🎙️ In this episode of the All4Ed Podcast, we break down how the latest government shutdown is devastating the U.S. Department of Education — and what that means for students, families, and schools across the country. In March 2025, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon led a massive reduction in force that cut nearly half of the Department’s workforce — over 1,300 positions eliminated. Now, with a government shutdown underway, the Department has undergone another wave of deep staff cuts, leaving critical offices gutted and essential services halted. 👩‍🏫 What’s affected: - The Office for Civil Rights (all investigations paused) - The Office of Special Education (nearly all staff fired) - English Language Acquisition (down to just one employee) - Federal Student Aid & Pell Grant support - No new education grants awarded - Delays and confusion for schools, students, and families The impact is especially severe for vulnerable communities — including military families, Native communities, and families relying on programs like WIC or Head Start. As federal support collapses, it’s up to state and local leaders to step up. This is a moment for bold leadership, collaboration, and urgent action to protect our students. 📌 At All4Ed, we’re tracking the shutdown’s impact and continuing to advocate for equitable, student-centered education policy. 👉 Stay informed. Get involved. Stand up for students.

The FCC just voted to cut funding for school bus Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots—programs that helped millions of students, especially in low-income and rural areas, stay connected and succeed in school. These cuts come as temporary pandemic-era funding has ended, making programs like E-Rate more critical than ever. In this episode, we break down: - What the FCC decision means - Who’s most affected - Why education and advocacy groups are pushing back - What lawmakers are doing to fight it 🚨 Internet access is not a luxury—it's a necessity for learning in today’s world. Cutting off these lifelines risks leaving millions of students behind. 🎧 Listen in to understand the real-world impact—and what’s at stake.

In this episode of the All4Ed Flash, host Enrique Chaurand breaks down the newly released Governor’s Playbook: Future Ready Pathways, a powerful new resource from All4Ed’s State Policy Center and the National Governors Association (NGA). This playbook equips governors and their teams with actionable strategies to: ✅ Align high school, postsecondary education, and workforce goals ✅ Create lifelong, flexible pathways to good jobs ✅ Build cross-sector collaboration across education, employers, and communities ✅ Ensure every student is prepared for high-skill, high-wage, in-demand careers 🔗 Special shoutout to Colorado Governor Jared Polis and NGA’s Let’s Get Ready Roadmap, which helped shape this important work. From Rhode Island’s PrepareRI to California’s Golden State Pathways Act, states are already leading the way. Learn how your state can join the movement! 📘 Download the full playbook here: https://all4ed.org/statepolicycenter

🎧 This week on the All4Ed Flash: Too often, youth in foster care are left out of critical conversations about education, mental health, and support systems. But with nearly 350,000 young people in foster care across the U.S.—and 70% aspiring to go to college—it’s time to listen, act, and align. In this episode, we highlight findings from All4Ed’s new report, “Healthy Minds, Strong Futures,” which calls on federal policymakers to break down the silos between education, health, and child welfare systems. Because when systems don’t work together, students pay the price. We explore how trauma-informed schools, coordinated support, and mental health access can change the trajectory for foster youth—and why cuts to Medicaid and mental health services put that progress at risk. ✅ Read the full report here: www.all4ed.org/youthinfostercare 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more updates on education equity and policy. #All4Ed #FosterCare #EducationEquity #YouthSupport #PolicyChange #MentalHealthMatters #HealthyMindsStrongFutures

The FCC is planning to cut Wi-Fi access for students and educators by rolling back parts of the E-Rate program. If approved, this move would end funding for school bus Wi-Fi and stop schools and libraries from loaning Wi-Fi hotspots—impacting millions of low-income and rural families. Lawmakers are pushing back, warning this will worsen the Homework Gap and hurt students who rely on internet access to learn, apply for jobs, and stay connected. 🎧 In this episode, we break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do.

Only 12 states report key education data on college and career readiness, which is crucial for addressing equity gaps. A report by Ann Hyslop highlights the inconsistency in how states measure readiness. Improved data reporting and alignment with real outcomes are needed to ensure all students receive adequate support.

