All articles tagged with #policy and education
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a rule requiring universities to pay $70,000 for each international student’s initial Optional Practical Training (OPT) recommendation and $30,000 for subsequent extensions. This shifts the cost burden from students to institutions, potentially raising total costs to $100,000 per student and threatening the viability of the work program.
The U.S. Department of Education has officially rescinded the 2024 Biden-era Title IX regulations, reinstating the 2020 rules from the first Trump administration. This move removes explicit protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as protections for pregnant and parenting students. The new regulations take effect immediately on September 29, 2026, without a public notice-and-comment period. While the administration argues this restores 'commonsense' language and aligns with court orders, advocates warn it weakens protections for survivors of sexual assault and LGBTQ+ students. The Department claims the change has no practical impact, as it has been enforcing the 2020 rules since January 2025, but critics argue the formal repeal removes legal cover for states and districts that had relied on the broader protections.