The address a broad array of topics such as school discipline, racial preferences, gender and athletics, fundamentally reshaping the legal and regulatory landscape for K12 education. As the school year kicks off, administrators and educators should understand how to navigate the evolving terrain as challenges play out in court.

Here���s an overview of the EOs most relevant to public school districts:

Gender identity

Executive Order 14168: ���Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government��� asserts that federal policy must recognize only two sexes: male and female. While this EO does not direct public or private schools to make any tangible changes, it instructs federal agencies to reinterpret laws and regulations to reflect this binary definition.

This order likely will come into conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws in states that protect students on the basis of gender identity. Until the courts come to a resolution, schools must prepare for both federal enforcement actions and potential state-level penalties and/or student-initiated lawsuits for failing to uphold inclusive practices.

Executive Order 14201: ���Keeping Men Out of Women���s Sports��� has already resulted in aggressive enforcement action from the U.S. Department of Education. Through new ���Title IX special teams��� and a fast-tracked investigatory approach, the DOE is targeting schools that allow transgender women and girls to participate in female athletic programs.

No formal complaint is required for investigations to begin, and federal funding is at risk for schools that the DOE determines are not in compliance.

Districts should conduct a Title IX audit focused on athletic participation and locker room policies to determine how state laws align or conflict with federal directives. It���s also important to monitor ongoing litigation, such as PFLAG v. Trump, which has resulted in a preliminary injunction protecting access to gender-affirming care under certain conditions.

Additionally, the Supreme Court is set to hear the cases Little v. Helix and West Virginia v. B.P.J. during its 2025-26 term, where the justices will consider whether state laws restricting participation in women���s and girls��� sports to athletes who were born female violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution or Title IX.

DEI programs

Executive Order 14190: ���Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling��� targets what the Trump administration calls ���discriminatory equity ideology.��� Federal agencies were directed to develop plans to eliminate federal support for programs promoting ���gender ideology��� or ���equity ideology��� and from expending federal funds to support or subsidize the gender transition of minor students, particularly where schools conceal transitions from parents.

Though implementation is still unfolding, the intent is clear. School curricula, support services and even teacher conduct may be scrutinized for alignment.

Parental notification policies must be both transparent and legally compliant. It���s also recommended that public schools document their funding sources and be prepared to defend how federal dollars are spent, especially in relation to equity and inclusion initiatives.

Student discipline

Executive Order 14280: ���Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies��� demonstrates a sharp shift away from Obama-era policies, which linked racial disparities in student discipline to possible civil rights violations under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

This order repeals prior guidance focused on racial disparities, calls for the investigation of nonprofit involvement in ���discriminatory-equity-ideology-based��� discipline, and promotes new model school district policies that avoid racial equity frameworks in favor of what the administration calls ���traditional virtues.���

Districts need to be prepared for a rollback of federal support for restorative justice or equity-based discipline models, in addition to new reporting requirements and policy audits. Districts should also expect potential scrutiny over partnerships with nonprofits that champion or promote equity-focused behavior strategies.

The False Claims Act

One of the most legally precarious developments is the federal Department of Justice���s new ���Civil Rights Fraud Initiative,��� through which the DOJ has asserted its prerogative to use the False Claims Act to hold school districts liable for what the DOJ deems ���false��� certifications of compliance with federal civil rights laws. Some of the violations flagged by the DOJ include permitting transgender girls to use female bathrooms and compete in girls��� sports.

Further complicating matters, the DOE issued a compliance certification requirement in April. Districts should be cautious when signing federal compliance certifications on this or any other issue and ensure that practices and documentation support any assurances made. An internal compliance review team may also be established to identify and mitigate legal exposure.

Compliance, state law and students

The Trump administration���s executive orders represent a fundamental reshaping of federal priorities in education and place gender, race and discipline policies under a new legal microscope. School leaders must carefully balance compliance with federal mandates against fidelity to state laws, while of course also meeting the needs of students.

91心頭istrators should always consult legal counsel before implementing any changes. It���s now imperative to monitor court rulings closely, especially those that address funding eligibility or compliance obligations.

Districts should engage with state education departments and professional associations to coordinate a consistent, lawful response.

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Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s latest reminds districts of their obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment.

The directive comes during the same week her department launched investigations into laws in California and Maine that prohibit school personnel from disclosing a child���s gender identity to parents. The agency in recent weeks has also been aggressively investigating what it considers potential Title IX violations where males have allegedly been allowed to participate in girls’ sports.

