Become more informed in minutes....

A federal database that tracked domestic terrorism and school shootings has been dismantled by the Trump administration, K-12 Dive reports. Managed by the University of Maryland’s START program, the Terrorism and Targeted Violence Database was the first to study school-based attacks as domestic terrorism. Between 2023 and 2024, it recorded over 1,800 incidents, 400 of which involved U.S. schools, leading to 81 fatal attacks. Homeland security experts warn the move removes the only publicly available dataset offering critical insights to law enforcement, educators, and policymakers—potentially weakening national efforts to understand and prevent school-based violence.

 

EdSource

K-12 Dive

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population. School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
  
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
  
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
  
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's school voucher bill, Senate Bill 2, is facing delays in the Texas House. Initially expected to be fast-tracked, the bill's vote was postponed to allow committee members to review significant changes and financial impacts. Committee chairman Brad Buckley stated: “I look forward to meeting with each committee member to discuss the impact this legislation will have on their district.” Critics, including Daphne Hoffacker from the Austin Council of PTAs, expressed concerns about the bill's support and transparency, urging legislators to prioritize public education. Meanwhile, advocates from Raise Your Hand Texas plan a rally to emphasize the need for better funding for schools, highlighting Texas's low teacher pay and per-pupil spending. Organizer Allen Weeks criticized Abbott's push for vouchers, claiming it serves wealthy donors rather than the public interest.

 

The Austin Chronicle

Oregon plans to allocate $8m for summer learning programs over the next two years, with $35m specifically earmarked for summer 2025. The Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education's unanimous vote allows the proposal to advance to the full budget committee. Advocates see this funding as a victory, despite it being less than desired and with additional requirements. The focus will be on enhancing reading skills, with grant recipients required to track student outcomes. Senator Janeen Sollman emphasized the need to prioritize districts with low reading proficiency, stating, "students, particularly those farthest behind... lag significantly in core academic skills." With only $35m available each summer, not all of Oregon's 197 school districts will receive funding.

 

The Oregonian

Colorado Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie announced a new proposal aimed at addressing the state's education funding amid a $1.2bn budget shortfall. The legislation, known as the Public School Finance Act, seeks to extend the implementation of a new funding formula from six to seven years, allowing for a gradual increase in per-pupil funding. McCluskie emphasized that “no school district gets funded at levels lower than this year” for the next two years, despite anticipated declines in enrollment funding. The bill also includes provisions to adjust the enrollment calculation method, shifting from a four-year to a three-year average, which may impact districts with decreasing student numbers. The proposal aims to balance the need for sustainable funding while addressing the challenges posed by declining enrollment. Lawmakers will review the formula annually to ensure its viability.

 

Chalkbeat

The Green Bay School District is actively selling several properties, including Keller Elementary and Friedrich Froebel Garden of Early Learning, as part of a strategy to address a multimillion-dollar deficit projected for the 2026-27 school year. Keller Elementary, which closed last year, is listed for $900,000, while Friedrich Froebel is priced at $475,000. The district is also negotiating the sale of a property along Guns Street, with village president Steve Soukup involved in the discussions. The district has not disclosed the sale price for this property, which was last sold in 1994 for $79,600. Additionally, the district is in talks to sell an unspecified property in Allouez, potentially linked to the closure of Langlade Elementary. As the district navigates financial challenges, it has previously announced plans to close Katherine Johnson Academy of Enriched Virtual Learning and has engaged in a land exchange with the city of Green Bay.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

Columbus City Schools Superintendent Angela Chapman issued an apology for the district's decision to revert the names and genders of transgender and gender-variant students to their legal names and biological sexes in district systems. During a school board meeting, Chapman acknowledged the harm caused, stating, "I understand the hurt and frustration that this change has caused." The decision followed the rescinding of the district's transgender policy to comply with Ohio's Senate Bill 104, which mandates that students use facilities corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. Parents and community members expressed their discontent, demanding the restoration of the ability to change names in district systems. Stephen Hardwick, a parent of two transgender students, criticized the lack of communication from the district, saying, "We want to hear what a plan is." The board plans to address the issue collaboratively with the community.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

The Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy has advanced bill SB 1470, aimed at enhancing safety protocols in Florida schools. Sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, the bill emphasizes that “every Florida student deserves to feel safe at school.” It mandates trained security personnel through the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program, which includes rigorous training and evaluations. Additionally, the bill introduces a real-time "interoperable panic alert system" managed by the Florida Department of Education to improve communication with emergency responders. The legislation also requires school boards to keep campuses locked during supervision hours and proposes the establishment of a Florida Institute of School Safety to further enhance security measures. A report of findings is expected by January 1, 2026.

