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USA
17th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

President Trump shifts more Education Dept agencies to other agencies

The Trump administration is transferring key Education Department responsibilities, including special education programs and civil rights enforcement, to the departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Justice as part of its broader effort to dismantle the Education Department. The move follows similar transfers of education-related functions to the Labor and Treasury departments and is intended to demonstrate that the agency’s responsibilities can be distributed across the federal government without congressional approval to formally close the department. Under the plan, oversight of special education programs, including administration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and roughly $15bn in federal funding for students with disabilities, will move to HHS. Meanwhile, the Office for Civil Rights will increasingly rely on the Justice Department to investigate and resolve discrimination complaints involving schools and colleges. Administration officials said students will retain all existing legal protections and argued the changes will improve coordination and enforcement. However, disability advocates, civil rights groups, and former Education Department officials warned that splitting responsibilities across agencies could weaken oversight, complicate complaint processes, and undermine protections for students. 

TECHNOLOGY

Education leaders stress importance of human judgment in AI era

Education leaders testifying before a U.S. Senate hearing called for stronger safeguards around artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, while emphasizing that AI can enhance learning if it supports, rather than replaces, human judgment and teacher expertise. Delaware Education Secretary Cynthia Marten told the Senate Subcommittee on Education & the American Family that AI has the potential to expand educational opportunities, but only if schools implement clear guardrails and keep students at the center of decision-making. She highlighted Delaware’s AI Assurance Lab, which evaluates AI tools with input from teachers before they are adopted in classrooms. Witnesses also stressed the need for greater investment in teacher training, arguing that educators must be equipped to use AI effectively as the technology evolves rapidly. According to testimony, more than half of schools have yet to provide professional development on the safe use of AI, although training levels are improving.

DISTRICTS

New Columbus initiative targets funding, safety, and student support needs

Columbus City Schools (CCS) and Columbus City Council have held the first meeting of a newly established joint committee designed to address major challenges facing students, schools, and communities through a more formalized partnership between the two bodies. The initiative builds on years of informal collaboration and will focus on issues including school funding, student safety, community development, and access to resources. During the meeting, city and school leaders emphasized the need for coordinated solutions as the district faces financial pressures tied to declining state support. Earlier this year, the partnership included a $250,000 city investment to support a community campus pilot program at Northland High School, aimed at transforming the school into a neighborhood resource hub. District officials said the collaboration will help break down institutional silos and strengthen support for students, while community members urged the committee to engage a broad range of stakeholders as it develops future initiatives. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for September.

LAUSD preserves Black Student Achievement Plan, but equity program faces deep cuts

Los Angeles USD has largely reversed proposed cuts to its Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP), preserving key student support services, but its broader Student Equity Needs Index (SENI) program still faces substantial reductions as the district confronts mounting financial pressures. The school board approved amendments that restored much of the funding initially slated for removal from BSAP, which provides counseling, restorative justice staff, cultural programming, and college-readiness support for Black students. The changes reduce the scale of planned cuts and could ultimately maintain BSAP funding at $100m in fiscal 2027-28, significantly higher than originally proposed. However, the district’s Student Equity Needs Index, which directs resources to schools facing the greatest socioeconomic and academic challenges, remains scheduled for major reductions. Current plans call for cuts of $400m in 2027-28 and $500m in 2028-29, potentially eliminating approximately 4,500 positions across the district.

FINANCE

Indiana granted broadest education waiver to date

Indiana has been granted an expansive education waiver, giving the state greater flexibility over federal education funding and allowing it to significantly alter how high schools are evaluated under federal accountability rules. The waiver, the third issued under the Trump administration after Iowa and Louisiana, permits Indiana to consolidate portions of several federal education grants for statewide initiatives and allows selected school districts to combine certain federal funding streams to reduce administrative requirements. State officials said the changes will give districts more freedom to direct resources where they are most needed. The agreement also marks the first time the administration has relaxed key Every Student Succeeds Act accountability requirements, allowing Indiana to place less emphasis on standardized test scores and graduation rates when grading high schools. Under the state's new system, 80% of a school's rating can be based on measures such as Advanced Placement participation, workforce credentials, and college and career readiness indicators. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the waiver better aligns accountability with preparing students for both higher education and employment. However, critics argue the changes could weaken transparency and reduce focus on core academic outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged student groups.

Wyoming lawmakers promise fixes as schools struggle with funding restrictions

School districts across Wyoming, particularly smaller rural systems, are warning that the state’s new education funding model is creating budget shortfalls that could lead to cuts in extracurricular activities, employee benefits, and other programs despite increased overall school funding. The concerns stem from a new “silo” funding approach adopted by the Legislature that earmarks state money for specific purposes such as teacher salaries and health insurance, limiting districts’ flexibility to allocate funds where they see the greatest need. While the changes have helped fund teacher pay increases, some districts say they are now facing six-figure funding gaps for student activities and benefits. Administrators in districts including Crook County and Weston County School District 7 argue that the restrictions are forcing difficult budget decisions, with options ranging from reducing sports-related spending to scaling back employee benefits. Smaller districts say they are particularly vulnerable because they receive less state funding based on enrollment and have fewer local tax resources to offset shortfalls. Lawmakers on the state’s education recalibration committee acknowledge the unintended consequences and say they are working on potential fixes, including proposals to restore funding for extracurricular activities during the next legislative session. Committee members are expected to review the issue this summer, with some legislators urging districts not to make immediate program cuts while solutions are developed.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Colorado reviews approval process for facility schools