More from 91心頭: Plans to close Education Department face a new challenge

���Parents are the most natural protectors of their children. Yet many states and school districts have enacted policies that imply students need protection from their parents,��� McMahon said Friday.

���These states and school districts have turned the concept of privacy on its head���prioritizing the privileges of government officials over the rights of parents and wellbeing of families,” she added.

The letter contends districts and students are creating “gender plans” and hiding these plans from parents by declaring that they are not official education records covered by FERPA. The agency also accuses districts of not notifying parents of their rights under FERPA.

McMahon acknowledged that FERPA does not oblige school officials to inform parents about any student information. But, she noted, the law does allow parents to request and review their child’s education records. FERPA does not distinguish between an ���official student record��� and a ���cumulative file,��� which means parents should be able to see any information a school collects about a student.

The Dear Colleague Letter has ordered state education departments to provide “assurance” by April 30 that school districts and other local education agencies are complying with FERPA and PPRA.

“Going forward, the correct application of FERPA will be to empower all parents to protect their children from the radical ideologies that have taken over many schools,” McMahon concluded.

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In a issued to acting Department of Education inspector general Ren辿 Rocque on Thursday, Warren, alongside Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Democratic senators, argues that Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the Trump administration are illegally attempting to close the agency.

“We have serious concerns that, in addition to being illegal, the President’s actions to shutter the Department and transfer its functions to agencies with no expertise in education policy will seriously inhibit ‘the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits on which Americans rely,'” the lawmakers wrote.

The request for investigation orders the inspector general to uncover whether attempts to eliminate the Education Department will undermine its ability to “promote student achievement… by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access” for students, according to the letter.

They also ask for an evaluation of how these efforts will hinder the government’s ability to support state and local education systems and whether they’ll have adequate funding support without federal oversight.

“Given the adverse impact that the Trump 91心頭istration’s actions may have on the Education Department’s ability to administer and improve education programs around the country, an evaluation by your office would be consistent with your goal to ‘drive continuous improvement in Federal education programs,” the lawmakers concluded.

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The letter comes just days after the Trump 91心頭istration was met with two separate lawsuits from K12 and higher education coalitions hoping to “derail” Trump’s plans to close the Education Department,��District 91心頭istration’s��Matt Zalaznick wrote.

The lawsuits���one filed by two Massachusetts school districts and the other by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Education Association���claim that Trump’s executive order oversteps his presidential authority and that only a vote by Congress can shut down the agency.

However, as predicted by Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s Senior Research Fellow Dale Chu, Trump is working around this by “neutering” the agency instead. Trump relies on McMahon to “put herself out of a job” by taking all the necessary steps to dismantle the Education Department.

Here’s McMahon explaining why the agency should be closed, and why she chooses to lead the task force in charge of doing so.

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was filed by two Massachusetts school districts���the Easthampton School District and Somerville Public Schools���along with the American Federation of Teachers, the American Association of University Professors, AFSCME Council 93 and the Service Employees International Union.

comes from public school parents, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Education Association. Both suits claim Trump’s executive order and his other efforts to dismantle the Department of Education are illegal because only Congress can shut down the agency and many of its functions are authorized by Congress.

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“From protecting students��� rights to expanding college access and ensuring support for students with disabilities, the Department of Education is a cornerstone of equitable public education,” said Ilana Krepchin, chair of the Somerville School Committee. “Dismantling it would cause real harm���not only to our students and schools but to communities across the country.���

The lawsuits express particular concern about the impact on students with special needs.

���As a parent of a child with disabilities who has an Individualized Education Program, I am deeply troubled by the severe cuts the Trump 91心頭istration has made to the Department of Education,��� said Mara Greengrass, a Maryland mother who is a plaintiff in the NEA’s litigation. ���Funding for special education and the department���s oversight have been crucial in ensuring my son receives the quality education he���and every child in this country���deserves.���

Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to ���begin eliminating��� the U.S. Department of Education. At a White House ceremony attended by a group of students, he said Linda McMahon would ���hopefully��� be the last secretary of education.

Both Trump and McMahon have insisted over the last few days that the department’s core functions, such as IDEA funding and student loans, won’t stall because other agencies will administer the programs. Plaintiff Robert Kim, executive director of the Education Law Center, isn’t convinced.

