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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued new guidance indicating it will no longer rely on the landmark 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. decision when enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), raising concerns about potential implications for K-12 special education. The ruling established that unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities constitutes discrimination and emphasized access to community-based services. Researchers warn that the DOJ's revised enforcement approach could discourage schools from prioritizing independent living skills in transition planning for students with disabilities. However, the guidance does not overturn Olmstead or change existing requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates transition planning beginning by age 16, including independent living goals when appropriate. Vanderbilt University special education professor Meghan Burke has emphasized that schools must continue preparing students for employment, further education, and community living, despite uncertainty surrounding federal enforcement priorities.
Full Issue
Education Slice
California
California schools are set to receive their report cards with the upcoming release of state test scores, revealing significant challenges in math achievement. Experts highlighted that only 37% of students met math standards in 2025, a decline from 40% in 2019. Iwunze Ugo, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, noted: “Students move from arithmetic into increasingly complex material like algebra and geometry, with each step building on what came before.” The report from Stanford University’s Getting Down to Facts project indicated that two-thirds of school district leaders did not prioritize math. To address these issues, experts suggested enhancing teacher support and fostering a growth mindset among students. Linda Darling-Hammond, chief knowledge officer of the Learning Policy Institute, mentioned that there has been a 30% increase in fully prepared teachers, but emphasized the need for ongoing funding and support.
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Education Slice
Texas
Texas state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, the Democratic candidate for state comptroller, has called for stronger financial oversight of the state's $1bn Education Freedom Account program, which provides public funding for private education. Ahead of the November 3 election against Republican acting Comptroller Don Huffines, Eckhardt has pledged to investigate how voucher funds are spent, examine private school tuition increases, and assess whether the program adequately serves low-income families and students with disabilities. More than 100,000 Texas families have received funding, although some have reported difficulties accessing suitable schools and covering additional expenses. Eckhardt has urged lawmakers to delay expanding the program until more performance data becomes available. Huffines supports increasing funding to accommodate families on the waiting list, potentially raising program costs to $4.4bn by the 2028–2029 legislative session. The debate highlights competing priorities surrounding educational choice, fiscal accountability, and the potential impact of voucher expansion on public school funding.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Florida
Miami-Dade schools are preparing for potential layoffs due to a new operations agreement with Success Academy, a charter operator. The school board approved the agreement, allowing the district to lay off up to 133 employees if necessary, as co-location is projected to cost the district $7.9m for the 2027-28 school year. The agreement is mandated by Florida's expanded "Schools of Hope" law, which requires districts to make underperforming schools available to charter operators. Success Academy plans to open elementary schools in five district high schools, with expected enrollment reaching 332 students per campus initially, growing to 798 by the fifth year. Lisette Fernandez, co-founder of Moms for Libros, acknowledged the constraints imposed by state law, commenting: “State law has put this board in a corner.” The board's approval does not signify endorsement of the charter schools, reflecting their limited options. Steve Gallon remarked: “Elections have consequences,” highlighting the board's predicament.
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