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USA
6th August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Senate advances tougher online child safety bills

The Senate Commerce Committee has advanced four bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening online protections for children, highlighting a growing divide with the House over how aggressively technology companies should be regulated. The centerpiece, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), would require online platforms to design products with minors’ safety in mind, strengthen protections for children’s data, and allow users to opt out of personalized algorithms. Senators emphasized that the bill’s "duty of care" provision, which legally requires platforms to mitigate harms to minors, is essential and criticized the House-passed version for omitting it. Supporters argued the Senate’s bipartisan backing should encourage the House to adopt the stronger version, while opponents, including tech industry group NetChoice, warned the legislation could unnecessarily restrict young people’s access to digital services. The committee also approved the Youth AI Privacy Act, the CHATBOT Act, and the Children’s Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026. However, the SCREEN Act, which would require age verification for websites offering content such as pornography, failed to advance after Democrats raised privacy concerns and too few senators were present to move the measure forward.

FINANCE

Detroit school district wins strong voter backing for critical operating millage

Detroit voters have overwhelmingly approved an operating millage that will provide Detroit Public Schools Community District with approximately $120m annually in funding for classroom programs, supplies, and staff salaries. The measure passed with 81% support and replaces a tax previously collected by the former Detroit Public Schools entity, which will stop collecting the levy after its longstanding debt is paid off. District leaders described the result as a major milestone, saying the funding is essential to maintaining school operations and supporting students. The revenue represents about $2,400 of the district’s roughly $10,300 per-pupil state funding and is a critical component of its $1.1bn annual budget. The approved millage applies only to commercial, rental, and vacation properties, not primary residences. While some voters opposed the measure because of misunderstandings about its impact or concerns over district management, supporters argued the funding is vital to improving educational opportunities, student support services, and school programs across Detroit.

Indiana school districts warn of cuts without referendum support

Six school districts in Indiana's Lake and Porter counties have secured approval to place funding referendums on the November ballot, saying the state's 2025 property tax law has significantly reduced operating revenue. District leaders said the measures are needed to preserve transportation, school safety, staffing, academic programs, and extracurricular activities, arguing they have already cut costs and have few remaining options to balance their budgets. The proposed referendums vary by district, with some seeking to renew existing levies and others requesting new funding to replace lost property tax revenue. Superintendents warned that if voters reject the measures, districts could face larger class sizes, reductions in transportation, staffing cuts, fewer extracurricular opportunities, and delays to safety and infrastructure projects, while emphasizing that the requests are intended to maintain current services rather than expand them.

Opinion: Early planning key to securing federal tax credit benefits

In an opinion piece for The 74, Marguerite Roza and Maggie Cicco of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University note that public school districts could secure significant new funding through the federal scholarship tax credit program, but add that state and local leaders must act quickly to establish the necessary systems before the program launches in January. The authors estimate districts could receive $1,000 or more per student once the program is fully phased in by creating optional fee-based service packages that would be funded through scholarships rather than direct family payments. They also propose that employers facilitate payroll deductions, allowing employees to direct up to $1,700 in federal tax credits to scholarship-granting organizations supporting their chosen school districts. Practical steps for states and districts wishing to participate include: appointing a state lead and coordinating working group; securing the state's formal participation and approval of scholarship-granting organizations; establishing robust financial reporting and data collection systems; creating a simple process to verify family eligibility; developing a communications campaign highlighting the benefits for students; and conducting extensive outreach to school leaders, parents, policymakers, and taxpayers to encourage participation.

