Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is forced to abandon her policy to shuttle more funding to private schools with COVID-19 relief funds. The U.S. Senate can’t quite muster the votes for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) COVID-19 legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the first federal legislation on school integration in more than thirty years.

Podcast (flash-cast): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | Google Podcasts | RSS

In today’s Federal Flash, we cover the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) refusal to extend waivers that give schools flexibility on where and how to serve students meals during the pandemic and an injunction halting Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’s rule on equitable services under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In addition, we breakdown both political parties’ education platforms—or lack thereof—heading into the 2020 election and the prospects for Senate Republicans’ latest “skinny” coronavirus relief bill.

Podcast (flash-cast): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | Google Podcasts | RSS

In today’s Federal Flash, we pay tribute to the life of George Floyd and countless others whose killings show how much more must be done to address systemic racism in our country. We’ll also share new recommendations for prioritizing equity in the response to COVID-19 as well as several items from the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

Podcast (flash-cast): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | Google Podcasts | RSS

In today’s bonus episode of the Federal Flash, we’ll summarize what is, and is not, included in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s $3 trillion coronavirus relief proposal. We’ll also discuss the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) final Title IX regulations.

Podcast (flash-cast): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | Google Podcasts | RSS

In today’s Federal Flash, we’ll discuss what federal policymakers are doing to support students in the midst of school closures due to the coronavirus. We’ll cover action being taken in Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Department of Education.

Legislation was introduced in the Senate to give students a Fast Track to and Through College. The House Education Committee passed a rewrite of the Higher Education Act. And both the Nation’s Report Card and ACT’s annual report on college and career readiness show declines.

House Democrats introduced legislation to rewrite the Higher Education Act while the Trump administration worked on regulations that could increase segregation in schools and decrease the number of students receiving free and reduced-price lunch.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is proposing to eliminate aspects of the Civil Rights Data Collection. Today’s Federal Flash gives you the details on her proposal. It also covers recent congressional action to address school shootings and rising tensions in the Senate over the rewrite of the Higher Education Act.

The House education committee holds a hearing on trauma-informed practices in education, the White House diverts money away from schools for the border wall, and a new coalition is announced to make education a priority in the 2020 election.

Is the Federal Communications Commission trying to limit Wi-Fi in schools? Some education advocates think so. Learn why in today’s Federal Flash.

Today’s Flash also covers new bills in Congress on dual enrollment, funding for the U.S. Department of Education, and new guidance from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos intended to provide flexibility to schools.