US Dept of Ed in the news for student-loan caps, Title IX probes, and policy digs under the Education secretary's watch since 1980.
The California Supreme Court temporarily blocks laws requiring parental notification of students' gender identity, siding with religious parents and educators. The ruling reinstates a lower court order, citing potential violations of religious freedoms and privacy rights, amid ongoing legal challenges and political debates over transgender student policies.
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota, alleging violations of Title IX by allowing transgender girls to compete in girls' sports and access to gender-specific spaces. The case reflects broader federal efforts to restrict transgender participation in school athletics, with ongoing legal and political debates.
The US Education Department is terminating civil rights settlements with several school districts and a college, removing federal oversight of transgender student protections. This move aligns with the Trump administration's stance on restricting transgender rights and enforcing a sex at birth recognition policy, reversing previous protections under Obama and Biden.
Universities UK-led polling shows VCs warn of staff redundancies and reduced outreach as funding pressures bite. Higher education leaders say government funding must better reflect the sector’s value, while student support could be at risk as hardship grants are reconsidered.