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USA
28th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Popular school menu items exceed upcoming limits on sodium and added sugar

A new study has found that many of the most popular meals served in U.S. school cafeterias will need to be reformulated to comply with updated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition standards taking effect in the 2027-28 school year. Researchers identified commonly served items, including pizza, tacos, nachos, chicken wings, sausage biscuits, breakfast pizzas, muffins, yogurt parfaits, and breakfast smoothies, as containing levels of added sugar or sodium that exceed the forthcoming federal limits. The research, published in Nutrition Reviews, surveyed nearly 1,100 school nutrition professionals to identify the foods students eat most frequently before analyzing recipes to determine which items contained the highest amounts of salt and sugar. Among the findings, chicken wings averaged more than 2,100 milligrams of sodium per serving, nearly reaching the USDA's recommended daily sodium limit of 2,300 milligrams for adults, while popular breakfast items were found to contain significant amounts of added sugar. They recommend replacing excess salt and sugar with herbs, spices, and other flavor enhancers, such as rosemary, thyme, garlic, paprika, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, while using taste testing and student feedback to ensure revised recipes remain popular.

NUTRITION

Survey finds nearly one in four U.S. teens use food delivery apps during school hours

A new survey from the American Society for Nutrition has found that nearly one in four U.S. teenagers use food delivery apps during school hours, with 58.8% of those students ordering fast food and 34.1% purchasing sugary drinks, raising concerns about the impact on student health and school nutrition efforts. The study, which surveyed 1,027 adolescents aged 13 to 17 in 2025, found that almost half also used delivery apps after school. Researchers said the findings highlight a gap in nutrition policies, which regulate food sold in schools but not meals ordered through smartphones. Students in the western U.S. were the most likely to use delivery apps during school hours, while respondents expressed mixed views, with many supporting access but also acknowledging concerns about distractions and campus safety. 

FINANCE

Cincinnati Public Schools seeks $74m annually to address budget pressures

The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education has voted 5-2 to place a 0.75% earned income tax on the November ballot, marking the first time the district has asked voters to approve an income tax to fund its schools. District officials estimate the measure would generate $74m annually, with revenue expected to grow as wages increase, helping address budget deficits and support school operations. The proposal follows a broader trend among Ohio school districts shifting from property tax levies to income taxes, although the decision divided board members and drew criticism from the teachers' union, with opponents arguing the district should first finalize its long-term strategic plan and warning the tax would affect working students and multi-income households.

POLICY

Michigan and Maryland districts face federal scrutiny over parental notification rules

The U.S. Department of Education has threatened to withhold federal funding from school districts in Michigan and Maryland over policies related to transgender students, alleging they may violate federal law by withholding information about students' gender identity from parents. The department said it is working with the Department of Justice and warned that enforcement could include legal action and the loss of federal funding. It accused Anne Arundel County Public Schools of improperly classifying students' gender identity as confidential medical information and gave Ann Arbor Public Schools until August 10 to respond to similar allegations. Both districts said they would review the claims, while the action marks the latest step in the Trump administration's broader effort to restrict transgender rights and reshape federal education policy.

TEACHER TRAINING

Oklahoma sees growing reliance on emergency-certified educators

New Oklahoma education data show that the number of graduates completing traditional teacher preparation programs has fallen by 40% since 2013, contributing to a growing reliance on emergency-certified teachers to fill classroom vacancies across the state. State officials reported that emergency-certified teachers accounted for 38.8% of first-year educators in 2025, compared with just 0.5% in 2010, while traditionally certified teachers represented only 37.1% of new hires. Education leaders said they are expanding initiatives to strengthen the teacher pipeline, including the TeachForward program, which helps emergency-certified teachers earn full certification, and a new mentoring program for 463 early-career teachers aimed at improving long-term retention.

TECHNOLOGY

New York school district pauses humanoid robot pilot project

A New York school district has paused plans to introduce a $58,000 humanoid robot into a high school classroom after criticism from educators and community members over data privacy, student welfare, and the technology provider's background. The Salamanca City Central School District said it is delaying the pilot with Realbotix while it works with the New York State Education Department on enhanced student data privacy agreements and continues community consultation. Teachers' unions and local educators criticized the proposal, citing concerns over data collection, the company's previous acquisition of a sex doll manufacturer, and the decision to trial the technology in a district serving a large Native American population. Realbotix said it supports the pause and maintains the robot is intended to assist teachers rather than replace them. 

ENROLLMENT

Right-sizing schools could strengthen education despite fewer students

A new EdChoice analysis argues that declining public school enrollment does not have to lead to weaker schools, urging districts to adopt thoughtful "right-sizing" strategies, including consolidating facilities, adjusting staffing, and reallocating resources to better serve remaining students. The authors note that U.S. public school enrollment fell 3% between 2019 and 2024, while inflation-adjusted revenue per student increased 16%, reaching $21,065, largely because of state funding protections and higher per-pupil spending. They contend that enrollment declines are driven by multiple factors beyond school choice, including lower birth rates and population shifts, and argue that transparent planning, efficient use of underutilized facilities, and student-focused resource allocation can help districts remain financially resilient while improving educational outcomes. 