 

The Floridian

Jill Underly has won a second term as Wisconsin's Superintendent of Public Instruction, defeating Republican-backed Brittany Kinser with 53% of the vote. This election saw unprecedented spending, totaling at least $5.4 million, surpassing the previous record of $3 million in 2021. Underly, a Democrat, emphasized her commitment to defending public schools amid potential federal cuts during President Donald Trump's administration. She stated, "The changes came at the request of Wisconsin teachers and more accurately reflect student achievement," referring to her controversial overhaul of proficiency benchmarks. Kinser, a former special education teacher and charter school administrator, positioned herself as a moderate but faced criticism for her lack of a Wisconsin teacher's license. The election highlights ongoing debates over school choice and funding for public education in the state.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Joshua Ray, an educational leader and researcher, highlights the overwhelming pressures school principals face, often in isolation. Many leaders transition from strong teaching roles into leadership positions, only to encounter imposter syndrome, burnout, and mental and physical strain. Ray's survey of 500 school leaders in Arkansas revealed that 40% reported sleep deprivation and 86% lacked adequate exercise. Many skipped meals and sacrificed personal time. Despite the education sector valuing collaboration, leaders often operate alone, driven by unrealistic self-expectations and the myth that tireless effort equates to success. Ray urges a redefinition of effective leadership, advocating for shared leadership as a healthier, more sustainable model. He calls on educational communities to support leaders and promote balance, collaboration, and collective strength to retain and empower school leadership in the long term.

 

Education Week News

In Texas, over 500,000 children under six lack access to child care services, impacting about 25% of the state's 2.1m children in that age group. The Dallas Morning News reports that several bills are being considered to address these gaps, including House Bill 1934, which proposes tuition exemptions for child care employees pursuing relevant degrees. Rep. Vikki Goodwin said: “This isn't evaluating the need for the services or more services. It's looking at what we're doing today and trying to figure out how to do it better.” Other proposed solutions include data collection on child care capacity and employer incentives to improve access. The urgency for reform is underscored by the challenges faced by working parents and the need for affordable, quality child care.

 

Dallas News

New York City schools are preparing for an unprecedented hiring spree, aiming to recruit between 7,000 and 9,000 new teachers this fall to comply with state class size regulations. Currently, only 46% of classrooms meet the mandated size limits, which require K-3 classes to have a maximum of 20 students. Amy Way, executive director of the Education Department's Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality, expressed concern about the challenges of meeting this demand, stating, “That volume is a lot, and we are actually concerned about meeting the volume.” The hiring surge is expected to increase competition for candidates, particularly affecting high-poverty schools that struggle to retain teachers. Despite the challenges, some educators believe that the hiring spree could lead to improved student learning outcomes, with principals advocating for more investment in teacher training and recruitment.

 

Chalkbeat

California lawmakers have rejected two Republican-backed bills that sought to limit transgender students' participation in school sports and facilities. One bill would have barred students assigned male at birth from joining girls’ teams, while another aimed to overturn a 2013 law allowing students to participate in sex-segregated school activities based on gender identity. The Assembly's Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee dismissed the proposals after emotional debate, with LGBTQ+ advocates calling the legislation harmful and discriminatory. Supporters, including student-athlete Taylor Starling, argued that biological differences make the playing field unfair. Committee chair Chris Ward said such bills amounted to “gender policing” and posed risks to cisgender and transgender students alike. The hearing followed Transgender Day of Visibility and came after Gov. Gavin Newsom drew criticism for suggesting transgender athletes in girls’ sports may be unfair. With over 49,000 trans youth in California, advocates say these proposals reflect broader national efforts to erode transgender rights.

 

AP News

Mercury News

Research from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has revealed a link between screen time in bed and sleep disruption among students. The study, which surveyed over 45,000 students aged 18-28, found that each additional hour of screen use correlates with a 63% increase in insomnia risk and a reduction of 24 minutes in sleep duration. Dr Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland, the lead author, explained: "We found no significant differences between social media and other screen activities, suggesting that screen use itself is the key factor in sleep disruption." While the study highlights a correlation, it does not establish causation, indicating that further research is needed to understand the impact of screen use on sleep. 

 

BBC News

A principal in New South Wales, Australia, pulled off a masterful April Fools’ prank by convincing students they’d be required to complete a Year 13. Kylie Woods of Wollongong High School of Performing Arts told her Year 11 cohort they’d now graduate in 2027 due to a new education policy. The prank, coordinated with the NSW Department of Education, was delivered with hidden cameras rolling. When she revealed it was all a joke, the shocked students burst into relieved laughter. The prank has since been praised as one of the best school-based April Fools’ Day stunts in recent memory.

 

Student Edge