Education News Highlights: July 7 — July 13

The most important education news of the past week — in the weekly digest by ED-EX.com.

New Rules: U.S. Expands Education Savings Accounts

On July 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a sweeping legislative package titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, also referred to as the Big Beautiful Bill), which introduces hundreds of tax and social policy changes. Some provisions have already come into effect.

Among the key features of the bill are the expansion of 529 education savings plans and the introduction of new so-called “Trump Accounts.”

A bit of context: what is a 529 Plan?

The U.S. offers a system of special tax-advantaged savings accounts designed to help families save for the education of their children or other relatives. These accounts are an essential financial tool for those preparing for the high cost of future education. The most common type of education savings account is the so-called 529 Plan.

The goal of the program is to allow families to accumulate savings for various educational expenses — including college, university, vocational school, K–12 education, online courses, learning materials, housing, and more.

Higher withdrawal limits and expanded eligibility

The OBBBA expands the list of qualified educational expenses that funds from 529 accounts can be used for. Now, funds can be spent not only on private school tuition but also on textbooks, courses, online schools, and tutoring services. The annual withdrawal limit has also increased — from $10,000 to $20,000.

Moreover, these funds are no longer restricted to use by children. Adults can now use them for continuing education, certification programs, professional development, and exams. These changes make the system more flexible — not only for school-aged children, but also for adult learners.

Trump accounts: a new type of children’s savings account

Another innovation introduced by the OBBBA is the so-called Trump Accounts — tax-deferred investment accounts. These accounts will allow parents, relatives, and other individuals to contribute up to $5,000 annually toward a child's future expenses, including education, housing, and entrepreneurial ventures.

This new savings program is targeted at children born between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2028. Each newborn will receive a $1,000 government contribution to their Trump Account upon its opening.

Raising Standards in UK Higher Education

The UPP Foundation, a charitable organization supporting university education, has published a new report calling for ambitious reforms in the United Kingdom’s higher education sector. The report outlines three core recommendations:

1. Ensure that at least 50% of secondary school graduates enroll in higher education — in every region of the UK. This target should become a mandatory benchmark for assessing regional access to higher education.

1. Reinstate maintenance grants for students from low-income families to ease the financial burden of tuition and living costs.

1. Invest £100 million in university research projects — including support for postgraduate students and interdisciplinary research centers — using funds raised from international student fees and local funding sources.

The report highlights stark regional disparities in university enrollment. For example, only 13% of school leavers in Barrow-in-Furness go on to university, compared to 70% in Wimbledon. This signals an urgent need for targeted support in certain parts of the UK.

In parallel with the UPP Foundation’s initiative, the Leverhulme Trust has announced an additional £100 million in research funding for UK universities. This includes 200 new PhD scholarships, 20 mid-career research fellowships, and the creation of five interdisciplinary research centers focused on climate and AI.

In addition, it is proposed that graduate employment outcomes 3–5 years after graduation should be used as a metric to assess the quality of education. If implemented, these reforms could significantly improve both social mobility and the quality of higher education across the UK.

DEI Scholarships Reduced Under Pressure from Trump Administration

Amid mounting pressure from President Trump’s administration, many U.S. colleges and universities are downsizing or reevaluating their DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives. These programs have traditionally included scholarships and grants aimed at supporting students from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

In February, the U.S. Department of Education issued a memorandum requiring educational institutions to halt “racial preferences” in admissions, financial aid, and hiring within two weeks — or risk losing federal funding.

These directives have led to a wave of closures of DEI offices and programs. For instance, Ohio State University has shut down its centralized DEI offices, and the Virginia Community College System has replaced its advisory council on “diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture” with a council focused on “the culture of care and success.”

According to a review by The Chronicle of Higher Education, over 350 campuses across 45 states have scaled back DEI activities since the beginning of 2025, including reductions in financial aid targeted at marginalized students. Even elite institutions have come under pressure: MIT has disbanded its DEI office, and the University of Virginia dismissed its president after he opposed the White House directive.

These moves have significantly reduced support for students from minority and low-income backgrounds. Many institutions are now restructuring internally to maintain eligibility for federal grants.

Mega PTM in India: 22.8 Million Participants and a Guinness World Record Bid

On July 5, 2025, the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh hosted a massive Parents and Teachers Meeting (Mega PTM) spanning public, semi-aided, and private schools, as well as junior colleges. According to official figures, the event brought together 22.8 million participants — prompting the state to submit an application to the Guinness World Records.

To validate the record attempt, official observers were stationed at schools to document the proceedings.

The program included:

• Distribution of Holistic Progress Cards to facilitate discussions on student performance and overall development,
• Interactive sessions and games for parents,
• A large-scale environmental initiative called the Green Passport, in which 3.8 million students each planted a sapling and received a special notebook to track its growth.

According to organizers, the initiative aims to "strengthen relationships between schools and parents and encourage active community involvement in the education process."

Togo Launches Professional Bachelor’s Program for Technical Education Teachers

The Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training of Togo, a West African nation, has announced the launch of a new Professional Bachelor's Degree program aimed at training teachers in technical disciplines. The program is set to begin in the 2025–2026 academic year.

The new Licence Professionnelle will prepare future educators in the following technical fields:

• Mechanics
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
• Construction

The program is designed to train qualified instructors for technical secondary schools (lycées techniques) and to address the shortage of skilled teachers, thereby improving the quality of hands-on, practice-oriented education in the country.

The program will be delivered through the National Institute for the Training of Technical Education Personnel (Institut National de Formation des Personnels de l’Éducation Technique).

The Ministry stated: “This is a major step toward modernizing and professionalizing technical education. We want students to be taught not by theorists, but by well-trained specialists.”

Вот перевод последней части статьи на английский язык в новостном формате:

First Inclusive Early Education Center to Open in Brooklyn

This fall, the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, will see the opening of its first inclusive early childhood education center. The facility will serve children from 3-K* through 2nd grade and will feature integrated AIMS** classrooms for young children with autism, alongside general education classes.

* 3-K is a New York City program that offers free, high-quality preschool education for children starting at age 3.

** AIMS (Academics, Independence, and Mastery through Standards) classrooms are specialized inclusive settings for children with autism (ASD) within the public school system.

The new center will offer approximately 55 seats and is equipped with modern classrooms designed to accommodate a wide range of learning needs. Each classroom will be staffed with professionals trained to support students with autism and developmental differences.

Previously, children with autism and special needs in Flatbush had no access to local AIMS classrooms. Now, they will be able to receive individualized support without having to leave their neighborhood.

New York Launches Major Education Reform: Diplomas Without Exams and a ‘Graduate Profile’

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has announced NY Inspires — an ambitious new initiative to modernize the state’s school system. At the core of the plan are the elimination of mandatory exit exams, the introduction of a new diploma model, and the development of a unified Graduate Profile.

Key changes include:

• Elimination of required Regents Exams — Schools will have the option to use alternative assessments, such as projects, hands-on tasks, and student portfolios.
• A new diploma format — Focused on real-world skills, life readiness, career preparation, and civic responsibility.
• Graduate Profile — A common statewide framework outlining the essential competencies every graduate should possess, such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and civic engagement.

* Regents Exams are standardized tests that New York State high school students must pass to earn a Regents Diploma.

The transition to the new model will occur in phases through 2029. Pilot programs will begin during the 2025–2026 school year in selected schools.

NY Inspires is the outcome of a three-year review of the education system and reflects recommendations from the Regents Examination Commission. The reform aims to reduce inequities and create a more flexible, equitable, and relevant education system for all students.