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The Trump administration has abruptly cut off funding for multiple Full-Service Community Schools grants, halting over a dozen ongoing projects that provided essential services like healthcare, food assistance, and academic support in underserved communities. These five-year federal grants, part of a $380m commitment, were designed to transform schools into hubs of support for students and families. The Education Department cited conflicts with the administration’s current policy priorities—particularly its rejection of programs perceived to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion—as the reason for discontinuation. Advocacy groups and grantees were given only a week to appeal. This move continues a broader pattern under Trump of rescinding federal education funding linked to equity-based initiatives.

 

Education Week

Delaware’s Redding Consortium has voted to pursue a major school redistricting plan that would consolidate the four school districts serving Wilmington, namely Brandywine, Red Clay, Christina, and Colonial, into a single Northern New Castle County Consolidated School District. The goal is to address long-standing racial and economic disparities in education by streamlining governance, distributing resources more equitably, and improving outcomes for the city’s predominantly low-income, Black student population. Proponents argue that the current fragmented system has led to racial re-segregation, underperformance, and inequality in support services. Opponents, including some district leaders and community members, raised concerns about costs, community identity, and implementation. Estimates suggest the consolidation could cost an additional $18m annually, largely to equalize salaries and support services. The move marks the most significant redistricting effort in Delaware in decades and will now require a detailed multi-year transition plan, followed by legislative approval in 2026.

 

Delaware News Journal

Indian Prairie School District 204 has appointed John Price as its new superintendent, effective July 1. Price, currently the superintendent of North Chicago School District 187, will succeed Adrian Talley, who announced he would not renew his contract. The decision followed a unanimous vote by the school board, which emphasized community input in the selection process. Price expressed his commitment to being a “student- and staff-centered leader” and highlighted his focus on equity and relationship-building. He noted the importance of making individuals feel valued, commenting: “What comes first and last are the ways that, as leaders, we make people feel.” Price's tenure at North Chicago saw significant improvements, including a rise in graduation rates from 56% to nearly 86%. He will receive a salary of $335,000 for the 2026-27 school year, with plans to engage with students and staff in preparation for his new role.

 

Chicago Tribune

Five members of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board are suing the Shelby County Election Commission, arguing that a recent change to election cycles unlawfully shortens their terms. The board members claim the change, orchestrated by Tennessee lawmakers and the County Commission, is retaliatory punishment for their vote to fire former Superintendent Marie Feagins. The lawsuit contends this violates the Tennessee Constitution, which protects elected officials from having their terms cut short without cause. The Shelby County Commission’s decision to align all board seats with its own election cycle effectively reduces some members’ terms by two years, prompting the legal action.

 

Memphis Commercial Appeal

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has released a report examining the costs associated with proposed adjustments to the Local Control Funding Formula, which has not met its intended equity goals since its implementation in 2013. Lawmakers are considering changes such as incorporating regional costs, increasing aid for low-income students, and shifting from attendance-based to enrollment-based funding. Carrie Hahnel, senior associate partner at Bellwether, said: "The gains aren’t as significant as people might assume," highlighting the need for a thorough analysis of the financial implications of these proposals. The report indicates that California's school districts are facing challenges due to declining enrollment and potential teacher strikes, which may intensify the urgency for reform. The PPIC report suggests that while funding has increased, achievement gaps persist, indicating that "something more is needed" to address the state's educational challenges.

 

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

Brooklyn Raney, founder of One Trusted Adult, emphasizes the importance of establishing clear boundaries for educators to foster healthy relationships with students. In her upcoming book, One Trusted Adult: How to Build Strong Connections & Healthy Boundaries with Young People, she highlights the lack of training educators receive regarding boundary-setting, which can lead to poor decisions that jeopardize both student experiences and educators' careers. Raney says: "It's time we name the real problem: a lack of boundary clarity in a boundary-critical profession." To address this, she proposes three strategies for school leaders: the shoulder/viral test, staying within one's zone of expertise, and upholding organizational rules. These strategies aim to guide educators in their interactions, ensuring they maintain professionalism while supporting students effectively. School leaders are urged to proactively assist educators in navigating these boundaries to prevent potential missteps.

 

Education Week News

A Bloomberg Law investigation has identified at least 40 federal civil rights lawsuits since 2017 alleging that children were strip searched in US 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 traumatise children.

 

Bloomberg Law

New York City Mayor Eric Adams made dyslexia a personal and political priority, pledging to transform how the nation’s largest school system identifies and supports students with reading disabilities. His administration introduced universal reading screeners, overhauled literacy instruction toward science-based methods, launched small pilot programs, and opened two specialized literacy academies. Advocates credit Adams with reducing stigma around dyslexia and elevating the issue nationally. However, many parents, lawyers, and advocates say those efforts fell far short of meeting the scale of need. Families still report yearslong struggles to secure services, especially for middle and high school students, and say support remains inconsistent and difficult to access. Critics describe the city’s approach as piecemeal, noting that pilot programs served only a fraction of affected students in a system of more than 1,500 schools. As Adams leaves office, experts argue his tenure offers both progress and a cautionary tale: meaningful steps were taken, but without sustained funding, systemwide implementation, and follow-through, many students with dyslexia continue to fall through the cracks.

 

New York Times

According to the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a larger percentage of the 2023 graduating seniors have enrolled in college, community college, or trade schools compared to previous years. The college-going rate increased by 2% overall, with approximately 55% of graduates pursuing higher education within a year of graduation. Despite this positive trend, Oregon's rate remains below the national average of nearly 63%. Amy Cox, the data and research director for the commission, noted: "The rise is still good news, particularly after the sharp slide during the pandemic." Enrollment rates vary significantly among demographic groups, with 79% of Asian and Asian American students entering higher education, while only 41% of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students did the same. Factors such as high tuition costs and concerns about financial aid processes have influenced students' decisions regarding higher education. The Oregon Tribal Student Grant is helping to alleviate some financial burdens for eligible students.

 

The Oregonian

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