LEGAL

Arkansas classroom ‘indoctrination’ case moves forward on vagueness question

A federal judge has dismissed the equal protection portion of a lawsuit challenging Arkansas’ classroom "indoctrination" ban under the LEARNS Act, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to show the state intentionally discriminated against Black students by removing AP African American Studies from its approved course list. The judge concluded that opposition to what the state described as "left-wing indoctrination" did not, by itself, demonstrate racial discrimination under the Fourteenth Amendment. However, the lawsuit will continue on a separate claim that the law may be unconstitutionally vague. U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky ordered both sides to submit additional briefs addressing whether the statute violates teachers’ due process rights by failing to clearly define prohibited conduct. The case, brought by teachers, students, parents, and the Arkansas State Conference NAACP, argues that educators have self-censored out of concern they could inadvertently violate the law. While the judge questioned whether there is still a credible threat of enforcement, he said further briefing is needed before deciding whether the vagueness claim should proceed.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

High school sports group launches betting awareness initiative

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has launched a new online course to educate coaches, parents, teachers, and student-athletes about the risks of sports betting, responding to the rapid growth of online gambling across the United States. While sports betting remains illegal for minors, officials say the widespread availability of mobile betting platforms has increased young people's exposure and highlighted the need for greater awareness. Sports betting has expanded from a $4.9bn industry in 2017 to more than $165bn in 2026, with nearly 94% of wagers now placed online. Research cited in the article shows that 36% of boys aged 11 to 17 gambled at least once in the past year, while only one in four parents have discussed online betting with their teenagers. The NFHS said the course was created proactively rather than in response to specific incidents, with executive director Davis Whitfield emphasizing the importance of helping young athletes understand the risks before problems emerge.

Nebraska schools seek bond funding for safer entrances and security upgrades

School districts across Nebraska are increasingly asking voters to approve bond measures to fund security upgrades, including redesigned entrances, improved surveillance systems, and other building improvements aimed at better protecting students and staff. While some districts have secured funding, others have struggled to gain voter approval amid broader economic pressures, forcing them to delay or scale back planned projects. Many districts are prioritizing the creation of single, controlled entry points that require all visitors to pass through the main office before accessing school buildings. Superintendents say these "secure vestibule" designs, combined with upgraded cameras, visitor screening systems, and locked classroom doors, reflect evolving best practices in school safety. The Nebraska Department of Education has supported these efforts through safety grants, although many districts have needed bond funding to cover remaining costs.

LEGISLATION

California Legislature weighs education bills on social media, funding, and student success

California lawmakers have returned from their summer recess to consider a series of education bills before the legislative session ends on August 31, with proposals ranging from student online safety and mental health to special education funding, higher education access, and academic achievement. Gov. Gavin Newsom will have until September 30 to sign or veto any measures that reach his desk. Several of the highest-profile bills focus on student well-being and technology. One proposal would require schools to teach digital wellness, including responsible use of social media and artificial intelligence, while another would prohibit children under 16 from creating accounts on social media platforms with addictive algorithmic features and require age verification. Supporters argue the measures address growing concerns over youth mental health, while critics warn they could raise privacy and free speech issues. Other legislation would expand funding for students with significant cognitive disabilities, simplify the process for reclassifying English learners, improve the identification and reporting of Indigenous students, and make it easier for community colleges to launch bachelor's degree programs in areas with unmet workforce needs. Most of the bills are awaiting action in legislative appropriations committees before lawmakers adjourn later this month.

EMPLOYMENT

Teacher turnover eases, but schools continue to feel the impact

A review of teacher workforce data from 21 states found that teacher turnover remained elevated for several years following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant staffing losses that continue to affect schools even as attrition begins to decline. Researchers found that many states experienced four to five consecutive years of higher-than-normal departures, with high-poverty schools disproportionately affected and often forced to rely on less experienced or uncertified teachers. The article cites stagnant pay, worsening student behavior, increased workloads, limited workplace flexibility, and declining support from administrators and parents as key factors driving educators from the profession. Experts warn that sustained teacher turnover has contributed to lower student achievement and slower academic recovery, while school leaders continue to focus on improving retention through stronger support, greater professional autonomy, and more competitive compensation.

