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USA
2nd October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Trump administration outlines rules for nationwide tax-credit scholarship program

The Trump administration has released proposed regulations for the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program, which is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2027. The IRS estimates that the program could grow to $26bn annually by 2030, funded by 11m taxpayers, with 2m K-12 students potentially receiving scholarships worth $12,000 each for full-time private schooling. Another 5m students could receive scholarships for part-time private education, while 600 to 700 scholarship-granting organizations could participate. Taxpayers will receive dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits for qualifying donations, capped at $1,700 for individuals and $3,400 for married couples filing jointly. Families earning up to 300% of their area’s median income can qualify, although students must live in participating states. As of October 1, 31 states had opted in or were on track to participate. Several significant questions remain unresolved, including which expenses scholarships can cover, the extent to which public school and home-school students can participate, and protections against discrimination. The proposed regulations would also limit states’ ability to impose additional requirements on scholarship organizations. Participating organizations will be responsible for preventing fraud and ensuring funds cover legitimate expenses, and they will be required to undergo annual third-party audits.

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.

 

LEGISLATION

Federal bill offers states funding to enforce bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions

A bipartisan Senate bill introduced by Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) would provide federal funding to states that adopt and enforce policies preventing students from using personal devices, including cellphones, smartwatches, and tablets, throughout the school day. States could use the funding for enforcement measures such as lockers, lockboxes, and storage pouches, with exceptions for students who require devices for medical or special education needs. The proposal comes as most states have introduced some form of school cellphone restriction, although research cited in the article indicates mixed results. Cellphone bans have reduced unauthorized device use, but one study found little academic benefit, while another survey found that students reported no improvement in happiness, stress, or relationships with teachers. Research suggests that stricter, consistently enforced bell-to-bell policies appear more effective at reducing phone use, while cautioning that cellphone restrictions alone will not address all classroom challenges.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

RFK Jr. promotes revived Presidential Fitness Test with $10m school challenge

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promoted the revived Presidential Physical Fitness Test at Westlake High School in Austin, where 30 student athletes completed exercises including crunches, push-ups, planks, pull-ups, and running activities. The voluntary test, which measures cardiovascular endurance and core and upper-body strength, was reinstated by President Donald Trump in July 2025 after the federal government abandoned the assessment in 2013. Kennedy announced $7m in grants for schools that develop new ways to implement the test, alongside $3m for sports equipment. Students who meet age- and gender-based benchmarks can earn presidential or national levels of achievement. The Austin event also featured WWE stars Rey Mysterio and Paul “Triple H” Levesque, as well as Education Secretary Linda McMahon, with Kennedy arguing that competition and physical activity can contribute to students’ long-term health.

FINANCE

New California law aims to prevent career education funds from going unallocated

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation requiring the state to revise its formula for allocating career technical education funding by the 2027-28 fiscal year, ensuring that all available money is distributed to school districts. California has earmarked $300m annually for CTE since 2021, increasing the amount to $450m in this year’s state budget. Between the 2021-22 and 2025-26 school years, more than $115m, or an average of $23m annually, went undistributed because of the existing allocation formula. The inconsistent funding led some districts to scale back CTE programs, which help prepare K-12 students for career pathways. Districts applying for the $450m available in 2026-27 were already set to receive all allocated funding following an agreement among state officials.

Louisiana school spending review flags bonuses, meals, gifts, and lobbying expenses

Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming has referred approximately $12.1m in K-12 school expenditures for further review following an examination covering July 2024 through December 2025. The largest category was $7.45m in additional employee payments, often described as bonuses, alongside $1.09m for meals and entertainment, $692,000 for retreats and large events, $310,836 for gifts, gift cards, and sponsorships, and $627,835 categorized as lobbying or political expenses. Fleming emphasized that the referral does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing or noncompliance. A Louisiana Legislative Auditor review of seven school systems also identified discrepancies between annual budget data and detailed expenditure submissions, inconsistent accounting classifications, and insufficient documentation for some sampled expenditures and contracts. Separately, Treasury raised concerns about limited information accompanying $107.95m in charter management organization transfers and $8.65m involving “friends” organizations, which were not included in the $12.1m total.

TECHNOLOGY

Oregon’s Nvidia AI education initiative stalls as ambassador program is suspended

Nvidia has paused an artificial intelligence (AI) ambassador program that formed a key part of its 2025 agreement with Oregon to expand artificial intelligence education and workforce development across the state. The company suspended the program before training any new ambassadors in Oregon, leaving $1.5m in state funding allocated for faculty participation unspent. Nvidia confirmed the pause but did not explain the reason, saying it remains committed to the collaboration’s goals. The partnership was announced alongside $10m in state funding, of which about $8.5m has been awarded to universities, community colleges, and a nonprofit for semiconductor education and workforce initiatives. Projects include new training labs and courses, expanded dual credit programs, internships, and K-12 semiconductor career pathways. Despite the agreement’s references to expanding AI concepts in K-12 schools, the Oregon Department of Education said it currently has no plans within the scope of the agreement.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Michigan schools adopt mandatory threat assessment teams under new safety law

