Latest news with #DepartmentofEducation
Black America Web
an hour ago
- Business
- Black America Web
Student Loan Collections Result In Credit Scores Plummeting For Millions In Americans
Source: ariya j / Getty While most folks hip to the game understand President Trump won a second nonconsecutive term largely due to the rampant misogynoir ingrained in American society, white folks will swear with their whole chest they elected a failed businessman because they believed he would fix the economy. So far, he's done a bang-up job by laying off thousands of federal workers, implementing an erratic tariff policy, and now his approach to student loan repayments has resulted in credit scores plummeting for millions of Americans. AP reports that the Trump administration has begun referring unpaid student loans to debt collection firms after 90 days of non-payment. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has said that 2.2 million student loan recipients saw their credit score drop by at least 100 points, and another 1 million saw their scores drop by over 150 points as a result. That is not an insignificant figure, as that could be the difference between getting approved for an apartment and having to live at home. The bank also reported that 1 in 4 people with student loans were 90 days behind or more on their student loan payments. As someone who's still paying off the last of their student loans, I can tell you firsthand that the messaging around repayments has been inconsistent at best post-pandemic. The Biden administration tried to forgive up to $10,000 in loans for people who earned under six figures, but because the GOP refuses to let working-class Americans have nice things, they filed a lawsuit against the plan. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Department of Education didn't have the authority to forgive the loans. While repayments restarted in 2023, the Biden administration implemented a one-year grace period. The former administration also launched the SAVE plan, which tied payment amounts to the loan recipient's income. Whereas the Biden administration took a thoughtful, worker-centric approach to student loan repayments, the Trump administration has taken more of a Stewie Griffin approach to the issue. Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced it would garnish wages from those delinquent on their student loans. Last month, five million people were sent a notice informing them that their wages and social security checks would be garnished to pay back their student loans. Clearly, they didn't think that was punishment enough for people who made the egregious mistake of trying to get an education. In addition to garnishing wages on those who fell behind on their student loans, the cost of payments has skyrocketed for millions of student loan recipients after a federal judge put a block on the SAVE plan. Layoffs at the Department of Education have made it harder for student loan recipients to get in contact with anyone who can provide them with more information or guidance on how to make repayments. It's increasingly clear that the Trump administration is fueling its tax cuts for the rich by punishing the poor and working class. But please, tell me again how the Trump vote is fueled by economic anxiety. SEE ALSO: Education Department To Garnish Wages On Student Loan Debt Trump To Garnish Defaulted Student Loan Borrowers' Wages This Summer SEE ALSO Student Loan Collections Result In Credit Scores Plummeting For Millions In Americans was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
'Life changing injuries' - Staff fears over safety after Oberstown incidents
A staff member has been left with "life changing injuries" following a number of violent attacks on workers at a children's detention centre in Dublin. A total of ten staff at Oberstown Children Detention Campus have sustained injuries across three violent incidents since 8 June. The most recent took place on Wednesday in which nine staff members were injured, four of whom required hospital treatment, and are now expected to be out of work for a month or more. There was also one "very serious incident" on 11 June where a staff member "had their face slashed", trade union Fórsa said. It said that during an attempt to move a young person, a residential social care worker sustained a deep facial injury. Fórsa said no additional protective measures or staffing supports had been put in place by Oberstown management, despite previous violent incidents. Fórsa Media Relations Director Niall Shanahan said the situation at Oberstown is becoming "more critical" due to staff shortages and staff retention issues. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Shanahan said staff have tried to raise the issue of assaults on workers over the last number of years. "Staff have told me that quite frequently they don't have enough staff to cover the shift so they're operating below capacity," he said. Mr Shanahan also pointed to the "difficulty" of staff retention, saying that of the ten new staff that began work at Oberstown in this year, only two of them are still working on the campus. "We have staff who are trying to raise these issues with management at the Oberstown campus and we have a management group who appear unwilling, I think, to engage with the reality as staff are experiencing it," he said. Mr Shanahan said staff members, rather than management, are required to report incidents to gardaí, which he said suggests an "unwillingness" to take responsibility for what is happening to staff. He said the environment on campus is "becoming more and more unsafe" for both residents and staff. He said that Fórsa has contacted Oberstown management for an engagement, which he expects to take place in the next few days. "The longer this goes on and isn't addressed, the more unsafe everybody on the Oberstown campus is," he added. In a statement, the Department of Education said it offers its full support to any member of staff who has been injured during the course of their work. "As with all circumstances of this nature, these matters will be the subject of internal review. The Department does not comment on operational matters relating to Oberstown Children Detention Campus."
