10 Education News You Should Know Today: Belonging, Visa Reversals, DEI Legal Battles & High School Policy Shifts

1. Blueprint for Student Belonging in Higher Ed

Source: Diverse Education 

Universities across the U.S. are placing greater focus on fostering “belonging” for students, staff, and faculty. Using belonging theory, student affairs leaders recommend meeting students’ basic needs, supporting culturally relevant programs, and strengthening peer-faculty connections to combat isolation and improve academic success.

2. Trump Administration Walks Back Mass Visa Terminations

Source: NPR, CNN, ABC 

The Trump administration reversed its policy that abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students. SEVIS records have been restored, but ICE will retain authority to terminate visas for confirmed violations. Advocates stress this instability could still harm students’ future immigration outcomes.

3. Federal Judge Blocks Anti-DEI Directive in Higher Ed

Source: Diverse Education 

A federal court halted enforcement of a Department of Education directive banning DEI initiatives. The judge emphasized the rule’s potential infringement on academic freedom and constitutional rights, marking a temporary win for civil liberties groups fighting the rollback of diversity programs.

4. NIH Axes MOSAIC Grant, Threatening Diversity in STEM

Source: NPR 

Nearly 200 early-career scientists lost funding after NIH ended its MOSAIC program. Designed to support underrepresented researchers, the program’s cancellation is part of broader anti-DEI cuts, raising concerns that this move will severely limit the pipeline of diverse biomedical talent in the U.S.

5. Presidents’ Alliance Sues Over Visa Terminations

Source: The PIE News 

A coalition of universities and students filed a lawsuit calling SEVIS terminations unlawful and lacking due process. They’re asking for reinstatement of student records and an injunction against future terminations, arguing these actions damage U.S. global educational leadership and student well-being.

6. College Board Moves Majority of AP Exams Online

Source: Inside Higher Ed 

Beginning May 2025, most AP exams will be administered digitally via the Bluebook platform, aligning with SAT’s transition. Subjects requiring handwritten or audio responses will remain hybrid. The shift aims to streamline testing but follows past digital implementation issues.

7. Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Religious Charter Schools

Source: Washington Post 

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on whether Oklahoma can publicly fund the country’s first religious charter school. Supporters cite religious freedom protections; critics say it violates the separation of church and state. The ruling could redefine the role of religion in U.S. public education.

8. Morgan State Funds Its Own STEM Program After Federal Cuts

Source: Inside Higher Ed 

Morgan State University, an HBCU, self-funded a K-12 STEM event after its Navy-sponsored grant was pulled under anti-DEI directives. The president’s personal donation reflects broader challenges for minority-serving institutions affected by changing federal priorities.

9. Student Belonging Meets Tech: Inclusive Access Saves Students Money

Source: Inside Higher Ed 

"Inclusive access" textbook models—where students are billed for discounted digital materials—improve academic equity by ensuring all students have required texts on day one. These opt-out models boost retention, especially among underrepresented students.

10. Georgetown Postdoc Detained by ICE Amid Free Speech Concerns

Source: The Chronicle of Higher Ed

 Indian postdoc Badar Khan Suri was arrested by ICE for allegedly promoting Hamas views online—a charge he denies. Held in Texas despite being part of the Scholars at Risk program, his detention raises serious concerns about freedom of expression for foreign researchers in politically sensitive fields.