WHAT WE’RE READING
Education Week’s deep dive into school funding disruptions under Trump reveals widespread cuts related to stated goals like “shifting school funding responsibilities to states” and “cracking down on programs serving immigrant students.” But it also reveals reductions to initiatives the administration claims to support. —Mark Lieberman, Education Week
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“From Head Start to civil rights, 8 ways Trump reshaped education in just 1 year.” —Linda Jacobson et al., The 74
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In New Jersey, Camden’s schools show signs of progress—especially charter schools, but traditional public schools, too—while student achievement in Trenton remains at rock-bottom. “The disparity in performance between these two cities can’t be explained by money from the state or poverty. Both have plenty. And it’s not hopeless because Camden shows that progress is possible,” writes Julie O’Connor. Amid union pressure, city officials in Trenton failed to embrace an opportunity to bring in high-quality charters under a 2012 law. Now, with Camden’s upward trend under state control, new governor Mikie Sherrill has an opportunity to similarly transform Trenton’s schools. —NJ Spotlight News
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“A bipartisan and bicameral proposed agreement released Monday to fund the U.S. Department of Education at $79 billion for fiscal year 2026—or at $217 million above FY 2025 levels—dealt a major blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize and eventually eliminate the agency.” —Kara Arundel, K–12 Dive
Editor's note: This was first published on Mike Petrilli's Substack, SCHOOLED, a twice-weekly free Substack and email newsletter restarting the education-reform conversation.
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Sharp analysis of the week’s biggest K–12 debates
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Curated commentary from across the ed-policy world
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Lively discussion—including reader reactions and pushback
