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USA
23rd September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Schools weigh tighter AI safeguards as concerns over emerging technology grow

Artificial intelligence (AI) poses significant risks in education, prompting calls for caution from experts. Justin Reich, executive director of MIT's Teaching Systems Lab, emphasized: "You don't have to speculate about future harms," highlighting current concerns such as student data privacy and deepfakes. Dario Amodei, chief executive of Anthropic, advocated for a slowdown in AI development, stating that "fully addressing the risks requires even more prudence." The growing anxiety surrounding AI may lead school districts to reconsider the adoption of AI tools, with some, like Florida's state board of education, suggesting parental opt-in for generative AI use. Rebecca Winthrop from the Brookings Institution noted that a pause could allow districts to evaluate AI's benefits and risks more effectively. As educators navigate these challenges, they must prepare students to use AI responsibly while fostering critical thinking skills.

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FINANCE

Delaware coalition pushes for new revenue to fund public education overhaul

Delaware education leaders have launched the “Fund Delaware’s Future” campaign to build support for increased investment in public education as the state prepares to implement a new school funding model weighted toward students with greater needs. The coalition, which includes the Delaware State Education Association, Rodel, and Network Delaware, is advocating for new state revenue sources ahead of legislation expected in 2027 to codify the funding model. Lawmakers have already allocated $100 million toward the pending formula, while state Sen. Laura Sturgeon has estimated that an initial investment of $200m-$250m could be needed to direct additional resources toward higher-need students without reducing existing district funding. Potential revenue options remain under discussion, including changes to income tax brackets, while coalition members are also calling for greater transparency and accountability over how additional education funding is used. The Public Education Funding Commission is aiming to establish a roadmap for full implementation of the reforms by the 2027-28 school year.

NYC high school journalism participation jumps 76% as City Council adds funding

New York City is expanding high school journalism programs with $280,000 in City Council funding, building on growth that saw 135 schools offer at least one journalism course in 2025-26, up from about 90 the previous year. Nearly 5,700 students completed a journalism course, a 76% increase, while participation among students with disabilities rose 101% to nearly 1,140, and participation among English language learners increased 107% to about 470. The funding will provide $150,000 to 30 schools participating in the Journalism for All pilot, with each receiving $5,000 to launch or improve student news outlets, while $90,000 will support further expansion, and $40,000 will go to nonprofit parent organization The Bell to administer the program. Supporters argue that journalism can help students develop communication, critical thinking, and civic engagement skills as New York state overhauls its graduation requirements.

Pine Crest’s new West Palm Beach campus scores $100m donation

Pine Crest School has received a $100m donation from billionaire developer Stephen Ross through the Stephen M. Ross Foundation, making it one of the largest philanthropic gifts ever made to a single K-12 school. The funding comes as the Fort Lauderdale-based private school prepares to establish its third South Florida campus in West Palm Beach, where it has tentatively agreed to purchase 57 acres from the city for $6.6mand build what would become its largest campus. Ross said the donation reflects his long-term commitment to West Palm Beach and his belief that education is essential infrastructure for the city’s growth. The gift follows other education-focused contributions by Ross, including $13m for a scholarship program supporting 1,000 students at two West Palm Beach high schools.

DISTRICTS

Boulder Valley School District approves four school closures amid enrollment decline

The Boulder Valley School District in Colorado has approved a consolidation plan that will close four schools and restructure or relocate several others beginning in the 2027-28 school year as enrollment continues to decline. The district, which served 27,541 students last school year compared with 31,169 in 2018-19, expects enrollment to fall by another 1,706 students by 2030 and estimates the changes will save $3.5m-$4m annually. The plan will require $7.5m-$10m in facility adjustments and $5m for moving costs and transition staff. The school board approved the changes in a 5-2 vote despite significant opposition from parents, students, educators, and community members, including a petition with nearly 6,000 signatures. District leaders said consolidation is intended to preserve smaller class sizes and access to counselors, librarians, special education staff, and art, music, and physical education teachers.

