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USA
15th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Aging school infrastructure disrupts learning for 2m students nationwide

School facility problems caused an estimated 2m students to miss approximately 3.5m days of learning during the 2024-25 school year, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. One in five districts canceled classes because of issues including plumbing emergencies and extreme temperatures, while nearly half experienced facility problems that disrupted learning in some way. The GAO estimates that 14% of U.S. schools are in poor or very poor condition, while roughly one-third are in fair condition and will require repairs within five years. Flooding and water intrusion were the most commonly reported chronic problems, affecting 22% of districts, followed by excessive classroom heat or cold at 21%. The report also identified plumbing, ventilation, structural, accessibility, fire safety, and building code issues, with one district reporting classroom temperatures as high as 110 degrees. More than half of district leaders said their facility budgets are insufficient, and 16% of districts have no plans to address major systems, such as HVAC or plumbing, in at least one existing school. Leaders cited high construction costs, inadequate state funding, and limited federal and state financing opportunities as major obstacles. The GAO found that districts with less capacity for preventive maintenance experienced more chronic building problems and learning disruptions, underscoring concerns that deferred repairs could further increase costs and interfere with student attendance, health, and academic performance.

VISUAL LEARNING

Making Math Click for Multilingual Learners

Math can be challenging for any learner, but multilingual learners may face an additional barrier: learning new mathematical concepts while navigating unfamiliar academic language. Visuals and gestures can help bridge that gap, making abstract ideas more concrete and giving students multiple ways to access meaning. 

Reveal Math intentionally uses visual representations and mathematical language to support comprehension and create more opportunities for multilingual students to participate and demonstrate their mathematical knowledge.

Ready to make math more accessible and engaging for multilingual learners? Explore practical strategies using visuals and gestures to support every student. 

Read the blog here.

 

LEGISLATION

Pennsylvania joins growing state push to guarantee recess for elementary students

States are increasingly adopting laws guaranteeing students dedicated recess time after years of declining opportunities for unstructured play during the school day. Pennsylvania is the latest state to mandate recess, while Oklahoma has doubled its requirement to 40 minutes a day for the 2026-27 school year, Tennessee requires 40 minutes, and Ohio lawmakers are considering two 30-minute periods each day for students in grades K-8. According to 2019 data, up to 40% of U.S. school districts had reduced or eliminated recess time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 20 minutes of dedicated daily recess and says multiple breaks provide cognitive, physical, and social benefits. It also discourages combining lunch and recess, arguing that students may rush meals to maximize playtime. Advocates link recess to benefits including physical activity, social and emotional development, and efforts to address childhood obesity and chronic absenteeism. The grassroots organization Say Yes to Recess, which has expanded to 24 states, ultimately wants students in all grades to receive 60 minutes of recess per day.

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft sets new student AI privacy standards

Microsoft has agreed to sweeping privacy and safety standards for artificial intelligence (AI) used in schools, as educators and parents raise concerns about how student data is collected and used. The legally binding agreement, negotiated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), prohibits Microsoft from using student or educator data to train AI systems, with a narrow safety exception, and bars the company from selling the data, using it for advertising, or using it for product development. The standards, which take effect for schools under Microsoft contracts on Nov. 1, also require third-party audits and greater transparency for families. The agreement prohibits AI companions or features designed to encourage emotional attachment, dependency, or engagement beyond what is necessary for a learning task. Microsoft has committed to applying the standards to every U.S. school district it contracts with, while the AFT hopes the framework will become an industry-wide benchmark. OpenAI and Anthropic are discussing similar agreements with the union, although Google, whose Classroom platform is used by 150 million teachers and students worldwide, has not said whether it will adopt comparable protections.

