Laura Meckler
@laurameckler.bsky.social
National Education Writer for the Washington Post and author of DREAM TOWN: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity. Reach me at laura.meckler@washpost.com or on Signal: 2024464530
Pinned
Laura Meckler
@laurameckler.bsky.social
· Apr 13
The hardest thing my family does each week
The most obvious thing would be to connect through shared memories, but all our shared memories involve my mom, but whenever I mention her name, Michael gets visibly upset.
www.washingtonpost.com
A very personal essay about something many of us have dealt with: Dementia and grief have complicated my decades-long relationship with my stepfather. We visit a lot — and not enough. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
SCOOP: The Education Department is looking to move a $15 billion program supporting students with disabilities out of the agency as it works to close the agency altogether, a department official said Tuesday. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Trump administration seeks to move special education to different agency
The move would affect the $15 billion IDEA program and comes as the administration seeks to close down the federal Education Department
www.washingtonpost.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM
SCOOP: The Education Department is looking to move a $15 billion program supporting students with disabilities out of the agency as it works to close the agency altogether, a department official said Tuesday. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
NEW: Our look at the many hurdles facing Harvard despite a resounding win in court.
And we tucked in some news: This week the Educ Dept quietly disclosed plan to rewrite civil rights regs to "streamline" process of denying funds to schools in violation.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
And we tucked in some news: This week the Educ Dept quietly disclosed plan to rewrite civil rights regs to "streamline" process of denying funds to schools in violation.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Harvard beat Trump in court. Here’s what could happen next.
Harvard faces an appeal in court, the prospect of more attacks and a possible delay in restoring the more than $2 billion in frozen federal funding, experts say
www.washingtonpost.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
NEW: Our look at the many hurdles facing Harvard despite a resounding win in court.
And we tucked in some news: This week the Educ Dept quietly disclosed plan to rewrite civil rights regs to "streamline" process of denying funds to schools in violation.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
And we tucked in some news: This week the Educ Dept quietly disclosed plan to rewrite civil rights regs to "streamline" process of denying funds to schools in violation.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
For decades, the federal government has advised schools how to comply with federal law requiring services for kids learning English, with the latest guidance dating to 2015. Suddenly it was rescinded - with no word on whether it will be replaced.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Education Department quietly removes rules for teaching English learners
The move is an acceleration of President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring English the country’s “official language.”
www.washingtonpost.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
For decades, the federal government has advised schools how to comply with federal law requiring services for kids learning English, with the latest guidance dating to 2015. Suddenly it was rescinded - with no word on whether it will be replaced.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Our look at huge changes to civil rights enforcement for schools:
-A reversal in what's considered discrimination w/ reverse racial discrimination and transgender sports cases prioritized
-Severe staff cuts leaving thousands of others unresolved.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
-A reversal in what's considered discrimination w/ reverse racial discrimination and transgender sports cases prioritized
-Severe staff cuts leaving thousands of others unresolved.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Under Trump, the Education Dept. has flipped its civil rights mission
The administration is prioritizing allegations that transgender students and students of color are getting unfair advantages while a backlog of other cases grows.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Our look at huge changes to civil rights enforcement for schools:
-A reversal in what's considered discrimination w/ reverse racial discrimination and transgender sports cases prioritized
-Severe staff cuts leaving thousands of others unresolved.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
-A reversal in what's considered discrimination w/ reverse racial discrimination and transgender sports cases prioritized
-Severe staff cuts leaving thousands of others unresolved.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Arizona has embraced market competition as a central tenet of its K-12 education system, a victory for school choice but with impacts on public education. With enrollment falling, schools are closing. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Public schools are closing as Arizona’s school voucher program soars
Arizona, with a marketplace of school options and universal vouchers, offers a window into the GOP vision for K-12 education
www.washingtonpost.com
August 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Arizona has embraced market competition as a central tenet of its K-12 education system, a victory for school choice but with impacts on public education. With enrollment falling, schools are closing. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
NEW: Our look at how the Trump antisemitism task force and how it is pressing to reshape universities on DEI and other matters unrelated to antisemitism. It is truly packed with news and tidbits from a great team of reporters 1/x wapo.st/413jE3p
How Trump’s antisemitism task force is leading an assault on DEI, colleges
The Trump administration is using antisemitism investigations as a pretext to pursue an unrelated conservative agenda, critics say.
