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The U.S. Department of Education has released a significantly reduced version of its annual Condition of Education report, publishing updates on just 17 indicators compared with the 702 measures typically tracked by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The scaled-back release follows deep staffing cuts and contract cancellations at the department’s research arm in 2025, which disrupted data collection and reporting activities. Among the key findings, states spent an average of $20,000 per public school student in 2024, though spending varied widely, ranging from $12,400 per pupil in Idaho to $33,600 in New York. Public K-12 enrollment fell 2% over the past decade, from 50.3m students in 2014 to 49.4m in 2024, with declines concentrated in elementary and middle school grades following the COVID-19 pandemic. High school enrollment, meanwhile, rose 2% between 2019 and 2024. The report also showed growing variation in early childhood enrollment across states and continued demographic shifts affecting school populations, with Texas gaining students while neighboring states saw declines.

 

Education Week News

Title IX & State-by-State Sexual Harassment Compliance Requirements

Preparing for the upcoming school year? Vector Solutions’ state-by-state guide helps districts better understand Title IX, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment training requirements. Use it to review reporting and prevention mandates, align role-specific training, and simplify compliance tracking before the school year begins.

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A Kentucky school district has secured approximately $27m in settlements from Meta, TikTok parent ByteDance, Snap, and YouTube parent Alphabet, resolving a closely watched lawsuit that alleged social media platforms contributed to a student mental health crisis. The Breathitt County School District case, considered a bellwether for similar claims nationwide, settled weeks before a scheduled June trial. Meta agreed to pay the largest amount, $9m, while TikTok and Snap each agreed to pay $8m, and YouTube agreed to pay $2.01m and provide training on Google Classroom and other products. The district had argued that the companies designed their platforms to maximize engagement among young users, contributing to anxiety, depression, and self-harm while forcing schools to devote significant resources to addressing the consequences. The outcome is significant because it was the first school district case among hundreds of similar lawsuits consolidated in federal court in California. Attorneys representing school districts are now pursuing claims on behalf of roughly 1,200 other districts, including much larger systems such as Tucson USD, Los Angeles USD, and New York City Public Schools.

 

Reuters

The June 2 Los Angeles USD school board elections mark a sharp departure from the fiercely contested and heavily funded campaigns that once made Los Angeles the most expensive school board battleground in the United States. Three incumbent board members, Kelly Gonez, Nick Melvoin, and Rocio Rivas, are favored to retain their seats in relatively low-profile races, reflecting the decision by charter school advocates to largely stay out of this year’s contests. For more than a decade, charter school supporters and the teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), spent tens of millions of dollars backing competing visions for public education. However, major charter-backed political spending has declined as key donors have died, shifted priorities, or reduced contributions. Organizations aligned with the charter movement say they see little need for large-scale spending this cycle, particularly given the strength of incumbents such as Gonez and Melvoin. Observers say the current election highlights how influence in school board politics is evolving. Rather than relying on costly campaign battles, education groups are placing greater emphasis on school performance, community relationships, and policy advocacy, suggesting that the era of record-breaking spending in Los Angeles school board races may be drawing to a close.

 

Los Angeles Times

Discussions unfolded this week at the former Sunnyside Elementary School site in Los Osos, where residents are gearing up for the June primary election to vote on Measure B-26. This initiative proposes a $15 parcel tax to fund the purchase of the property, aiming to transform it into a community park. However, opinions are divided; developer Jeff Edwards argues for selling the property to a private owner for a civic center instead. Measure B-26 aims to raise $1,114,255 annually for 15 years for the purchase and maintenance of the site, which currently features sports fields and a basketball court. Proponents believe it will serve as a vital community space, while opponents question the financial viability of the project. Kim Wishon, director of the Central Coast Waldorf School, supports the measure, stating: “B-26 is definitely a grassroots citizen initiative.”

