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29th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Trump administration reinstates first-term Title IX sexual misconduct rules

The Trump administration has finalized a regulation restoring the first Trump administration’s Title IX rules for handling sexual misconduct complaints at schools and colleges, formally repealing the Biden-era regulation after federal courts vacated it. The restored rules require colleges to use formal processes for sexual misconduct complaints, including courtroom-style hearings where representatives for complainants and accused students can call witnesses, challenge credibility, and assess evidence, while also allowing schools to apply a higher standard of proof than under Obama-era guidance. The regulation stops short of formally defining “sex” under Title IX as biological sex, although the Education Department said it is enforcing the law on that basis and has separate regulatory plans addressing the definition. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the change provides clarity for students, parents, and institutions, while advocates for sexual misconduct survivors criticized the policy as creating additional barriers to reporting and weakening protections. The regulation could also face legal challenges because the department did not use the notice-and-comment process employed during previous revisions of Title IX rules.

INSTRUCTIONAL COHERENCE

No More Patchwork Literacy: Teachers Need Cohesive Resources

How can you spend more time teaching instead of countless hours scouring the internet for engaging authentic texts, supplemental worksheets, foundational skills support, standards-aligned activities, or assessments that pinpoint student progress? Piecing together fragmented resources isn’t just exhausting; it creates inconsistent learning experiences for students who need steady, structured growth. When instructional tools lack alignment across grade levels, critical skills fall through the cracks during key transitions. You shouldn't have to act as a curriculum designer on top of everything else you do.

Educators deserve a unified, evidence-based instructional approach that meets every learner, from PreK through high school, at their precise point of need. Consistent, high-quality materials free teachers to focus on what matters most: delivering impactful, engaging instruction.

Discover how a unified PreK-12 literacy strategy empowers teachers and elevates student reading outcomes.

 

FINANCE

Education Department targets nearly $100m in education funding for cancellation

The Trump administration is seeking to cancel nearly $100m in congressionally approved education funding as part of an $810m package of “pocket rescissions.” The proposed education cuts include $70m from International and Foreign Language Education and $25m from programs supporting migratory students pursuing high school equivalency credentials and higher education. The administration has characterized the targeted spending as wasteful, while lawmakers from both parties have criticized the rescission process, with Senate Appropriations Committee chair Susan Collins (R-ME) describing it as illegal. The affected migrant education programs have already experienced substantial reductions, falling from 120 programs serving 5,000 students across 20 states in 2024 to 45 programs serving fewer than 2,000 students annually in 12 states. The HEP-CAMP Association estimates the latest funding reduction could affect services for another 1,650 students. International and Foreign Language Education has also faced previous funding disruption. The Government Accountability Office has previously deemed pocket rescissions illegal.

New California law expands access to school arts funds

California has enacted legislation intended to make it easier for schools to use nearly $1bn in annual Proposition 28 arts funding, after some districts held back spending because of concerns about inadvertently violating funding rules. The new law allows small schools and districts to pool funds to share arts teachers, provided every school receives additional arts instruction, and offers some protection from financial penalties when existing arts funding falls because of circumstances beyond a district’s control. The legislation does not resolve an ongoing lawsuit against Los Angeles USD, which alleges the district improperly replaced existing arts funding with Proposition 28 money rather than using it to supplement spending. The lawsuit alleges as much as $77m was misspent, while Los Angeles maintains that it has followed state guidance and complied with Proposition 28 requirements.

DISTRICTS

Cedar Rapids superintendent outlines three priorities ahead of district restructuring

Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent Tawana Lannin has set three priorities for the 2026-27 school year as the district prepares for school closures, consolidation, and new academic programs. Lannin, whose rolling contract will continue unchanged with a $314,150 salary plus benefits, will focus on implementing the first year of the Destination Excellence strategic plan, developing a districtwide culture and climate strategy, and creating a system to track and communicate performance. The district, which serves about 15,700 students across 32 schools, is also preparing to close five elementary schools and establish intermediate schools for fifth and sixth graders next fall as part of a plan to address a multimillion-dollar deficit. Meanwhile, its Freshman Academies will be followed by expanded college and career readiness programming for 10th graders next year.