NUTRITION

Federal proposal would expand free school meals and Summer EBT benefits

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) has introduced the Transforming Education for the Future Act, which would provide free breakfast and lunch each school day to all students across the U.S. The bill would also increase Summer EBT benefits for low-income families from $40 to $60 per child for each month school is out of session, and expand the Child and Adult Care Food Program to allow participating schools to provide up to three meals and one snack per day, compared with the current limit of one meal and one snack. The proposal follows the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026, introduced earlier this year, which would provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and after-school snacks nationwide and is currently in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

TECHNOLOGY

South Korea’s first lady urges international action on children’s digital education

South Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung has called for greater international cooperation to expand children’s access to digital education while protecting their safety, speaking at the “Fostering the Future Together” luncheon hosted by U.S. first lady Melania Trump in New York. Kim highlighted South Korea’s efforts to use digital education to broaden learning opportunities and argued that the challenges created by digital transformation cannot be addressed by individual countries alone. The U.S.-led coalition brings together spouses of heads of state from nearly 60 countries, alongside global technology companies, and focuses on empowering children through technology, innovation, and education. At the event, Trump also announced new private-sector technology partnerships with Adobe, Amazon, Intel, Starlink, Google, and Zoom.

LEGAL

Federal court to consider whether Tennessee can proceed with Memphis schools takeover

A federal judge will hear arguments on October 2 over whether Tennessee’s state-appointed oversight board can begin operating while a lawsuit challenging the takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) proceeds. Shelby County Government, MSCS, the school board, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, and the nine elected school board members sued state leaders in June, and plaintiffs have asked the court to allow the existing school board to continue operating and prevent state officials from interfering with or terminating MSCS leadership without legal cause during the case. A federal judge temporarily paused the takeover on July 1, when the nine-member Educational Oversight Board was scheduled to begin its legal authority, while defendants are seeking to have that restraining order dissolved.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Cornell urges higher education rethink as AI and rising costs challenge universities

Cornell University has published a more than 200-page faculty report calling for changes to higher education as universities face disrupted government funding, declining public trust, rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), and growing concerns about graduate preparedness. The report recommends diversifying funding, embracing a broader range of ideologies, expanding project-based learning, improving students’ time-management and problem-solving skills, and developing a new tuition model as the cost of a full-price Cornell undergraduate degree approaches $400,000. It also highlights employer skepticism about graduates’ ability to navigate ambiguous problems and setbacks, and argues that universities should prioritize developing human-centered judgment as AI reshapes education and the workplace. The committee rejected shortening undergraduate degrees to three years or shifting further toward online education, while also recommending a review of research incentives that prioritize publication quantity over quality.

Andreessen Horowitz invests $35m in AI-focused alternative to traditional college

Andreessen Horowitz is investing $35m in the Horowitz Andreessen Academy, an unaccredited, San Francisco-based alternative to traditional college for students ages 16 to 22. Led independently by Udemy co-founder Gagan Biyani, the academy will emphasize artificial intelligence (AI)-native, project-based education, with students spending up to 80% of their time building products, developing AI models, and working with industry experts. Anthropic, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, and other technology companies will serve as founding partners, providing software, computing resources, workplace access, and potential internships. A tuition-free, one-year program will begin in fall 2027, followed, pending regulatory approval, by a two-year program in 2028 with tuition comparable to elite private universities. The academy aims to prepare students for leading technology jobs or entrepreneurship, although some education experts caution that traditional colleges offer established teaching expertise, proven outcomes, and exposure to students pursuing a broader range of careers.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea moves to curb early private education with preschool testing ban

South Korea will prohibit private academies from conducting placement tests for preschool-aged children starting October 1 as part of efforts to curb intensive early childhood private education. Under the revised rules, academies will be barred from using written, oral, practical, and interview-based evaluations, as well as assessments that use test scores to grade specific abilities. Diagnostic assessments conducted through observation or interviews will still be permitted after a child has enrolled, provided parents give prior consent. Violators will face fines of ₩1m ($735) for a first offense, ₩2m for a second offense, and ₩3m for a third or subsequent offense.

AND FINALLY......

Meme school is in session

As school resumes, students from Gen Alpha and Gen Z are bringing a fresh wave of memes into the classroom, leaving parents and teachers puzzled. Owen Carry reports that high schoolers and middle schoolers are sharing social media posts that showcase how these memes influence classroom discussions. Among the trending memes is "La Peace," a phrase popularized by Twitch streamer Kai Cenat, which has become a humorous reference in classrooms. Another viral sensation, "Gucci Morty," features the character from "Rick and Morty" in fashionable attire, confusing teachers with its unexpected appearances in student projects. "Verity," a character from a YouTube short, has also made its way into educational settings, with teachers incorporating its catchy song into lessons. These memes reflect the evolving culture of education, as students engage with humor and creativity in their learning environments. "I can't do Nathan" has emerged as a humorous expression of student frustration, encapsulating the challenges of school life.
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