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16th October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Teen gunman kills three children and teacher at Oregon elementary school

Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has been the site of a deadly shooting that killed three children, aged 5, 8, and 11, and one teacher, while leaving another child, aged 7, and a 54-year-old teacher critically injured. According to police, a 16-year-old boy armed with a long gun entered the school on October 15 after shooting through locked doors, prompting an immediate lockdown and a large emergency response. The gunman was subsequently shot and killed by an armed community member who pursued him inside the building. Investigators have not identified the victims or shooter, established a motive, or disclosed details about the firearm used. The shooting has renewed attention on school safety and gun violence in Oregon, where additional firearm restrictions are scheduled to take effect next year.

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

New federal scholarship program offers public schools funding opportunities amid equity concerns

A new federal tax-credit scholarship program could generate an estimated $112 per public school student across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., by 2030, according to research by Michigan State University education policy professor Josh Cowen. Unlike traditional school choice initiatives, the program will allow public school students to receive scholarships and use the funds for educational services, potentially creating additional revenue opportunities for public schools. However, Cowen has warned that wealthier communities may benefit disproportionately because of stronger fundraising networks and greater capacity to establish Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), while rural and lower-income areas could struggle to access funding. The research highlights the importance of targeted support from statewide and national scholarship organizations, alongside clearer federal guidance to ensure public schools can participate effectively. With states considering whether to join the program by January 1, its ultimate impact will depend on donor participation, school readiness, and efforts to distribute funding equitably.

Democratic senators challenge Education Department over $630m in grant funding

The U.S. Department of Education has faced criticism from Sens. Patty Murray (D-WI) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) over its practice of front-loading multiyear grants, which they argue has effectively withheld approximately $630m in funding from new recipients across 35 grant programs. The approach involves distributing the full value of existing multiyear grants upfront rather than allocating funding annually, potentially limiting the number of institutions and students receiving support. In a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the senators claimed that maintaining annual funding allocations could have enabled more than 1,000 additional grants this year, supporting initiatives including student mental health, education research, and first-generation college students. They highlighted the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, which awarded $71.4m to 40 recipients despite initially projecting 148 grants. The senators also raised concerns that the administration could subsequently terminate front-loaded grants and reclaim funding, urging the department to reverse its approach and distribute appropriations in accordance with congressional directives.

Virginia schools win right to challenge federal funding restrictions tied to transgender restroom policies

Fairfax County Public Schools and Arlington Public Schools have secured a federal appeals court ruling allowing their lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to proceed after the agency imposed funding restrictions over policies permitting transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court had incorrectly dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds, determining that the districts’ claims extend beyond contractual funding disputes and can be heard in federal district court. The Education Department had designated both districts as high-risk under Title IX, requiring federal funding to be distributed through reimbursements rather than advance payments unless their bathroom policies were changed. In a 2-1 decision, the appellate panel allowed the districts to continue challenging the designation and seeking confirmation that their policies comply with Title IX. The ruling does not resolve the underlying discrimination dispute but enables further legal proceedings over the department’s enforcement actions and funding restrictions.

Idaho education leaders target 2027 funding reform framework

Idaho State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield has indicated that overhauling the state’s K-12 funding formula could take at least three years, with an initial framework expected to reach lawmakers in January 2027. The existing formula, largely unchanged since 1994, relies heavily on classroom attendance, prompting longstanding calls for a more equitable approach that better supports special education and at-risk students. Meanwhile, the State Board of Education has postponed approval of three-year higher education expansion plans until December, citing concerns over proposals to introduce 277 academic programs and discontinue 93 by 2030. The board also reviewed plans to allocate $20.5m in federal grants toward rural healthcare education, including $8m for medical residencies and $12.5m for workforce training initiatives. Separately, Lewis-Clark State College is renewing efforts to gain university status, while the board has unanimously removed a science assessment question following concerns about potential bias related to students’ personal beliefs.