GOVERNANCE

Denver school board plans governance review instead of leadership changes

The Denver Public Schools Board of Education has decided to keep Superintendent Alex Marrero in his role following a nearly four-hour meeting, most of which was held behind closed doors to discuss his contract, performance, and the board's increasingly strained relationship with district leadership. Board President Xóchitl Gaytán confirmed that Marrero's employment status remains unchanged, while directors agreed to continue working on their relationship and revisit the district's governance model during a board retreat next month. The dispute centers on Denver Public Schools' policy governance model, under which the board sets strategic goals while the superintendent oversees day-to-day operations. Marrero has argued that some board members have overstepped their authority by becoming involved in operational decisions, while several directors believe the current governance approach has overly restricted the board's role. The meeting also highlighted ongoing divisions among board members, concerns over transparency, and questions about Marrero's long-term commitment after he previously pursued superintendent positions in Miami and Chicago.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

California schools left out in heat

California ended its CalSHAPE school ventilation and air-conditioning programme two years early, leaving $191m unspent and thousands of campuses without promised upgrades. Although more than 4,500 schools identified damaged systems, only 172 received improvement funding after a complicated application process forced the programme to close. Districts including Temecula Valley and Torrance used initial grants to inspect equipment but were unable to replace hundreds of ageing units. Lawmakers are now considering directing roughly $70m in earned interest towards an unrelated virtual power plant scheme. School advocates argue the remaining money should protect pupils during intensifying heatwaves, while ratepayer groups want funds returned through utility-bill relief. Torrance deputy superintendent Keith Butler said schools have been “band-aiding what we have,” warning systems may soon fail completely.

MATH

Study links teacher math anxiety to lower student achievement

A new study in the journal Educational Researcher has found that teachers who are anxious about teaching math are associated with lower student performance in the subject, with the effects becoming more significant over multiple years. Researchers analyzed data from approximately 106,000 Indiana students and 3,300 teachers, finding that students taught by teachers with higher levels of math teaching anxiety tended to earn slightly lower math test scores, even after accounting for factors such as prior achievement, socioeconomic status, teacher experience, and English learner status. The research also found that Black, Hispanic, and low-income students were more likely to be taught by teachers who reported greater anxiety about teaching math. The negative effects were particularly pronounced for girls, English learners, lower-achieving students, Hispanic students, and Asian students, suggesting that teacher discomfort with the subject may compound existing educational challenges. Researchers found that elementary school teachers, less experienced educators, and female teachers were more likely to report anxiety about teaching math, while teachers with graduate degrees and at least seven years of experience generally reported lower anxiety levels. The study suggests that anxious teachers may avoid more challenging material and rely more heavily on memorization rather than interactive instruction.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Federal Student Aid staff to relocate to Treasury building in August

The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will begin relocating staff from the Department of Education to a Department of the Treasury building in Washington, D.C., starting in August, as part of the Trump administration's broader effort to streamline federal education operations. The first group of employees will leave the Education Department's headquarters this week, work remotely until August 17, and then move into the Treasury building alongside IRS staff, with a second wave scheduled to arrive on September 8. Education Department officials said the relocation will improve coordination with Treasury following the transfer of oversight for defaulted student loans earlier this year and maintained that the move will not disrupt services for students, borrowers, or schools.

INTERNATIONAL

China to broaden autism screening, rehabilitation, and special education services

China will expand support for people with autism over the 2026-30 period by introducing nationwide early screening and intervention services, increasing rehabilitation capacity, and expanding specialized education as part of its latest five-year plan for people with disabilities. The initiative will provide standardized autism screening and intervention for children from birth to age six, ensure every city-level region can offer rehabilitation services for children with autism, and support provincial capitals and larger cities in establishing dedicated special education schools. The plan is designed to provide lifelong support, covering early diagnosis, rehabilitation, and education. The country has already introduced free education from preschool through high school for children with autism from low-income families. As of April, China had established 61 pilot zones for special education reform and 17 dedicated schools for children with autism, with the new measures intended to further improve access to services and educational support nationwide.

Saudi Arabia overhauls K-12 education system with landmark new law

Saudi Arabia has approved a new General Education Law that introduces a comprehensive legal framework for K-12 education, aiming to strengthen governance, improve educational outcomes, and support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives. The legislation establishes the General Education Affairs Council, chaired by the Minister of Education, to oversee long-term education policy, admissions, teacher regulations, private and virtual schools, and the academic calendar. It also formalizes responsibilities across the education system and reinforces coordination between government agencies. The law maintains free public education and compulsory schooling from ages six to 15, while giving authorities the power to take legal action against those who prevent children from attending school or contribute to student dropouts. Arabic will remain the primary language of instruction, although additional languages may be used where appropriate. The reforms expand support for e-learning, distance education, lifelong learning, and specialized academic and vocational pathways, while making it easier for students to transfer between academic, technical, and vocational tracks. The legislation also strengthens provisions for students with disabilities, gifted learners, and early childhood education, including accelerated progression for exceptional students.
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