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<\/a><\/p>\nMessage from the Secretary<\/h2>\n
May always marks one of the most exciting times for students nationwide, as they complete final exams, celebrate graduation, and step into new chapters of their academic and professional journeys.<\/p>\n This month, the Department approved Louisiana\u2019s Returning Education to the States Waiver, freeing millions in compliance costs so the state can invest more in student achievement initiatives. Since launching a new risk assessment tool last month, the Department has uncovered an additional $60 million in federal student aid fraud. The Department also issued the final rule for the Workforce Pell Program, which beginning this summer will allow eligible students to use Pell Grants for short-term workforce training programs.<\/p>\n May also offers a powerful moment of reflection on the role of education in preparing informed citizens and supporting lifelong learning. Throughout this month, students across the country have demonstrated their commitment to academic excellence and civic understanding.<\/p>\n After excelling on a rigorous online qualifying exam, over 170 students advanced to in-person semifinals held earlier this month for a national civics competition. Now, 20 standout finalists are heading to Washington, D.C., in two weeks to compete for top prizes and scholarships, showcasing their knowledge of U.S. history and government. The History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour also reached a total of 45 states, bringing stories from American history to classrooms and communities nationwide. Witnessing the enthusiasm and knowledge that students display on these visits has filled my team and me with optimism for the future.<\/p>\n As we look ahead to summer, let us carry forward the momentum of this remarkable academic year. Together, we are building an education system that supports innovation, opportunity, and success for future generations.<\/p>\n This month the Department celebrated the regional semifinals of a national civics competition, which took place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at five Presidential libraries across the country. This followed Round One conducted during the week of February 22\u201328, 2026, wherein over 8,000 students competed in an online, timed, electronically proctored multiple-choice exam. From this round, a small cohort of top-performing students advanced to the regional competitions.<\/p>\n A total of 173 students competed in the regional semifinals, testing their knowledge of the Constitution, the American founding, and key moments in U.S. history.<\/p>\n With the completion of the regional semifinals, the competition now advances to its final stage: the National Finals. Twenty finalists, representing the top four students from each region, and one alternate from each region, will advance to the National Finals, to take place on June 9, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The top three finalists will win a total of $250,000 in scholarship prizes. On June 30, CBS will air a special highlighting these outstanding students and their achievements.<\/p>\n On May 20, the Department approved Louisiana\u2019s Returning Education to the States Waiver, giving state education officials greater discretion over their federal education dollars. Louisiana\u2019s waiver mirrors Iowa\u2019s request to consolidate state activities funds and direct more federal resources toward improving student achievement rather than administrative compliance, freeing more than $18 million through 2029. This approach will give Louisiana more flexibility to make strategic decisions about how funds are used, ensuring resources directly support students and schools.<\/p>\n On May 18, the Department announced a final rule to implement the Workforce Pell Grant program. Beginning later this summer, students will be able to receive Pell Grants for enrollment in high-quality, short-term workforce programs that prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs. This new program will help more students rapidly enter the workforce with less student debt while strengthening the talent pipeline.<\/p>\n On May 13, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced a new $144 million investment to help states expand interventions that support students with disabilities. These funds will be awarded this year for state and local agencies to use for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs.<\/p>\n Secretary McMahon also announced new guidance<\/a> for states to use IDEA funds to help expectant parents of infants with disabilities access information and tools to prepare for their child\u2019s arrival and secure needed supports and services after birth.<\/p>\n For more information about the new FY 2026 appropriations language, which expands the use of funds under the IDEA Part C program to include support for expectant parents of children with disabilities, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Civics education would be included among graduation requirements for all Alaska high schoolers under a new bill passed by the Alaska Legislature.<\/p>\n A new education package signed into law this month codifies a ban on cell phones in high school classrooms, creates the Georgia Literacy Task Force, and provides funding to hire more than 1,300 literacy coaches for schools serving students in kindergarten through third grade.<\/p>\n The framework focuses on four priorities and eleven skills centered around AI literacy and accessibility, ethical use, privacy, and workforce readiness. It also provides guidance for AI skills and understanding from elementary school through career development.<\/p>\n The Wyoming Supreme Court unanimously lifted the injunction against the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act. This means the Wyoming Department of Education can begin awarding families up to $7,000 per student per year for private school, homeschooling, tutoring, and other enrichment activities.<\/p>\n Idaho’s Workforce Development Council has approved an early version of a policy guiding eligibility for Workforce Pell Grants and plans to begin accepting applications from programs around June 1.<\/p>\n On May 21, the Department reached consensus on a proposed regulatory framework to reform and strengthen the nation\u2019s higher education accreditation system. The Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking session marks another step toward updating the quality assurance system.<\/p>\n Negotiators reached consensus on several proposed changes, including reducing barriers for emerging accreditors, simplifying the process for changing accreditors, ensuring that students can transfer previously earned credits, addressing credential inflation and unnecessary costs, protecting the integrity of academic research, and supporting academic freedom and intellectual inquiry.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/files\/may1_crop.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWins of the Month<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/files\/may3_crop.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Department Celebrates National Civics Competition Regional Semifinals<\/h3>\n
The Department Approves Louisiana\u2019s Returning Education to the States Waiver<\/h3>\n
The Department Issues Final Rule to Create New Workforce Pell Grant Program<\/h3>\n
\nMay Action Timeline<\/h2>\n
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\nSecretary McMahon Announces $144M Boost for Students with Disabilities<\/h2>\n
\nNews from the States<\/h2>\n
Alaska Legislature Approves Civics Education Requirement for All Alaska High Schoolers<\/a><\/h3>\n
Georgia Signs Education Package into Law<\/a><\/h3>\n
Mississippi Releases Statewide AI Framework<\/a><\/h3>\n
Wyoming Supreme Court Jumpstarts Education Choice Funding<\/a><\/h3>\n
Idaho to Offer Pell Grants for Workforce Training Programs<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nThe Department Reaches Consensus to Reform and Strengthen America\u2019s Higher Education Accreditation System<\/h2>\n