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USA
17th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Most schools lack formal AI policies despite widespread student use

A growing majority of high school students are using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for schoolwork, but many school districts have yet to establish formal policies governing its use, according to an analysis by Brett DeJager, assistant professor of psychology and education at University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic. Citing College Board data showing that 84% of high school students used AI for schoolwork in 2025, the article argues that the greater challenge is not simply preventing cheating, but determining whether students have genuinely mastered the material when AI can produce polished assignments. Survey results from more than 400 educators and school professionals found widespread concerns about academic dishonesty, student reliance on AI, declining critical thinking, and the difficulty of assessing learning, while only about 30% of respondents said their districts had formal AI policies. The article suggests schools should redesign assignments to emphasize independent thinking through in-class writing, oral explanations, and process-based assessments, while providing clearer guidance on when and how AI can be used to support learning.

FINANCE

California lawmakers seek to expand flexibility for Prop. 28 arts spending

California lawmakers are advancing Assembly Bill 2440 to help school districts spend unspent Proposition 28 arts education funding by providing clearer guidance on how the voter-approved program can be used. The bill would allow districts, particularly smaller ones, to pool funding across schools to hire itinerant arts teachers, expand districtwide music and arts programs, share equipment, and better comply with the requirement that Prop. 28 funds supplement, rather than replace, existing arts spending. Supporters say ambiguity around spending rules has caused many districts to delay using the funding, raising concerns that millions of dollars could be forfeited when the three-year spending window expires at the end of 2026. The legislation would also clarify how districts can address changes in other funding sources, provide greater flexibility for staffing shortages, and allow districts granted waivers from educator hiring requirements to invest in arts curriculum, instructional materials, and professional development.

Fundraising accelerates in Chicago’s historic school board elections

Candidates in Chicago's first fully elected school board race have collectively raised nearly $1.94m, with fundraising accelerating ahead of the November election even as some candidates continue to face ballot challenges. Business attorney Victor Henderson, a candidate for the citywide board president position, leads fundraising with $598,000 in cash on hand, largely driven by $500,000 in personal loans to his campaign, while several incumbent board members have also built substantial campaign reserves. Major political organizations, including the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and charter school advocacy groups, have yet to make significant financial commitments, signaling that spending is expected to intensify closer to Election Day. Political observers say the race is likely to become a high-profile contest between union-backed and school-choice-backed candidates, with outside groups preparing to invest strategically as all 21 school board seats are contested for the first time during Chicago's transition to a fully elected board.

Iowa audits special education spending in 13 school districts

The Iowa Department of Education is reviewing special education spending in 13 school districts as funding deficits continue to grow, with officials examining whether expenditures comply with state and federal rules rather than alleging misuse of funds. The review, prompted in part by recommendations from the U.S. Department of Education, has identified some coding errors, but several districts say the process has largely validated that their spending is appropriate while highlighting the widening gap between state funding and the actual cost of legally required special education services. School leaders and parents say rising staffing, transportation, and specialized support costs are driving deficits that current funding formulas fail to cover, even as demand for services increases. Districts including Davenport, Iowa City, Waukee, and College Community reported growing shortfalls despite only minor accounting corrections, and education officials say lessons from the review will be used to improve financial reporting as Iowa expands fiscal oversight of all public school districts on a five-year monitoring cycle.

DISTRICTS

Low pay fuels NYC school paraprofessional crisis, advocates say

A shortage of approximately 1,600 paraprofessionals in New York City is leaving many students with disabilities unable to access legally required educational services, with some, including a 21-year-old student in the Bronx, missing significant amounts of school because they cannot ride the bus without the one-to-one support required by their individualized education programs (IEPs). Advocates and families say low annual salaries of $34,000 to $57,000 have made it difficult to recruit and retain workers, prompting the United Federation of Teachers to back legislation that would provide paraprofessionals with a $10,000 pay increase. Parents say the staffing shortage has led to repeated transportation disruptions, difficulty obtaining answers from city officials, and inconsistent support for students who rely on paraprofessionals. Union leaders argue that while the city has expanded recruitment efforts, meaningful improvements in staffing will require higher pay and better working conditions to retain employees in a demanding role that supports students with complex educational and medical needs.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Schools prepare for family separations linked to immigration enforcement

School districts across the United States are placing greater emphasis on collecting and updating emergency contact information as heightened immigration enforcement raises concerns that parents or guardians could be detained, leaving students without caregivers. Following the Trump administration's 2025 decision to rescind longstanding protections limiting immigration enforcement at schools, some districts have introduced temporary guardianship forms, expanded outreach to families, and trained staff to assist with legal documentation to ensure students can remain with trusted caregivers if an emergency occurs. Educators and advocacy groups say proactive family planning has become an essential part of student support, helping schools provide counseling, connect families with legal resources, and avoid situations in which children enter foster care because no alternative caregiver has been identified. While federal officials maintain that Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not target schools and focuses on public safety, district leaders say emergency planning remains a priority for all families, emphasizing that schools continue to serve as community hubs offering information, resources, and support regardless of immigration status.