The Senate Appropriations Committee's fiscal year 2026 funding bill rejects President Trump's proposed education cuts, maintaining flat funding levels. It mandates timely distribution of funds and blocks transferring Title I or IDEA responsibilities. While some programs see slight reductions, Title I and IDEA receive increases. The bill still requires full Senate and House approval.

The Trump administration will release nearly $5 billion in K-Grant funds after a freeze, impacting school districts' hiring and programs. Despite the release, disruptions have already affected students, especially English learners and immigrant communities. Pressure from Republican senators and advocacy groups led to this decision, highlighting ongoing education funding issues.

A recent Supreme Court decision allows the Trump administration to proceed with firing nearly 1,400 staff at the U.S. Department of Education—putting vital student protections and public education support at risk. All4Ed CEO Dr. Amy Loyd calls this a direct attack on the foundation of educational opportunity in America. Hear what this means for students, educators, and communities—and why this moment matters.

In this episode of the All4Ed Flash, we break down the Senate’s newly released version of the reconciliation bill—and what it means for students, especially those relying on Pell Grants and federal student loans. While the bill avoids some of the most damaging proposals—like cutting aid for millions of Pell recipients or charging interest while students are still in school—it still raises serious concerns. Most notably, it removes key borrower protections, leaving students vulnerable if they’re misled, defrauded, or their school closes unexpectedly. Tune in to learn what’s at stake and why this matters for students, families, and policymakers working to ensure access, fairness, and accountability in higher education.

In this episode of All4Ed Flash dives into our recent response to the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed changes to the Perkins V Consolidated Annual Report (CAR). The proposed rollback threatens key data reporting improvements that support transparency, accountability, and equity in career and technical education (CTE). Tune in to learn what’s at stake and why this matters for students, educators, and policymakers.

In this episode of the Flash podcast, we examine the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a school voucher proposal currently under consideration by Congress. A new report from the Urban Institute raises important questions about how this policy could affect students across the country—especially those in rural areas. While the ECCA aims to expand educational options by allowing taxpayers to redirect federal funds to private education, the data shows that many rural students may not have access to nearby private schools, limiting the potential impact of the program. Join us as we explore the findings, break down the numbers, and discuss what this could mean for educational equity and access.

In this episode of the Flash podcast, we discuss President Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, commonly referred to as the "skinny budget." Despite its name, this budget is packed with significant cuts that could drastically impact education funding. Join us as we explore the details of the proposed $12 billion reduction to the U.S. Department of Education, the implications for K-12 and higher education, and the potential consequences for programs aimed at ensuring equitable access to education.

In this episode of the Flash podcast, we delve into the recent announcements by Iowa and Oklahoma to seek waivers for block granting essential programs, aiming for greater control over Title I and other critical federal funds. We explore the U.S. Department of Education's push for more funding flexibility and expanded educational choices, while addressing the skepticism and legal concerns raised by advocates. Join us as we discuss the balance between state autonomy and federal oversight in K-12 education, and the implications of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) on this dynamic landscape.

Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Education to close the U.S. Department of Education. This unprecedented move has sparked significant controversy and concern across the nation. Dr. Amy Loyd, CEO of All4Ed, issued a strong statement condemning the executive order, describing it as an "unlawful and reckless move" that threatens educational opportunities and undermines the future of millions of students. Join us as we delve into the implications of this executive order and the reactions from educational leaders and communities across the country.

Hello, and welcome to the All4Ed Flash, where we cut through the noise to bring you the latest in education policy news. As 2024 comes to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the significant accomplishments of All4Ed over the past year.

Welcome to the All4Ed Flash, where we are cutting through the noise to bring you the latest in education policy news. In this episode, we're diving into President-elect Trump's pick for the next U.S. Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon.

In this new All4Ed Flash episode, we’re diving into the future of the U.S Department of Education under the second Trump administration. The discussion among All4Ed's Dr. Amy Loyd (Chief Executive Officer), Phillip Lovell (Associate Executive Director) and Anne Hyslop (Director of Policy Development) includes the controversial Project 2025, the U.S. DOE purpose and function, and what changes could mean for public education. The All4Ed Flash is All4Ed’s video-shorts podcast series on important developments in education policy brought to you by the All4Ed policy team.