The Trump administration announced Monday it would redirect funding for minority-serving institutions into U.S. charter schools to support school choice. The Department of Education said following the release of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores last week, which showed dismal educational outcomes across the nation, the department is shifting funding to advance President Trump's priorities. RELATED: Los Angeles schools are taking measures to protect students from ICE raids. Why hasn't the Bay Area followed suit?
Even when she was a little kid growing up in New Orleans, Stacey Gilbert knew she wanted to be a special education teacher. She remembers her reaction to the 1962 film The Miracle Worker, about Helen Keller, and watching other movies about children with special needs. In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit her hometown, Gilbert had been teaching in the city's public schools for almost two decades.
All through middle and high school in New Orleans, Geraldlynn Stewart heard the message every day: College was the key to a successful future. It was there on the banners that coated the doors and hallways, advertising far-flung schools, like Princeton University and Grinnell College. And she could hear it in the chants students recited over and over again. This is the way! We start the day! We get the knowledge to go to college!