ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced additional political appointees.

ED’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) shared that it will be begin a series of reviews to provide information on ED’s programs and operations in light of its recent employee separations, which occurred through the Deferred Resignation Program, voluntary separation incentive payment, voluntary early retirement incentives and reduction in force actions.

ED clarified policy related to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans that could have affected married couples repaying student loans.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessments in reading and math are on track for administration in January 2026.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) shared an internal memo stating that the agency will be deprioritizing student loans amidst its other supervision and enforcement priorities. Additionally, media reports indicated that CFPB leadership initiated a move to place the bulk of its employees on administrative leave.

AmeriCorps initiated a reduction in force, affecting the majority of its employees.

COURTS

A Federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Energy’s plans to lower the cap on indirect costs the government will cover with Federal research grants to colleges and universities.