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USA
16th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

GOP pushes legislation to formalize Education Department overhaul

The Republican-controlled House Education and Workforce Committee has advanced a package of 10 bills designed to shift key responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education to other federal agencies, marking another step toward the Trump administration's goal of dismantling the department. The measures, which passed committee despite strong Democratic opposition, would codify the administration's existing interagency agreements that transfer personnel, grant programs, and other core functions across the federal government. While the legislation would significantly reshape the department's role, fully abolishing the Department of Education would still require an act of Congress. The bills build on agreements signed by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, which the administration has described as partnerships intended to streamline operations by relocating major departmental functions to other agencies.

FINANCE

Chicago Public Schools seeks more funding to avoid deeper budget cuts

Chicago Public Schools has unveiled a proposed $9.88bn budget for the 2026-27 school year that aims to close a $732.5m deficit through layoffs, cost-cutting measures, and additional city funding, while warning that five staff furlough days and a midyear hiring and spending freeze will take effect unless more state or local revenue is secured. The district has already reduced the shortfall by $450m through layoffs and other savings, is seeking $200m in tax increment financing (TIF) revenue, and plans to eliminate about 760 teaching positions, 800 school support roles, and more than 160 central office jobs, although many school-based employees are expected to be rehired into vacant positions. District leaders said the budget avoids adding to CPS's $9bn debt while increasing direct funding to schools by $143m, but unions and several school board members criticized the proposal, arguing that staffing reductions, furloughs, and program cuts will negatively affect students. Officials are seeking board approval by July 30, while continuing to push for additional state and city funding to stabilize the district's long-term finances.

Elmbrook school board approves $100m referendum

The Elmbrook School Board has voted 6-1 to place a $100m facilities referendum on the November 3 ballot, marking the district's first referendum since 2008. If approved, the measure would fund renovations, infrastructure upgrades, ADA compliance improvements, and building additions at Pilgrim Park Middle School, Wisconsin Hills Middle School, Tonawanda Elementary School, and Swanson Elementary School, while increasing the school property tax rate by an estimated 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $66 annually for the owner of a $600,000 home. District officials said the referendum is part of a long-term facilities strategy developed after a comprehensive assessment identified the four aging schools as requiring significant reinvestment. While one board member voted against the proposal, citing concerns over project prioritization and taxpayer impact, district leaders said the capital improvements cannot be funded through the regular operating budget and pointed to community survey results showing 67% support for the full $100m plan.

Texas leaders mandate 3% spending cuts across state agencies

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have directed state agencies, appellate courts, and public universities to reduce their budget requests by 3% for the 2028-29 biennium, describing the move as a starting point for budget negotiations aimed at preserving Texas' fiscal conservatism and funding priorities such as additional property tax relief. K-12 public education, the state's private school voucher program, and certain legally required social programs are exempt, while universities are expected to absorb the reductions amid existing financial pressures from rising costs, declining enrollment at some institutions, and uncertainty over federal research funding.

LEGAL

Maine legislators oppose transfer of education civil rights and special education functions

Eight members of Maine's Legislature's education committee have urged the state's congressional delegation to oppose plans to shift responsibility for special education and civil rights enforcement away from the U.S. Department of Education, arguing the changes would weaken protections for students. The lawmakers said transferring special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services and civil rights enforcement to the Department of Justice could undermine support for students with disabilities and delay responses to discrimination complaints, while Maine's congressional delegation broadly expressed opposition to the restructuring.

TECHNOLOGY

Study raises safety and accuracy concerns over Google's AI search for students

A new report from nonprofit Common Sense Media has rated Google's AI-powered search tools "Unacceptable" for student use, citing concerns over accuracy, safety, and academic integrity. After testing more than 2,600 search queries, researchers found that Google's AI Overview and AI Mode frequently produced incorrect answers, completed students' homework without hesitation, and failed to respond appropriately to signs of potential mental health crises or risky behavior. The review found that AI Mode answered every homework question posed by testers, even when they identified themselves as children, rather than encouraging independent learning. Researchers also discovered troubling safety failures, including directing vulnerable users to outdated or inappropriate mental health resources, overlooking potential signs of psychosis, and responding casually to admissions of drug use. Common Sense Media also reported that AI Overview delivered inconsistent historical information and often cited sources lacking editorial oversight, such as social media posts, alongside peer-reviewed research without distinction.

