Florida Teacher Fired for Using Student’s Chosen Name Without Parental Consent Under New State Law
A Florida high school teacher has lost her job after using a student’s chosen name without parental consent, marking the first known case under a 2023 state law that restricts such actions in public schools. Melissa Calhoun, an English teacher at Satellite High School in Brevard County, was informed that her contract would not be […]
Albuquerque Public Schools See Graduation Gains, But Gaps Persist for Native American and Low-Income Students
Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) reported a notable rise in graduation rates for the Class of 2024, achieving a 75.9% graduation rate—up 4.3 percentage points from the previous year. This improvement surpasses the state’s overall increase, as New Mexico’s public high schools saw a 1.3 percentage point rise, reaching a 78% graduation rate. Among APS high […]
Federal Government to Resume Collections on Defaulted Student Loans Starting May 5
The U.S. Department of Education will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans starting May 5, 2025, ending a pause that began in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This move affects over 5 million borrowers currently in default and another 4 million who are severely delinquent, meaning nearly a quarter of the federal student […]
ERIC Faces Major Cutbacks as Federal Funding Stalls
The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), a key repository of education research managed by the U.S. Department of Education, is facing significant operational changes due to funding constraints. Effective April 24, 2025, the number of actively cataloged sources in ERIC will be reduced by approximately 45%, decreasing from 1,200 to 700 titles. This reduction stems […]
New Mexico Becomes Fifth State to Offer Free High School Equivalency Exams
New Mexicans seeking to earn their high school equivalency credential will soon be able to do so at no cost, thanks to a new legislative initiative approved by the state Senate and House on March 22. The legislation makes New Mexico the fifth state in the U.S. to offer free access to high school equivalency […]
Child Care Costs in New Mexico Now Higher Than College Tuition, Impacting Education
The cost of child care in New Mexico has reached an alarming level, surpassing in-state college tuition and creating challenges for families and the education system. According to a report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the average cost of infant care in New Mexico is $14,000 per year—or about $1,167 per month. This is […]
Addressing Workforce Needs: Northern New Mexico College’s Radiation Control Technician Program
The expansion of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has heightened the demand for skilled technicians in nuclear technology. In response, Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) offers a Radiation Control Technician (RCT) program, equipping students with the necessary skills to meet this growing need. LANL has experienced significant growth, with its workforce increasing from approximately 11,743 […]
Idaho’s House Bill 93: Expanding School Choice or Undermining Public Education?
Idaho Governor Brad Little recently signed House Bill 93 into law, introducing a $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit program. This legislation offers refundable tax credits up to $5,000 per student for private schooling or homeschooling expenses, increasing to $7,500 for special needs students. House Bill 93 was introduced to expand educational choice in Idaho […]
Illinois House Bill 2827 Proposes New Regulations for Homeschooling
State Representative Terra Costa Howard introduced House Bill 2827 (HB 2827), a new legislative proposal that aims to establish the “Homeschool Act”— which are specific regulations for homeschooling families in Illinois. Key Provisions of HB 2827: Annual Declaration: Homeschooling parents would be required to submit a “Homeschool Declaration Form” annually to their local school district. […]
New Mexico Legislature Advances Bill to Eliminate Fees for High School Equivalency Tests
The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed House Bill 167 (HB167), which aims to eliminate financial barriers for residents seeking high school equivalency credentials. Key Insights of HB167 Representative Joy Garratt, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of education in enhancing career and workforce potential. She stated, “I am proud to sponsor […]