Colorado education officials are considering stricter regulations for facility schools and specialized day schools that serve students with severe behavioral, mental health, and special education needs, following concerns about the practices of one recently approved school. The proposed changes come as the Austin Centers for Exceptional Students faces state sanctions and a potential loss of funding amid complaints about student restraint practices, staffing levels, and other operational issues. Colorado’s Facility Schools Board of Education is reviewing measures that would require schools to disclose lawsuits, legal settlements, civil rights complaints, and licensing actions from the previous five years, including those from other states. The review follows rapid growth in the sector after state lawmakers expanded funding and created a new specialized day school category in 2023, leading to the approval of 11 new facility schools over the past three years. If adopted, the revised regulations are expected to take effect in July 2027.

WORKFORCE

Schools face growing staffing challenges as foreign teachers await visa renewals

Thousands of international teachers working in U.S. schools could be forced out of classrooms due to lengthy visa renewal delays and a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, raising concerns about staffing shortages in districts that rely heavily on foreign-born educators. Teachers on H-1B visas are experiencing renewal processing delays of more than 10 months in some cases, forcing some educators onto unpaid leave or out of the country altogether. At the same time, the Trump administration’s proposed six-figure fee for new H-1B applications has created uncertainty for school districts, although a federal judge recently struck down the charge and the administration plans to appeal. Many districts depend on international teachers to fill hard-to-staff positions, particularly in subjects such as math, special education, foreign languages, and dual-language programs. Large districts including Dallas and Washington, D.C., employ hundreds of H-1B visa holders, while smaller districts have also reported disruptions as teachers await immigration decisions. Education leaders warn that losing these educators could worsen existing teacher shortages and disrupt learning, especially in high-poverty and rural schools where international teachers are often concentrated.

LEGISLATION

Proposed Ohio legislation raises concerns over local control of school assets

Columbus City Schools has warned that a proposed Ohio law could force the district to sell or lease underused school buildings to charter schools, potentially limiting local control over taxpayer-funded assets. Senate Bill 311 would require school districts to report facilities operating below 60% capacity and offer qualifying buildings for sale or lease. District officials said 16 Columbus schools currently fall below that threshold, although planned closures and consolidations would address occupancy concerns at 10 of them. Six schools remain potentially vulnerable if the legislation becomes law. School leaders argued the proposal would reduce the district’s ability to make its own decisions about school facilities and could force difficult choices regarding future building use. The issue comes as Columbus continues implementing a broader restructuring plan aimed at reducing costs and addressing declining enrollment. Separately, the district received an update on a proposal to use public transportation for high school students. According to the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), 73% of students currently have a direct bus route to school, while 24% can reach school with a single transfer. District officials said they will continue evaluating safety, reliability, and travel-time considerations before presenting a final recommendation in January.

TEACHER TRAINING

NSF grant will provide AI resources and professional development for educators

The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) is expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) education efforts into high schools after receiving a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to train approximately 600 teachers nationwide. The program will provide educators with free AI-focused professional development, curriculum support, lesson plans, classroom materials, and access to a national network of AI experts and practitioners. The initiative is designed to introduce students to AI concepts and career pathways before they enter college. NAAIC, which has primarily supported community colleges, said the expansion reflects growing demand from schools for guidance on integrating AI into teaching and learning. Industry and education partners, including Intel, aiEDU, and Knowledge Pillars, will contribute AI content, certifications, and classroom resources tailored for K-12 education. The consortium also plans to establish a nationwide “Community of Practice” where teachers can share best practices, collaborate with peers, and exchange instructional materials, with the broader goal of strengthening AI literacy and workforce readiness across the education system.

INTERNATIONAL

Climate change increasing risks to children’s health, education, and safety

Half of the world’s children are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, according to a new UNICEF report, highlighting the growing impact of climate change on young people’s health, education, and daily lives. The report found that more than 1bn children face multiple threats, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and storms, while almost every child globally is exposed to at least one climate-related hazard. UNICEF identified parts of Africa’s Sahel region and countries including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan as among the most severely affected. While lower-income regions face the greatest risks, the report noted that wealthier countries are also affected. In Italy, for example, more than 6m children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought. UNICEF is calling on governments and businesses to reduce emissions and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems, arguing that stronger adaptation measures are essential to protect children from the growing impacts of climate change.

Demand for independent schools grows in Canada despite rising tuition costs

Private school enrollment in Canada continues to outpace growth in the public system as parents increasingly seek smaller class sizes, specialized learning environments, stronger academic outcomes, and networking opportunities they believe will give their children a competitive edge. According to Statistics Canada, enrollment in private and independent schools rose about 9% between the 2019-20 and 2023-24 school years, compared with 3.6% growth in public school enrollment. Families are often paying annual tuition of C$15,000-C$50,000 ($10,711-$35,705), with many making significant financial trade-offs, including delaying retirement savings, reducing vacations, cutting extracurricular spending, or taking on debt. Education consultants and financial planners cited concerns about academic support, university admissions, future job prospects, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market as key factors driving demand. Schools such as Toronto’s Bishop Strachan School have also reported rising applications and increased demand for financial assistance, even amid broader economic pressures.
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