wapo.st
July 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
NEW: Our look at how the Trump antisemitism task force and how it is pressing to reshape universities on DEI and other matters unrelated to antisemitism. It is truly packed with news and tidbits from a great team of reporters 1/x wapo.st/413jE3p
Big setback for the school choice movement as Senate parliamentarian nixes school voucher program from giant tax bill. Ruling says plans needs 60 votes to pass Senate-- unlikely if not straight up impossible. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Live updates: More hurdles emerge for passing Trump’s massive legislative package by July 4
Get the latest news on President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House and the Republican-led Congress.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Big setback for the school choice movement as Senate parliamentarian nixes school voucher program from giant tax bill. Ruling says plans needs 60 votes to pass Senate-- unlikely if not straight up impossible. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Public schools are facing a host of new pressures from all corners of government on a range of subjects. Check out our virtual schoolhouse to see some of the biggest headwinds. www.washingtonpost.com/education/in...
How Washington is stressing out American schools
Take a journey through our schoolhouse to see some of the headwinds facing K-12 education in America today.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Public schools are facing a host of new pressures from all corners of government on a range of subjects. Check out our virtual schoolhouse to see some of the biggest headwinds. www.washingtonpost.com/education/in...
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Wednesday she is not sure whether teaching about Ruby Bridges or the Tulsa Race Massacre would amount to illegal diversity, equity and inclusion education. “I’d have to get back to you on that," she told a House committee.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Live updates: Trump’s ‘big’ bill projected to add $2.4 trillion to national debt over coming decade
Get the latest news on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the Republican-led Congress.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Wednesday she is not sure whether teaching about Ruby Bridges or the Tulsa Race Massacre would amount to illegal diversity, equity and inclusion education. “I’d have to get back to you on that," she told a House committee.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
For decades, the fed’l gov’t used data analysis - known as disparate impact - to ferret out discrimination, winning cases and reaching settlements in housing, education, policing and more. Now the Trump admin is unwinding those cases. w/
@julez.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
@julez.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Discrimination cases unravel as Trump scraps core civil rights tenet
The administration is dismissing cases and unwinding settlements built on "disparate impact," which holds that even neutral policies can lead to biased outcomes.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
For decades, the fed’l gov’t used data analysis - known as disparate impact - to ferret out discrimination, winning cases and reaching settlements in housing, education, policing and more. Now the Trump admin is unwinding those cases. w/
@julez.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
@julez.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reupping this story. The tax bill includes the school voucher tax credit described here -- a 100% tax credit for donations to voucher orgs - so taxpayers would essentially get their money back when they file their taxes. A huge win for school choice movement. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
GOP voucher plan would divert billions in taxes to private schools
Donations to scholarship programs would be fully reimbursed through a new tax credit, creating the largest federal tax incentive for charitable giving.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Reupping this story. The tax bill includes the school voucher tax credit described here -- a 100% tax credit for donations to voucher orgs - so taxpayers would essentially get their money back when they file their taxes. A huge win for school choice movement. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
A very personal essay about something many of us have dealt with: Dementia and grief have complicated my decades-long relationship with my stepfather. We visit a lot — and not enough. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The hardest thing my family does each week
The most obvious thing would be to connect through shared memories, but all our shared memories involve my mom, but whenever I mention her name, Michael gets visibly upset.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
A very personal essay about something many of us have dealt with: Dementia and grief have complicated my decades-long relationship with my stepfather. We visit a lot — and not enough. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
SCOOP: The Educ Dept's civil rights office has terminated an already agreed-to agreement with a SD school district regarding equal treatment of Native American students because, they said, the agreement included DEI. More reviews like this are coming. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Feds end a civil rights agreement on treatment of Native students, citing DEI
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will review other discrimination resolutions to determine if they violate Trump’s orders.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
SCOOP: The Educ Dept's civil rights office has terminated an already agreed-to agreement with a SD school district regarding equal treatment of Native American students because, they said, the agreement included DEI. More reviews like this are coming. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Head of Anti-Defamation League questions Trump’s aggressive effort to find and deport foreign students who have protested on behalf of Palestinians, suggesting admin is betraying American values, denying due process and punishing people for their views. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Leading Jewish group condemns deportations of pro-Palestinian protesters
