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15th October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

DOJ shifts disability enforcement guidance, prompting concerns about K-12 special education

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued new guidance indicating it will no longer rely on the landmark 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. decision when enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), raising concerns about potential implications for K-12 special education. The ruling established that unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities constitutes discrimination and emphasized access to community-based services. Researchers warn that the DOJ's revised enforcement approach could discourage schools from prioritizing independent living skills in transition planning for students with disabilities. However, the guidance does not overturn Olmstead or change existing requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates transition planning beginning by age 16, including independent living goals when appropriate. Vanderbilt University special education professor Meghan Burke has emphasized that schools must continue preparing students for employment, further education, and community living, despite uncertainty surrounding federal enforcement priorities.

AUTHENTIC MATH LEARNING

Authentic Math Learning: Creating Opportunities for Students to Do Math

Math ability isn't about intuition, it grows through meaningful opportunities to explore, question, and make sense of mathematics. When students engage in authentic, hands-on learning experiences, they can connect mathematical ideas to the world around them.

Reveal Math by McGraw Hill brings these opportunities into the classroom through rich tasks, hands-on activities, mathematical discourse, and real-world contexts that encourage students to think deeply and apply what they learn. Explore how authentic learning experiences can help students build conceptual understanding and discover that math is more than a set of procedures; it's a way to understand and engage with the world.

Read the Blog.


 

FINANCE

Iowa City school district considers closures and boundary changes

The Iowa City Community School District is developing a four-year strategy to reduce spending by approximately $32.5m, including $13.8m in cuts targeted for the 2027–2028 school year. The school board voted 6-1 to expand the scope of its Attendance Boundary Analysis Committee, allowing it to consider school closures, attendance boundary changes, and grade reconfigurations across elementary, middle, and high schools. Additional cost-saving measures under consideration include administrative building closures, curriculum adjustments, reduced elective courses, and consolidation of specialized programs. The financial challenges stem from declining enrollment, projected annual state funding increases of just 1%, and shortcomings in the district's financial tracking. The committee will use enrollment projections from RSP & Associates and is expected to present recommendations in February 2027. Parents and community members have called for greater transparency, comprehensive financial analysis, and careful consideration of the potential impact on students and educational opportunities.

Lansing-area voters to decide on major school funding proposals in November election

Four Lansing-area school districts in Michigan are seeking voter approval for nearly $350m in bond proposals on November 3 to fund infrastructure repairs, classroom expansions, safety improvements, and educational facilities. DeWitt Public Schools has proposed the largest bond at $157m, followed by Grand Ledge Public Schools at $123.5m, St. Johns Public Schools at $40m, and Perry Public Schools at approximately $27.7m. St. Johns has reduced its request following two unsuccessful proposals in 2024 and 2025, although concerns remain among some residents about district spending and financial accountability. Grand Ledge's proposal aims to accommodate enrollment growth, while DeWitt and Perry are prioritizing facility improvements and modernization. All four districts have structured their proposals to maintain existing property tax millage rates for longer periods, rather than increase current rates. Separately, Dansville and Holt public schools are seeking 10-year operating millage renewals to support ongoing educational expenses.

New Jersey Finance Board backs 30-year Newark school lease

Newark Public Schools has secured approval from New Jersey's Local Finance Board for a $498.4m, 30-year lease agreement to develop Riverfront Elementary School, despite concerns over the project's cost and the district's financial management. Approved in a 4-2 vote, the agreement would provide a new facility for 667 students in Newark's overcrowded East Ward, with an anticipated opening in spring 2029. The district would initially pay approximately $11.3m annually in rent, increasing by 2.25% each year, with an option to purchase the building for $1,000 after the lease expires. Republican lawmakers have criticized the proposal, particularly following a state audit identifying financial management weaknesses and questionable spending. Superintendent Roger León has defended the project as necessary to address overcrowding, stating that payments would come from existing district resources. The agreement remains subject to additional state review and final district approval.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Labels in education: a double-edged sword

Labels assigned to students by teachers can have lasting effects on their self-perception and academic performance. Susan Engel, a developmental psychologist, noted, “It's the rare child who can break out of that idea later on.” Negative labels can lead to feelings of inadequacy, while even positive labels like “gifted” can create pressure to meet expectations. Experts suggest that teachers should focus on specific feedback rather than broad evaluations to foster a growth mindset. Emily Bartz, a learning specialist, emphasizes the importance of understanding students' skills rather than labeling them as “lazy.” Heather Tibbetts, a principal, believes that discussing students' progress in terms of skill development leads to more productive conversations with parents. Overall, reframing how teachers communicate about students can help mitigate the negative impacts of labeling.

ENROLLMENT

San Francisco USD ends enrollment lottery

San Francisco USD (SFUSD) has voted 5-2 to eliminate its longstanding lottery-based enrollment system in favor of assigning kindergarten students to their neighborhood schools, with the new policy taking effect in fall 2028. Families will retain the option to apply to schools offering specialized programs, including bilingual education, language immersion, special education, and K-8 campuses, but broader school choice will be restricted. Superintendent Maria Su has emphasized the importance of providing families with reliable access to quality schools close to home. Supporters argue that neighborhood-based enrollment could strengthen local school communities and address disparities in resources and enrollment patterns, while critics warn that limiting parental choice could disadvantage families in underserved neighborhoods and accelerate student departures from the district. SFUSD will establish new school attendance boundaries before implementing the changes.

