October 19, 2025

Hello!

Cory here, correspondent on the team. Normally I try to kick this thing off with a paragraph of levity, but I’m exhausted and can’t come up with anything except that Stranger Things is finally, finally returning next month. If you’re like, “Stranger What?” no worries. Weird, wonderful show. If you’re like, “Heck yeah, Cory!” I see you, fam.

I’m tired because I spent the holiday weekend reporting a story that began a week ago Friday, when the Trump administration announced it would be cutting another 4,200 federal workers – roughly 10% of those cuts coming from the U.S. Department of Education.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Those layoffs were temporarily halted by a federal judge this week. If they’re ultimately allowed to go through, the cuts would impact dozens of staff members responsible for overseeing roughly $15 billion in special education funding and for making sure states provide services to the nation's 7.5 million children with disabilities.

"This is decimating the office responsible for safeguarding the rights of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities," said one department employee, who, like the others I interviewed for the story, requested anonymity for fear of retribution. I spoke to these employees before that federal judge issued a temporary restraining order.

According to sources, all staff in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), with the exception of a handful of top officials and support staff, received layoff notices. The office is the central nervous system for programs that support students with disabilities, not only offering guidance to families but providing monitoring and oversight of states to make sure they're complying with the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Read the story here

Before I go, last week, my colleague Elissa Nadworny shared her story about a little boy who lives in a hospital, the experimental artificial heart that could save his life and the decision to cut federal funding to the research team behind it. Well, the radio version of that story aired this week, and I urge you to take a listen – hearing the courage in his little voice will inspire you and break your heart all at once.

Thank you for reading and for listening. I say it every time because I mean it every time.

— Cory Turner, Correspondent, NPR Ed

Newsletter continues after sponsor message

In other news...

Many rural schools rely on international teachers. Trump's visa changes threaten that. The Trump administration announced a $100,000 fee to accompany each H1-B visa. The fine could wreak havoc on rural school districts that rely on them to bring in teachers.

— Sequoia Carrillo, Reporter, NPR Ed

Kids who use social media score lower on reading and memory tests, a study shows. Data from a large, ongoing study of adolescents shows a link between increasing social media use and lower cognition and memory in teens.

— Rhitu Chatterjee, correspondent, health desk

In reading, the nation's students are still stuck in a pandemic slump. New 2025 testing data shows third- through eighth-graders scored far below 2019 levels in reading. In math, some grades have made gains, but all are lagging compared to before the pandemic.

— Cory Turner, Correspondent, NPR Ed

new calls with clack! same lousy advice.

Ever wish you could still call Ray from Car Talk? Now you can.

Starting this month, as a new bonus feature on Car Talk+, members will get to hear the younger Tappet Brother yuck it up with listeners again on a semi-quasi-regularish basis. “Whenever I can fit it in between my yoga classes, Mahjong games, and mechanics’ romance book club meetings,” says Ray.

The best part of joining Car Talk+, aside from supporting public media? You can ask Ray a car question yourself by leaving him a message at 888-522-5478. If he picks your question, he’ll take your call and chat with you about your expiring Explorer or limping Lamborghini.

In other bonus episodes for Car Talk+, you’ll hear producer’s picks of some of the best moments from the series, highlights of Tom’s mail segments, and prehistoric excerpts from Weekend Edition, aired on NPR before Car Talk was even launched. And supporting Car Talk+ means you’ll also get archive access to 800+ OG Car Talk episodes.

Join Car Talk+ and join us in welcoming back Ray!

Listen to Clack, only on Car Talk+

Student Podcast Challenge

It’s a wrap for the 2025 Student Podcast Challenge for students in grades four through 12. Earlier this month, we announced our youngest list of winners: fourth graders!

These 9- and 10-year-old journalists discuss everything, from whether it’s better to be a kid or an adult, to what it’s like going to a sleepaway camp and being disconnected from all technology.

P.S. Know a journalism student or educator? Send them our Student Podcast Challenge newsletter to get the latest resources, opportunities and submission tips!

And here's something to make you smile...

I don’t know about you, but stories about public libraries always make me smile – and this one is no exception: Our friends over at Life Kit have put together a guide to some of the ways libraries can help you save money! Yet another reason to love ‘em.

Check it out!

As always, thank you for reading and listening!

— Editor Nicole Cohen and the rest of the NPR Education Team

Listen to your local NPR station.

Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream.

What do you think of today's email?

We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: npred@npr.org

Enjoying this newsletter?

Forward to a friend! They can sign up here.

Looking for more great content?

Check out all of our newsletter offerings
— including Music, Politics, Code Switch and more!

You received this message because you're subscribed to Education emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy