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USA
16th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California teachers challenge $3.9bn delay in Proposition 98 funding

The California Teachers Association has sued the state over its decision to withhold Proposition 98 funding for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, including $3.9bn in payments deferred under the revised budget approved in July. The union argues that the funding is constitutionally guaranteed and that delays are adding pressure to school districts already dealing with declining enrollment, rising costs, budget deficits, and layoffs. The state says the delay is intended to manage uncertainty over tax revenues and reduce the risk of allocating more money to schools than is ultimately required under Proposition 98. The dispute centers partly on when California must finalize its annual funding obligation, with the article noting that existing law does not clearly establish the timing and that previous court rulings have not directly addressed a comparable dispute.

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.

 

FINANCE

ABA providers push for greater classroom access

Private equity-backed providers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) are increasing campaign contributions and lobbying efforts as states consider tighter oversight, Medicaid reimbursement limits, and rules governing private therapists’ access to public schools. Rapid growth in Medicaid spending on ABA has attracted private equity investment, while recent federal audits and state concerns about costs have prompted proposals to cap services and payments, strengthen provider standards, and scrutinize billing. Schools are emerging as a focus of the policy debate. Florida, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania have enacted measures providing private autism therapy technicians with greater classroom access, while Colorado requires districts to establish policies for medically necessary services. School administrators have raised concerns about liability, oversight of privately employed therapists, and lost instructional time, while supporters have pushed for greater access to ABA services during the school day.

TECHNOLOGY

First Lady urges students to embrace AI and build the 'next great robot'

First Lady Melania Trump encouraged elementary school students in North Carolina to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and develop new technologies, while acknowledging that children should remain vigilant about potential risks. During a visit to Mountain View Elementary School on Tuesday, she announced a partnership with Nvidia to provide AI learning-program subscriptions for more than 1,000 students in the Ashe County School District, as well as AI computers for 100 Mountain View students. Trump watched students demonstrate AI-assisted classroom projects and robotics, and encouraged them to “dream big” and potentially create “the next great robot.” Her visit came amid a broader debate described in the article over the pace and risks of AI development, and she emphasized preparing children to use the technology rather than allowing them to fall behind.

Green Bay schools roll out age-specific AI lessons focused on responsible use

The Green Bay Area Public School District is introducing two artificial intelligence (AI) lessons for K-12 students between September and November, covering the fundamentals and types of AI, responsible use, and academic integrity. The material will be tailored to four age groups, from kindergarten through 12th grade, and supported by classroom guidance showing when AI is, and is not, appropriate for schoolwork. The district treats generative AI as a classroom resource rather than a replacement for teaching or student learning. Staff can use approved tools, including Brisk, Canva, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and NotebookLM, but AI should not serve as curriculum, replace human instruction, or complete work that students are expected to learn themselves. Students in grades eight through 12 have access to a private chatbot with safety guardrails, while younger students do not have access to AI tools through the district. Green Bay began developing AI guidelines in 2024 and has since provided staff training and optional student lessons. District officials say student and district data remains private, while an AI implementation team continues to monitor rapidly changing technology, government guidance, and digital safety issues. The district is also communicating its AI policies to parents through online guidance and newsletters.

DISTRICTS

Memphis-Shelby County Schools enrollment falls 2.2% as long-term decline persists

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) enrolled just over 101,000 students by the end of the first month of classes, down 2.2%, or more than 2,000 students, from 103,280 last August, according to early district data. The decline continues a decade-long trend that has reduced enrollment by around 9% since 2014, although this year’s count remains above the district’s projection of roughly 99,000 students and increased by 900 students between August 25 and August 28. District officials attributed the expected decline partly to expanded school options, including greater investment in private school vouchers, and falling birth rates, while staff plan additional outreach to families facing enrollment barriers. Lower enrollment could further pressure district finances because student counts drive state funding, with MSCS already reducing its budget from $1.9bn last year to $1.7bn this year and closing five chronically underenrolled schools.

Cedar Rapids weighs new school schedules as district prepares for major restructuring

Cedar Rapids Community School District is considering changes to school start and dismissal times, as well as transportation routes, as it prepares to close five elementary schools and introduce a fifth- and sixth-grade intermediate school model for the 2027-28 school year. Proposed schedules will be assessed based on transportation reliability and costs, student sleep and learning needs, access to athletics and extracurricular activities, and opportunities to expand transportation options. The district will also consider guidance recommending that teenagers start school at 8:30 a.m. or later, as well as state limits on student bus journey times. Once three viable scenarios have been identified, families and community partners are expected to provide feedback through surveys and open houses, with the school board anticipating a final decision on December 14.

