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Students in more than three dozen U.S. states have staged walkouts in recent weeks to protest the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, with demonstrations continuing despite warnings from Republican officials. In Texas, however, state leaders have taken a particularly hard line. Gov. Greg Abbott has warned that schools allowing walkouts could face funding cuts and even state takeovers, and suggested disorderly students could be arrested. The Texas Education Agency has echoed those concerns, cautioning districts against facilitating protests. Civil rights advocates argue such threats may violate students’ constitutional free speech rights. Despite the pressure, hundreds of Texas students have participated in walkouts, saying they are motivated by concerns over deportations and recent immigration-related incidents. Some organizers cited Supreme Court precedent affirming student speech rights, while Abbott has emphasized that those rights have limits, particularly when students leave campus without permission. School administrators have issued warnings about possible disciplinary action, leaving some students and parents fearful of academic consequences. Still, many participants say they view the protests as an important exercise of civic engagement at a time when they are too young to vote. The standoff highlights broader national tensions over immigration policy, student activism and the limits of free speech in schools, with Texas emerging as a focal point in the debate.

 

New York Times

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The San Francisco teachers' strike concluded on Friday with a tentative agreement between the San Francisco USD and the United Educators of San Francisco. The deal includes a 5% pay raise over two years and fully funded healthcare for union members and their families starting in 2027. Union President Cassondra Curiel said: "The affordability crisis for those of us devoted to San Francisco's next generation is real." The strike, which was the first since 1979, affected 50,000 students and highlighted ongoing labor tensions in California's education system. The district is currently facing a $102 million budget deficit and is under state fiscal oversight due to financial difficulties. The agreement also includes protections for immigrant and refugee students and limitations on the use of artificial intelligence in schools.

 

Los Angeles Times

Politico

U.S. News

The challenges of implementing an inclusion model at Peninsula Elementary School in North Portland are highlighted through the story of Brom Brisbois, a five-year-old with significant cognitive and speech issues. His mother, Marilyn Brisbois, expressed her concerns during a meeting with teachers and officials, stating: "It's not all bad. He's not getting the help or the education that he deserves, but at least he wants to be there." The Portland Public Schools' initiative aims to integrate students with profound needs into general education classrooms, but parents and educators report difficulties due to staffing shortages and inadequate support. The district has paused the expansion of this model, focusing instead on the eight schools currently implementing it. Kelli Charles, the district's senior director for special education, emphasized that "inclusion must be purposeful and supported, not just a physical presence." Parents are calling for a concrete action plan to address the ongoing issues at Peninsula, where 31% of students have special needs.

 

The Oregonian

Michigan has enacted a law banning smartphones from K-12 classrooms starting in fall 2026, joining approximately three dozen states with similar policies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated: "We know that phones impede a student's ability to learn." While students may carry basic phones, smartphones will not be permitted during instructional time. This law aims to establish baseline regulations across public school districts, although individual schools may adopt stricter rules. The legislation does not restrict medically necessary devices or district-owned devices for instructional use. Whitmer emphasized the benefits of such policies, noting that "more than half of the states already have policies like these on phones in class like ours, and they're already seeing the benefit of it." The move reflects a growing trend to minimize distractions and enhance student engagement in the classroom.

 

Los Angeles Times

On February 16, 2026, a shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, resulted in three fatalities, including the suspected shooter, and left three others hospitalized. The incident, which occurred during a high school hockey game, is believed to be “a targeted family dispute,” according to the mayor's office. Superintendent Don Cowart confirmed that all Coventry High School students present were safe. A local sports editor, Branden Mello, reported that a father from North Smithfield intervened by disarming the shooter, although the assailant possessed a second weapon. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee expressed his condolences, stating: “I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved.” The investigation is ongoing, with local and state authorities collaborating to provide updates.