Columbus City Schools reaches union deal to cap health insurance increase at 8%

Columbus City Schools and its labor unions have reached a unanimous agreement to cap employees’ 2027 health insurance premium increase at 8%, alongside changes to the district’s health benefits plan. The deal avoids potential increases of approximately 19% to 25% and follows concerns over the district’s self-insurance fund after its work with consultant Aon. An external forensic audit found the district could have overspent by as much as $40m on its 2025 and 2026 benefits plan, although the school board president said the actual loss was $23.5m and was unlikely to reach $40m. The Columbus Education Association has called for legal action against Aon, stronger auditing and monitoring, and employee involvement in resolving the issue.

NUTRITION

White House resistance slows RFK Jr.’s food overhaul

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to overhaul the U.S. food system have faced growing resistance from White House officials concerned about the legal, economic, and practical implications of his proposals. Officials have delayed a proposed definition of “ultraprocessed food,” fearing it could cover much of the food sold in U.S. grocery stores, expose the government and food companies to litigation, and affect trade and the wider industry. The tensions have also stalled stricter school-meal standards and a proposed safety review of certain refined carbohydrates. The disputes highlight a growing divide between Mr. Kennedy’s team, which is pushing for rapid action on its “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, and White House officials seeking greater review of policies they fear could be costly, difficult to implement, or legally vulnerable.

California schools face cost and staffing challenges in ultra-processed food phaseout

California public schools could face significant financial, staffing, and infrastructure challenges as they prepare to phase out certain ultra-processed foods under the Real Foods, Healthy Kids Act, according to a study of 20 school food service directors in the San Joaquin Valley. Schools must begin phasing out affected foods in July 2029 and eliminate those covered by the law by July 2035, but directors warned that replacing inexpensive, ready-to-serve products with whole foods and scratch-cooked meals could require larger food budgets, additional full-time staff, training, and costly kitchen upgrades. Some districts are already using grants, central kitchens, and greater student and family engagement to support the transition, although researchers said sustained funding will be important for long-term changes.

LEGISLATION

Senate passes landmark college sports bill, setting up House vote

The U.S. Senate has passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act by 77-22, advancing legislation that would give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption to establish rules covering athlete eligibility, transfers, and compensation. The bill would also increase the annual revenue-sharing cap from roughly $20m per school to nearly $50m, introduce additional funding for player retention and non-revenue sports, restrict power-conference realignment for six years, and cap Power 4 conferences at 20 members. The legislation must now pass the House by a simple majority before it can be signed into law, but the article says no House votes are expected until after the November 3 midterm elections, with the election outcome, congressional scheduling, and opposition from some lawmakers potentially affecting its progress.

TECHNOLOGY

Picture imperfect: AI says cheese

As the cost of school photos rises, many parents are turning to AI image generators to create their own portraits at home. Parents are sharing tips on social media, using tools like ChatGPT to regenerate photos or remove watermarks from proofs. However, this practice raises legal concerns, as removing watermarks violates copyright laws, according to Erin Russell, an attorney with The Russell Firm in Chicago, who said: "The moment the image is created, the person who takes the picture owns the rights to the picture." Additionally, uploading children's photos to AI platforms poses privacy risks, as these images may be stored and used for AI training. 

OPERATIONS

School closures spark community outrage

Driven by declining birth rates and other factors, school closures are causing significant concern among parents and students. Marguerite Roza, director of Georgetown University's Edunomics Lab, described the situation as “the big shrink,” noting that fewer young people are reshaping public education. As districts face financial pressures, including the end of federal pandemic relief, many are considering consolidations. In the 2025-26 school year, over 1,000 public schools closed, marking a trend that has continued for four consecutive years. David Steiner, executive director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, warned that this “demographic time bomb” creates financial challenges, stating, “Just because your number of students goes down, doesn't mean that your fixed costs go down.” As enrollment continues to decline, states are exploring various strategies to manage the impact on education.