Parents lose sleep over tech worries

Parents are increasingly losing sleep due to concerns about technology, with a survey revealing they lose an average of 48 nights of sleep annually. The survey, conducted by Talker Research for Cosmo, found that worries about screen time (24%), social media's impact on self-esteem (20%), and gaming addiction (18%) are significant contributors to this anxiety. Russell York, Cosmo's founder and chief executive, said: “Staying connected with your child shouldn't require handing them the entire internet.” Despite their concerns, 90% of parents want their children to have access to cell phones at school, primarily for emergencies. The survey highlights a growing need for solutions that balance connectivity with childhood protection, as 77% of parents prefer devices that limit distractions while allowing communication.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Pennsylvania adopts new school safety, mental health measures

Pennsylvania has enacted a series of education reforms aimed at improving student safety, mental health, and well-being as part of its 2026-27 budget. Alongside more than $900m in funding for public schools, including $56m in new adequacy funding and $100 million for school safety and mental health initiatives, the updated school code introduces new requirements for cyberbullying policies, social media literacy, eating disorder awareness, and emergency preparedness. The legislation requires schools to establish or update cyberbullying policies, notify parents when incidents occur, and report annual bullying statistics, including cases involving artificial intelligence. Schools must also provide instruction on the mental and physical effects of social media and offer social media literacy programs for both students and educators. In addition, students in grades six through 12 will receive annual eating disorder awareness education, while parents may now request exemptions from student body mass index screenings and schools must keep health data confidential unless specifically requested.

NUTRITION

California secures funding for farm to school

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation permanently funding the state's Farm to School program, securing continued support for initiatives that connect schools with California farmers to provide fresh, locally sourced meals and food education. Since 2021, the program has invested $86m across 327 projects, reaching 49% of California public school students, with about 80% of grant recipients serving Title I schools. State officials said the program has helped school districts strengthen local food purchasing and improve food service infrastructure, including the Los Angeles USD, which is on track to purchase $4.7m in produce from local growers during the 2025-26 school year. The legislation builds on California's School Meals for All program, reinforcing the state's efforts to combat childhood food insecurity while supporting local agriculture.

CHARTERS

NC charter school group partners with Building Hope to unlock federal grant funding

The North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools (NCAPCS) has partnered with nonprofit lender Building Hope to help charter schools access a $52.9m federal Charter Schools Program grant, the largest such award ever received in the state. The partnership will provide a line of credit that allows schools to cover eligible expenses upfront before being reimbursed through the federal grant, addressing a key funding challenge for newly established charter schools. The five-year grant, which runs through 2030, will support the expansion of charter schools with a focus on career and technical education, STEM, and artificial intelligence programs. NCAPCS plans to award 42 subgrants ranging from $500,000 to $2m, including 28 grants specifically for new schools. The first recipients are Celeste Beauty Academy in Mecklenburg County and Carolina Achieve Charter School in Mebane. Building Hope, which has supported more than $2 billion in charter school projects nationwide, said the financing model is intended to help new schools overcome early cash flow constraints and begin operating more quickly.

TEACHER SHORTAGES

California's bilingual teacher crisis deepens

California aims to enroll half of K-12 students in bilingual programs by 2030, but faces a significant challenge due to a shortage of approximately 6,000 qualified bilingual teachers. A new $10m state grant seeks to recruit bilingual high school students into teaching, partnering with colleges to facilitate their credentialing. Assemblymember David A. Alvarez said, “I kept hearing from districts and educators that bilingual students want to become teachers but run into a fragmented system.” While the grant is a step forward, experts like Lucrecia Santibañez from UCLA argue it is insufficient to meet the state's ambitious goals. The demand for bilingual teachers varies across districts, with many lacking the necessary funding and programs. The new legislation prioritizes districts with high English learner populations, but educators stress that more financial aid and incentives are needed to attract and retain bilingual teachers. “It's a drop of water in the sea,” said Eduardo Muñoz-Muñoz, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

INTERNATIONAL

South Africa rolls out national plan to strengthen reading culture

South Africa's Department of Basic Education has launched a National Literacy Promotion Toolkit designed to improve reading skills by coordinating literacy initiatives across homes, schools, libraries, and communities. Developed with the National Education Collaboration Trust and other literacy organizations, the framework supports the country's National Literacy Strategy for 2024-2030 and aims to foster a nationwide reading culture through greater involvement from parents, educators, community groups, and the private sector. The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over literacy levels, with the department's 2025 Funda Uphumelele National Survey showing that only 31% of Grade 1 learners met expected home-language reading benchmarks, while just 46% of Grade 4 students achieved the Grade 3 benchmark. Officials said the toolkit provides practical guidance on initiatives including reading clubs, print-rich learning environments, literacy events, and the reinstated National Spelling Bee.
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