRIMARY DOCUMENTS AND VIDEO LINKS
Ruben and I wanted to make sure that ABCFT members would have an easily accessible place to find all the documents related to the school consolidation that could possibly happen in ABCUSD. We will keep this section in the YOUnionews as the school board progresses through this process. This issue directly impacts all ABCFT members and the student community they serve. Therefore, ABCFT is committed to providing clarity and transparency regardless of the outcome of the process.
Here is a link to the original document provided by SchoolWorks Consulting Team.
ABCUSD School Consolidation & Reconfiguration Report
Here is the slide deck used at the school board meeting, which is a summary of the full report
May 20, 2025 Final ABC 2025 School Consolidations Recommendations
Here is a recording of the SchoolWorks presentation at the May 20, 2025 school board meeting.
Here is the first consolidation process video from ABCUSD Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow
Summer YOUNIONEWS UPDATES - School consolidation board decisions
Over the last month, there has been a lot of information about the school board possibly looking at the consolidation of schools. At this point in their process, no decisions have been made. Next Tuesday, there will be another hearing to discuss further the report by SchoolWorks, which outlined suggestions for facility changes. In addition to this topic, the school board will also be passing a budget for the next school year.
Ruben and I will be attending the board meetings over the Summer. Our current plan is to deliver a YOUNIONews on Fridays, those weeks in June when there is a school board meeting. Therefore, you can expect a YOUNIONews update on Friday, June 6th, and June 20th.
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
June 14 No Kings Day
On June 14, rallies are being organized across the country, including dozens scheduled in California. CFT will be prioritizing two large rallies on that day. At the first rally in downtown Los Angeles, we will gather at 10:00 a.m. at Los Angeles City Hall. At the second rally in San Francisco we will gather at 11:30 a.m. at Dolores Park.
If you cannot make one of these two events, please contact your local union and find a rally near you at www.nokings.org.
Volunteer opportunities to reach out to fellow AFT members – In the coming weeks, the AFT will also run a member-to-member phonebank to urge fellow AFT members to contact their U.S. Senators to stop the devastating cuts in the big, awful reconciliation bill. Upcoming dates include June 4, 9, and 17. AFT will also run a member-to-member text bank on June 3.
NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT - The state of Texas is a right-to-work state, where teachers can’t legally bargain for compensation. See how the teachers are paid. This is why we fight. ----
Houston ISD will pay all teachers based on performance, not years of experience in 2026-27
Houston ISD will compensate its more than 10,000 teachers based on performance rather than tenure starting in the 2026-27 school year, an overhaul that could mean significantly more pay for the highest-performing teachers.
State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said that evaluations conducted in 2025-26 will determine teachers' pay the following year. While compensation has historically been based on an educator's years of experience, the revamped system will better connect pay to the values of Texas' largest school district, he said. "One of the challenges of the profession has been: You have years of experience and college credit, and that's how you get paid," Miles said. "Although the research is clear that after about three years, there is no difference in the effectiveness or outcomes that a 15th-year teacher gets versus a 10th-year teacher. So in the profession, there is no differentiation for years of experience as far as outcomes go."
How pay-for-performance would work
The new teacher evaluation system, which received board approval in March, awards a teachers up to 100 points. The sum of each component yields a rating for a teacher.
HISD plans to rate 3% of its teachers as Unsatisfactory; 12% as Progressing 1; 25% as Progressing 2; 40% as Proficient 1; 14% as Proficient 2; and 6% as Exemplary 1, according to a targeted distribution unveiled for the first few years. Over time, those percentages will shift to add the highest rating of Exemplary 2.
(Editor's note) Just have more unsatisfactory teachers and save 50k with each head. Pay for performance is just a bigger hammer to ask more of teachers. Painful to see the teaching profession treated like a chop shop.
----- EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT - STATE TESTING -----
State testing: a necessary evil?
As the school year concludes, state testing raises questions about its effectiveness in measuring student learning. According to Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, the state is exploring how testing can “look different.” A recent Education Week LinkedIn poll revealed that 84% of educators believe state testing is not an appropriate benchmark for student learning. Critics argue that these assessments primarily measure test-taking skills rather than actual knowledge, with some suggesting that funds should be redirected to enhance classroom resources. While some educators see value in state tests as one of many measures of student progress, others emphasize that they fail to account for individual learning differences. Education Week's Jennifer Vilcarino highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the role of state testing in education.