United News of India
a day ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Manipur Governor instructs strengthening of education system
Imphal, June 19 UNI Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Thursday, chaired a meeting at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, and reviewed the prevailing education system, focusing on strengthening the system in the state. Secretary of the Department of Education (Schools), N. Praveen Singh, made a presentation highlighting progress in school enrolment. He also presented a district-wise overview of school distribution, showcasing areas of growth and opportunities for further enhancing the rate of enrolment in each district. During the discussion, the governor emphasised the importance of providing high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education for every child in the state, highlighting key initiatives such as the National Education Policy 2020 and the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). He also noted that improved infrastructure, digital learning tools, and well-trained teachers are central to shaping a strong future for the state's youth. Director of Education (S), Ng. Bhogendra Meitei, and Joint Secretary Education (S), Anjali Chongtham, and other officers attended the meeting. UNI NS ARN
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Leitrim national school pupils forced to cross busy road and learn in converted toilets amid new school plea
For over a decade, the parents association, staff and the school community have been calling for a new school building on a single campus to replace the current Scoil Mhuire. The need for the new school on a green field site emerged as the girls and boys national school in Carrick on Shannon merged in 2013. However, the school remains on two campuses despite the school population doubling in that time. Since the amalgamation, the school has fallen into a state of disrepair and campaigners say not a single classroom is fit for purpose. Despite the poor conditions, no commitment has ever been given by the Department of Education for a new school building. Recently, John Campion Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, visited the school and met with some members of the New School Committee. Mr Davey saw first hand the conditions within the school and said the facilities within each building are 'severely inadequate', with a technical report from the Department of Education issued several years ago calling the school building "sub-standard". Mr Davey said 'I had the privilege of being shown around the two campus Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Shannon, by members of the staff and parent body. 'I had been asked to attend by Senator Nessa Cosgrove to see how she could help with their campaign for a new school building. 'The most glaring issue is immediately evident. "The school is spread across two different campuses, the former girls school and the former boys school. "I heard how Scoil Mhuire had been one of the earlier proponents of amalgamations, they embraced the change enthusiastically, yet they still exist across two campuses. 'Apart from the damage this does to a sense of a school identity, it is a hazard for children crossing roads to go from one school to the other. 'It also results in the ridiculous situation of many parents dropping off and collecting children from each campus every day for multiple years,' said Mr Davey. Mr Davey observed the school has 'gone out of its way' to cater for the increased number of students but building a new school is the 'logical thing to do'. 'The PE Hall is tiny, for the numbers of children attending, having been subdivided to provide additional learning spaces. "The school has gone out of its way to welcome increased numbers of children from many different cultures and backgrounds many of these have language needs. 'As in all schools, there are more children with additional needs, which must be met. 'I saw converted corridors, store rooms and even rooms which had formerly housed toilets and hand washing facilities converted into Special Education Needs classrooms. 'The two campuses dating from 1953 and 1963 must be a nightmare to heat in winter, and to keep cool in a hot summer. "The savings on energy costs alone, never mind the environmental impact, must make construction of a new school the logical thing to do. 'Despite the very real challenges faced by the school, the commitment which the school Principal, Staff and Parent body show to the children is phenomenal,' said Mr Davey. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that funding was granted to provide a two mainstream classroom extension for Scoil Mhuire. While the funding was welcomed, it does not provide a long term solution. "While the promise of two new modular classrooms over the summer is welcome, in terms of learning space, it does nothing to address the core issues highlighted, and in fact will further reduce the amount of outdoor space available for play,' said Mr Davey. "As an Early Years Educator, I am fully aware of the importance of having outdoor space for physical activity and play. "It is a fundamental part of a child's holistic development, particularly their physical, emotional and social development. 'The school community are not campaigning for a new school to have a shiny new building to work from. "They are doing it because they feel a real bond with the children and families they educate and care for. 'Inclusive practice is at the heart of everything that is done at Scoil Mhuire. "The passion of the teachers and the happiness of the children to be at school is written all over them,' said Mr Davey. Leitrim County Council has identified a suitable greenfield site close to the current school building and the school are happy with the proposed site. Mr Davey continued, 'All we need now is for the Government to commit to funding the new building. "Senator Cosgrove has committed to highlighting the need for a new school building, which has the support of all four local TDs, and will be hoping to raise the matter personally with the Minister for Education before the summer recess. 'Carrick-on-Shannon is the County Town of Leitrim, it is a fast growing town and it deserves a National School which reflects its developing and changing needs,' said Mr Davey. A spokesperson for the school said, 'On Tuesday, June 17th, John Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, met with some members of the New School Committee. 2The meeting went well, and John assured us he would pass on all information to Senator Nessa Cosgrove. 'We call on all politicians and members of the wider community to put pressure wherever they can to help us secure a new school for Carrick-on-Shannon.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sparta planning school bond referendum vote for September. What it means
SPARTA − A bond referendum vote to build an addition to the Alpine Elementary School, upgrade science labs in the high school and make upgrades to heating/air conditioning/electrical at other district buildings is planned for Sept. 16, district officials said. Approval for the vote is expected this month from the state Department of Education as well as final numbers on the amount of state aid the projects will get and formally set the date for district voters. Because that state approval is not finalized, the district created a website ( which has preliminary information, but no financial numbers, on the projects. The site will be updated when the state's approval is received. 'Our schools are an important part of the Sparta community – people move here for the schools and the small community feel,' explained Superintendent Matthew Beck. 'This bond referendum would help us improve our schools to give our current and future students a place they can thrive academically and socially.' If the bond referendum gets voter approval, the biggest project will be an addition to Alpine Elementary School to address overcrowding. Currently, the school provides needed classroom space in trailers on school property. The high school would also see improvements to its science laboratories and there will be HVAC and electrical upgrades, as well as roofing and window replacements, in other schools to improve building efficiency and conditions. By state law, school bond referendum votes may only be held on specific dates in January, March, September, December or at the November General Election. The district said that by holding a vote in September, the district will have time to finalize project plans and solicit and receive bids, then act on those contracts in time for work to begin in late spring. This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Sparta planning school bond referendum vote for September