GOVERNANCE

Pentagon school system director resigns

Paul Craft, the director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), is resigning at the end of this month, less than eight months after his appointment. A Defense official stated that Craft “led efforts to reform” the agency to better support military children and families. Under his leadership, the DoDEA focused on enhancing classroom quality, teacher preparedness, and parental engagement. The official noted: “Craft's work reduced unnecessary bureaucracy and maximized resource delivery to local school communities.” DoDEA operates 160 schools across 11 countries, seven states, and two U.S. territories, serving over 67,000 dependent children of U.S. military personnel. The reasons for Craft's resignation remain undisclosed.

WORKFORCE

Miami-Dade schools face layoffs ahead

Miami-Dade schools are preparing for potential layoffs due to a new operations agreement with Success Academy, a charter operator. The school board approved the agreement, allowing the district to lay off up to 133 employees if necessary, as co-location is projected to cost the district $7.9m for the 2027-28 school year. The agreement is mandated by Florida's expanded "Schools of Hope" law, which requires districts to make underperforming schools available to charter operators. Success Academy plans to open elementary schools in five district high schools, with expected enrollment reaching 332 students per campus initially, growing to 798 by the fifth year. Lisette Fernandez, co-founder of Moms for Libros, acknowledged the constraints imposed by state law, commenting: “State law has put this board in a corner.” The board's approval does not signify endorsement of the charter schools, reflecting their limited options. Steve Gallon remarked: “Elections have consequences,” highlighting the board's predicament.

ENROLLMENT

Connecticut computer science enrollment declines for third consecutive year amid AI expansion

The Connecticut State Department of Education has reported a third consecutive year of declining computer science enrollment, with approximately 3,000 fewer students taking courses compared with the 2022–23 school year, representing a 1.5 percentage point decrease. The trend coincides with the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and mirrors a nationwide decline of 53,000 computer science majors at four-year colleges in spring 2026. Traditional subjects, including coding and robotics, have experienced the largest enrollment declines, while interdisciplinary computer science courses have recorded modest growth. However, education experts caution against attributing the downturn solely to AI, citing budget constraints, teacher shortages, and competing graduation requirements as contributing factors. Enrollment declines have also varied across districts, with higher-income districts experiencing a 3.5 percentage point decrease compared with 2.2 percentage points in lower-income districts. Connecticut has responded by introducing legislation requiring computer science education, including AI instruction, in public schools beginning this academic year, reflecting continued recognition of the subject’s importance despite shifting enrollment patterns.

DISTRICTS

Memphis schools face state oversight after judge lifts three-month legal block

A federal judge has lifted a temporary injunction blocking Tennessee’s takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS), allowing a politically appointed oversight board to assume control of major district operations after more than three months of legal delays. The board will have authority over budgets, school closures, curriculum decisions, and superintendent appointments, despite ongoing legal challenges from district leaders. MSCS has argued that the takeover disproportionately targets its predominantly Black student population, diverts funding from classroom resources, and undermines local democratic accountability. However, Judge Waverly Crenshaw found insufficient evidence that the takeover would harm students, allowing the board to resume its work while federal and state lawsuits proceed. The intervention reflects Tennessee Republicans’ interest in adopting a governance model similar to the takeover of Houston ISD’ in Texas, which resulted in significant changes to school leadership, staffing, and instructional practices.

Delaware district highlights academic ROI challenges

The Christina School District in Delaware has partnered with education research organization WestEd to develop an academic return on investment (ROI) dashboard, helping school leaders evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and make more informed budget decisions. Speaking at the Association of School Business Officials International’s 2026 Annual Conference & Expo in Pittsburgh, district representative Nathalie Princilus and WestEd’s Kelsey Krausen outlined how the tool, launched in July, compares program costs with student academic outcomes. The initiative follows a 5.6% decline in district enrollment, from 13,553 students in 2022 to 12,799 in 2026, alongside growing financial pressures and uncertainty over the effectiveness of existing investments. An earlier evaluation revealed that the district’s $1m in contracts for an in-school suspension program had delivered limited academic returns, highlighting the need for stronger implementation and consistent performance measurement. The dashboard aims to improve accountability, support evidence-based funding decisions, and help district leaders identify programs requiring modification or discontinuation.

