Latest News in Education for the Week 21st July 2025

As of July 21, 2025, the education landscape in the United States is marked by significant upheaval, primarily driven by policy shifts under the Trump administration. From federal funding disputes and attempts to dismantle the Department of Education to state-level legal battles and surveys on student confidence, this week’s news highlights ongoing tensions between federal oversight and local control. Below is a roundup of the key stories from July 14 to July 21, 2025.

Federal Efforts to Dismantle the Department of Education Gain Momentum

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March directing the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) as quickly as possible, aiming to return authority to states while preserving core programs like Pell Grants, Title I funding, and support for students with disabilities.usnews.com The department, established in 1979, manages a $238 billion budget serving over 50 million students across 18,200 districts, including $18 billion in Title I aid for low-income areas and $15 billion under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.usnews.com However, full abolition requires congressional approval, which remains uncertain given narrow Republican majorities.usnews.com

This week, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on July 15 to allow the administration to proceed with efforts to “gut” the department, lifting a prior injunction.abcnews.go.com The ruling also cleared the way for firing 1,400 laid-off workers, described by Education Secretary Linda McMahon as a “significant win for students and families.”usnews.com Staffing turmoil continued, with scores of layoffs followed by court-ordered reinstatements, particularly affecting the Office for Civil Rights.edweek.org Many dismissed employees focused on issues like racism and disabilities, now shifting priorities toward antisemitism.

In a notable appointment, Lindsey Burke, a Heritage Foundation veteran and author of Project 2025’s education chapter, was named deputy chief of staff for policy and programs at ED on July 16. Project 2025, now endorsed by Trump, proposes converting disability and low-income funding into block grants, expanding school choice, eliminating Title I, and moving services to other agencies. Burke advocates for parent-driven accountability and has supported overturning rulings on undocumented students’ education rights, rescinding transgender protections, and allowing immigration arrests at schools—some of which have already been implemented.

Battles Over Federal Education Funding Escalate

Funding disputes dominated headlines, with the Trump administration initially freezing billions in education dollars, prompting widespread backlash. On July 14, nearly two dozen state attorneys general and Democratic governors sued over the pause of $6 billion in funding, deeming it “plainly against the law.”abcnews.go.com North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson echoed this on July 16, calling the cuts a “shock to the system.”abcnews.go.com Concerns mounted on July 15 about impacts on vulnerable children, with a Maryland after-school director warning of “ripple effects” on youth programs.

By July 17, 10 GOP senators, led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), rebuked the freeze in a rare intra-party criticism. The administration partially relented on July 18, unfreezing over $1 billion for after-school and summer programs, according to a senior official.abcnews.go.com Separately, states filed lawsuits accusing the administration of violating the Constitution by withholding up to $7 billion total. washingtonpost.com

The ED also launched a foreign funding investigation into the University of Michigan on July 15. Additional appointees were announced on July 18, amid ongoing staffing changes.ed.gov

State-Level Developments and Legal Rulings

On July 16, a federal appeals court ruled that Arkansas can enforce its ban on critical race theory in classrooms, upholding restrictions on certain teachings.abcnews.go.com

In Oklahoma, the Parental Choice Tax Credit program—offering up to $7,500 per student for private schools—faced scrutiny. Only 8% of owed funds from non-enrolling families have been recovered, leading to calls for more accountability, including preventing tuition hikes tied to the program. Over 200 private schools participate, many having raised fees post-launch.edweek.org

New York State unveiled its “Portrait of a Graduate” on July 14, outlining key competencies for students, while the Board of Regents adopted related measures.nysed.gov

Insights on Student Confidence and Absenteeism

A survey revealed a disconnect in perceptions: 53% of secondary students feel very confident in STEM success, but only 20% of teachers agree.edweek.org Motivation gaps were similar, with students rating themselves higher than educators’ views. This comes amid broader concerns about chronic absenteeism, which continues to impact schools, though some educators report attendance improvements.k12dive.com

Summer programs provided a bright spot, with schools like DeWitt Clinton High in New York City offering internships on July 14.

This week’s developments underscore the precarious state of US federal education policy, with potential long-term effects on funding, civil rights, and student opportunities. Stay tuned for updates as legal and legislative battles unfold.