Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes...
Education Slice Logo
USA
13th November 2026
Together with


THE HOT STORY

Treasury targets year-end rules for $1,700 federal school choice tax credit

The IRS is preparing to introduce expansive eligibility rules for a new federal K-12 school choice program, aiming to allow scholarship funds to cover a wide range of educational expenses beyond private school tuition. The Treasury Department expects to publish updated regulations by the end of 2026, ahead of the program's January 1, 2027, launch. Under the initiative, taxpayers can receive dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations, with at least 32 states already participating. Potential eligible expenses include tutoring, before- and after-school programs, special needs services, and educational technology, although specific rules remain under development. Public school advocates have raised concerns that private schools could benefit disproportionately, while disability organizations have urged regulators to prevent scholarship funds from replacing legally mandated services. Treasury officials are also developing payroll deduction guidance and working with tax preparers to increase awareness and participation. The remaining states and Washington, D.C., have until December 31 to decide whether to join the program.

MATH, ACTUALLY PODCAST

Bringing Joy and Purpose to Math Learning

What does it look like when students learn math in a way that feels personal? And how can teachers help students become confident mathematical thinkers rather than simply followers of step-by-step procedures? At the heart of authentic math learning is developing self-regulating learners who can reflect on their understanding, recognize what they need, and take steps toward growth. 

Authentic math learning creates opportunities for students across K-12 to explore meaningful problems, use visual representations, collaborate with peers, and develop mathematical reasoning. But how can educators create these experiences while bringing more joy and purpose to math learning? 

Hear from Cheryl Tobey, M.Ed., in this episode of the podcast Math, Actually as she explores authentic math learning, student sense-making, and what it means for students to truly do mathematics.

Watch the Full Episode 

 

FINANCE

Alaska lawmakers propose education funding overhaul

Alaska's Legislative Task Force on Education Funding has proposed sweeping reforms to the state's K-12 education funding system following an 18-month review of rising operating costs, deteriorating school infrastructure, and persistent budget shortfalls that contributed to 12 school closures in 2026. Key recommendations include automatically adjusting per-student funding for inflation, establishing separate funding streams for school maintenance and energy costs, and commissioning an independent study to determine whether current education spending is adequate. The task force highlighted a $535m backlog in school repairs and has requested approximately $500,000 for the proposed funding study, following Gov. Mike Dunleavy's veto of an earlier $400,000 allocation. Additional proposals include basing school funding on three-year enrollment averages, approving budgets earlier, strengthening teacher recruitment and retention, and reviewing transportation, homeschooling, and healthcare costs. The bipartisan task force is seeking public feedback through December 8 before submitting its final recommendations to the Legislature on January 19, 2027.

Iowa City Schools audit reveals $38m financial discrepancy

The Iowa City Community School District has reported significant financial irregularities following its fiscal 2025 audit, which revealed nearly $38m less in available funds than previously reported to the state. Completed six months late, the audit exposed extensive accounting failures, including unmonitored interfund loans, liquidity shortages, and a capital projects fund holding just $140,633 in cash despite a reported balance of $19.4m. The findings follow the district's disclosure of more than $45m in overspending from its SAVE capital projects fund over four fiscal years. The school board has approved a $750,000 temporary loan from its general fund to meet a December 1 bond payment, while its Financial Oversight Committee has recommended hiring an external accounting firm for approximately $105,000 to stabilize financial operations. Facing continued budget pressures, district leaders are preparing spending reductions of $13.8m next year and potentially $18.7m over the following three years, including possible school closures, staffing reductions, and operational cuts.

TECHNOLOGY

California teachers union calls for three-year pause on AI in elementary and middle schools

The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) has urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to impose a three-year moratorium on artificial intelligence (AI) use in K-8 public school classrooms, warning that rapid adoption without adequate safeguards could threaten student development, data privacy, and educational standards. The union, representing approximately 120,000 educators and faculty, has requested an executive order before Newsom leaves office in January 2027, arguing that schools need additional time to establish appropriate regulations and prepare teachers to supervise AI technologies. The proposal follows Newsom's September executive order directing state agencies to develop AI safety regulations, including potential emergency shutdown mechanisms. CFT cited research from MIT suggesting weaker brain connectivity during AI-assisted essay writing, alongside a Wharton study finding that students using GPT-4 scored 17% lower on subsequent unassisted math assessments. The union also raised concerns about student data breaches, unreliable AI-generated content, and reduced teacher control over instruction, calling for stronger oversight before AI becomes more deeply embedded in California's education system. 

POLICY

Arkansas pressures F-rated school districts to restore five-day weeks

The Arkansas Department of Education has urged struggling school districts to abandon four-day school weeks following poor academic results, warning that reduced classroom instruction is undermining student achievement. Seven traditional public school districts received F grades for the 2025-26 academic year, including Prescott, Blevins, and Strong-Huttig, all of which operate four-day schedules. Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and state board members pressed district leaders to restore five-day instruction, strengthen teaching standards, expand targeted tutoring, and improve accountability. Prescott, which fell from a C to an F, faced particularly sharp criticism after its junior high school performed better than only 1% of Arkansas schools. Blevins and Strong-Huttig officials acknowledged the need to return to five-day schedules, while Lafayette County was warned it could face state intervention without improvement by the spring semester. Blytheville, already under state control through a $1.9m transformation contract, also remains at risk of receiving another F grade despite ongoing improvement efforts.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Chicago Public Schools advances five-year Black student success plan

