Federal

Republicans have long despised the federal government’s involvement in education, but lawmakers in Tennessee are considering an unprecedented step: rejecting all federal funding in the name of ending what they call Washington’s “excessive overreach.”

At schools where 25% of families participate in income-based public benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, the federal government now will cover the cost of free meals for all enrolled students. Previously, the qualifying threshold was 40%.

A 10-member panel will determine whether Tennessee can reject $1.8 billion in federal funding for Title I, IDEA, and other federal programs that support low-income students, students with disabilities and school lunch programs.

At schools where 25% of families participate in income-based public benefits, the federal government now will cover the cost of free meals for all enrolled students.

Darryl George, a 17-year-old student at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, has been serving an in-school suspension since Aug. 31 after school officials said his dreadlocks violated the district's dress and grooming code.

School districts are taking steps to secure sensitive student data from being stolen, but advocates say greater federal investment is required.