Listeners, this week’s headline from the Department of Education is the announcement of the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars, spotlighting 161 exceptional high school seniors across academics, arts, and career-and-technical fields. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon says, “These students embody the future of American achievement and leadership.”

Jumping into policy, the Department has just released Secretary McMahon’s sixth and seventh supplemental grant priorities: “Meaningful Learning” and “Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness.” These priorities signal a strong federal push to link classroom learning directly to employable skills, giving states and districts new ways to focus grants on workforce development.

One major initiative is the record $500 million funding boost for the Charter Schools Program—now the largest investment since the program's inception. This aims to expand school choice and give parents greater voice in their children’s education. According to Secretary McMahon, “Charter schools are critical in diversifying educational opportunities and driving innovation.”

Another key development is the launch of the 2026-27 FAFSA form, which is now available earlier than ever, streamlining the financial aid process for millions of families. The department expects this move will reduce wait times and increase transparency in how aid is distributed.

In terms of regulatory change, recent guidance from the Department and the Department of Justice on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs is stirring debate. The DOJ’s advisory urges grant recipients to review practices for compliance with antidiscrimination laws, emphasizing “skills and qualifications” over demographic criteria. This is part of a larger administration push to “return education to the states” and elevate parental choice—seen recently in the Department’s call for broad waivers from federal requirements, with states like Indiana, Iowa, and Oklahoma already applying.

For leadership decisions, there’s heightened attention on the Trump administration’s approach to civil rights, meritocracy, and curriculum. Policies now encourage states to promote patriotic education and increase parental control over sensitive curriculum topics, while investigations and funding shifts are underway in areas the administration believes discriminate based on race or sex.

Budget priorities have also shifted, with a focus on competitive grant programs tied directly to student outcomes and career readiness, which is expected to impact how schools allocate resources and design interventions.

For American citizens, these changes mean more options and greater involvement in educational decisions, but also possible reductions in resources tied to diversity or civil rights programs. Businesses could see better alignment between schools and workforce needs, while state and local governments must navigate increased flexibility in using federal funds—along with new compliance pressures.

As for international connections, there’s not much direct impact this week, though changes in higher-ed data reporting and merit-based admissions may influence how U.S. institutions relate to global peers.

Coming up, keep an eye on the RISE Committee sessions tackling federal student loan reform in September, new negotiated rulemaking for higher education programs, and ongoing public comment periods for states seeking ESEA waivers. Citizens are encouraged to engage by commenting on state waiver proposals or providing input during grant program reviews.

To connect, visit the Department of Education’s newsroom or studentaid.gov for updates, resources, and ways to share your voice. If you want to help shape the future, now’s the time to participate.

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