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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
A Florida-based virtual school, NFC Academy, has become the first out-of-state institution approved for Texas' private school voucher program, despite laws intended to prevent such participation. The Texas Comptroller's office approved the academy on March 13, allowing it to receive taxpayer funds from the state's $1bn program. Dee Carney, director of the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency, raised concerns, asking: “Who's benefiting: private entities or the Texas public?” The academy applied as a vendor rather than a traditional school, which may exploit a loophole in the law. While NFC Academy is registered to do business in Texas, it remains unclear if it meets all requirements, including having a physical office with Texas employees. Rick Fielding, the academy's director, said: “We have neither requested nor received special consideration.” The approval raises questions about the legislative intent behind the voucher program, which aims to keep funds within Texas.
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Education Slice
California
Concerns about excessive screen time in Los Angeles USD classrooms are rising among parents. Kate Brody, a concerned parent, noted that her son has become so overstimulated by screens that he "literally cannot tell that he has to go to the bathroom." In response, Brody joined Schools Beyond Screens, advocating for limits on classroom screen time, which may be addressed by the school board in April. The coalition aims to establish a tech policy that promotes healthy technology use. Despite LAUSD's claims of structured screen time, many parents, like Julie Edwards, argue that their children are excessively engaged with screens at home. Research links high screen time to negative impacts on children's mental health and cognitive development. Stephen Aguilar, a professor at USC, emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding technology in education, stating, "Without taking this exhaustive look... a lot of policies fall short."
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Education Slice
Texas
Student homelessness has significantly increased in many Greater Houston-area school districts over the past five years, according to data from the Texas Education Agency released on March 6. The analysis by Community Impact focused on 28 districts, revealing that Houston ISD had nearly 6,000 homeless students in 2025-26, a notable rise from 2021-22. Other districts, such as Alief ISD and Fort Bend ISD, also reported higher counts. "More families and students are dealing with housing instability," the report noted, highlighting the ongoing challenges despite shifting enrollment patterns. In contrast, foster care numbers varied across districts, with some experiencing increases while others saw declines. Houston ISD, Katy ISD, and Lamar CISD reported gains in homeless student numbers, while districts like Cy-Fair ISD and Klein ISD experienced decreases.
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Education Slice
Florida
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the state will not enforce its constitutional ban on public funding for religious institutions, claiming it violates the First Amendment. Uthmeier, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, said: “Unfortunately, some Florida laws prohibit religious schools from accessing public funds. That's why during this Holy Week I issued a formal legal opinion concluding those laws are unconstitutional.” This opinion could pave the way for religious charter schools and state-funded scholarships for religious universities. Uthmeier argues that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment only restricts the federal government, allowing states to promote religion, particularly Christianity.
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