NPR is reporting significant changes to student loans and federal Pell Grants, which took effect at the start of this month. The Trump administration hopes new borrowing limits will help reduce graduate school costs, though NPR Ed's Cory Turner spoke with economists who are not convinced this will happen. Additionally, federal Pell Grants can now be used for job training programs, a change many community colleges have sought. However, NPR Ed's Elissa Nadworny reports that many programs do not yet meet the strict state and federal requirements to qualify, with some colleges finding none of their programs currently eligible.
In other education news, NPR is reporting the Supreme Court ruled that states can ban transgender girls from participating in women's sports teams. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion, stating that the Constitution and Title IX do not mandate an overhaul of women's and girls' sports. NPR's Nina Totenberg reported on the ruling, which also noted that transgender girls and women who wish to play sports deserve "respect" and should not be "ostracized or vilified."
NPR Ed is also reporting that the Education Department has missed its own December deadline to publish the latest Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2023-24 school year, which tracks student treatment in public schools. Jonaki Mehta reported on the missing data.
Bill Zeeble for KERA is reporting that Texas students will be required to read Bible passages starting in the 2030-31 school year, a measure believed to be the first of its kind nationally. The state board also approved revised K-8 social studies lessons that narrow the historical focus to American and Texas history.
NPR Ed is reporting that Florida is expanding a program to provide subsidized swim lessons for low-income children with autism, who are at a significantly higher risk of drowning. Jonaki Mehta and Janet Woojeong Lee reported on the initiative.
The Associated Press is reporting that Australia plans to double fines for social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, that fail to prevent children under 16 from having accounts, amid concerns that a world-first ban is proving ineffective.
NPR is reporting that law students at Emory University are advocating for workplace protections for interns and clerks in federal courts. Carrie Johnson reports that these students often find judges exercise extensive control over their work conditions with unclear avenues for complaints or legal action.
Finally, NPR Ed's Kadin Mills is reporting on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn, where hundreds of members and descendants of 19 tribal nations gathered. The report highlights how Native Americans often learn a different history of the battle and its aftermath, including forced assimilation and the establishment of Indian boarding schools, compared to what is typically taught in schools.