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Saugus USD reviewed its 2026 Local Control Accountability Plan Connectedness Survey during a recent board meeting. The survey, aimed at assessing school safety and emotional well-being, showed a 20% increase in employee participation and a 7% rise among families compared to 2024. Edwin T. Clement, the district's assistant superintendent, noted that the question regarding adults caring about students saw significant improvement, attributed to the “Capturing Kids' Hearts” initiative. However, student satisfaction with school decreased by 4% to 65%. Fractor emphasized the need for ongoing efforts, stating, “We always want to dig deeper and keep moving.” The final review of the Local Control and Accountability Plan is set for June 30, with a public hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

 

Signalscv.com

Peer counselors at Mission Hills High School Wellness Center are showcasing various mental health services available to students. Amid budget cuts affecting over 5,000 school employees in California, including counselors, the need for mental health support is more pressing than ever. A fall 2025 survey from the EdWeek Research Center revealed that nearly half of educators reported increased student anxiety related to immigration enforcement, with 21% noting more students seeking counseling. California's peer-to-peer youth mental health pilot program, funded by the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, is showing promise in enhancing student well-being. Students trained as peer mentors provide essential support, creating safe spaces for their peers. As one student at Serrano High School said: “They had a place where they could speak in their native tongue and have a good time.” With rising demand for counseling, sustaining these peer programs is crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and safety in schools. California must act to ensure these vital programs continue.

 

EdSource

Modesto City Schools Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago has reached out to local education and policy leaders to address the unsustainable rise in healthcare costs for educators. She advocates for a statewide healthcare pooling system, stating, “I think that really the most responsible option is to pool all educators across the state.” Buitrago highlighted the financial strain on teachers, noting that some face monthly medical costs exceeding their mortgage payments, which she called “unacceptable.” She emphasized the urgency for relief, stating: “Districts need relief now, not years later.” Buitrago has also been appointed to State Superintendent Tony Thurmond's TK–12 healthcare cost workgroup, which aims to explore the factors driving rising costs and develop actionable policy recommendations. The ongoing negotiations with the Modesto Teachers Association have made healthcare costs a critical issue for the district.

 

The Modesto Bee

Oakland USD recently announced its financial stability, claiming a significant turnaround from a previous deficit. Officials stated that the district is expected to meet all financial obligations for this year and the next two. However, skepticism arose among parents and community leaders, with many questioning the math behind the new budget numbers. Parent Arielle Fleisher said: "I do not get it. There's no clear picture of where we stand." The district faces a $100m deficit this year and has used half its savings to cover it. Despite this, officials predict a $109m decrease in spending next year, raising concerns about the accuracy of these projections. The report is now with the county Office of Education for further review.

 

San Francisco Chronicle

The U.S. Department of Education is seeking to streamline and speed up the approval process for college mergers and acquisitions, arguing that lengthy reviews can prevent financially struggling institutions from finding partners before they are forced to close. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said the agency plans to simplify a process that can currently take years, citing transactions such as Northeastern University’s acquisition of Marymount Manhattan College, which took more than two years to approach completion. The proposal comes as colleges face enrollment declines, rising costs, and funding pressures, with more than 50 merger deals announced since 2020. Supporters say faster approvals could help preserve institutions and protect students, while critics warn that loosening oversight could increase risks from private equity investors, opportunistic buyers, and transactions that may not adequately protect students, employees, or local communities. The debate unfolds as hundreds of private colleges nationwide face financial challenges and an increasing number explore mergers as a survival strategy.

 

Bloomberg

The Sacramento Bee

Napa Valley College has decided to eliminate two machine tool technology programs, including an associate degree and a one-year certificate, while introducing a new eight-unit certificate program. This decision is driven by budgetary challenges stemming from reduced federal and state funding and lower local property tax revenues. Priscilla Mora, the college's vice president of academic affairs, said: “We do not have a full-time faculty member, nor a part-time faculty member, to teach the courses.” The streamlined program, set to launch in fall 2027, will require significantly fewer hours of in-class time compared to the previous programs.

 

Press Democrat

An international panel from the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal has issued an interim ruling that Canada’s treatment of Indigenous Peoples constitutes an ongoing genocide. The decision followed Montreal hearings on residential schools, missing Indigenous children and unmarked graves, with evidence on forced family separation, cultural destruction and abuse. The tribunal said Canada bears legal, moral and political responsibility for actions and omissions causing intergenerational trauma and weakening Indigenous rights, sovereignty and cultural continuity. The federal government did not participate. A final ruling is expected on September 30.

 

CBC News