GOVERNANCE

Letters shed light on internal challenges behind Carvalho’s LAUSD exit

Newly released letters reveal the Los Angeles USD (LASUSD) Board of Education's intent to dismiss former Superintendent Alberto Carvalho for “unfitness for service” and other allegations. The accusations include undisclosed gifts, outside consulting income, donor-funded travel, and misuse of district resources, following an FBI raid on Carvalho's home and office. Carvalho, who has denied any wrongdoing, described the board's letter as “legally and factually deficient.” His attorneys argued that the allegations were politically motivated, stating: “This letter is legally and factually deficient. It is not a good-faith exercise of oversight.” The board's letter outlines various claims, including failure to report gifts and outside income, while Carvalho's defense maintains that he acted transparently and in accordance with district regulations. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Carvalho and the board amid a federal investigation into a company he worked with.

CHARTERS

Credit facility helps NC charters unlock $52.9m federal funding

The North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools (NCAPCS) has partnered with nonprofit Building Hope to provide a line of credit that allows charter schools to access the state's record $52.9m federal Charter Schools Program grant, overcoming the reimbursement-based funding model that has limited participation by schools with limited cash reserves. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education and running through 2030, will support the NC GROW program, which focuses on expanding career and technical education, STEM, and artificial intelligence programs, strengthening financial management, and improving charter school governance. NCAPCS plans to distribute between $500,000 and $2m to 42 charter schools over the next five years, with 28 grants designated for new schools. NCAPCS and Building Hope said the financing partnership will help new and growing charter schools fully benefit from the federal funding.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Austin ISD revises bus service, introduces transportation hubs for some students

Austin ISD is significantly reducing student transportation services for the upcoming school year as part of a broader effort to address a $181m budget deficit, cutting $11.3m from its transportation budget. Under the Texas district's new plan, most middle and high school students will use centralized transportation hubs, often located at elementary schools or community sites, instead of neighborhood bus stops, while elementary school students will continue to receive local bus service. District officials said the hub system is designed to reduce bus mileage, fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and driver demand. Austin ISD is also ending districtwide transportation for certain campuses, discontinuing bus service to its Alternative Learning Center, eliminating transportation home after after-school activities, and directing some students to use Austin’s free CapMetro transit system. The transportation changes are part of more than $205m in districtwide budget reductions, which also include staffing cuts, reduced teacher stipends, and school closures.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Carmen schools consolidates two Milwaukee high schools into single campus

Carmen Schools of Science & Technology has opened a new $55m Southgate campus in Milwaukee, bringing together its former South and Southeast high schools in a purpose-built facility that will serve 1,050 students beginning this school year. The 124,000-square-foot campus includes approximately 50 classrooms, science labs, career and technical education spaces, performing arts facilities, and athletic amenities, with capacity for up to 1,100 students. The school was built on a former healthcare site purchased in 2024 for $4.5m and has been funded in part through a $15m capital campaign, with $12.2m raised to date. Carmen officials said the new campus will provide students with expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities after years of sharing space in Milwaukee Public Schools buildings. The move also frees space within Milwaukee Public Schools facilities, allowing Lincoln Avenue School students displaced by a fire to relocate to Pulaski High School and enabling Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes to expand enrollment.

INTERNATIONAL

Ireland's parents dip into savings and take out loans as back-to-school costs rise

A Barnardos survey has found that the average cost of sending a child to secondary school in Ireland has risen to €1,139 ($1,314) this year, up from €1,090 in 2025, with digital devices now representing the largest expense. More than half of secondary school parents said they were required to purchase a laptop or tablet, spending an average of €447, while some reported being asked to pay as much as €850 for specified devices. The charity said many schools require families to buy devices from designated suppliers, preventing them from shopping around or using existing equipment, and called on the Irish government to review digital device policies to help reduce costs. The survey also found that 60% of parents worry about meeting back-to-school expenses, with more than a quarter of secondary school parents using savings and 15% taking out loans or borrowing money to cover the costs.
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