The Anti-Defamation League’s CEO called the deportation effort against campus protesters a violation of due process and possibly punishment for “thoughtcrimes”
www.washingtonpost.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Head of Anti-Defamation League questions Trump’s aggressive effort to find and deport foreign students who have protested on behalf of Palestinians, suggesting admin is betraying American values, denying due process and punishing people for their views. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
NEW: In investigating universities' handling of antisemitism, the Trump admin demanded names and nationalities of protesters, according to sources + documents. The request raised questions about whether the info would be used for immigration enforcement. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
New Trump demand to colleges: Name protesters — and their nationalities
The demand for student information came after the administration promised to deport non-citizens who participated in what it called “pro-jihadist protests”
www.washingtonpost.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
NEW: In investigating universities' handling of antisemitism, the Trump admin demanded names and nationalities of protesters, according to sources + documents. The request raised questions about whether the info would be used for immigration enforcement. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Significant staff cuts underway at Sesame Street, as the iconic show searches for a new streaming deal. I took a short break from the news flood driven by the Trump administration to write about this today (though this too has a Trump element). www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/0...
Layoffs to hit Sesame Workshop amid streaming woes, Trump attacks
Sesame Workshop announced layoffs at it searches for a new “Sesame Street” streamer.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Significant staff cuts underway at Sesame Street, as the iconic show searches for a new streaming deal. I took a short break from the news flood driven by the Trump administration to write about this today (though this too has a Trump element). www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/0...
The Education Department walked back some of the most incendiary suggestions it made in its Dear Colleague letter on how race is handled in schools. Yes it’s OK to celebrate Black History Month. Still the agency signaled it is eager to launch investigations.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Education Dept. softens controversial guidance on race and schools
The agency is still eager to investigate schools and has set up a new portal inviting reports of instances of perceived discrimination.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The Education Department walked back some of the most incendiary suggestions it made in its Dear Colleague letter on how race is handled in schools. Yes it’s OK to celebrate Black History Month. Still the agency signaled it is eager to launch investigations.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
An unvaccinated child died of measles in Texas, the 1st confirmed death in the state’s worst outbreak in 3 decades. Measles is highly contagious, causes fever+rashes and can cause long-term neurological complications and - as we see - death @fenitn.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Texas child is first confirmed death in growing measles outbreak
The unvaccinated school-age child is the first confirmed fatality in Texas’s worst measles outbreak in three decades.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 26, 2025 at 6:05 PM
An unvaccinated child died of measles in Texas, the 1st confirmed death in the state’s worst outbreak in 3 decades. Measles is highly contagious, causes fever+rashes and can cause long-term neurological complications and - as we see - death @fenitn.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
NEW: Lawsuit filed today by AFT union accuses Trump administration of trying to radically rewrite well-established civil rights law when it issued a sweeping "Dear Colleague" letter barring colleges and K-12 schools from considering race in virtually any way www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Teachers union files lawsuit over Trump’s crackdown on race, DEI in schools
A new lawsuit accuses Trump Education Department of trying to rewrite civil rights law when it threatened to pull federal school funding over mentions of race.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM
NEW: Lawsuit filed today by AFT union accuses Trump administration of trying to radically rewrite well-established civil rights law when it issued a sweeping "Dear Colleague" letter barring colleges and K-12 schools from considering race in virtually any way www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
NEW: Peggy Carr, commissioner of the Nat'l Center on Education Statistics and a two-decade+ veteran at Educ Dept, was abruptly put on leave today. She runs NAEP, the national math and reading tests seen as important marker of educational progress www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Courts rule on Trump administration initiatives including DOGE, DEI
The latest news on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the new Congress.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 24, 2025 at 11:11 PM
NEW: Peggy Carr, commissioner of the Nat'l Center on Education Statistics and a two-decade+ veteran at Educ Dept, was abruptly put on leave today. She runs NAEP, the national math and reading tests seen as important marker of educational progress www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
In messages to staff, first term Trump Educ Sec Betsy DeVos regularly touted the values of "diversity and inclusion" and actively backed a diversity training program. Under Trump II, participants were put on leave for an alleged connection to DEI. 1/x www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
They trained on diversity under Trump. Now he’s punishing them for it.