SCHOOL CHOICE

Arkansas school choice funding could reach $379.4m after reserve request

An Arkansas legislative panel has endorsed releasing $70m in reserve funds for the state’s Educational Freedom Account program, which helps cover private school and homeschool expenses, as participation continues to grow. If approved by the full Arkansas Legislative Council, total funding for the program in the 2026-27 school year would reach $379.4m, including $309.4m already allocated in general revenue. State education officials expect about 50,000 students to participate this year, up from roughly 44,100 in 2025-26, with a typical account costing the state $7,346. Supporters point to rising participation and student test results as evidence of the program’s value, while critics are calling for more information to assess its educational impact and return on state spending. The full council is expected to consider the additional funding on Friday.

NUTRITION

Federal bill would expand food allergy training across child nutrition programs

A proposed federal bill would require the USDA to extend food allergy training requirements to staff participating in the Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Special Milk Program, building on legislation enacted earlier this year covering the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Separately, South Carolina has funded universal free school breakfast for all public school students through the end of the 2026-27 school year. A new USDA study of 36 school foodservice authorities across 13 states also identified equipment limitations, staffing difficulties, rising costs, and regulatory requirements as common barriers to providing more speed-scratch and scratch-made meals, while highlighting staff training, school support, and investment in local foods as potential ways to expand such offerings.

Schools move to ban energy drinks as caffeine consumption surges among teens

School districts are increasingly restricting high-caffeine energy drinks amid concerns about their impact on student health, sleep, and classroom behavior. In Texas, Lampasas School District banned energy drinks and caffeine pouches after recording 1,000 more nurse visits in the 2025-26 school year than the year before, with officials reporting panic attacks, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, and fatigue among students. Nearly one in four high school seniors now consumes energy drinks daily, while beverage companies maintain that the products are intended for adults and that they do not market or distribute samples to consumers under 18.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Revising blood pressure norms for kids

New research indicates that current blood pressure and heart rate guidelines for treating children with traumatic injuries may be misleading. Dr. Zain Hashmi, a senior author of the study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, emphasized, “Recognizing hemodynamic instability is fundamental in trauma care.” The study analyzed data from over 233,000 injured children aged one to 15 and found that the thresholds for low blood pressure linked to increased death risk were 18% higher than those used in general practice. This discrepancy suggests that many children at risk may be overlooked. Dr. Chandler Annesi, the lead author, noted the importance of monitoring both heart rate and blood pressure, stating: “We need to pay attention to their blood pressure as well.” The findings highlight the need for more accurate guidelines to improve emergency care for injured children.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Community engagement transforms culture at Milwaukee high school

South Division High School in Milwaukee has experienced rising enrollment, lower teacher turnover, and an improved school culture since Jose Trejo became principal in 2021. Trejo, who joined the school as a social studies teacher in 2013, has focused on strengthening students’ sense of belonging by increasing clubs, sports, and school events, encouraging greater family participation, and maintaining a highly visible presence with students and staff. The school has also emphasized extracurricular participation, cultural representation, and consistent discipline. Trejo believes clubs and sports can reduce conflict by giving students stronger connections to the school and incentives to maintain good academic and behavioral standing. With Latino students representing around half of enrollment, South Division also celebrates cultural observances and heritage months, giving its diverse student body opportunities to see their backgrounds represented and learn about other cultures. Community partnerships have become another central part of the school’s approach. Drawing on his previous nonprofit experience, Trejo has expanded relationships with local organizations and involved students in events that serve families and neighborhood residents, including the annual Pancakes with Santa program. Trejo says the broader goal is to develop students’ sense of responsibility to their community while creating stronger relationships among the school, families, and local organizations.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario teachers and school staff unite for day of action amid bargaining impasse

Around 275,000 Ontario teachers and education support workers are holding a province-wide day of action, wearing red or purple, posting on social media and, at some schools, organizing informational pickets outside school hours to demonstrate solidarity as negotiations with the provincial government remain stalled. Collective agreements have expired, and bargaining has been delayed by disputes over which issues should be negotiated centrally and which should remain with local unions and school boards, with the Ontario Labour Relations Board expected to rule on the matter. Education Minister Paul Calandra has said he respects the unions’ right to demonstrate but wants such activity kept out of classrooms, while union leaders say the action is intended to support publicly funded education without involving students in political discussions. Unions are not yet in a position to strike, although the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association plans to hold a strike vote in November, and education unions have scheduled a broader rally for October 24.
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