Education Slice

Education intelligence to lead, innovate & grow.

Want to get your daily slice of Education knowledge to your inbox? Sign up now

Education Slice helps you stay ahead of essential education news shaping your profession. With a dedicated daily National Edition and three strategic State Editions in California, Texas and Florida, we bring our unique blend of AI and education expertise to research and monitor 100,000s of articles to share a summary of the most relevant and useful content to help you lead, innovate and grow.

From Kindergarten to K-12, Edtech news, school management and teaching strategies… Education Slice is the only trusted online news source in the US dedicated to covering current headlines, articles, reports and interviews to make sure you’re at the forefront of changes in the education industry.

ES banner
Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
SCOTUS takes up case on faith-based schools, LGBTQ+ access, and public funding

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case examining whether Colorado can deny state-funded preschool subsidies to Catholic schools that do not comply with nondiscrimination rules requiring admission of LGBTQ+ families. The case stems from a broader legal challenge by administrators of two Catholic preschools, who argue that the state’s conditions for funding violate their First Amendment rights by forcing them to choose between their religious beliefs and access to public support. At the center of the dispute is Colorado’s universal preschool program, approved by voters in 2020, which provides free early education to tens of thousands of children. To participate, schools must agree to offer equal access regardless of factors such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, income level, or disability. State officials argue these requirements are essential to ensure fair access to publicly funded services. Lower courts have sided with Colorado, ruling that the law applies equally to all participating schools and does not target religious institutions specifically. Judges relied on the Supreme Court’s 1990 decision in Employment Division v. Smith, which allows neutral, generally applicable laws to stand even if they incidentally burden religious practices. However, the Catholic schools argue that this precedent has led to inconsistent outcomes and should be reconsidered, particularly in light of more recent rulings that have expanded protections for religious institutions in public funding programs. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in the fall.

Full Issue
es-recent-california
Education Slice
California
SCOTUS takes up case on faith-based schools, LGBTQ+ access, and public funding

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case examining whether Colorado can deny state-funded preschool subsidies to Catholic schools that do not comply with nondiscrimination rules requiring admission of LGBTQ+ families. The case stems from a broader legal challenge by administrators of two Catholic preschools, who argue that the state’s conditions for funding violate their First Amendment rights by forcing them to choose between their religious beliefs and access to public support. At the center of the dispute is Colorado’s universal preschool program, approved by voters in 2020, which provides free early education to tens of thousands of children. To participate, schools must agree to offer equal access regardless of factors such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, income level, or disability. State officials argue these requirements are essential to ensure fair access to publicly funded services. Lower courts have sided with Colorado, ruling that the law applies equally to all participating schools and does not target religious institutions specifically. Judges relied on the Supreme Court’s 1990 decision in Employment Division v. Smith, which allows neutral, generally applicable laws to stand even if they incidentally burden religious practices. However, the Catholic schools argue that this precedent has led to inconsistent outcomes and should be reconsidered, particularly in light of more recent rulings that have expanded protections for religious institutions in public funding programs. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in the fall.

Full Issue
es-recent-texas
Education Slice
Texas
Texas court rules on Ten Commandments

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled 9-7 that Texas can mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, reversing a previous injunction. Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan stated: "The law does not tell churches or synagogues or mosques what to believe or how to worship." The ruling has drawn criticism from challengers, including attorney Jon Youngwood, who expressed disappointment, stating: "The court's ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed the decision as a victory for moral values, emphasizing the importance of the Ten Commandments in education. The challengers plan to appeal to the Supreme Court to protect their rights regarding religious education.

Full Issue
es-recent-florida
Education Slice
Florida
Florida's new law reshapes private schools

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed SB 182 into law, allowing private schools with 150 or fewer students to operate in commercially zoned buildings starting July 1. Initially introduced by Democrat Sen. Shevrin Jones and Rep. Yvonne Hinson, the bill evolved from a mentorship program proposal to include significant education priorities. The House passed it 91-11, while the Senate approved it unanimously. The mentorship program aims to pair retired teachers with struggling classroom teachers, emphasizing support without personal agendas. Additionally, the law addresses zoning changes, enabling small private schools to function in commercial areas without special exemptions. Teach Florida, advocating for equitable funding for nonpublic schools, highlighted that 41,000 students were unable to utilize state scholarship vouchers due to a lack of available seats.

Full Issue
top-shadow
Read the latest Education highlights