���The administration���s assertion that critical federal funding and support for schools and students will somehow continue as normal even after shuttering the department reveals a dangerous lack of understanding of the department���s role to provide funding for and implement programs for our most underserved student populations, ensure equal access and opportunity, and enforce civil rights in our nation���s schools,” Kim noted in a statement.

A group of 21 states already sued the Trump administration for laying off half the agency’s staff earlier this month.

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���This administration may claim to be stopping waste and fraud, but it is clear that their only mission is to take away the necessary services, resources, and funding that students and their families need,��� New York Attorney General Letitia James . ���This outrageous effort to leave students behind and deprive them of a quality education is reckless and illegal.”

James is part of a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

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Earlier this week, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon��initiated a at her department, laying off about half of the agency’s staff. She called the move the “first step” in closing the agency but has said that funding for key K12 programs such as Title I and IDEA won���t be interrupted.

The Trump administration���s goal is to eliminate ���red tape��� that holds up education funding and give more financial control to states and districts, McMahon said in a Fox News interview.

���[Trump has] taken bureaucracy out of education so that more money flows to states, and better education is closest to kids, with parents, with local superintendents, with local school boards,��� she said. ���I think we���ll see our scores go up with our students when we can educate them with parental input as well.���

The coalition’s lawsuit warns that the department will be “incapacitated” by the cuts and its remaining staff would not be able to perform essential functions, such as providing services to students with special needs, investigating civil rights complaints and dispensing financial aid to college students.

James notes that she and similar coalitions have in recent weeks secured injunctions against the Trump administration’s efforts to , access U.S. citizens’ Treasury data and withhold funding from the National Institutes of Health.

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Indianapolis Public Schools has vowed not to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents onto district campuses without a judicial warrant. Still, the district is advising undocumented families not to obstruct ICE officers and to “ for yourself and your family in case you are arrested.”

Bridgeport Public Schools in Connecticut is sticking with its policy of prohibiting federal immigration enforcement activities in its schools and will not admit anyone who does not have prior authorization. In the same state, says it will not provide access to non-local police unless they have a warrant.

“If non-local law enforcement, including ICE, arrives at a school, they will remain outside the premises while the school security officer collects identifying information and consults with the school building leader,” the district affirms on its website. “The building leader will then consult with legal counsel to determine the appropriate course of action. Access will not be granted without explicit authorization from legal counsel.”

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has made the community aware of individuals impersonating immigration officers. In a districtwide last week, he said it has generated fear within the community.

“The District stands in strong condemnation of those who would seek to intimidate or disrupt those in and around our schools and will work in partnership with school police and law enforcement partners to address any and all violations targeted against our school communities,” his statement reads.

School district leaders clarified that there have been no reports of individuals impersonating ICE agents at LAUSD, but such reports have been made in the local community, .

Superintendent Michelle Reid of Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia says her district will continue to follow federal law that requires districts to provide an education to all students, regardless of immigration status. She also confirmed that her staff would not attempt to identify any student’s immigration status.

“We have clear plans in place to respond to the shifting federal policies and our principals have received clear direction from me on the expected response should a federal law enforcement official come to a school,” Reid said on . “As we continue to follow the law, we will do everything within our authority to protect our students and staff.”

These are just a few of the many districts where leaders are recommitting to providing safe spaces for students in the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to allow law enforcement to search for undocumented students or staff in school buildings, churches and other former “sanctuaries.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with the state’s attorney general and department of education, is “not allow officers inside school property to access a student, except to address an imminent safety situation or where required by law due to a judicial warrant or order.”

Canutillo ISD in El Paso, Texas, has added a page to its website titled “.” On it, Superintendent Pedro Galaviz says his district will continue its “strong partnership with ICE and other law enforcement agencies” to ensure campuses are safe.

“However, our commitment to safety will never come at the expense of our students��� rights or their access to effective teaching and learning,” Galaviz says.

“Our role as educators and community leaders is not to debate the politics of immigration enforcement but to ensure that our students feel secure and supported. When children feel safe, they can thrive academically. When they are burdened with fear or anxiety, their ability to learn is compromised.”

Officials from Florida’s Department of Education, however, say they will not stand in the way of ICE agents. “Florida schools will cooperate with all law enforcement working to enforce the nation���s laws on illegal immigration and keep our schools safe,” Sydney Booker, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Education, .