NYC Council members seek YouTube ban as schools reconsider role of technology

Two senior New York City Council members are calling for students to be banned from accessing YouTube on school devices, citing declining test scores, concerns from parents and teachers, and the potential effects of excessive screen time. Shekar Krishnan and Eric Dinowitz also want the city to restrict gamified learning apps, eliminate individual digital devices for kindergarten through fifth grade, and return to paper-and-pencil standardized testing. The proposed YouTube restrictions would prevent students from independently viewing the platform while requiring the Department of Education to provide evidence supporting other uses, such as teachers showing videos during lessons. Krishnan plans to introduce legislation requiring the department to assess the proposal, which follows Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s recently announced ban on artificial intelligence (AI) for elementary and middle-school students. The push reflects a broader backlash against technology use in classrooms, with council members arguing that schools have adopted digital tools without sufficient evidence that they improve learning. Google has previously said school administrators can limit or block student access to YouTube, while Los Angeles has already prohibited student-led YouTube use and generative AI tools across all grades.

Illinois district cuts through app overload with one-stop information hub

Barrington Community Unit 220 School District in Illinois is working to simplify communication with families after years of adding digital platforms for grades, coursework, transportation, and general school information. Its new online Back-to-School Hub centralizes frequently requested resources, including bus routes, lunch information, class assignments, school supply lists, event dates, registration links, and parent-teacher association details. The initiative is designed to reduce the number of apps, websites, clicks, and searches parents must navigate, particularly for families with children attending multiple schools. Rather than replacing every specialized platform with a single system, the district is focusing on making it clearer where information can be found, while retaining dedicated tools where they provide practical benefits, such as real-time transportation or schedule notifications. Barrington plans to remove the Back-to-School Hub once its information is no longer timely, while applying the same streamlined approach to other important transitions, including entering kindergarten and moving from middle school to high school. The broader goal is to make school communications simpler, more consistent, and easier for families to navigate.

DISTRICTS

Columbus City Schools celebrates graduation success

Columbus City Schools has reported a record four-year graduation rate of 84.6% for its 2026 graduating class, up 3.2 percentage points from 2025 and above the district’s 81.2% target. The result is the highest on-time graduation rate since tracking began in 2000, when the rate stood at 59.9%. Superintendent Angela Chapman said the improvement demonstrates progress while emphasizing that further work is needed to keep students on track and ensure they earn diplomas and credentials. The latest figure will not be reflected in Ohio’s state report card released Sept. 15 because its graduation component operates with a one-year lag. The district projects that it will receive one star for graduation based on earlier data, although a graduation rate above 84% would qualify for two stars. Separately, the district has reduced graduation requirements from 22 credits to the state minimum of 20 beginning this school year. Previously mandatory requirements, including an academic elective, technology credit, and 120 internship hours, are now optional pathways under Ohio’s graduation “seal” system.

LEADERSHIP

Stable school leadership associated With better academic outcomes

U.S. school districts are seeing superintendent turnover fall toward pre-pandemic levels, while research suggests that leadership stability is associated with stronger student outcomes. An ILO Group analysis of the 500 largest districts found turnover fell to 17%, from 20% to 23% over the previous five years, with only 78 districts maintaining consistent leadership since the pandemic. Students in districts without leadership changes between 2019 and 2025 recorded at least one additional month of learning in reading and math, while separate research found that repeated turnover in high-poverty districts was associated with students falling roughly two months behind in math and six weeks behind in reading. Financial pressures may also be discouraging leadership changes, given the cost of superintendent searches, while women now account for 34% of superintendents across the 500 largest districts.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Philadelphia schools see fewer fights and weapons amid expanded safety initiatives

Philadelphia public schools have reported significant declines in weapons and student violence, with weapons confiscations falling 67%, from 516 in the 2021-22 school year to 171 in 2024-25. Knives remain the most commonly confiscated weapons, while firearms typically represent about 4% of the total. Student assaults and fights also declined 22% districtwide between 2021 and 2025. District safety officials attribute the improvement partly to a greater emphasis on building relationships with students, identifying potential conflicts before violence occurs, and training some school safety officers in conflict mediation. Other initiatives include post-fight stabilization groups, behavioral health support, partnerships with community organizations, and the Youth Violence Reduction Initiative at John Bartram High School, which provides mentorship and case management to students considered at risk of violence. Despite the progress, some parents remain concerned about school violence, particularly ahead of the district’s planned closure of 17 campuses in fall 2027, which they fear could create tensions as students from different schools are brought together.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Boston school bus punctuality improves, but delays continue to frustrate families

