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25th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

White House touts shift of federal education powers to states

President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon used a White House back-to-school event on Monday to highlight the administration’s efforts to reduce the Department of Education’s role, transfer responsibilities to states and other federal agencies, and expand school choice. Since taking office, the administration has cut the department’s workforce nearly in half, partnered with other agencies to manage some of its responsibilities, and issued more than two dozen waivers giving states greater flexibility over federal education funding. Trump also promoted provisions in his tax legislation that, beginning in 2027, will provide incentives for individuals and businesses to fund scholarships covering K–12 public and private education expenses. The administration argues that the measures will give parents greater control and more educational options, while critics contend they could divert resources from traditional public schools. The event also highlighted the administration’s broader education agenda, including policies addressing curriculum, gender issues, and parental rights, as well as First Lady Melania Trump’s initiative supporting young people aging out of foster care.

STATE ASSESSMENTS

Why the Best State Assessment Scores Start Early

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FINANCE

Federal funding can help districts modernize networks without draining local budgets

K–12 schools are being urged to treat network infrastructure as the foundation of classroom technology investments, particularly as districts expand devices, artificial intelligence tools, esports programs, and other digital initiatives. Modernization plans should account for the full network stack, including internet circuits, switches, routers, cabling, wireless access points, power, cooling, and physical infrastructure. E-Rate remains the largest source of technology funding available to U.S. school districts, offering discounts on eligible network equipment and services based on poverty levels and rural status. Its Category Two funding operates on five-year cycles, which closely align with typical wireless refresh cycles of four to six years and vendor support periods of roughly five to seven years. However, districts often leave E-Rate funding unused because of the program’s administrative complexity, including bidding, application, eligibility verification, procurement tracking, and reimbursement requirements. Unused Category Two funding can carry forward within the current cycle, which runs through FY2030, but it cannot roll into the next cycle, creating pressure for districts to plan upgrades early.

Ohio weighs charter conversions and closures for struggling schools

Ohio is seeking federal approval for a new approach to chronically underperforming public schools that could ultimately allow the state to convert them into charter schools, transfer management to third parties, replace leadership, or close them. The measures would apply to schools that remain on the state’s low-performing list for more than three years, with 117 traditional public schools currently identified and 34 having been on the list since 2018. The proposal, part of Ohio’s request for greater flexibility in spending federal education funds, has drawn opposition from school leaders, teachers, and some lawmakers who argue that major changes should require legislative approval and could undermine local control. Supporters counter that the state has an obligation to intervene when schools have struggled for years. Ohio officials say interventions would depend on local circumstances and discussions with districts, although the state would retain final authority. The state is now awaiting a decision from the Trump administration on its federal waiver request.

POLICY

California school accountability push falters as three achievement gap bills die

A California School Boards Association initiative aimed at narrowing the state’s student achievement gap has suffered a major setback after three of its four bills were rejected by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposals sought greater state accountability for disparities of 30 percentage points or more between low- and high-income students, and between Black and Latino students and their Asian and white peers. The rejected measures would have required an independent annual review of California’s school improvement system, created a dashboard assessing state leaders’ progress in closing achievement gaps, and established an 18-member commission to identify effective practices. Only Assembly Bill 2225 remains alive, proposing a working group to improve coordination among state agencies responsible for student outcomes. The bills had previously attracted strong legislative support and no registered opposition, leaving supporters questioning why they were halted without a public explanation. One possibility is that the proposals overlapped with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recently approved overhaul of California’s education governance system, which will shift management of the Department of Education to a governor-appointed education commissioner in 2027. The commissioner will also be responsible for recommending ways to streamline education oversight and school improvement.

Ohio educators raise local-control concerns over proposed school turnaround rules

Ohio is seeking federal approval for changes that could subject chronically low-performing public schools to more extensive state intervention, including replacing instructional materials or leadership, transferring management to a third party, converting traditional public schools into charter schools, or closing them. Schools remaining on the state’s underperforming list for more than three years could face the measures, with 34 schools having been on the list since 2018. The proposals are part of Ohio’s request for greater flexibility in spending federal education funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act. While interventions would depend on local circumstances and discussions with school officials, the state would ultimately have final authority. School leaders, unions, and some lawmakers have raised concerns about local control, transparency, funding, and whether major policy changes should require legislative approval. Supporters of stronger intervention argue that the state has a responsibility to act when schools remain unsuccessful for years. 

Tennessee districts face records requests over Ten Commandments plans

A coalition of civil liberties groups has requested records from five Tennessee school districts planning to display the Ten Commandments under a new state law that permits the religious text to be shown alongside founding documents in prominent school locations. The groups, including the ACLU and Freedom From Religion Foundation, argue that the displays could violate families’ religious freedoms and are gathering information as they challenge similar measures elsewhere in the U.S. Rutherford County has approved a design for displays across its 53 schools, with the signs expected to cost about $12,400, including $7,000 already raised privately. The records requests do not necessarily signal a lawsuit, but come amid broader legal disputes over Ten Commandments requirements in public schools, including cases in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana.