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Ed. Sec. McMahon takes budget questions from Senate panel
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on Tuesday to explain how the Education Department's fiscal 2026 budget proposal aims to empower state-level decision making. The plan recommends a total of $66.7bn for all Education Department activities, 15.3% below current funding levels. In her prepared remarks, McMahon said the U.S. is in an "educational crisis" and called the proposed budget reduction a "serious commitment to reducing bureaucratic excesses." Subcommittee Chair Shelley More Capito (R-WV) went on to ask McMahon how the budget will help achieve her main priority, to improve literacy performance. “There have been a lot of programs that have been tried to make sure that we could help students read, and they’ve not worked,” she replied, adding that states like Mississippi, Louisiana and Iowa that are using science of reading approaches are seeing reading gains. Similarly, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) questioned how the Education Department can achieve its aims with a $4.5bn cut to K-12 spending. In response, McMahon said: "[W]e'll spend it more responsibly." During the 90-minute hearing, McMahon also fielded questions about funding for the Office for Civil Rights, mental health, and college access.
K-12 Dive US News and World Report
Education Department publishes updated FY26 budget plan
The Trump administration has published new details of its plans to wind down the U.S. Department of Education, revealing how the agency will support students with disabilities, and those from low-income families, while also cutting federal bureaucracy. The more comprehensive budget released on Friday recommends a total of $66.7bn for all Education Department activities, 15.3% down on its current funding level. “Our goal is clear: to make education better, fairer, and more accountable by ending Federal overreach and empowering families, schools, and States who best know the needs of their students,” the budget document said. Funding for Title I, Part A grants to low-income school communities is maintained at $18.4bn, while $14.9bn is budgeted for Part B state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a $677.5m increase. Additionally, the budget consolidates 18 smaller programs including teacher training, school safety, and students experiencing homelessness, into one grant, cutting funding from approximately $6.5bn to $2bn. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon will appear before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee panel today to discuss the funding requests.
NPR / National Public Radio K-12 Dive
Funding cuts threaten school mental health
The Trump administration's decision to halt funding for mental health grants under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is causing significant concern among schools. The act was established following the Uvalde shooting, allocating $1bn to enhance mental health support in educational settings. Brandy Brown, deputy assistant secretary for K-12 education, said that some grantees were found to be "violating the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law." As a result, many schools, including those in Colorado and Wisconsin, are losing crucial funding, jeopardizing their ability to hire and train mental health professionals. Mary Wall, former deputy assistant secretary for P-12 education, emphasized that "not giving grant continuations has an extreme impact on whether or not the work can continue."
Proposed federal cuts could impact student access to free school meals
The cuts proposed by the House last week to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid could have a significant impact on school nutrition operations in districts and states nationwide. The budget reconciliation bill sent to the Senate on a 215-214 vote proposes to scale down funding for the two programs for low-income Americans as a cost-savings measure while also aiming to prioritize tax cuts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that $267 billion would be cut in federal funding to SNAP by 2034, with $698 billion less in federal subsidies for Medicaid. The reduction, argues Alexis Bylander, interim child nutrition programs and policy director at the Food Research & Action Center, will have “very significant downstream impacts on school meal programs," with fewer children enrolled in SNAP and Medicaid. When students are no longer automatically certified through the Community Eligibility Provision to receive free school meals, Bylander said, there’s an additional burden put on families, because they will need to go through an application process instead. “It creates additional paperwork for schools, and we just know from the past that students do fall through the cracks with that system, and then students who live in food-insecure homes and are in need of free meals lose access to them,” she added. Nevertheless, it remains unknown exactly how much federal dollars going to states and districts will be impacted until after the reconciliation bill has been debated in the Senate.
----- STATE NEWS -----
California teachers face mass layoffs
The California Teachers Association (CTA) has raised concerns after approximately 3,000 teachers were laid off due to budget constraints linked to declining enrollment and the depletion of federal COVID relief funds. David Goldberg, president of the CTA, stated, "It is raining now. It is pouring now," emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He criticized school districts for mismanaging funds and urged them to reconsider administrative salaries to limit layoffs. Ron Hacker, chief business officer at Santa Ana USD, explained that revenue is directly tied to student attendance, leading to the necessity of layoffs as COVID funding ceases. The CTA warns that these layoffs will result in larger class sizes and negatively impact student learning.
Budget boosts for California schools
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's May budget revision for 2025-26 proposes significant changes to California's education system, including a $15 million pilot program aimed at redesigning middle and high schools. State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond emphasized the need for transformation, commenting: “If public schools are to survive, they will have to be transformed to be more responsive.” Additionally, the budget allocates $1.1 billion to help districts recover from post-pandemic learning lags, with a focus on community input for spending. A temporary fix of $7.5m is also proposed to address funding for transitional kindergarten English learners. Furthermore, the decline in student enrollment may lead to increased per-student funding, providing new opportunities for educational programs. Julien Lafortune from the Public Policy Institute of California noted, the declining enrollment “dividend” is “kind of a boon for the education system.”
