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Public school districts in at least 30 states could introduce new fees for tutoring, technology, transportation, and other educational services under President Donald Trump’s federal school choice program. Beginning January 1, the initiative will provide dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits to individuals who donate to approved K-12 scholarship organizations, with funds available to students attending both public and private schools. However, public schools face significant legal, financial, and administrative challenges in participating, particularly as the IRS has yet to clarify which expenses qualify for scholarship funding. While many districts already charge for supplemental services, state laws restricting fees could complicate implementation. Scott Bowling, executive director of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials, highlighted the legal uncertainty surrounding permissible charges, explaining that schools were instructed to “Check with your local counsel,” requiring districts to seek legal guidance on which expenses could be charged to families. He also questioned the practicality of charging families for supplemental education, warning: “You’re not going to get anybody to come to your tutoring program if you’re asking them to pay.” 

 

Education Week News

See Math Centers Bring Authentic Learning to Life

Math is everywhere — and meaningful learning happens when students explore it in action. California Reveal Math puts students at the center through mathematical discourse and hands-on exploration, with Math Centers built into every K–8 unit that challenge them to model, apply, and discuss what they're learning. Five integrated centers — Let's Build Fluency!, Let's Model the Math!, Let's Apply the Math!, Personalized Learning, and ALEKS Adaptive Learning — support partner, small-group, or independent practice, with built-in guidance that helps teachers respond to student needs in the moment.

See it in action: watch how K–5 classrooms build understanding through meaningful connections, and how grades 6–8 deepen thinking through exploration, reasoning, and real-world application.

 

Democrats could significantly reshape federal education policy if they gain control of either chamber of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, prioritizing oversight of the Trump administration’s restructuring of the Department of Education and increased funding for public schools. Democratic lawmakers have pledged to investigate the transfer of federal education responsibilities to other agencies, strengthen enforcement of existing education and civil rights laws, and potentially reverse the administration’s school choice initiatives. Proposals include tripling Title I funding for disadvantaged students, investing $130 billion in school infrastructure, establishing a $60,000 minimum teacher salary, and expanding special education and prekindergarten funding. Democrats may also seek to repeal the federal tax credit scholarship program, which the administration estimates could reach $26 billion annually by 2030. Potential areas for bipartisan cooperation, meanwhile, include early childhood education, career training, broadband funding, and safeguards governing artificial intelligence and student data.

 

Education Week News

A national study by NWEA involving 55,000 students across 29 states has found that approximately 25% of students academically prepared for eighth-grade algebra were not enrolled in the course, potentially limiting their future opportunities in advanced mathematics and STEM careers. Separate research in New York identified similar gaps, with an estimated 20,000 additional students eligible for Algebra I. Researchers highlighted disparities in access based on income, race, school availability, and placement decisions influenced by teachers and families. Evidence suggests academically prepared students benefit from taking algebra earlier, prompting advocates to recommend automatic enrollment with an opt-out option and additional academic support. However, experts caution that expanding access must be accompanied by effective instruction and stronger mathematical foundations in earlier grades.

 

The 74

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has launched MIT for America, a nationwide initiative to expand STEM education for students from kindergarten through community college. The program focuses on mathematics, responsible artificial intelligence (AI), and hands-on engineering and design. Building on existing initiatives, MIT will expand calculus tutoring, provide teachers with AI education resources, and increase access to project-based learning through fabrication laboratories and sustainability challenges. The initiative aims to address gaps in STEM participation, with just 6% of U.S. high school students enrolled in computer science courses in 2024, despite more than 60% of schools offering them. MIT hopes to improve educational access, workforce readiness, and economic mobility.

 

GovTech

The Sacramento City USD is grappling with a significant fiscal crisis, projecting a $222m structural deficit. The district's financial strategy has raised concerns among fiscal overseers, particularly regarding its reliance on a one-time state grant of $31m, which it has counted as recurring revenue for the next two years. Julie Lautsch, a spokesperson for the California Department of Education, emphasized that "one-time funding is not guaranteed in subsequent years and should not be relied upon to balance an ongoing budget." Despite warnings from financial experts, SCUSD maintains that recent funding trends justify their assumptions. The district is under pressure to revise its financial projections and has identified $82m in potential savings, although the actual impact remains uncertain. Michael Fine, former CEO of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, criticized the district for its delayed corrective actions and reiterated that "one-time is meant to be one time."

