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USA
19th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

New federal guidance targets racial considerations in student discipline

The U.S. Department of Education has instructed schools not to consider race when developing or enforcing student discipline policies, arguing that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Constitution prohibit intentional discrimination, rather than policies that unintentionally produce racial disparities. The guidance, announced on Tuesday in a "Dear Colleague" letter, follows the department’s July decision to eliminate longstanding regulations recognizing “disparate impact” liability, and reverses approaches taken under the Obama and Biden administrations. The department argues that previous guidance pressured schools to adjust discipline practices based on racial outcomes, potentially undermining consistent enforcement. Supporters say the new approach will ensure students are disciplined according to individual behavior, while critics argue that it could make it harder to address disproportionate discipline rates among Black, Indigenous, and other minority students. The guidance does not carry the force of law, but sets out how the Trump administration intends to interpret and enforce federal civil rights protections. It states that schools can adopt race-neutral policies with mandatory punishments as long as they are applied consistently, regardless of race.

BLENDED LEARNING

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LEGAL

Meta faces landmark federal child safety trial

Meta is facing the first bellwether federal trial over allegations that Instagram and Facebook have harmed children through addictive product features, with California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey seeking nearly $200bn in damages for alleged violations of federal child privacy and state consumer protection laws. The states argue that Meta knew features such as infinite scroll, beauty filters, and engagement-driven algorithms could contribute to compulsive use, anxiety, and other harms among young users, while continuing to promote its platforms as safe. Meta denies the claims, says it has introduced safeguards for teenagers, and argues that the states’ allegations are unsubstantiated and their financial demands disproportionate. The six-to-eight-week Oakland trial represents a significant legal test for Meta after recent setbacks, including a $6m California verdict against Meta and YouTube and a New Mexico ruling ordering Meta to pay nearly $1bn. Meta said it spent more than $2bn on legal expenses related to social media addiction trials and other litigation from April through June, compared with quarterly profit of $18bn. Beyond damages, the four states are seeking changes to Meta’s products for users under 18, including bans on infinite scrolling, autoplay, “like” buttons, certain beauty filters, and engagement-optimized algorithms.

TECHNOLOGY

ChatGPT introduces teen mode as scrutiny of AI safety grows

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT for Teens, a new mode for users ages 13 to 17 that includes stronger safeguards, parental controls, and educational features. The mode will activate when users identify themselves as minors or are estimated to be under 18, with ChatGPT defaulting to the safer experience when a user’s age is uncertain. The service will restrict conversations involving high-risk topics, including self-harm, violence, and eating disorders. Parents can set “Quiet Hours,” manage certain settings, and receive notifications when sensitive subjects arise, while educational features include guided study, quizzes, homework reminders, and visualizations designed to support learning rather than simply provide answers. The launch comes amid growing scrutiny of AI chatbots’ potential effects on young people, including concerns about mental health, emotional reliance, and academic learning. OpenAI said it will use self-reported ages, behavioral and account signals, and verification methods to determine when the additional protections should apply.

FINANCE

Arizona schools receive $641.9m from land endowment fund

Arizona’s State Land Department generated a record $817.8m in revenue in fiscal 2026, almost double the previous year’s total, driven by an increase in competitive, large-scale land auctions and improvements to the sale process. Arizona’s public schools received $641.9m from the fund during fiscal 2026, with 93% of its distributions supporting K-12 education. The trust fund’s land value has grown from about $5bn in 2023 to more than $11.5bn. The record funding comes as state lawmakers consider the future of Proposition 123, which temporarily increased annual distributions from the trust fund before expiring in 2025. State Treasurer Kimberly Yee has also called for greater transparency over how schools spend the money.