AASA, the Superintendents Association suggests to prepare for increased immigration enforcement efforts.

Immigration enforcement: Schools line up to protect students

(LAST UP91心頭TE: Jan. 24) Superintendents in several districts are vowing to protect students from any attempted on-campus enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

These education leaders are positioning themselves to defy President Donald Trump’s new policy that eliminates schools and churches as sanctuaries and say their districts will not cooperate with ICE patrols of K12 buildings.

Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monarrez wrote in that the district in Massachusetts’ second-largest city will continue its policy of not asking about students’ immigration status.

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“We will not allow ICE agents access to WPS facilities without a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge,” Monarrez declared. “We will not admit ICE agents into schools based on an administrative warrant, an ICE detainer or any other document related to civil immigration enforcement.”

The district has also issued guidance to principals and school-based on “protecting students��� rights, responding to ICE interactions, and supporting students whose parents or guardians may be detained during the school day,” Monarrez added.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero has said in recent days that principals should place their buildings on lockdown if ICE agents attempt to enter, .

���No individual should be permitted to enter the building without ascertaining whether the individual has a legitimate business or educational purpose,��� Marrero wrote in a staff memo obtained by��The Denver Gazette.��

In , he urged all families to update individuals authorized to pick their children up from school. “While we still do not know exactly what actions the incoming administration may or may not take at this time, it is important that our families have access to resources and information to establish an action plan,” Marrero wrote.

No longer shielded from immigration enforcement

Trump has alerted immigration and border patrol offices that schools and churches are no longer designated “sensitive areas,” meaning they are no longer off-limits to immigration enforcement actions.

“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” reads last week’s Department of Homeland Security. “The Trump 91心頭istration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”

Just a few days prior to Trump’s action, San Francisco USD in California for students, regardless of their immigration status. Just to the south of the city, a group of superintendents in Santa Clara also .

“We will use all the resources at our disposal to ensure that immigrant students and families are,” those leaders wrote in a letter.

The New Jersey Department of Education has created a webpage with guidance for districts on handling attempted immigration enforcement on school campuses.��The Center for Democracy and Technology has released this��document that details how immigration enforcement may impact K12 schools and offers recommendations for how schools can meet their long-standing legal obligations.

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Amidst a record-breaking surge in bans���many race- and gender-based���the Biden administration had been assessing whether removing books created a hostile environment for students.

Calling reports of the bans a “hoax,” the Trump administration’s Office of Civil Rights has “rescinded all department guidance issued under the theory that a school district���s removal of age-inappropriate books from its libraries may violate civil rights laws.”

Civil rights officials have decided that books are not actually being banned. Rather, school districts, parents and community members are simply opting to remove age-inappropriate materials.

���By dismissing these complaints and eliminating the position and authorities of a so-called ���book ban coordinator,��� the department is beginning the process of restoring the fundamental rights of parents to direct their children���s education,��� said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor in .

���The department adheres to the deeply rooted American principle that local control over public education best allows parents and teachers alike to assess the educational needs of their children and communities,” Trainor added.

The anti-censorship organization PEN America responded, saying that calling the complaints a “hoax” dismisses the experiences of students, educators, librarians and authors who are encountering censorship in schools.

“We will continue to raise awareness and resistance to ongoing book bans in defense of students��� freedom to read,” Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, said in . “All students deserve to see themselves and the world around them reflected in the books shelved within their public schools.���

Book bans skyrocketed

Book bans soared by 200% during the 2023-2024 school year, with the challenges coming predominantly from far-right activists targeting stories of race, sexuality and gender identity, PEN America reported last year.

There were 10,046 book bans in public K12 last school year,�� leading to the removal of 4,231 titles by 877 authors, illustrators and translators, according to PEN America’s final 2023-24 count.

Some 8,000 of the bans occurred in Florida and Iowa. A Florida law that went into effect in July 2023 mandates that any book challenged for ���sexual conduct��� be removed while officials are reviewing it. Subsequent state guidance on the law has made the restrictions even tighter, PEN America notes.

An Iowa law, enacted over the same summer, requires that all materials are ���age-appropriate,��� a standard that prohibits any description or depiction of a ���sex act.��� Thousands of book bans resulted last school year, a sharp increase from the 14 bans occurring over the two years prior.

The American Library Association this week echoed Pen America’s warning about the damage done by book bans.

