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USA
2nd February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Education Department firings left taxpayers with multimillion-dollar bill

A report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that efforts by the Trump administration to fire staff at the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) cost taxpayers between $28.5m and $38m. The attempted reduction in force, announced in March, was blocked by the courts, but nearly 250 OCR employees were kept on paid administrative leave for almost nine months while being barred from working. The GAO said the department failed to produce a full accounting of the costs and savings of the proposed layoffs, despite federal requirements to do so, forcing investigators to estimate the impact using salaries and benefits. While the department later reinstated staff in December, OCR leadership rejected the watchdog’s recommendation to complete a full cost analysis, arguing the issue was now moot. The report also highlighted a sharp shift in OCR’s enforcement activity during the period, with around 90% of discrimination complaints resolved through dismissal rather than investigation and a steep fall in formal resolution agreements, particularly in cases involving racial and sexual harassment.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Level Up Your Students’ Future-Ready Skills

As the workforce and student needs evolve, how can schools ensure students are future-ready? Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic solution. Our comprehensive free guide empowers school leaders with practical tools—from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists—to strengthen CTE offerings and equip students with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets needed for future success.

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
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LEGISLATION

Iowa bill sparks debate on student speech

The Iowa legislature is advancing a proposal to expand students' rights to religious, political, and ideological speech in public schools. Known as Senate File 2062, or the “SPEAKS Act,” the bill aims to prevent viewpoint discrimination and allows students to sue districts for violations. Supporters, including Rep. Samantha Fett, argue it restores “constitutional clarity” to student free speech rights, while critics warn it may create loopholes for extremist groups and lead to costly litigation. Lance Kinzer, representing the First Amendment Partnership, emphasized the need for clearer laws to avoid expensive disputes, citing past litigation involving the University of Iowa. Opponents, including Keenan Crow from One Iowa, express concerns about potential discrimination against marginalized groups and the vagueness of the bill's language. The legislation is now set for further consideration by the full Senate Education Committee.

DISTRICTS

San Francisco school workers vote overwhelmingly for strike

More than 5,200 members of the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) voted overwhelmingly—97.6%—to authorize a strike as they advocate for increased public education funding. The union represents various workers within San Francisco USD, including educators, nurses, counselors, and psychologists. UESF said: "Our community is standing with us in our fight for the consistent classroom teachers, special education supports, and stable programs our students and families need and deserve." The last strike by San Francisco educators occurred in 1979 and lasted seven weeks. Superintendent Maria Su emphasized the district's commitment to negotiating in good faith with UESF. A special Board of Education meeting is scheduled to address labor negotiations and operational decisions in the event of a strike. Meanwhile, educators in Southern California are also preparing to strike for better pay and working conditions.

Milwaukee schools revamp literacy curriculum

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is implementing a significant overhaul of its literacy curriculum midyear to comply with the 2023 literacy law, Act 20. The district has allocated over $7.9m for new materials that align with the "science of reading," following criticism of previous instruction methods. Gabriela Bell Jiménez, the district's academic superintendent for literacy, emphasized the necessity of the change, commenting: "In order to be able to deliver Tier 1 instruction that was aligned to the science of reading, the materials that we currently had were not making the cut." The new curriculum, which includes updated lesson plans and teacher resources, was distributed to all schools by the end of December, with implementation beginning on January 27. This shift aims to address the low reading proficiency rates among MPS students, where nearly 75% of students in grades three through eight failed to meet proficiency standards on the previous year's Forward Exam. MPS is also seeking partial reimbursement from the state for adopting the new curriculum.

FINANCE

Colorado schools face budget uncertainty

Colorado school districts are facing significant budget challenges as they await the approval of the School Finance Act, which typically occurs at the end of the legislative session. Mike Madden, finance director for Delta County Joint District 50, said: "We try to hold everything off until we know the state picture." This year, lawmakers have introduced the School Finance Act earlier than usual, aiming for $10.2bn in statewide education funding. However, concerns remain regarding potential cuts due to a projected $850m budget shortfall. Jana Schleusner, chief financial officer for Douglas County School District, emphasized the need for transparency in funding decisions, commenting: "If you're going to cut, stop playing these games around the edges." As budget discussions progress, school leaders are wary of the implications of federal funding cuts and changes to the Specific Ownership Tax calculations, which could further complicate funding for schools.

Wyoming’s school funding overhaul could bring bigger classes and teacher cuts

Wyoming lawmakers have approved a draft school funding bill as part of the state’s five-year recalibration process, but the proposal could mean larger class sizes and hundreds fewer teachers statewide. Consultants recommended a $100m boost in spending and higher salaries, though still with some staff cuts. Lawmakers scaled this back significantly, initially proposing deeper reductions, before restoring some funding and teacher positions by lowering planned class size increases and adding support for small schools. Even so, educators warn the bill fails to fully address underfunding, and many support service decisions, like counselors and nurses, have been delayed while a related court ruling is appealed. The full Legislature will debate the bill during the upcoming budget session.