During President Donald Trump’s first term, the Education Department held diversity trainings. Many who participated were put on administrative leave under new rules.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
In messages to staff, first term Trump Educ Sec Betsy DeVos regularly touted the values of "diversity and inclusion" and actively backed a diversity training program. Under Trump II, participants were put on leave for an alleged connection to DEI. 1/x www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
All the legal challenges around Trump's actions got you confused? Check out this terrific tracker with short descriptions and status of each from
@jjouvenal.bsky.social @amarimow.bsky.social
Bookmarking this page in anticipation of coming back repeatedly.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
@jjouvenal.bsky.social @amarimow.bsky.social
Bookmarking this page in anticipation of coming back repeatedly.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Tracking Trump’s court wins and losses over executive orders, actions
We’re tracking fast-moving developments in key cases covering President Donald Trump’s actions on immigration, transgender care and the federal workforce.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 8, 2025 at 10:01 PM
All the legal challenges around Trump's actions got you confused? Check out this terrific tracker with short descriptions and status of each from
@jjouvenal.bsky.social @amarimow.bsky.social
Bookmarking this page in anticipation of coming back repeatedly.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
@jjouvenal.bsky.social @amarimow.bsky.social
Bookmarking this page in anticipation of coming back repeatedly.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
John and Gail spend their nights wandering down hallways that no longer exist. Gone are the “#1 Dad” pillow, the poem John wrote to Gail in high school, Gail’s childhood dolls. All “72 years of life stuff.” Without it, will memories fade? @reisthebault www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025...
They lost ‘72 years of life stuff.’ How will they start over?
The Los Angeles fires roared through local landmarks and famous works of art. They also stole the mundane stuff, what made people’s houses into homes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
John and Gail spend their nights wandering down hallways that no longer exist. Gone are the “#1 Dad” pillow, the poem John wrote to Gail in high school, Gail’s childhood dolls. All “72 years of life stuff.” Without it, will memories fade? @reisthebault www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025...
Come behind the scenes as we show you how “Sesame Street” is made - and why the iconic show is facing peril. Bonus: I briefly sing! Grateful to the #postreports team and especially @peterbresnan.bsky.social for bringing this story to audio life!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Saving “Sesame Street”
Podcast Episode · Post Reports · 12/23/2024 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
December 24, 2024 at 2:02 AM
Come behind the scenes as we show you how “Sesame Street” is made - and why the iconic show is facing peril. Bonus: I briefly sing! Grateful to the #postreports team and especially @peterbresnan.bsky.social for bringing this story to audio life!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
5/5 I had a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with Sesame as they created episodes for the upcoming season -- all while these tensions were unfolding. Learn how Sesame does its thing -- and how they are trying to keep it going for a new generation www.washingtonpost.com/style/intera...
December 22, 2024 at 3:50 PM
5/5 I had a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with Sesame as they created episodes for the upcoming season -- all while these tensions were unfolding. Learn how Sesame does its thing -- and how they are trying to keep it going for a new generation www.washingtonpost.com/style/intera...