“Book bans are real,” the Association said in. “Ask students who cannot access literary classics required for college or parents whose children can���t check out a book about gay penguins at their school library. Ask school librarians who have lost their jobs for protecting the freedom to read.

“While a parent has the right to guide their own children���s reading, their beliefs and prejudices should not dictate what another parent chooses for their own children.”

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Overall, there was a 64% increase in K12 and higher ed complaints lodged with the agency, also known as OCR, during the Biden years compared to Trump’s first term.

These complaints about discrimination and other civil rights issues in education are skyrocketing even as the incoming Trump 91心頭istration has suggested dismantling key functions of the Department of Education���such as the OCR���or eliminating the agency.

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“The nation witnessed a proliferation of hate perpetrated in schools, new school discrimination challenges raised in a pandemic context, as well as changes in longstanding civil rights law as interpreted in courts, rendering OCR���s work increasingly complex,” the office said in “” report for 2021-25.

However, the office also highlighted its performance in producing a record number of policy resources and almost breaking its record for resolving complaints. Over the last four years, OCR has shared guidance on artificial intelligence, the rights of English learners with disabilities and student discipline.

It also weighed in on sex discrimination and transgender students’ access to athletics. Late last year, however, a court the Biden administration’s expansion of Title IX protections to LGBTQ students. And on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order recognizing only two genders���male and female���under new U.S. policy.

The office also touted resolving the second-, third-, and fourth-highest number of cases during fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024.

“OCR did not just wait for complaints to come in,” the report notes. “OCR also initiated more compliance reviews, which proactively address OCR���s concerns regarding civil rights satisfaction in school communities where a complaint has not yet been filed.”

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Given her business acumen, long-standing relationship with President Trump and involvement in conservative policy-making, McMahon���s tenure is likely to emphasize workforce development, parental rights and a decentralization of federal education oversight.

A focus on workforce readiness

A likely area of immediate focus for in 2025 is leveraging existing federal funding mechanisms like Perkins V, which already distributes funds directly to states to support career and technical education. Expanding on this framework aligns neatly with the Trump administration���s promise to decentralize education by ���putting it in the hands of states.���

Perkins V funding, combined with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides a natural pathway to prioritize apprenticeship programs and workforce readiness initiatives. Similarly, higher education leaders can expect a push to include workforce training under Pell Grant eligibility and an increased emphasis on apprenticeships. This opens options for students and families, but also significantly widens the post-secondary market to private training organizations, diverting potential funding away from colleges and universities.

For school districts, this focus on workforce readiness could mean a reallocation by states of federal funding toward career pathway initiatives, partnerships with local industries and high school curricula revamped or broadened to support technical pathways. While this pivot may benefit students pursuing non-college pathways, critics may argue that it comes at the expense of broader educational priorities, such as academic enrichment, holistic student development or so-called 21st Century skills

Districts can also expect a push to connect more substantively with state and local workforce investment boards, ensuring that schools align their CTE programs with the demands of regional labor markets. This strategy not only fulfills campaign promises but also signals a shift toward integrating education and economic policy, making workforce development a central component of federal education priorities.

We may also see a shift toward competency-based models, ���stacked��� micro-credentialing, and related instructional approaches modeled on workforce needs.

Expanding parental control

McMahon���s affiliation with policy organizations advocating decentralization underscores her commitment to parental rights and school choice. The president-elect���s stated goal of ���sending education back to the states��� aligns with McMahon���s likely agenda to promote charter schools, voucher programs and other mechanisms for parental control over educational decisions.

Her policies may include mandates for curriculum transparency, similar to recent state-level efforts, and the reallocation of federal funds to support school choice initiatives. This emphasis could shift resources away from traditional public schools, which may face tighter budgets and increased scrutiny over their curricula.

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For superintendents, this will require navigating complex conversations with local communities, as some parents embrace these changes while others resist the decline of public school funding. Smart districts will find ways to leverage these changes to deepen relationships with parents who are frustrated by traditional settings.