Arkansas considers $12.4m tutoring program for rural first graders

An Arkansas legislative panel has advanced a nearly $12.4m, federally funded contract with California-based Air Education, also known as Air Reading, to provide virtual literacy tutoring to 750 first graders across 50 rural schools. If approved by the Arkansas Legislative Council, the four-year program will begin September 1 and provide students with about 65 small-group tutoring sessions annually, with Stanford University researchers evaluating its effectiveness. The contract is part of a $15m federal grant awarded to Arkansas to study high-impact tutoring in rural schools. State officials said Air Reading was specified as a project partner under the grant, and replacing it could require federal renegotiation or the return of funds. Officials also cited research from Louisiana showing that students receiving Air Reading tutoring significantly outperformed their peers. The initiative is part of Arkansas’ broader effort to improve literacy outcomes under the 2023 LEARNS Act, which expanded tutoring programs and introduced new reading standards for third graders.

Columbus City Schools makes budget progress but faces further cuts

Columbus City Schools’ five-year financial outlook has improved slightly following more than $50m in budget cuts, with revenue now projected to grow more than twice as quickly as expenses. Revenue is expected to increase by more than $90m, or 2%, over the forecast period, helped by reduced transportation penalties, changes to Ohio’s funding formula, and higher investment earnings, while expenses are projected to rise $41m, or 0.8%. Despite the improvement, the district expects to deficit spend more than $50m this fiscal year and remains projected to run out of cash by fiscal 2030, meaning further cuts are likely. The district also expects $20m less in local tax revenue, while personnel costs account for more than 83% of its budget. Financial pressures have persisted despite roughly $50.4m of previously approved cuts, including reductions to faculty and staff, transportation services, programs, and four school closures. The longer-term outlook has also been affected by a projected $93.4m increase in health insurance premiums over five years, although officials said existing insurance reserves have prevented those higher costs from affecting recent general fund cash flow.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Omaha school board faces backlash over police use of electric shock gloves

Parents, students, educators, and community members have called for Omaha Public Schools to stop school resource officers from using electric shock gloves, raising concerns about student safety, transparency, and the use of force. Around 30 people spoke against the devices at a school board meeting after it emerged that 29 of Omaha’s 34 school resource officers had been trained to use them, despite board members and Superintendent Matthew Ray saying they had not been informed. The gloves were used twice in Omaha schools during the 2025-26 school year, including once at a program serving students with social, emotional, behavioral, and learning needs. Critics have called for a moratorium, an independent investigation, clearer use-of-force policies, and greater investment in counselors, mental health professionals, and de-escalation training. Board members also questioned how the devices were introduced without formal discussions with district leadership and raised broader concerns about weapons used by school resource officers, including pepper spray, tasers, and batons.

CHARTERS

Charter families push back as Pennsylvania schools cut traditional bus service

Pennsylvania school districts are beginning to replace traditional school bus service for some charter school students with free public transit passes after the state Supreme Court ruled in January that districts are not required to provide identical transportation to charter and traditional public school students. Districts including Woodland Hills and Whitehall-Coplay have moved to issue transit passes, citing transportation costs, resource constraints, and bus driver shortages, but charter school leaders and parents argue the changes could create longer, less reliable, and potentially unsafe commutes, particularly for younger students and those in suburban or rural areas. Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation that would require districts to provide younger charter students with the same mode of transportation as district students, while charter advocates are also considering further legal challenges.

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Colorado urged to strengthen college pathways as dual enrollment grows

About 40,000 Colorado high school students were taking college-level courses in fall 2025, up more than 3,000 from the previous year, with high schoolers now accounting for roughly 40% of community college enrollment. However, a Community College Research Center report warns that enrollment growth does not necessarily ensure quality, recommending better academic, financial, and career advising, stronger data tracking, and clearer pathways so students earn credits that advance their college or career goals rather than simply accumulating general credits. Colorado is already working toward having every high school student complete at least one college course, earn 12 college credits, or participate in work-based learning before graduation. However, officials say challenges remain around limited state funding, costs for books and fees, racial and socioeconomic disparities, and insufficient wraparound support for students during high school and their transition to college.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Transforming schoolyards into green havens