TECHNOLOGY

New York district adopts AI-powered humanoid robot for STEM learning

The Salamanca City Central School District in western New York is set to become one of the first school districts in the United States to introduce a humanoid robot into a classroom, with the technology designed to support, rather than replace, teachers. The district has approved the purchase of a robot from Realbotix, along with an AI-powered teaching assistant that allows students to interact with a digital avatar of the robot on their laptops. Realbotix said the deployment represents a milestone for the use of artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics in education, positioning the technology as a new tool to enhance STEM learning and provide additional classroom support for both students and educators.

GOVERNANCE

Memphis voters to elect school board members as takeover lawsuit continues

Voters in Memphis-Shelby County are preparing to elect two new school board members as a legal battle continues over Tennessee's attempt to place the district under greater state control. Incumbents Michelle McKissack and Joyce Dorse Coleman are running unopposed, while T.L. Harris and Tanya Frey, the Democratic nominees for two open seats, face independent challengers in the Aug. 6 election following the district's first partisan school board primary. The election comes as the future authority of the school board remains uncertain after a federal judge temporarily blocked a new state oversight board that would have assumed control over key district decisions, including budget approval and school closures. Tennessee officials have since asked the court to lift the injunction, leaving the scope of the newly elected board members' responsibilities unresolved while the constitutional challenge to the takeover law proceeds.

Missouri State Board of Education revisits rulemaking authority discussions

The Missouri State Board of Education is exploring the extent of its authority to create regulations, with newly appointed members signaling a more proactive approach to shaping education policy. During the board's annual retreat, members discussed whether state law gives them broad rulemaking powers, debated ways to strengthen their legislative agenda, and considered seeking explicit authority to reject charter school applications deemed fiscally unsound. The discussion reflects a shift under new leadership following recent appointments by Gov. Mike Kehoe and the retirement of former Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger. Board members also agreed to expand the use of committees to examine issues such as low-performing schools, the department's budget, and legislative priorities, with several members expressing a desire for the board to take a more active role in improving student outcomes and influencing education policy.

Transforming education: Mike Miles' insights

In his new book, "By Design: How to Transform School Systems," Mike Miles, the state-appointed Superintendent of Houston ISD, shares his strategies for education reform, drawing from his controversial leadership experience. He emphasizes the importance of enforcing high expectations, particularly regarding teacher attendance, stating: "Some readers will no doubt view the attendance regulations as overly strict... That perspective deserves less weight when measured against the needs of students." The book also discusses governance as a "constraint to be managed" and highlights HISD's significant reforms, including a crackdown on chronic teacher absences and a "no vendors on the field" policy to improve instruction.

TEACHER SUPPORT

Mississippi educators say classroom supply overhaul creates new hurdles

Mississippi teachers are criticizing the state's new ClassWallet system for purchasing classroom supplies, saying mandatory training, limited vendor options, and a reimbursement-based process for many local purchases have made accessing the state's $748 classroom supply allowance more difficult ahead of the new school year. The Mississippi Department of Education said the $573,000, one-year contract with ClassWallet is intended to streamline purchases and provide earlier access to funds, but educators, local vendors, and teacher groups warn the rollout could force teachers to spend their own money while navigating additional administrative requirements.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Homeland Security ends open-ended stay for international students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a rule ending a decades-old policy that allowed international students to remain in the United States for the duration of their academic programs. Beginning September 15, most F-1 and J-1 visa holders will be limited to an initial four-year stay, after which they must apply for an extension if they need more time to complete their studies. The Trump administration says the change will strengthen immigration oversight, improve national security, and prevent abuse of the previous "duration of status" policy, which officials argue allowed some students to remain in the country indefinitely. Existing international students will generally be allowed to stay through their current program or for up to four additional years. Higher education groups, immigration advocates, and universities have strongly criticized the rule, arguing that four years is insufficient for many undergraduate and nearly all doctoral programs, as well as post-graduation work authorization. Critics also warn that requiring extension applications will increase uncertainty for students, add to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' existing case backlog, and further discourage international enrollment at a time when foreign student numbers are already declining. Supporters of the policy, including some Republican lawmakers, say it closes a loophole that enabled long-term visa abuse and restores stronger vetting of foreign students.

INTERNATIONAL

Former NSW education leader urges long-term policy stability

A former New South Wales Department of Education leader has argued that Australia's education policy should be protected from short-term political cycles, warning that frequent changes in government priorities create uncertainty for schools, teachers, and students. Drawing on leadership experience in Australia, England, Finland, and Canada, the paper contends that the most effective education systems balance accountability with professional trust, while avoiding politically driven reforms that disrupt teaching and learning. The author recommends that major education policies be developed in consultation with educators and other stakeholders, supported by bipartisan political agreement, and maintained over a fixed seven-year cycle to provide greater stability. The paper also proposes establishing an independent advisory group to review policy effectiveness, encourage evidence-based decision-making, and ensure education reforms are guided by long-term educational outcomes rather than changing political agendas.
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