DISTRICTS

Iowa City school board condemns heated exchange following member’s resignation

The Iowa City school board has condemned a “heated exchange” between members during a team-building workshop, saying the conduct fell short of community expectations, after board member Jayne Finch resigned following the meeting. The dispute comes as the district works to address significant financial problems, including cash-flow issues, interfund loans, and weak internal controls, while the board is now required to appoint Finch’s replacement within 30 days unless voters force a special election.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Schools test drones as debate grows over high-tech security measures

Campus Guardian Angel is deploying remotely launched drones designed to respond to school shootings within about a minute, using cameras to relay live video to law enforcement and tools including flashing lights and pepper balls to disorient or subdue attackers. The technology is already being used in parts of Florida and Georgia, is launching in Colorado, and could expand to Texas, as schools spend billions of dollars annually on security measures ranging from resource officers and metal detectors to panic alarms and AI-powered detection systems. The growth of the school security industry accelerated after the 2018 Parkland shooting, but experts caution that newer technologies have limited evidence demonstrating their effectiveness. Previous security systems, including metal detectors and AI gun-detection software, have failed or produced false alarms, while some researchers argue that physical security measures can negatively affect students’ sense of psychological safety. Experts say technology should therefore be combined with preventative measures, including mental health support, threat assessment, student supervision, and stronger relationships between students and teachers.

 
CNN

SCHOOL VOUCHERS

Arizona voucher regulation fight shifts to state superintendent race

The Arizona Supreme Court has effectively blocked the Protect Education Act from appearing on the ballot after invalidating enough petition signatures, halting a measure that sought to impose an income cap and additional oversight on the state’s universal Empowerment Scholarship Account program. The campaign exposed divisions among school choice supporters over whether greater regulation is needed to protect taxpayer funds or would undermine parental autonomy. With the ballot initiative sidelined, the debate is shifting to November’s state superintendent election between Republican Kimberly Yee and Democrat Teresa Ruiz, who have differing positions on ESA oversight. The dispute reflects a broader national debate over regulating rapidly expanding school choice programs, as similar oversight proposals have faced resistance in Republican-led states including Florida, West Virginia, and Iowa.

ENROLLMENT

Immigration enforcement concerns weigh on Hispanic school enrollment in Maryland

Hispanic student enrollment in Maryland public schools has declined for the first time in years despite continued growth in the state’s Hispanic population, with educators and advocates raising concerns that increased immigration enforcement is discouraging families from enrolling children and engaging with schools. International enrollment offices in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have reported sharp declines, while Hispanic enrollment in Montgomery County schools fell by an average of more than 3%. The decline comes alongside worsening educational outcomes, with the Hispanic graduation rate falling 4.4% from 2023-24 to 2024-25, compared with a 1.2% decline overall. Advocates say immigration-related arrests and fears of enforcement near schools have placed additional financial and emotional pressures on families, while some child care providers have also reported steep enrollment declines.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Back-to-school season raises measles risks amid record vaccine exemptions

U.S. public health officials are warning of heightened measles risks as students return to school during the country’s worst year for the disease in recent history, with nonmedical vaccine exemptions among kindergartners reaching a record 4.2% in 2025-26. Concerns have been compounded by the Trump administration’s push to separate the MMR vaccine into individual shots, although several states plan to retain existing guidance, and no U.S. manufacturers currently produce separate measles, mumps, or rubella vaccines.

MATH

Iowa school districts boost math scores through targeted support and deeper learning

Iowa’s North Polk and Gilbert school districts have outperformed statewide math proficiency rates by using targeted interventions, frequent progress monitoring, and teaching strategies focused on mathematical reasoning. North Polk, which achieved 86% proficiency in 2025, uses data-driven “What I Need” groups to provide tailored support and enrichment, while Gilbert, at 91%, uses Illustrative Mathematics and cognitively guided instruction to emphasize critical thinking, conceptual understanding, and personalized learning.

INTERNATIONAL

$22m investment aims to restore education for Sudan’s crisis-affected children

Education Cannot Wait, a United Nations fund administered under UNICEF rules, has committed $22m in new multi-year funding to restore safe, inclusive education for children affected by Sudan’s civil war. The conflict has displaced at least 14m people and left about 8m children, nearly half of the country’s school-age population, out of school, with some students missing almost 500 days of education. The program will support displaced children, refugees, and vulnerable host communities, providing formal and non-formal learning opportunities, as well as mental health and psychosocial services. At least 60% of beneficiaries will be girls, and 10% will be children with disabilities. An additional $5m will remain flexible to respond to new conflicts, disasters, or climate-related emergencies. Save the Children will lead implementation alongside local partners, with 48% of the budget allocated to national and local organizations. The $22m commitment provides initial funding toward the program’s total requirement of $39m.
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