 

Boston Globe

The Kenosha school board is advancing a proposed policy aimed at enhancing safety in schools, in the wake of recent incidents involving students bringing guns to campuses. The policy, which the Wisconsin district has been developing since last fall, outlines guidelines for the use of security screening tools, including metal detectors and handheld wands. Tanya Ruder, chief communications officer for Kenosha USD, said: "While discussions about metal detectors have become a priority for administration, the policy provides the framework necessary for their implementation." The policy allows for screenings based on reasonable suspicion and random checks, with the goal of deterring weapons on school grounds. The board plans to discuss the policy further on February 24, with a focus on student safety and the potential for similar measures for visitors in the future.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elementary school teachers are increasingly reporting severe behavioral problems among young students, with a notable rise in the need for classroom management training. According to federal data, the percentage of educators seeking more training increased from 51% in May 2022 to 65% last year. Andrea Quinn, a veteran teacher at Lead Elementary School in San Mateo, stated: "They're just so much more physical. We're struggling with kids being able to talk to each other and talk to adults in a respectful manner." The challenges are attributed to the pandemic's impact on social-emotional development, as many children missed crucial early educational experiences. Educators are adapting their management strategies, with some states moving away from exclusionary discipline in favor of restorative practices. However, the effectiveness of these approaches varies, and many teachers feel underprepared to handle the current classroom dynamics.

 

Los Angeles Times

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in school cybersecurity is evolving, with generative and agentic AI emerging as new tools. Amy McLaughlin, the cybersecurity project director for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), noted that while traditional AI has been utilized for years, the role of generative AI remains uncertain. “For cybersecurity, a lot of what is done in that space isn't really something that aligns to generative [AI],” she stated. Despite mixed results from early adopters like Oak Park Elementary School District in Illinois, where generative AI tools have been tested, experts emphasize the need for caution. Doug Levin, co-founder of the K12 Security Information Exchange, remarked that the promise of AI in cybersecurity is still largely future-oriented. As districts face budget constraints and staffing shortages, the focus remains on established best practices while exploring the potential of AI technologies.

 

Education Week News

Feasibility studies are playing an increasingly vital role in school planning, helping districts navigate funding challenges, public approval processes, and evolving educational needs. Douglas Roberts, Principal at JCJ Architecture, highlights how these studies provide data-driven analysis to evaluate options such as renovations, additions, or new builds, while fostering transparency and public trust. Because education projects are typically publicly funded, gaining voter approval requires clearly communicating costs, benefits, and long-term value to the community. Tyngsborough Middle School in Massachusetts serves as a case study. Built in 1967 and facing outdated systems and space limitations, the school underwent a feasibility study guided by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). After evaluating multiple options, the town chose to construct a new 112,784-sq-ft facility designed to support flexible, project-based learning, STEM/STEAM programs, performing arts, and sustainability goals. The process emphasized collaboration between the school district, project managers, designers, and community stakeholders. Public engagement, through meetings, outreach efforts, and clear explanations of infrastructure needs, proved critical in securing funding approval. Ultimately, the study-led approach enabled Tyngsborough to align educational design with long-term community priorities, demonstrating how feasibility studies can bridge strategic planning and community consensus to deliver future-ready schools.

 

School Construction News

A student at the University of Michigan has filed a lawsuit against the institution after being accused of using artificial intelligence to write her essays, which has prevented her from graduating. The student claims that her disabilities, including obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety, led to her being unfairly targeted. Despite providing evidence that she did not use AI, the university upheld its ruling. The student's lawyers stated: "U-M and its Office of Student Academic Affairs proceeded with disciplinary actions without implementing disability-informed accommodations." This case follows similar lawsuits at other universities, including one at Adelphi University, where a student was exonerated after claims against him were deemed baseless.

 

Edscoop

Australian schools will be required to take action on bullying complaints within 48 hours, under a new nationally backed standard aimed at addressing rising rates of student harm. The rule mandates immediate safety measures and parental contact, though not full resolution within two days, as part of a broader shift toward evidence-based and preventive approaches. The reform follows a federal rapid review that received more than 1,700 submissions and found slow, inconsistent school responses allowed bullying to escalate, particularly amid a 450% surge in cyberbullying reports since 2019. Around one in four students in years 4 to 9 report being bullied regularly — nearly 962,000 students annually — with research linking bullying to significantly higher risks of depression and self-harm. The new framework prioritises prevention, rapid response, consistent implementation and stronger community partnerships, moving away from zero-tolerance policies toward restorative and trauma-informed practices. The federal government has committed A$10m ($7.08m) to develop resources and fund a national awareness campaign, while NSW will require all schools to adopt evidence-based anti-bullying policies by 2027.

 

Education Daily