 

The Sacramento Bee

San Francisco USD plans to replace its elementary school lottery system with a neighborhood-based enrollment model after years of delays and concerns over unpredictable school assignments. The school board will consider two proposals: Option B would guarantee neighborhood school placements for families applying on time while allowing applications to other schools, while Option C would extend neighborhood guarantees to late applicants but restrict additional choices to specialized programs. A district survey of 2,725 families found that 71% supported Option B, compared with 48% for Option C. The district also plans to redraw school attendance boundaries, with a final policy expected in April and implementation scheduled for summer 2028.

 

EdSource

Darnise Williams, the Superintendent of the Antioch USD, has filed a lawsuit against the district and trustee Mary Rocha, alleging race, gender, and age discrimination, as well as harassment. Williams claims that after she discovered unauthorized health-benefit payments to trustees, she faced backlash, including being labeled as "angry, aggressive, threatening, bullying, incoherent, and unprofessional." Rocha suggested that Williams was not the "preferred choice" for the position, indicating a preference for a Latino superintendent. Williams asserts that she was treated unfairly compared to her white counterparts and that the district failed to investigate her complaints of discrimination. Williams' attorney, Dominique Westmoreland, stated that they intend to litigate the claims and seek all available remedies. 

 

East Bay

Mercury News

On Thursday, a Marin County Superior Court judge granted a restraining order against Tamalpais UHSD trustee Kevin Saavedra, prohibiting him from contacting parent Ina Gotlieb, who accused him of harassment. Saavedra, who is seeking reelection, used his district email to send profane messages to Gotlieb, including “go f—- yourself you stupid old crone.” Judge Mark A. Talamantes expressed disbelief at Saavedra's actions, stating: “You’re humiliating a parent whose child goes to your school?” Gotlieb expressed relief over the ruling, saying, “He was not seeing any consequences to his actions until today.” The restraining order mandates Saavedra to cease all communication with Gotlieb and remove critical YouTube videos. Keith J. Bybee, a law professor, noted that Saavedra's behavior reflects a troubling shift in public official conduct influenced by higher political figures.

 

EdSource

A recent study by The GRAD Partnership, Everyone Graduates Center, and the Partnership for Student Success reveals that small and rural school districts are recovering from chronic absenteeism more effectively than larger urban districts. The study found that rural districts with fewer than 1,000 students have brought their absenteeism rates back to within 2% of pre-pandemic levels by the 2024-25 school year, achieving this at nearly double the rate of urban districts with over 50,000 students. Michele Fahrlander, a school social worker, emphasized the importance of individualized outreach, stating, “Because we are a smaller district, we are able to take a more individualized approach.” The study analyzed 8,586 school districts across 34 states and the District of Columbia, highlighting the need for further research into the factors contributing to the success of these rural districts.

 

EdSurge

Ashley Uraine, a dedicated educator at Yucaipa High School, has been honored as one of five California Teachers of the Year for 2027. Uraine, who leads medical careers classes, received the news from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “Receiving this recognition as a California Teacher of the Year is an incredible honor and a reflection of the students, colleagues, and mentors who have supported me throughout my time in education,” Uraine said. She has prepared over 300 students for state exams to become certified medical assistants and is committed to developing compassionate healthcare professionals. A ceremony to recognize the winners will be held in Sacramento in early 2027.

 

Redlands Daily Facts

San Francisco State University has reported its first enrollment increase in over a decade, with new-student enrollment rising by 1,060, an 18% boost compared to last year. President Lynn Mahoney stated: “Every time someone wanted to talk this year about something to do, I would say: ‘Is it going to increase enrollment? Is it going to help us retain the ones that we've admitted previously?’” Despite this positive trend, overall enrollment remains nearly flat, with a total of 20,824 students, reflecting a significant decline since 2015. The university faces challenges due to rising housing costs in San Francisco, which have made it difficult for middle- and low-income students to afford living in the area. Mahoney emphasized the need for a new vision that connects education to industry, aiming to attract more students and adapt to the changing economic landscape.

 

San Francisco Chronicle