3 tips to Consider

1. Increased federal support for CTE and apprenticeships will provide more opportunities for students to gain real-world skills. Start engaging in work-based learning planning early. Reach out to business leaders now and structure a routine engagement plan to keep a pulse on their needs.
2. Expanded vouchers and charter school programs would give parents more control over their children���s education. Host parent roundtables now and clearly communicate changes you will make to respond to their needs, then act upon it. McMahon���s focus on parental rights makes it essential for district leaders to build transparent relationships with families.
3. Reduced federal support and reallocated funding may strain already tight budgets. Conduct a sobering ROI/LOI process with your cabinet and other key leaders. Advocate for your schools by strengthening relationships with state policymakers and ensuring your district���s voice is heard.

2026 and beyond

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the Trump administration is likely to pursue a reauthorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act with a focus on reshaping how federal education funds are allocated.

Building on the decentralized framework of Perkins V, entitlement and categorical funding could be distributed in a manner that aligns more closely with state-controlled models. This shift would empower states to have greater discretion over how federal dollars are used, emphasizing local innovation and workforce alignment over prescriptive federal mandates.

Districts should prepare for a landscape where funding streams are tied to measurable outcomes, such as workforce readiness, and prioritize partnerships with industries and workforce development boards. This reauthorization would represent a significant philosophical shift, signaling a move away from traditional equity-driven approaches in favor of economic outcomes and state flexibility.

For many districts, this could bring new opportunities to tailor programs to regional needs but also introduce challenges in ensuring equitable access for underserved communities.

How to remain resilient

Beyond 2026, significant changes within the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education are likely under the Trump administration. The department may shift away from providing federal training and technical assistance, particularly in areas supporting English language learners, special education, and other special populations.

This reduced federal involvement would place greater responsibility on states and districts to develop their own training and support mechanisms for these vulnerable groups. While this aligns with the administration���s goal of decentralizing education, it could create gaps in expertise and equity, as not all states have the capacity to provide high-quality, targeted support.

For superintendents, this potential change highlights the urgency of proactively building state-level capacity and partnering with organizations that can fill the void left by reduced federal guidance. Without a deliberate focus on these populations, de-centralizing the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education���s role risks leaving critical student groups behind in the broader push for workforce alignment and economic mobility.

Linda McMahon���s tenure as secretary of education is poised to bring significant change. With a focus on the bipartisan issue of workforce development, school choice, and decentralizing federal control, she represents a pragmatic, business-first approach to education policy.

While her leadership may streamline certain processes and empower local decision-making, it also risks deepening inequities and challenging the stability of traditional public schools.

As we move into 2025, district leaders must prepare to adapt. By staying engaged with parents, community leaders, and policymakers, superintendents can ensure their schools remain resilient amidst this evolving landscape.

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Books were banned in about half (33) of Florida’s 70 districts, though none were removed from its largest system, Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Bans accelerated in the wake of that requires schools to remove books challenged for “sexual conduct” immediately, and then conduct a review of the title.

contains some of the nation’s most banned books, such as Tricks by Ellen Hopkins, All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

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Florida districts also removed classics and bestsellers. Several districts pulled Kurt Vonnegut’s��Slaughterhouse Five, Richard Wright’s Native Son and Margaret Atwood’s��Handmaid’s Tale. Multiple novels by Stephen King, one of America’s most popular authors, were banned dozens of times, while best-selling fantasy author Sarah J. Maas was another frequent target.

The list of banned books from the 2022-23 school year, noted the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a coalition of parent-led groups. It contends that most book challenges come from “conservative interest groups” rather than individual parents.

“We advocate for policies that give every parent an opportunity to collaborate with their schools and educators and set unique boundaries for their own children when they feel necessary,” the organization said in a statement. “We believe in a fair, thorough, and public objection process that ensures decisions reflect the needs of each school community���not the broad, district-wide censorship we see today.”

Banned books: The bigger picture

Nationally, book bans skyrocketed by 200% during the 2023-2024 school year, with the challenges coming predominantly from far-right activists targeting stories of race, sexuality and gender identity. There were 10,046 book bans in public K12 last school year, leading to the removal of 4,231 titles by 877 authors, illustrators and translators, according to the final 2023-24 count by PEN America, an anti-censorship organization. The bans occurred in 29 states and 220 districts.

Book banning is a component of a bigger challenge facing public schools, warned Sabrina Ba棚ta, manager for PEN America���s Freedom to Read program. ���Every day, we are seeing reports of author visits and book fairs canceled, libraries shuttered for excessive book reviews and heightened scrutiny and intimidation of teachers and librarians,��� Ba棚ta concluded. ���Our book ban data is a bellwether of this broader climate.���

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