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USA
24th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Research highlights growing costs of cutting recess rrom school days

Education and child development experts are warning that the continued reduction of recess time in U.S. schools may be undermining student learning, social development, and mental well-being, despite more than a century of research supporting its benefits. The concerns come as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued updated guidance recommending that students receive at least 20 minutes of recess daily, emphasizing that recess should be treated as an essential part of education rather than an optional activity. The organization called on schools to protect recess time and ensure all students have access to a safe, high-quality break during the school day. Recent survey data suggest many students fall short of that standard. According to an EdWeek Research Center survey, 34% of teachers reported that their students never have recess, while only 40% said students receive recess once per day. Among those who do have recess, most reported breaks lasting 15 to 20 minutes. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Temple University, argued that recess should be viewed as a fundamental component of education rather than a discretionary activity. She noted that many high-performing education systems, including those in Finland and Shanghai, build regular breaks into the school day rather than sacrificing them for additional instructional time.

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DISTRICTS

Cincinnati Public Schools approves more than 100 staff cuts to address budget deficit

Cincinnati Public Schools' board approved a package of budget reductions in a 4-3 vote aimed at closing a $58.6m deficit, including the elimination of more than 100 positions across the district. The cuts include 81 central office roles, 12 social workers, 10 assistant principals, and eight counselors, alongside five furlough days for administrators and teachers expected to save $7.5m. The board also approved a 10% reduction in non-personnel school spending and the elimination of several International Baccalaureate programs. While district leaders said additional budget details will be finalized in July, the reductions have drawn criticism from staff and board members concerned about the impact on student support services, particularly as the district faces rising homelessness, chronic absenteeism, and growing financial pressures linked to enrollment declines and broader changes in Ohio school funding.

FINANCE

One in five Ohio districts expected to run out of funds by 2029

More than one in five Ohio public school districts could face financial distress by 2029, according to an analysis of state financial forecasts, as declining cash reserves, rising costs, and funding pressures strain school budgets across the state. Economist Howard Fleeter found that 137 of Ohio’s more than 600 school districts project negative cash balances within the next three years. The analysis also showed that statewide cash carryover balances fell sharply from 46% of average district budgets in 2023-24 to 32.1% in 2024-25, the lowest level since around the 2015-16 school year. School finance officials argue that costs are rising faster than revenues. “Many treasurers are concerned that the funding formula continues to update measures of local capacity, such as property values and income, while the cost inputs used to calculate the cost of educating students have not been updated at the same pace,” said Katie Johnson, executive director of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials. “As a result, districts can appear to have greater local capacity because the formula recognizes growth in property values and income without fully recognizing growth in educational costs.”

TECHNOLOGY

Bipartisan deal on social media rules for youth is reached

U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders say they have reached a bipartisan agreement on legislation requiring social media platforms to provide safeguards and tools for children and parents. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, said in a statement: “We worked across the aisle for many months and have now found common ground on policies to significantly improve the digital environment for kids . . . Through empowering parents, establishing safety as a default, strengthening privacy for children and teens, increasing transparency around data brokers, and holding Big Tech accountable, the KIDS Act delivers the 21st century protections parents have demanded and our kids deserve.” The agreement does not include a "duty of care" provision; such language would require companies to design social media platforms with children's safety in mind.

Los Angeles bans classroom screens through first grade and limits use for older students

Los Angeles USD has approved one of the nation’s most restrictive classroom technology policies, banning screen time for students from preschool through first grade and sharply limiting computer use for older students amid growing concerns about excessive reliance on digital learning. Beginning in August, students in preschool through first grade will not be permitted to use screens during the school day. Starting in November, daily screen time will be capped at 20 minutes for second and third graders and 30 minutes for fourth and fifth graders, including homework assignments. Middle school students will be limited to approximately one hour of screen time per class per week, while high school students will be limited to 1.5 hours per class per week, with a maximum of 10 hours weekly. The policy also ends the practice of students taking school-issued computers home every day and blocks access to YouTube, social media platforms, and streaming services during school hours. School board member Nick Melvoin, who introduced the initiative, described the policy as a groundbreaking reform that could influence school districts nationwide. The district will use new software to monitor compliance and track screen usage across district devices.

SCHOOL VOUCHERS

Voucher program drives enrollment at Green Bay's private schools

Private school voucher programs have become a major driver of enrollment growth at Green Bay-area private schools, with voucher participation rising 42% since the 2020-21 school year, significantly outpacing overall enrollment growth of about 12%. More than half of participating schools increased their voucher enrollment over the period, and some schools added voucher students despite declining total enrollment. Public funding for voucher schools has nearly doubled in five years, rising from $10.1m in 2020-21 to more than $19.5m in 2025-26, driven by both higher participation and larger per-student payments. While overall private school enrollment in the region has declined slightly since peaking in 2022-23, more schools have gained students than lost them. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Wisconsin will remove enrollment caps on voucher participation, although current participation levels remain well below existing limits in Green Bay-area districts.

