Federal Flash examines how Republicans and Democrats differ in their priorities for rewriting the Higher Education Act. It also covers two new proposals related to education funding and new guidance on the Every Student Succeeds Act from the U.S. Department of Education.

The local boba shop across the street from my high school was the place to be. Every day, when the bell rang at 2:44 p.m., hordes of high schoolers made their way there. Usually people grabbed their drinks and left. Only a select few lingered and this group of cigarette-smoking teenagers intimidated anyone who entered the shop.

Technology can be a powerful way to support deeper learning. Don’t believe it? Take a look at how thousands of students and teachers use technology to bring learning to life.

Today’s digest highlights examples of effective use of technology in classrooms, how teachers can design for deeper learning, and news from the Deeper Learning Equity Fellows.

There’s no question that our country is diversifying. By 2030, immigration will overtake births as the dominant driver of population growth. Soon, there will be a majority-minority population in the United States, meaning that not a single ethnic or racial group will make up over 50 percent of the population. Students of color already make up the majority of K-12 students. How is this shift changing school environments and student learning?

What happens when you change the learning experience to focus on solving extended challenges? You may just prepare students for the complex workplace that awaits them.

Today’s digest highlights how educators can focus on problem solving, deepen classroom discussion, and hone their project-based learning skills.

This episode of Federal Flash recognizes Black History Month and the anniversary of the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It also covers a House education committee hearing on school funding and new guidance on student privacy.

It’s a new year with a new cast of characters in Congress. This episode of Federal Flash examines the new makeup of the House education committee, which has a new name, a new subcommittee, and new members. It also examines congressional efforts to rewrite the Higher Education Act and the Education Department’s proposed Title IX rules that have drawn more than 100,000 comments.

Stories of robots creating mass unemployment may be overhyped, but there’s still a need to prepare students for an ever-changing workforce and jobs that don’t yet exist.

Today’s digest highlights how schools do that. It also examines what happens when students have access to college courses while still in high school, how makerspaces can support personalized learning, and how educators can help students affected by the opioid crisis.

The opioid crisis is shaking the nation and greatly impacting young people. In just one year, 42,000 people died of drug overdoses involving opioids. That same year, 2016, 38,000 individuals died in car crashes or car-related injuries.

There’s no question that this epidemic is affecting families, communities, and schools across the country. How can educators help support students impacted by the crisis?

The nation’s high school graduation rate hit a new all-time high of 84.6 percent and graduation rates for historically underserved students continue to rise, according to data released last week by the U.S. Department of Education. However, the size of the graduation rate increase was much smaller than in previous years and large gaps continue to exist between student groups.