LEGAL

Galveston ISD stands firm on lawsuit

Galveston ISD is actively contesting a lawsuit initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which seeks to enforce a law mandating the display of Ten Commandment signs in classrooms. During a recent board meeting, trustees voted 5-2 to delay action until a court hearing, with Trustee Elizabeth Beeton stating: "For the many parents, teachers, and administrators who very much do not want to be forced to post these religious messages in their classrooms, I'm proud of the stand that Galveston ISD has taken." The district argues that the law, Senate Bill 10, is unconstitutional and could lead to negative implications for students. Despite the Fifth Circuit Court ruling the law constitutional, Board President Tony Brown emphasized the obligation to uphold the law while expressing personal opposition. The case is set to be heard by Judge Jeth Jones in the 122nd Judicial District Court.

LEADERSHIP

Women face additional hurdles on path to school superintendent roles

Women continue to face additional hurdles in reaching superintendent positions, according to data cited by Julia Rafal-Baer, chief executive and co-founder of ILO Group. Women lead 170, or 34%, of the nation’s 500 largest school districts, despite representing the majority of the educator workforce, and 35% of female superintendents reached their roles after serving as interim leaders, compared with 25% of men. Among interim superintendents since 2018 who pursued permanent appointments, 62% of women went through a formal search process, compared with 55% of men, a disparity Rafal-Baer describes as an “audition tax.” The article argues that subjective judgments around leadership style, commitment, and fit can create additional barriers for women, and recommends that school boards establish clear priorities and assess all candidates against consistent, evidence-based criteria.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

New Jersey districts brace for higher transportation costs

New Jersey school districts and bus contractors are facing higher transportation costs after diesel prices climbed from $3.69 a gallon in September 2025 to $6.50 this September, with some operators’ daily fuel expenses doubling from about $50 to $100. Contractors are particularly exposed because school transportation agreements typically lock in fixed fuel rates without surcharges, raising concerns that some operators could abandon contracts if they cannot absorb the increase and potentially forcing districts to secure replacement providers at higher market rates. The pressure comes as districts already contend with inflation, health insurance expenses, and broader supply chain costs. While several superintendents said they were not immediately concerned because contracts were recently agreed upon, districts covering large geographic areas, including Kittatinny Regional High School, are monitoring fuel costs closely.

INTERNATIONAL

Seoul schools look beyond overseas exchanges in push for global education

Seoul Education Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik is pushing to make international learning part of everyday education, moving beyond overseas exchanges to incorporate cross-cultural collaboration, global issues, and international perspectives into regular classrooms. His plans include expanding international joint classes, drawing on migrant students’ languages and cultures as educational resources, and developing a Korean Baccalaureate that emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and written assessment. The reforms come as Seoul schools contend with falling enrollment and increasingly diverse student populations, with the number of migrant-background students rising about 50% since 2017 to roughly 22,700, or 3.5% of students. Jeong has also proposed moving school grades and the Suneung university entrance exam toward absolute assessment, expanding essay-based evaluation from the 2033 admissions cycle, and eventually abolishing the Suneung in 2040.

OTHER

‘Saved by the Bell’ actor Dennis Haskins dies at 75

Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Richard Belding across the “Saved by the Bell” franchise, has died at age 75 at an assisted living facility in Burbank, California. His longtime caretaker, Kimberly Snow, confirmed his death and said the cause was unknown, although Haskins had privately battled Parkinson’s disease and other health issues. Haskins portrayed Mr. Belding for 12 years, from 1988 to 2000, across several series, and reprised the role in a 2015 “Tonight Show” sketch with former cast members. His acting career began in 1981 and included appearances in shows such as “Magnum P.I.” and “The Dukes of Hazzard” before he became widely recognized for his role as the Bayside High principal.
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