Boston Public Schools (BPS) has reported that 61% of its buses arrived on time on the first day of school, its second-best opening-day performance on record, although some families continued to experience significant delays and missed pickups. The result was below last year’s record 66% but well above the 34% recorded in 2024. Performance improved to 80% the following day, while 97% of buses arrived within 30 minutes of the bell. The district operates 609 routes serving more than 18,000 students, supported by 730 drivers, 650 bus monitors, and 750 buses. BPS has introduced recruitment initiatives, paid driver training, new contracts, and the Zūm technology platform to improve reliability, track student ridership, and provide families with estimated arrival times and delay notifications. Last school year, morning on-time performance averaged 91.4%, reaching a record monthly high of 95% in June. Despite the improvements, parents say continuing delays can cause students to miss class and force families to rearrange work and other commitments. BPS has also faced scrutiny over its transportation system, including an independent investigation that identified deficiencies in record-keeping and driver training.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

SC allocates $75m for rural and charter school construction projects

South Carolina has allocated $75m in one-time funding for rural and charter school capital projects, giving charter schools access to state construction funding for the first time. Distributed by the South Carolina Department of Education, the money can be used to build or improve facilities primarily serving in-person 4K-12 instruction. Advocates say the program could significantly ease financing pressures on charter schools, which do not receive local property tax revenue or have access to general obligation bonds and often rely on private financing for facilities. A seven-member committee will establish funding criteria and determine which schools receive grants, with priority given to schools serving low-income communities and those demonstrating sustained academic success. Charter applicants will also be assessed on institutional strength and operating history, with preference for nonprofit operators that have been established for more than four years. While advocates support accountability, some have warned that the requirements could disadvantage newer, high-quality charter schools seeking permanent facilities.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Federal judge blocks Trump administration limits on student visas

A federal judge in Massachusetts has blocked a Trump administration rule that would have imposed new limits on how long international students, academics, and foreign journalists could remain in the United States. The rule would have capped stays for students and academics at four years, restricted students from pursuing a second degree at the same level, changing fields, or transferring universities, and limited foreign journalists’ visas to 240 days. Extensions would have required Department of Homeland Security approval, with no avenue to appeal a rejection. Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV ruled that the administration’s justification was arbitrary and unlawful, saying officials relied largely on a small number of anecdotes that the new restrictions would not have prevented. He also warned that the changes could discourage international students from attending U.S. universities, potentially causing significant damage to higher education and the broader economy, with the administration itself estimating first-year compliance costs of more than $250m. The Department of Homeland Security defended the policy as an effort to combat fraud, but did not say whether it would appeal.

INTERNATIONAL

Harry and Meghan change kids' school after security review

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are moving Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, to another British school just days after they started classes, following discussions with the family’s security team. The couple, who returned to Britain last month after six years in the United States, emphasized that the decision was unrelated to the quality of the school or the care provided by its staff. Reports indicate that security difficulties emerged around school drop-offs and pickups, with heavy traffic making it challenging for the family’s private security convoy to remain together. Harry and Meghan have relied on private security since losing taxpayer-funded protection after stepping back as senior royals in 2020. The children are expected to begin attending another school in the area soon. Meanwhile, the family is reportedly awaiting an official risk assessment following its return to the UK, as security remains a central concern for Harry and his family.

NTA looks to BRICS, AI, and digital testing as it modernizes India’s exam system

India’s National Testing Agency (NTA) is exploring plans to take its examination framework overseas and collaborate with BRICS countries on testing technology, exam security, and question-paper development. Director General Abhishek Singh said the agency’s immediate priority is strengthening domestic examinations by improving security, transparency, and reliability before pursuing cross-border testing. NTA is also considering developing its testing infrastructure as a “digital public good” that could eventually be adopted by other countries. As part of its domestic reforms, NTA expects to move NEET-UG from pen-and-paper testing to computer-based testing, with a task force led by Nandan Nilekani examining the transition. The agency ultimately intends to move all its examinations to computer-based formats and is exploring AI and data analytics to detect irregularities and potential fraud.
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