Policy & Legal
OCR Urges Schools to Halt 'Racial Balancing' in New Discipline Guidance
The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday released new school discipline guidance, explicitly rejecting previous Democratic administrations' attempts to reduce discipline disparities for Black and other historically marginalized students. The Dear Colleague letter, issued by the Office for Civil Rights, calls on schools to 'stop racial balancing' and clarifies that Title VI and the Constitution do not require or prohibit unintentional disparate impact. This guidance follows the Trump administration's recent rescission of the disparate impact legal theory, signaling a shift in enforcement priorities.
Ten Commandments Display Mandates Head to Supreme Court as Families Seek Definitive Ruling
Texas families have filed a joint petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of lower-court rulings that upheld state laws mandating Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms. The cases, Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District and Cribbs Ringer v. Comal Independent School District, ask the justices to determine whether such laws breach the First Amendment's establishment clause and parents' free exercise rights. The high court may accept or decline the cases, which mirror disputes arising from similar statutes in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama.
Houston ISD Maintains B Rating for Second Consecutive Year in 2025-26
Houston Independent School District (HISD) has retained its B rating for the 2025-26 school year, marking the second consecutive year at this level since the Texas state takeover in 2023. Wheatley High School, a focal point of the takeover, achieved its first A rating. The district saw an increase in A/B-rated schools but also reported five failing schools, up from zero the previous year. State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles remains cautiously optimistic, while the Texas Education Agency has extended the takeover until at least June 1, 2027.
NYC Schools to Deploy 'School Avoidance' Liaisons Across All Buildings
New York City Public Schools, the largest U.S. district, will assign 'school avoidance' liaisons to every building as part of a settlement resolving a 2024 federal lawsuit. The liaisons will identify and respond to emotional and psychological barriers to attendance, with implementation deadlines set for 2027.
Union Coalition Files Suit Against Education Department Over 'Professional Degree' Definition
On Tuesday, a coalition of unions led by the American Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, challenging the agency's regulatory definition of 'professional degree' that excludes education graduate programs. The definition determines federal student loan borrowing caps: students in recognized professional programs can borrow up to $200,000, while those in excluded fields like education are limited to $100,000. The lawsuit follows a federal judge's June order that temporarily blocked the department's definition, prompting an expansion of the list to include nursing, physical therapy, athletic training, and occupational therapy, but education remains excluded as of July 10. The plaintiffs seek to vacate and postpone the effective date of the Reimagining and Improving Student Education rule, alleging it conflicts with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Higher Education Act. The Education Department defends its interpretation, stating it is confident in its legal stance and prioritizes students and families over institutional interests.