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The U.S. Department of Education has unexpectedly halted funding for over a dozen community school projects just two weeks before the next funding cycle. The Full-Service Community Schools Program, which supports districts and nonprofits in providing essential services like food and medical care, is affected. Murray Bessette, acting head of the Education Department’s office of planning, evaluation and policy development, stated that the grants are "inconsistent with, and no longer effectuates, the best interest of the Federal Government." Although the specific programs impacted have not been publicly disclosed, advocates estimate that between 12 and 20 programs received termination letters. The 70 programs that were awarded five-year grants are set to receive $380m by 2028, with most in their second or third year of funding. Grantees have less than a week to appeal the decision.

 

EdSource

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing whole milk to return to the National School Lunch Program for the first time in over a decade. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), aims to enhance nutritional options for students by permitting flavored and unflavored whole and 2% milk in K-12 schools. Marshall said: "This is a win for kids, parents, Kansas dairy farmers, and common sense," adding that it "ensures our children have access to the nutrients they need to grow strong and health." The bill also addresses the need for nondairy alternatives that meet nutritional standards. However, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has raised concerns about the potential increase in saturated fat consumption among children. The legislation has garnered support from various stakeholders, including House Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA), who has long advocated for the return of whole milk to schools.

 

The Columbian

School districts across the U.S. are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) detection tools, despite evidence indicating their unreliability. Ailsa Ostovitz, a junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Maryland, faced accusations of using AI for her assignments, which she vehemently denied. "It's mentally exhausting because it's like I know this is my work," Ostovitz said. The Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) clarified that the district does not fund the AI detection software, advising educators against reliance on such tools due to documented inaccuracies. Mike Perkins, a researcher on academic integrity at British University Vietnam, emphasized: "It's now fairly well established in the academic integrity field that these tools are not fit for purpose." Despite these concerns, districts continue to allocate significant funds for these technologies, raising questions about their effectiveness and the potential for misidentifying student work.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

In a significant shift, Miami Dade College will begin authorizing new charter schools, effectively removing this power from Miami-Dade Public Schools. Crystal Etienne, president of EduVoter, expressed concerns, noting: "I believe it's a violation of our Florida Constitution." This change follows a history of similar attempts that were deemed unconstitutional. The Florida Charter Institute at Miami Dade College will oversee the new charter applications, with the final decision resting with the college's Board of Trustees, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Critics, including Miami-Dade school board member Luisa Santos, argue that this move complicates oversight and accountability, emphasizing that "we are accountable to voters." As charter schools expand, the implications for traditional public schools in Miami-Dade could be profound, with potential competition leading to closures.

 

The Miami Herald

The Pinellas County school board has approved salary increases for various employee groups, including educational support staff, district police, and administrators, effective from the mid-January pay cycle. This decision follows earlier contracts with teachers and bus drivers. School board member Laura Hine emphasized that these raises are possible due to the local-option property tax referendum passed by voters, remarking: "It is the only reason." The referendum has allowed for significant salary increases, averaging between 3% and 13%, and includes one-time bonuses of $300 for full-time workers, excluding administrators. The added pay is retroactive to July 1, aligning with the district's fiscal year.

 

Tampa Bay Times

A Bloomberg Law investigation has identified at least 40 federal civil rights lawsuits since 2017 alleging that children were strip searched in U.S. schools, often over minor issues such as vaping, missing money, or suspected drug possession. The cases describe searches conducted by school staff and, in some instances, police officers, frequently without parental consent and sometimes involving students with disabilities or searches by staff of a different gender. Courts have repeatedly found such searches to be highly intrusive, with studies linking them to long-term psychological harm, including anxiety, depression, and reduced academic engagement. While Supreme Court precedent limits excessively intrusive searches, legal grey areas and qualified immunity have allowed the practice to persist. Several states, including Hawaii, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, have moved to ban or restrict strip searches in schools, and lawmakers in others are considering reforms, as advocates argue that student safety can be maintained without practices that traumatize children.

 

Bloomberg Law

Mechele Higginbotham has been appointed as the principal of Palatka Primary School, while Cathy Oyster transitions to lead Palatka Intermediate School. Michael Chaires, previously the assistant principal at Palatka Junior-Senior High School, will serve as the interim principal. The Putnam County School District is excited about these leadership changes, which aim to enhance the educational experience for students.

 

Palatka Daily News

The Orange County School Board to discuss the potential closure of several schools due to a significant decline in student enrollment. The district has reported a loss of over 5,500 students this school year, leading to an anticipated funding shortfall of $41m. Seven schools, including Union Park Middle School and McCoy Elementary School, are under consideration for closure. Parents and community members have initiated petitions to save these schools, with one petition stating: "Unfortunately, our cherished school is now at risk of being closed or consolidated by the school district." The outcome of this meeting could have lasting impacts on the community and its students.

 

Bradenton.com

Fox 35 Orlando

In Orange County, a unique program provides mental health counselors to childcare centers, helping children like Gabriel overcome separation anxiety. "Slowly but surely, he's come out of his shell," said Dawn Orsaeo, Gabriel's mother, highlighting the positive impact of the program. Since 2021, the county has invested between $724,000 and $1.5m annually to support 30 centers, with plans to expand to 23 more this year. The initiative aims to reduce preschool expulsions, particularly among children of color and those with disabilities. Counselors work closely with teachers and parents to identify developmental delays and provide necessary support. "Those early years set the tone for learning throughout the lifetime," noted Anne Marie Sheffield, emphasizing the importance of stable relationships in early education.

 

Bradenton.com

A growing consensus among education experts suggests that effective professional development (PD) for teachers isn’t about how many hours are spent in training, but how well those sessions are designed, supported, and integrated into daily practice. While some reports suggest 20–50 hours of PD per year, practitioners argue that ongoing support, relevance to classroom realities, and space to apply and reflect on new skills matter far more. Educators and experts highlighted key challenges, including limited time, mandated one-off trainings with little follow-up, and PD that lacks continuity or relevance. Instead, they advocate for sustained, job-embedded learning with coaching, peer collaboration, and a clear connection to student and teacher outcomes. To better measure impact, experts urge schools to move beyond attendance numbers and instead assess instructional changes and student progress. 

 

Government Technology

A new Eurostat report shows that Ireland had one of the lowest education dropout rates in the European Union (E.U.) in 2024, with just 9% of people aged 15 to 34 leaving a course or training programme without completing it, well below the E.U. average of 14.2%. This positions Ireland as one of the stronger performers in Europe for education retention. By contrast, dropout rates were significantly higher in countries like the Netherlands (32.2%), Denmark, and Luxembourg (both over 24%,) while Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria reported rates below 4%. The most common reason for dropping out across the E.U. was course difficulty or mismatch, particularly in higher education. Personal or family issues, such as health problems or caring responsibilities, were the second most cited reason, followed by a preference to enter the workforce. Financial pressures played a smaller role, cited by just 5% of respondents.

 

Irish Independent