LEGAL

Ohio appeals court upholds ruling against private school vouchers

An Ohio appeals court has unanimously upheld a ruling that the state’s EdChoice private school voucher program violates the Ohio Constitution, citing concerns that taxpayer funding supports a separate education system without the same oversight requirements as public schools. The program, which allocates more than $1.4bn in public funds to private school scholarships, has faced legal challenges from hundreds of school districts arguing that it diverts resources from public education. Originally designed to support low-income families in underperforming districts, EdChoice was expanded in 2023 to provide near-universal eligibility, including students from higher-income households. The program will remain operational pending further legal proceedings, with the Ohio Attorney General expected to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Republican lawmakers have criticized the ruling, while supporters of the legal challenge argue that the program undermines Ohio’s constitutional obligation to maintain a thorough and efficient public school system.

TEACHER TRAINING

New federal grant supports paid teacher training across 16 North Carolina school districts

North Carolina has announced a new teacher apprenticeship initiative backed by a five-year, $5.5m federal grant, enabling 500 existing school district employees to become licensed teachers while retaining their jobs and salaries. Led by Western Governors University, Craft Education, and The Innovation Project, the program will operate across 16 school districts beginning in fall 2027, combining paid classroom experience, mentorship, and degree completion in elementary or special education. The initiative will also train 250 mentor teachers and aims to address persistent staffing shortages, with the state reporting 6,721 teacher vacancies during the 2025–26 school year and an educator attrition rate of 10.11% in 2024–25. Participants will complete the final 60 credits of a bachelor's degree, earn a North Carolina teaching license, and receive a registered apprenticeship credential. The program is designed to strengthen local teacher pipelines, reduce financial barriers to entering the profession, and improve long-term teacher recruitment and retention.

STUDENTS

Student achievement rises in California, but pandemic recovery remains uneven

California Department of Education has reported modest improvements in K-12 student achievement, although academic recovery has slowed following stronger gains in the years immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. Mathematics proficiency increased by just over one percentage point to 38.5%, English language arts proficiency rose half a percentage point to 49.3%, and science proficiency climbed 3.3 percentage points to 36%. Meanwhile, statewide enrollment fell by 74,000 students to 5.7m, raising concerns about funding pressures for school districts. Chronic absenteeism declined to 18%, down from approximately 30% immediately after the pandemic, but remained above pre-pandemic levels. The statewide graduation rate reached 87.9%, increasing to 89.7% when excluding two adult charter schools whose unusually low graduation rates affected statewide figures. College and career readiness also improved, with 55.2% of students completing qualifying coursework or career pathways, up 2.2 percentage points. State education officials expect literacy reforms, including dyslexia screening, instructional coaching, and phonics-based curricula, to support further academic progress.

ABSENTEEISM

AI helps principals tackle absenteeism

Principals are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance school operations and reduce student absenteeism. Derek Cantrell, principal of Allegheny High School, developed a system using AI to track unexcused absences and tardies, allowing students to "earn back" their good standing through specific tasks. He emphasized, "The sky's the limit if you're willing to sit back, create, process, and try to make things that can help your staff, your students, and your school." Other principals, like Sterling Seeman and Rachel Jensen, are also utilizing AI to assist teachers in setting goals and managing student information. However, they remain cautious about over-reliance on AI, ensuring it complements rather than replaces personal interactions and critical thinking skills. Cantrell noted, "AI is a good brainstorming partner in creatively solving problems," highlighting its role in freeing up time for more meaningful engagement with students.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico tightens social media restrictions to protect children from violent content

Mexico has introduced new restrictions on social media platforms to prevent children under 18 from accessing harmful content, including extreme violence, hate speech, cyberbullying, self-harm, and sexually explicit material. President Claudia Sheinbaum has signed a decree requiring technology companies, including Meta, Google, TikTok, X, and Apple, to verify users’ ages, remove content promoting violence, introduce parental supervision tools, and report life-threatening material to authorities. The measures will take effect in one month, with the government warning that further legislation and financial penalties could follow if platforms fail to comply. The initiative follows a deadly school attack in northern Mexico and reflects growing international efforts to strengthen online protections for minors. However, digital rights advocates have questioned the decree’s legality, arguing that existing Mexican laws do not authorize government censorship without judicial oversight.
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