POLICY

Reducing school days to fix budget gaps could harm Oregon students, warns report

Oregon school districts are facing significant budget cuts for the 2026-2027 school year, prompting concerns about potential reductions in school days. A report by researchers at ECOnorthwest, commissioned by Stand for Children, emphasizes that cutting school days is not a viable solution, particularly given Oregon's already short school year. Sarah Pope, executive director of Stand for Children's Oregon chapter, commented: "We cannot repeat Oregon's history of balancing budgets on the backs of students." The report advocates for increasing mandated instructional time by approximately three weeks and addressing high student absenteeism to improve academic outcomes. Currently, Oregon is one of 19 states that do not mandate a specific number of school days, relying instead on minimum instructional hours. State Rep. April Dobson, D-Happy Valley, supports legislation to enhance tracking of student absenteeism, aiming to prevent further declines in attendance and academic performance.

LEADERSHIP

Searching for a principal: Teamwork makes the dream work

In the evolving landscape of education leadership, hiring practices for principals are undergoing significant changes. Andrew Rebello, assistant superintendent at Bristol-Plymouth Technical High School in Taunton, Massachusetts, emphasizes the importance of a thorough selection process, commenting: "Right behind the teacher in the classroom, the next most important person is the principal for student outcomes." Involving teachers, parents, and students in the hiring process has become essential, particularly in light of increased scrutiny on schools post-pandemic. Henry Tran, director of the Talent Centered Education Leadership Initiative at the University of South Carolina, noted that districts are now seeking candidates who can adapt to changing challenges rather than merely following traditional scripts. The hiring process often includes simulations and role-plays to assess candidates' responses to real-world scenarios, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to lead effectively. As districts prioritize strong instructional leadership, candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to foster a positive school climate and address pressing issues.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Indian Prairie School Board Approves $26m high school upgrade

Indian Prairie School District 204 is advancing its facilities improvement plan following the approval of nearly $26m in renovations at Neuqua Valley High School. This initiative is part of a broader strategy enabled by the passage of a bond referendum in 2024, which allows the district to sell up to $420m in bonds for facility enhancements. The bond will maintain a flat property tax rate for residents, as it continues an existing 37-cent tax per $100 of equalized assessed value. The renovations at Neuqua Valley aim to transition freshman students back to the main campus by 2027, with significant upgrades including new classrooms, science labs, and a turf field. Superintendent Smith said: "The changes will enhance the educational environment for our students." Overall, the planned renovations at Neuqua Valley are estimated to cost $96m, with $90m funded through the district's bond issuances.

SPORTS

Alabama's private schools band together for AHSAA

Private school representatives in Alabama convened on January 30 at Faulkner University in Montgomery to discuss the Alabama High School Athletic Association's (AHSAA) decision to separate private and public schools for postseason play. The meeting aimed to establish a unified voice to address concerns such as increased travel costs and challenges in scheduling competitive games for geographically isolated schools. Despite the AHSAA's reclassification, the private schools remain committed to the association. Montgomery Catholic President Justin Castanza said: "We're going to force some effort to try to advocate for some of the challenges that were presented with the reclassification." The consensus was to work collaboratively within the AHSAA rather than pursue legal action or withdraw from the organization.

HIGHER EDUCATION

ASU's film school experiment ends

Arizona State University (ASU) has closed the California College of ASU, formerly Columbia College Hollywood, due to ongoing financial and accreditation challenges. ASU spokesperson Nikki Ripley stated: "The school’s accreditation and financial challenges, which preceded the affiliation with ASU, ultimately were not able to be resolved in a timely manner." The college, which had dwindled to 42 students by the end of 2025, faced declining enrollment and revenue, dropping from $19.4m in 2022 to $4.1m in 2025. James O’Brien, ASU's senior vice president of university affairs, described the collaboration as "an experiment" that ultimately did not succeed. ASU will continue to offer other programs in the former Herald Examiner building, focusing on enrolling film students directly at ASU.

INTERNATIONAL

Finland eyes Australia-inspired crackdown on kids’ social media use

Finland is considering banning or restricting social media use for children under 15, following growing concern about its effects on young people’s health and wellbeing. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and public health authorities support the move, encouraged by the success of recent school smartphone restrictions that have boosted children’s activity and social interaction. Researcher Silja Kosola has described social media as an “uncontrolled human experiment,” linking it to rising self-harm, eating disorders and social divides, particularly in a country where children receive smartphones at very young ages. Finland is looking to Australia, which introduced an under-16 ban in December, placing responsibility on tech companies, though experts warn enforcement challenges could drive children to less regulated platforms.

AND FINALLY......

Meet the 2026 Teacher of the Year finalists

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has announced the five finalists for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to education. The finalists are Katie Collins of Bluff Park Elementary in Hoover, Alabama; Rachel Kinsaul of Morgan County High School in Madison, Georgia; Michelle Gross of Spencer County Middle School in Taylorsville, Kentucky; Linda Wallenberg of Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Leon Smith of Haverford High School of Havertown, Pennsylvania. Carissa Moffat Miller, chief executive of CCSSO, said that these educators were selected for their “outstanding commitment to education and impactful teaching that advances student outcomes.” The finalists were chosen from 56 local teachers of the year across the U.S. The winner will serve as an education ambassador for a year, with the announcement expected later this spring.
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