Wednesday, January 29, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
Tim Walberg blames woke lessons as reading scores hit 1992 lows
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released its September 9, 2025 "Nation's Report Card" showing historic educational declines with 12th grade reading scores down 10 points from 1992 to their lowest level ever recorded. Math scores for high school seniors also hit 20-year lows, dropping 5 points from 1992 levels. House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) blamed the crisis on the "education bureaucracy continuing to focus on woke policies rather than helping students learn," citing prolonged school closures driven by teachers unions and Democrats. The data showed 78% of high school seniors lack math proficiency while 65% cannot read proficiently. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the results a "devastating trend" of "historic lows" despite billions in federal spending. Science scores for 8th graders also dropped 4 points since 2019, with achievement gaps between high and low performers reaching record levels.
Commerce invokes emergency authority for 60% electronics tariff without Ways and Means approval
Trump announced sweeping Chinese tariffs ranging 10-60% January 29, 2025, using emergency powers bypassing Congress affecting electronics prices while testing constitutional limits on presidential trade authority and triggering global supply chain disruptions.
USCIS terminates Temporary Protected Status for 800,000 immigrants
Trump terminated protection for immigrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Cameroon on January 29, 2025, putting over 800,000 people at risk of deportation despite living legally in America for years. This shows how presidential power affects real families in your community.
White House invokes IEEPA emergency powers for 145% China tariffs bypassing Congress
When Trump declared a "national emergency" to justify 145% tariffs on Chinese goods on January 29, 2025, it triggered the biggest constitutional fight over trade power since the 1930s. This unprecedented use of emergency powers to impose massive tariffs shows how presidents can reshape your daily costs—and raises urgent questions about when economic disputes become "emergencies."