Budget cuts threaten AI education
Marit J. MacArthur argues that Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed budget threatens the future of artificial intelligence (AI) education in California, risking the adaptation of students and faculty in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The California Education Learning Lab, which has a modest budget of $5.5m, plays a crucial role in supporting public education's transition to AI. It has funded over 30 projects, benefiting nearly 200,000 students and 15,600 faculty members across various educational institutions. However, if the Learning Lab is eliminated, this vital support will cease. The loss of funding could exacerbate the challenges faced by students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, in navigating the complexities of AI in education.
California trans athlete controversy heats up
The California Department of Education (CDE) has responded to the escalating controversy surrounding transgender athletes in school sports, advising schools to maintain their stance despite threats from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ warned that California school districts could face legal repercussions if they do not bar transgender athletes from competition by June 9. However, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond stressed: “Let’s be clear: sending a letter does not change the law,” reaffirming that California law protects students' rights to participate in athletics consistent with their gender identity. The issue gained attention after transgender athlete AB Hernandez won multiple medals at the California Interscholastic Federation State Track and Field Championships, prompting President Trump to threaten financial penalties against California schools.
California schools face enrollment crisis
California's K-12 public school enrollment is declining, leading to significant budget deficits and painful decisions for districts. Santa Ana USD, facing a $154m deficit and a 28% drop in students over the past decade, plans to lay off around 262 employees, including teachers and counselors. The loss of federal COVID funds and declining birth rates are among the major contributors to the trend. Superintendent Jerry Almendarez stated: "Staffing adjustments are part of a long-term strategy to align our resources with student enrollment trends and financial realities." The state Finance Department predicts a further loss of 1m public school students by 2031, prompting districts to consider closures and consolidations to maintain financial stability.
California's new literacy initiative unveiled
Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond have introduced two new teacher training resources aimed at enhancing literacy and biliteracy instruction across the state. The “Preschool Through Third Grade (P–3) Learning Progressions for Language and Literacy Development” package is designed to support early literacy in both English and students' home languages. Thurmond said: “With this release, California takes a significant step forward in providing educators with the tools they need to foster strong literacy and biliteracy development.” However, recent test results reveal that most California students, particularly younger ones, are struggling with reading, with only 42.8% of third graders meeting basic standards. Critics, including Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, argue that the state is not prioritizing phonics-based instruction, which has been shown to be effective. A Stanford study indicated that phonics programs in California's lowest-performing schools improved reading learning by 25%.
----- DISTRICTS -----
Baltimore teacher union declares impasse with school district
The Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO) announced on Wednesday that its members have voted to declare an impasse with the school district. TABCO is the only union working with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) without an agreement. Though the unions’ three-year agreements provide wage increases that begin on July 1, the other four unions have agreed to delay their second-year bumps until January 1 2026. They also agreed to delay third-year increases until January 1 2027, from the original start date of July 1 2026. "Currently, BCPS has proposed a 2.7% compensation increase, whereas the existing agreement stipulates a 5% raise,” TABCO said in a statement, adding that it is also concerned about staffing cuts and educator workloads.
New interim superintendent for Oakland schools
The Oakland USD board has appointed Denise Saddler as the interim superintendent for the upcoming school year, following the ousting of Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell. Saddler, a former district administrator and union president, is currently a lecturer at the Berkeley School of Education. She has a rich history in education, having served as principal of Chabot Elementary and held various roles in Bay Area school districts. The board's decision comes after a tumultuous period, with Johnson-Trammell's contract extended just eight months prior to her departure.
Temecula school board reverses CRT ban
Temecula Valley USD has decided to halt the enforcement of its ban on critical race theory (CRT) following a court ruling deeming the policy unconstitutional. The appellate court described the policy, enacted in late 2022, as “vague and unconstitutional.” In a unanimous vote, the school board agreed to form a committee to revise the policy's language to comply with legal standards. Board member Joseph Komrosky, who initially introduced the ban, stated that CRT is a “racist ideology.” However, some board members and parents argue that CRT is not taught in the district and that the focus should be on students' needs.
Salinas schools turn into community spots
Salinas UHSD is set to transform all its campuses, including Salinas High School, into community schools. This initiative aims to foster a stronger connection between the schools and the local community, enhancing educational and social opportunities for students and residents alike.