POLICY

School safety, special education, and mental health lead Montana policy discussions

Montana’s Education Interim Committee has outlined a series of education policy recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session, focusing on school safety, special education, mental health services, workforce readiness, and instructional innovation. During its June meeting, the committee reviewed draft legislation that would expand the role of the School Safety Center in Missoula into a statewide Montana School Safety Center. The proposal would encourage all school districts to develop customized safety plans and implement tip-line systems designed to help prevent serious incidents. The committee also received updates on special education, noting that Montana will now extend special education services through age 22 when specified in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), bringing the state into compliance with federal requirements following a court order. Mental health support was another major focus, along with how to strengthen educational outcomes through innovation, including greater flexibility in staffing models beyond the traditional one-teacher, one-classroom approach and increased collaboration among educators.

CURRICULUM

Texas allocates $8.4m to correct Bluebonnet curriculum errors

Texas will pay up to $8.4m to correct more than 4,200 errors in its state-developed Bluebonnet curriculum, which has drawn controversy for incorporating Biblical content into public school lessons. The Texas Education Agency signed a contract in May to replace, reprint, ship, and dispose of materials including books, worksheets, and teacher guides before the new school year begins in August. Nearly one million replacement copies are expected to be printed and distributed. About $3.6m of the contract is allocated to destroying existing materials, reportedly because some images were used without proper licensing permissions, raising concerns about potential copyright lawsuits. The curriculum is optional, but districts receive financial incentives to adopt it. Just under one-third of Texas’ roughly 1,200 school districts have approved Bluebonnet for the coming school year. The agency has described the errors as “minimal,” while officials said the corrections are part of the normal publishing process.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Boarding school survivors find healing through oral history project

Hundreds of Native American boarding school survivors have shared their experiences through a national oral history project that is preserving testimonies of abuse, resilience, and recovery for future generations. Led by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, the project has collected video interviews from more than 360 survivors across 19 states. The recordings will be preserved in the Library of Congress, documenting the impact of the federal government's boarding school system, which sought to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children. Many participants described the process as deeply healing. Survivors said sharing stories they had kept private for decades helped bring closure, restore pride in their Native identity, and ease long-held emotional burdens. The project follows broader federal efforts to examine the legacy of Native American boarding schools, including findings that nearly 1,000 Native children were buried at 65 school sites and that many students experienced physical, sexual, and cultural abuse. Organizers say the initiative has highlighted the lasting, intergenerational effects of the boarding school system and hope future projects will expand opportunities for additional survivors and descendants to share their stories before more firsthand accounts are lost.

NUTRITION

NJ expands access to school meal programs and summer food benefits

New Jersey public schools are now required to prominently display information about free and reduced-price meal applications on their websites after Governor Mikie Sherrill signed new legislation aimed at improving access to school nutrition programs. The law requires schools to post a direct link to subsidized meal applications, along with at least one informational video produced by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate explaining the application process. State officials said the measure is intended to make it easier for families to access meal assistance and reduce barriers to participation. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has begun distributing approximately $103m in summer food assistance benefits through its SUN Bucks program, supporting an estimated 1.3m children statewide. Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe said the assistance helps families manage grocery costs while ensuring children can continue participating in educational and enrichment opportunities during the summer. In Washington state, lawmakers are considering legislation that would impose a 3-cent-per-fluid-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Revenue generated from the proposed tax would help fund food security and nutrition initiatives, including free and reduced-price school meal programs. If approved, the tax would take effect in January 2028.

EXAMS

New York educators say uncertainty is hindering long-term planning

New York schools are awaiting details on new graduation requirements as the state prepares to phase out Regents exams for most students. While the Class of 2027 is expected to be the last cohort required to pass the exams, state officials have yet to outline exactly how the new system will work. Educators generally support moving away from standardized exit exams in favor of assessments such as projects, presentations, and internships. However, many say the lack of guidance is making it difficult to plan curriculum, staffing, and student support. Some teachers and advocates have also raised concerns about ensuring consistent and rigorous graduation standards across districts. State officials have said more details will be released during the next school year, with the new graduation framework fully taking effect for students entering high school in 2029.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario unveils new grading rules, province-wide digital learning platform

Ontario will introduce mandatory grading standards and a new province-wide digital learning platform this fall, as the government seeks to increase consistency across schools and give teachers greater control over classroom assessment. Secondary school students will see attendance, participation, and final evaluations formally incorporated into their final grades, while written exams will become mandatory in subjects including English, math, and science. Students in Grades 9 and 10 will receive 15% of their final mark from attendance and participation, compared with 10% for Grades 11 and 12. The province is also investing C$60m ($42.3m) in Edwin, a digital learning platform developed by Nelson Education, which will be made available to all school boards beginning in September. The platform is designed to help teachers monitor student progress, identify learning gaps, and personalize assignments, although its use will not be mandatory during the upcoming school year. Education Minister Paul Calandra said the changes respond to calls from teachers for greater classroom consistency and accountability. However, teacher unions and opposition politicians criticized the initiative, arguing that schools would benefit more from increased staffing, smaller class sizes, and greater investment in special education and mental health supports
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