Every K-12 school in Michigan is now required to have a behavioral threat assessment and management team to identify concerning behavior, determine whether students pose credible threats, and intervene to reduce risks. The teams, which must include a school administrator, mental health professional, and law enforcement official, are part of school safety legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2025 following recommendations made after the 2021 Oxford High School shooting. The law does not require schools to report whether they have established a team, and it provides no funding for training or support materials. Between 2022 and 2025, Michigan’s Office of School Safety held 51 federally funded training sessions for about 4,000 education, mental health, and law enforcement professionals. Michigan State University’s Prevent 2 Protect program also provides free training and, in five regions, more intensive support for high-risk students. Experts said identifying a credible threat is only the first step, with schools also responsible for coordinating services and monitoring students over time. The Michigan Education Association has called for appropriate training, dedicated time, clear expectations, and sufficient resources, warning that school safety responsibilities should not simply be added to educators’ existing workloads.

Three Pittsburgh teens injured in shooting after high school football game

Three teenagers were injured in a shooting outside George K. Cupples Stadium in Pittsburgh following a high school football game between Westinghouse High School and University Prep. Police said two males and one female were shot after an altercation shortly before 10 p.m. on Thursday and were taken to local hospitals in stable condition. Authorities have not confirmed whether the victims were students. Multiple police officers were already at the stadium and were attempting to break up a fight when shots were fired. Authorities are searching for the shooter, but no description had been released, and police said the chaotic scene made identifying witnesses difficult. The investigation remains ongoing.

WORKFORCE

North Carolina education commission backs competitive teacher pay and early literacy measures

North Carolina’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education has unanimously adopted recommendations aimed at strengthening teacher recruitment and retention and improving early literacy. The bipartisan commission called for the state to establish a competitive teacher compensation system by 2028 and become a regional leader in teacher pay. It also recommended funding three K-3 literacy curricula, high-dosage tutoring for students with reading difficulties, interventions for third graders who fall short of reading proficiency, and mentoring and coaching programs for educators. The recommendations follow an average 8% teacher pay increase included in the state’s 2026-27 budget. The commission has not calculated the potential cost of its proposals, but several recommendations call for sustainable state funding. The commission is also examining whether North Carolina’s 115 local school districts could achieve savings and operational efficiencies by consolidating administrative functions or sharing services while maintaining local governance. Its recommendations on public education structure, administration, leadership, and accountability are expected to be presented to the state’s executive and legislative branches in early 2027.

MATH

Award-winning NYC teacher makes the case for conceptual math instruction

New York City is implementing a new math curriculum that emphasizes open-ended problem solving and student discussion over traditional rote methods. While this approach aims to enhance student engagement, some educators express concerns about its effectiveness for students who have not yet mastered foundational skills. Gabe Rosenberg, a veteran math teacher at Bard High School Early College, played a significant role in developing the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, which is now mandated for high school Algebra 1 and is being adopted in other cities like Philadelphia and Denver. Rosenberg stated: "Every student should see themselves as capable doers of mathematics." He emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for all students to engage with grade-level mathematics, even if they face gaps in their understanding. The curriculum includes formative assessments and support lessons to help teachers address individual student needs. Rosenberg's recent recognition with the Muller Award for Professional Influence in Education highlights his impact on math education.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Justice Department accuses UCLA Law of illegally using race in admissions

The Justice Department has accused UCLA School of Law of intentionally discriminating against white and Asian applicants by favoring Black and Latino applicants in its 2023, 2024, and 2025 admissions classes. The department alleges that the practices violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling on race-conscious college admissions. It said its analysis found that Black applicants to the 2025 class had about seven times the odds of admission of otherwise equivalent white applicants, while Latino applicants had about twice the odds. Department of Justice UCLA Law denies the allegations, saying it complies with applicable laws, including California’s Proposition 209, and uses a comprehensive, merit-based review process. According to the article, the Justice Department also cited differences in LSAT scores and alleged that internal communications and admissions practices demonstrated an ongoing effort to consider race. The department is seeking a voluntary agreement with UCLA and has said it will sue if an agreement cannot be reached. The action follows similar federal findings involving other University of California law and medical schools, which have also denied the allegations. 

INTERNATIONAL

French school protests escalate as thousands are detained and campuses damaged

Nearly 400 of France’s 3,700 high schools remained closed today as student protests over long school hours, staff shortages, and poor conditions spread nationwide and became increasingly violent. The movement, which began in the Paris region last week, has involved students blocking school entrances, fires at some campuses, clashes with police, and the use of tear gas. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said at least 65 staff members and 170 students have been injured, while more than 100 schools have suffered severe damage. Around 2,000 people have been taken into police custody, 90% of them minors, according to Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin. The government has acknowledged that some student grievances are legitimate but has condemned the violence and accused far-left France Unbowed of being behind the movement, an allegation the party rejects. Geffray is meeting with education unions and student associations in an effort to establish dialogue and ease tensions.
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