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is transforming schoolyards across the U.S. into vibrant community spaces, with 420 schoolyards revamped in 26 states. At a recent summit, Mary Alice Lee, director of TPL's NYC Playgrounds Program, emphasized, "The users are the designers," highlighting student involvement in the design process. These redesigned spaces not only enhance play but also address climate challenges, with features like porous pavement and green roofs to mitigate flooding. Danielle Denk, TPL's community schoolyards initiative director, noted the importance of keeping schoolyards open after hours, fostering community ownership. However, disparities in access to green spaces persist, particularly in low-income areas. New York City councilmember Shekar Krishnan stressed that schoolyards are essential for community cohesion, stating, "It's not that park space and green space is a luxury or privilege for some. It's a right for all of us."

STEM

Congress urged to bring accounting into K-12 STEM programs

In an opinion piece for The Hill Jorge Lemus Encalada, professor at the Department of Economics and a professor of law (by courtesy) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, argues that Congress should pass the bipartisan Accounting STEM Pursuit Act to help address the shrinking pipeline of accountants by exposing students to the profession earlier. The legislation would allow existing Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants under the Every Student Succeeds Act to fund accounting curricula, internships, mentorships, and career awareness, particularly for groups underrepresented in the profession. Encalada argues that state efforts to ease CPA licensing requirements address only the end of the talent pipeline, while recognizing accounting as a STEM discipline could broaden its appeal by highlighting its growing use of data analytics, automation, information systems, and artificial intelligence. The proposal would not establish a new federal program or provide additional funding, but would make accounting an eligible use of existing grants.

LITERACY

Oklahoma schools intensify literacy efforts ahead of new third-grade retention rules

Oklahoma schools are increasing their focus on early literacy after more than 21,100 third graders, or 44%, scored below basic on statewide reading tests this spring. Under new state laws modeled partly on Mississippi’s literacy reforms, students beginning in the 2027-28 school year could be held back in third grade if they score below basic on the state reading test and fail a second assessment, unless they qualify for an exemption. Districts are expanding small-group interventions, teacher training, staffing, and reading instruction, with Oklahoma City Public Schools increasing daily literacy time to 150 minutes in many elementary schools after 66% of its third graders scored below basic. However, educators say significant uncertainties remain, including the state’s choice of a second literacy assessment and a universal reading screener. Some school leaders have also questioned whether Oklahoma’s testing standards could result in unusually high retention rates, while districts are seeking clarity on funding for professional development and other resources needed to implement the reforms.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Pentagon orders 30 U.S. universities to review foreign partnerships

The Department of Defense has ordered 30 U.S. universities to audit partnerships with foreign universities and military training institutions, most of them Chinese, as the Trump administration intensifies scrutiny of potential national security risks. The universities have two weeks to review their relationships and terminate arrangements deemed problematic or risk losing federal funding, with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Johns Hopkins University reportedly among those affected. The Pentagon said the action is intended to prevent taxpayer-funded research from being stolen or exploited, following its publication of a list of 130 foreign institutions considered to pose an increased risk of research misappropriation. Most are Chinese, although Russian and Iranian institutions are also included. The American Council on Education criticized suggestions that U.S. universities have failed to address research security concerns, while China’s embassy accused Washington of politicizing academic exchanges. The move forms part of broader Trump administration efforts to scrutinize Chinese influence, investment, and activities in the United States and elsewhere.

INTERNATIONAL

Principals seek independent council to end New Zealand’s cycle of education reform

The New Zealand’s Principals’ Federation is calling for cross-party support to establish a permanent, independent Curriculum and Assessment Council, arguing that repeated politically driven reforms have caused unnecessary disruption to schools. Federation president Jason Miles said the proposed body would operate across electoral cycles, draw on research and professional expertise, and work in partnership with iwi and Māori education groups to provide a more deliberate approach to curriculum and assessment changes, while education ministers would retain final decision-making authority. Labour education spokesperson Ginny Andersen backed the broader aim of reducing political influence on education but stopped short of endorsing the proposed council.

 
RNZ
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