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 leaves school political speech dispute unresolved

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case involving an Indiana high school student who claimed her First Amendment rights were violated when school officials blocked an anti-abortion club flyer containing political messaging, leaving lower court rulings in favor of the school intact. The dispute arose in 2021 when a freshman sought to promote a local chapter of Students for Life of America at Noblesville High School using flyers that included images of anti-abortion protesters holding signs such as “Defund Planned Parenthood” and “I Reject Abortion.” School administrators said bulletin boards were intended to advertise student clubs rather than serve as a public forum for political speech and required the flyers to contain only basic club information. After the student refused to remove the images, the school revoked the club’s approval for the remainder of the semester. In a lone dissent, Justice Samuel Alito argued that the court should have reviewed the case to clarify how student speech protections under the 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines decision interact with the 1988 Hazelwood ruling, which gives schools greater authority over school-sponsored communications. Alito said the case raised important questions about the distinction between private speech and government speech in public schools.

Full Issue
es-recent-california
Education Slice
California
Trump's education overhaul sparks concern

The Trump administration has accelerated the dismantling of the Education Department, transferring significant responsibilities to the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. This shift raises concerns among advocates about potential lapses in communication and support for at-risk students. Linda McMahon, the education secretary, stated, “The Trump Administration has been clear: as we scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success, we are equally committed to bolstering the efficacy of federal oversight where it is essential.” Critics, including Rep. Bobby Scott and Sen. Patty Murray, warn that these changes could exacerbate inequities for students of color and those with disabilities. Disability advocates, particularly concerned about the transfer of special education oversight to HHS, argue that education experts should manage these responsibilities. Jennifer Coco, interim executive director of the Center for Learner Equity, emphasized that “the IDEA is intended to equip students as they learn alongside their peers, not cure them.”

Full Issue
es-recent-texas
Education Slice
Texas
Texas students see mixed results

According to the latest State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results, Texas elementary and middle school students have shown stagnation in reading while making gains in math and social studies. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said: “We are encouraged by continued gains in mathematics,” highlighting the increase in students succeeding in advanced math courses. Reading scores for third graders dropped to 49%, while seventh graders improved slightly to 54%. In contrast, math scores saw improvements across most grades, with social studies also showing a 2-point increase for eighth graders. The results come after new laws aimed at enhancing classroom instruction, including a ban on cellphones in public schools. The education agency plans to release science results later this year, and Texas is set to phase out STAAR in favor of shorter assessments starting in the 2027-28 academic year.

Full Issue
es-recent-florida
Education Slice
Florida
Florida schools must allow religious absences

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier recently affirmed that all school districts must accommodate parents seeking to excuse their children for religious instruction. In his opinion, Uthmeier stated: "Florida law, consistent with the Supreme Court's decisions in Zorach and Mahmoud, prohibits public schools from restricting parents' efforts to direct the religious upbringing of their children." This ruling follows a May 14 update by the Florida Board of Education, which mandates that schools allow absences for religious instruction and holidays, ensuring these are counted as excused absences. The new rules, effective June 17, require principals to collaborate with parents to minimize disruption during core classes. Board member Anastasios Kamoutsas emphasized the importance of balancing rigorous education with opportunities for religious instruction, stating it is "near and dear to his heart." The changes come amid a broader push for religious expression in schools, with parents encouraged to prioritize faith in their children's upbringing.

Full Issue
top-shadow
Read the latest Education highlights