Monterey Herald
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
Advocacy groups call on House to reject repeal of FCC's E-Rate Hotspot Program
A group of more than 80 national and state school and library organizations has sent a joint letter to the members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to oppose S.J.Res.7 and H.J.Res. 33, Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions that would overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to allow E-Rate funding for wireless hotspot lending by schools and libraries. The letter, whose signatories include the National Education Association, The Consortium for School Networking, and ASBO International, warns that repealing the program would jeopardize internet access for millions of students, educators, library patrons and other community members, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It adds that the measures would also bar the FCC from ever reinstating the program. "We suggest that the FCC, under the leadership of Chairman Brendan Carr, can address the future of the E-Rate hotspot lending program at a later date,", it concludes. "Deferring to the FCC will allow time for more public discussion and not harm the approximately 8,000 schools and libraries nationwide that have already submitted hotspot applications in the current E-Rate funding year, along with the countless other schools and libraries that may one day seek this crucial funding."
House Letter Against HJ Res 33 and SJ Res 7 State Scoop
AI tools: a teacher's new best friend
Many teachers are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their daily routines, citing it as a significant timesaver that alleviates the stress of their demanding roles. However, a survey by the EdWeek Research Center reveals that many educators still refrain from using AI due to pressing priorities and a lack of knowledge. During a recent Education Week K-12 Essentials Forum, panelists, including Ana Sepulveda and Amanda Pierman, emphasized the need for AI literacy among teachers. “Teachers need AI literacy more than ever before,” they said, highlighting the importance of training and hands-on experiences. They also discussed the necessity for students to learn ethical AI usage, with Pierman noting: “Students need to be taught how to use [AI] ethically and responsibly.” The panelists concluded that AI has the potential to enhance teaching effectiveness and address individual student needs, provided that educators are clear about its acceptable use.
----- WORKFORCE ----
J-1 visa pause threatens teacher staffing
The recent pause on visa interviews for international teachers, particularly those on J-1 cultural exchange visas, has raised concerns among school districts facing educator shortages. Many districts rely on international educators to fill critical gaps in STEM and special education. In 2023, there were nearly 6,800 J-1 teachers nationwide, according to a recent analysis of State Department data by AFL-CIO’s Department for Professional Employees, with the highest concentration being in North Carolina, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Arizona, and California. The School Superintendents Association has expressed hope that the pause will soon be lifted, allowing districts to resume hiring. However, the uncertainty surrounding immigration policies has created anxiety among international teachers, with advocates fearing it may deter potential applicants.
----- CLASSROOM -----
SF schools shift to final-only grading
San Francisco USD’s new “Grading for Equity” plan will eliminate homework, tests, late work, and attendance from final grades for 14 public high schools, impacting over 10,000 students. The final grade will hinge solely on a final exam, which students can retake multiple times. According to The Voice of San Francisco, students scoring as low as 80 will receive an A, while a score of 21 still earns a D. Critics argue the plan could harm college and career readiness. John Trasviña, former law school dean, said on X that the change demands “scrutiny.” Journalist Derek Thompson likened it to letting children rewrite school rules. Saikat Chakrabarti, a congressional candidate, warned the shift “cuts resources for kids who need it the most.” The move has sparked backlash reminiscent of earlier failed grading reforms in other cities. Teacher training is underway, despite concerns about lowered expectations and equity outcomes.
----- LEGAL -----
Federal appeals court tosses bid to lift ruling against Ed. Dept. layoffs
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has declined to lift a judge's order blocking President Donald Trump's administration from carrying out his executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Writing for the panel, 1st Circuit Judge David Barron said the administration has failed to show "that the public’s interest lies in permitting a major federal department to be unlawfully disabled from performing its statutorily assigned functions.” The court also said that the administration had not demonstrated that it was likely to ultimately win in the case. The lawsuit at the center of the ruling was brought in March by 20 states and the District of Columbia. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun on May 22 concluded that the job cuts were in fact an effort by the administration to shut down the department without the necessary approval of Congress. The Trump administration is now expected to take the case on to the Supreme Court.
CNN USA Today K-12 Dive Reuters
Judge extends ban on Trump administration canceling COVID school funding
A federal judge in Manhattan has extended a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from canceling more than $1.1bn in unspent funding to to help elementary and high schools in 16 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. address the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos' extension directs the Department of Education to process "without delay" all current and future funding requests, and to offer a progress report within one month. The Biden administration had extended the aid's availability through to March 2026; however, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said there were better uses for the money and that, in any case, states had had ample time to spend the funds. The case is New York et al v U.S. Department of Education et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-02990.