NUTRITION

California education leaders push to sustain $126m farm to school investment

California’s Farm to School Program has become a major initiative supporting local agriculture and improving student nutrition, with state grants expected to total approximately $126m by 2027, the largest investment of any U.S. state. Launched in 2021 and made permanent through legislation in 2026, the program connects farmers with school districts to provide fresh, locally grown food while supporting agricultural businesses facing rising costs and competition from imports. A recent progress report found that every $1 awarded to farmers generates $2.10 in statewide economic activity, with participating farms reporting increased sales and acreage. Los Angeles USD received a $1m grant in 2024 to expand its operations and food education initiatives. As stakeholders gather in Sacramento for a summit expected to attract up to 900 attendees, uncertainty remains over future funding and political support following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, with education and agricultural leaders calling for sustained investment.

TESTING

Duluth education leaders back testing overhaul to address achievement gaps

Duluth Public Schools has expressed support for potential reforms to Minnesota's standardized testing system, despite students outperforming state averages in reading and science and matching statewide performance in math. The Minnesota Department of Education has established a task force to review the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), which has been administered for nearly 30 years, amid concerns about delayed results, limited instructional value, and whether standardized exams accurately reflect student learning. District leaders have highlighted persistent achievement gaps affecting Black students, economically disadvantaged students, and schools serving more diverse populations. Officials are considering alternatives, including multiple assessment methods, to provide educators with more timely and comprehensive information about student progress. The task force, comprising students, teachers, administrators, and education representatives, is expected to begin work in October 2026 and could deliver recommendations by spring 2027.

TECHNOLOGY

Massachusetts invests $1.75m in school programs to improve social media safety

The Massachusetts state government has announced a $1.75m grant program to help schools educate students about online safety, cyberbullying, data privacy, and identifying misinformation, including AI-generated content. The Safe, Healthy and Responsible Digital Life Grant Program will provide 25 to 30 grants of up to $60,000 each to public school districts, charter schools, and educational collaboratives, with implementation scheduled for the 2026–2027 academic year. The funding forms part of a broader $2m state investment in digital safety education, including $250,000 for instructional materials and videos. Gov. Maura Healey has emphasized the importance of addressing social media's impact on students' mental health and academic performance. The initiative follows additional state measures, including $1m in grants for cellphone-free schools and legislation targeting AI-generated explicit imagery involving minors. Applications for the new grants close November 9, 2026.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Cincinnati Schools pioneers safe overnight parking Initiative to support homeless families

Cincinnati Public Schools has launched the nation's first school district-operated overnight parking program for families experiencing homelessness, providing a secure place to sleep in their vehicles while awaiting emergency shelter. Opened in April 2026 at William Howard Taft Elementary School, the Safe Sleep Lot has supported more than 300 people and offers 12 parking spaces, security, bathrooms, showers, meals, Wi-Fi, and access to housing assistance. The initiative addresses growing student homelessness, with approximately 2,650 students, or nearly 8% of district enrollment, experiencing homelessness during the 2025–2026 school year, up from around 2,000 in 2021–2022. Families using the facility are verified for shelter eligibility within 24 hours and can access temporary hotel accommodations while awaiting placement, which typically takes one to two months. The program also supports school enrollment, attendance, and educational continuity, with district officials hoping to establish a model that other school systems can replicate.

RETENTION

Teachers flee Memphis schools in droves

In Memphis, a significant number of teachers are resigning, with nearly 20% leaving the district in 2024, compared to 12% statewide. Hunter Sandlin, a former fourth-grade teacher at Willow Oaks Elementary, faced numerous challenges, including a leaking air conditioner and inadequate classroom resources, which contributed to his decision to leave. “I loved the kids and the community and the families,” Sandlin said, but he was frustrated with the administration and facilities. Superintendent Roderick Richmond acknowledged the district's efforts to retain teachers, including job fairs and salary increases, but noted that “we just have a lot of different factors that we have to consider.” The lack of exit interviews makes it difficult to pinpoint specific reasons for the high turnover, but issues with school leadership and resources are prevalent.

INTERNATIONAL

New AI guidelines call for stronger oversight and safeguards in Australian schools

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has released new guidance urging the country's schools to prioritize evidence-based teaching practices over the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). The guidance highlights AI’s potential to reduce teacher workloads and support lesson planning, while warning that excessive reliance on the technology could undermine students’ critical thinking, knowledge retention, and independent learning. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has raised concerns about students outsourcing cognitive tasks to AI, with officials considering a return to handwritten NAPLAN assessments. Education leaders have called for measured regulation rather than blanket bans, emphasizing the importance of consulting teachers and principals. AERO has also urged policymakers to establish clear AI guidelines, invest in teacher training and research, and ensure that classroom adoption is guided by established learning science rather than technological enthusiasm.
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