Education

Education Secretary Linda McMahon's nomination has raised concerns among Black students at Northern Illinois University regarding the future of racial healing programs and DEI initiatives. McMahon has not clarified her stance on teaching Black history, leaving uncertainty about her potential influence on the future of education in America.

State attorneys general from 20 states have filed a lawsuit against the administration's decision to reduce the Department of Education's workforce and funding, a move that threatens to leave millions of students without access to federal financial aid.

Generative AI has emerged as a promising tool for scaling college and career advising, yet it raises significant concerns regarding the implications of students forming relationships with AI-powered counselors rather than human advisors.

The Trump administration's cuts to the U.S. government are causing economic instability for Black families, potentially leading to significant learning loss and a domino effect on school funding and resources for Black students.

Labor unions representing professors and educators have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking $400 million in federal research funding to Columbia University. The lawsuit claims the administration used the funding to impose speech restrictions on campus and undermine the university's academic independence. This action follows campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

Student loan delinquencies are anticipated to reach unprecedented levels, as the conclusion of last year's 'on-ramp' period for missed payments may result in over 9 million borrowers experiencing significant declines in their credit scores.

Black students continue to lag in reading proficiency, hindered by socioeconomic barriers including poverty, trauma, and chronic absenteeism, which cannot be remedied by educational reforms or instructional methods alone.

Research conducted by New York University reveals that Black teachers are more likely to remain in their positions when they work under a Black principal and alongside a substantial number of Black colleagues. The study indicates that having a Black principal and at least 20% Black teachers at a school can reduce turnover among Black educators by approximately 14%.

The Trump administration has intensified its campaign against elite universities, canceling federal grants and contracts over allegations of antisemitism on campus. This has led to hiring freezes at institutions such as the University of California and Princeton following spending cuts. Additionally, the White House has signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education.

A recent study has revealed that Black girls possess a negative math identity, potentially explaining their lack of confidence in mathematics and their inability to perceive its relevance to their career aspirations, even in STEM fields.