Justice Department probes California sports law
The Department of Justice is investigating whether California's AB 1266, which allows transgender girls to compete in women's sports, violates Title IX. This inquiry follows President Trump's warning to cut federal funding to California if the law is not rescinded. The Justice Department has sent legal notices to state officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, to assess if there is a pattern of sex-based discrimination. The investigation aligns with the Department of Education's earlier inquiry into the California Interscholastic Federation regarding transgender female athletes. President Trump stated: “Large-scale federal funding will be held back, maybe permanently” if the law is not followed. The Justice Department has also filed a statement of interest in support of a lawsuit challenging AB 1266, emphasizing the need for equal educational opportunities and preventing discrimination based on sex.
Visalia Times-Delta. Redlands Daily Facts. San Mateo Daily Journal
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
Sweet danger: e-cigarettes lure kids
A recent study published in JAMA reveals that the sweetener neotame, which is up to 13,000 times sweeter than sugar, is present in illegal flavored e-cigarettes popular among kids and teens. The research tested 11 brands, including Elf Bar and Breeze, and found neotame in all, even in those labelled as “zero nicotine.” Study author Sven Jordt from Duke University said: “We think that the presence of neotame is really a determining factor in the attractiveness and preference for these products.” Flavored vapes now account for 86% of e-cigarette retail sales in the U.S., raising concerns about their appeal to young users. The Food and Drug Administration has only authorized 34 e-cigarettes, all in tobacco or menthol flavors, while illegal flavored vapes continue to be sold widely. Public health experts warn that inhaling sweeteners like neotame poses unknown health risks.
Kennedy’s vaccine move: a shot in the dark?
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for healthy children, raising concerns among public health experts. Lynn Nelson, president-elect of the National Association of School Nurses, said “Our job as school nurses is to keep kids in their seats,” emphasizing the importance of vaccines in maintaining school attendance. The new guidelines may limit access to vaccines, particularly for low-income families reliant on Medicaid, potentially stripping them of their choice to vaccinate. Sean O'Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases, criticized the decision for bypassing established safety processes. With only 13% of children aged six months to 17 years up to date on their COVID vaccinations, the implications of this shift could further hinder vaccination efforts. Nelson warned, “COVID is not over,” highlighting the ongoing need for preventive measures.
----- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
Trump's budget cuts threaten college access
The Trump administration's proposed budget includes significant cuts to federal financial aid, potentially impacting low-income college students. The plan suggests a 15% reduction in the U.S. Department of Education's budget, amounting to $12bn in cuts across K-12 and higher education. The proposal would reduce the maximum Pell Grant by 23%, from $7,395 to $5,710, marking the first cut in over 30 years. Additionally, funding for TRIO programs, which support disadvantaged students, would be eliminated. Advocates warn that these changes could lead to fewer students enrolling in college, with California college leaders expressing concern over the potential impact on student completion rates. Chancellor Gregory Smith of the San Diego Community College District said: “The likelihood of many of them being able to complete college would be very low.”
Harvard graduates rally for truth
At Harvard's recent commencement, graduates celebrated amidst ongoing tensions with the Trump administration, which has threatened the university's funding and international student enrollment. Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized the importance of the university's global reach, stating that it is “just as it should be.” Graduating students voiced concerns over the administration's demands, with salutatorian Aidan Robert Scully asserting: “Neither powers nor princes can change the truth and deny that diversity is our strength.” The university has taken legal action against the administration's funding freeze and enrollment ban, with notable figures like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar praising Harvard's stance against perceived threats to academic freedom. Garber remarked on the need to defend the institution against “government overreach and devastating attacks on scientific and medical research.”
----- INTERNATIONAL -----
Education crisis deepens in Latin America
Latin America is grappling with a severe education crisis, with dropout rates rising alarmingly across the region. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and other international organizations have warned that the region's dropout crisis poses a serious threat to its development. Nearly 40% of Argentina's population lives in poverty, impacting school attendance and completion. Approximately 160m individuals are of school age in Latin America, yet about half do not finish their education. The Inter-American Development Bank reports that 27% of students drop out before completing their studies, while UNESCO estimates that around 23m children and teenagers are not enrolled in school. Factors contributing to this crisis include poverty, family instability, and a lack of motivation among students. ECLAC highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, with extended school closures disrupting education for over 70 weeks on average.
If only I could have had my students write in complete sentences…. Anyone with the secret of making this happen is a genius.~ Ray