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has convened its 15-member Black Student Achievement Committee for the first time following months of delays linked to federal scrutiny, administrative challenges, and staffing changes. The committee will oversee implementation of the district's five-year Black Student Success Plan, which aims to narrow educational disparities, double the number of Black male teachers, and expand culturally responsive instruction. The initiative has faced opposition from the U.S. Department of Education, which alleged that its focus on Black students constituted racial discrimination. Despite these challenges, CPS has secured a $250,000 philanthropic grant to support Black Student Union programming and teacher recruitment. Recent academic data highlight persistent inequalities, with just 15% of Black high school students proficient in math, compared with 65% of white students, while Black students' graduation rate has improved to 81%. Committee members and community advocates have welcomed the initiative but called for clearer implementation strategies, stronger accountability, and sufficient resources to deliver measurable improvements.

ENROLLMENT

Nine of North Texas' 10 largest school districts lose students

North Texas public school districts have reported widespread enrollment declines in 2026, with nine of the region's 10 largest districts losing students, intensifying financial pressures and raising the prospect of further school closures. Enrollment losses ranged from 1.3% in Frisco ISD to 6.6% in Grand Prairie ISD, while Dallas ISD recorded a 4.4% decline to 128,421 students, approximately 3,500 below projections. The shortfall has created an estimated $25m revenue gap on top of Dallas ISD's existing $104m projected budget deficit, prompting a proposal to close six campuses. Irving ISD experienced a 6.4% enrollment decline to 27,315 students and faces potential additional closures following voters' rejection of a $952m school bond package. McKinney ISD was the only district to report growth, adding 107 students, although shifting population patterns continue to create infrastructure challenges. Declining birth rates, competition from charter and private schools, immigration trends, and Texas' new school voucher program are contributing to the downturn, which follows a statewide enrollment decline of 76,000 students.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

States push to regulate ICE activity in schools

At least 23 U.S. states have considered legislation regulating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in K-12 public schools during 2026, following the Trump administration's removal of federal protections limiting immigration enforcement at sensitive locations. An NPR analysis identified 40 legislative proposals, including 35 seeking to restrict federal officers' access to schools and students, while only 11 became law before the academic year began. Proposed measures included requiring warrants, limiting school police cooperation with immigration authorities, and establishing procedures for responding to enforcement actions. Mississippi passed legislation requiring schools to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, while proposals in Minnesota, Tennessee, and several other states failed to advance. Education leaders warn that inconsistent state policies create uncertainty for administrators, potentially disrupt learning environments, and heighten concerns among immigrant families.

 
NPR

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Hartford schools aim to bring 200 special education students back into district

Hartford Public Schools has announced plans to expand its in-district special education programs, aiming to improve student support while reducing costs amid a $35m budget deficit. The district currently places 340 students in external programs, with annual tuition ranging from $50,000 to more than $900,000 per student. Officials believe approximately 200 students could return to district schools over the next five years, strengthening access to specialized services within their local communities. Preliminary financial projections suggest that a $1.5m investment in expanded programming could generate $9.9m in revenue by fiscal year 2031, delivering a five- to sevenfold return on investment. The initiative forms part of broader cost-saving measures, including competitive bidding for transportation and health insurance, alongside an application for state financial oversight that could unlock additional funding. District leaders are also advocating for statewide education funding reforms.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Detroit Public Schools rolls out districtwide parent mediation program

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has expanded its Family, Advocacy, Intervention, and Restoration (FAIR) office to all district schools following a successful pilot across 31 campuses, aiming to address rising parent complaints, mediate conflicts, and improve student enrollment and retention. Established in 2025, the initiative uses trained parent coaches and district staff to facilitate restorative discussions, navigate disciplinary procedures, and resolve disputes between families and school personnel. During the 2025-26 school year, the office resolved 96 issues, provided coaching to more than 1,431 parents and guardians, and delivered 58 training sessions and workshops. The program employs 20 parent coaches, who receive monthly stipends of up to $400. The expansion comes as district enrollment remains largely unchanged, with more than 49,620 students enrolled this fall compared with 49,717 in 2018-19. However, the district's annual student re-enrollment rate has improved by three percentage points to 73%, highlighting the importance of strengthening family relationships and maintaining student engagement.

HIGHER EDUCATION

American Bar Association proposes easing law school accreditation rules

The American Bar Association (ABA) is considering further reductions to its law school accreditation requirements as it faces mounting scrutiny from the Trump administration and the potential loss of its longstanding federal recognition as the primary accreditor of US legal education. The ABA's legal education council is scheduled to vote on four proposed reforms, including removing the requirement for full-time faculty to teach first-year courses, reducing mandatory classroom instruction hours, relaxing full-time faculty staffing requirements, and allowing greater flexibility in admitting students without bachelor's degrees. The proposals form part of a broader review launched in 2025 to reduce administrative burdens, lower costs, and encourage innovation in legal education. The US Department of Education is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to withdraw the council's accreditation authority, following concerns about its independence from the wider ABA. While some legal education experts have welcomed the proposed reforms, others have questioned whether they adequately address more fundamental issues surrounding accreditation standards and educational quality.

INTERNATIONAL

Google scales AI teacher training across new markets,

Google has announced plans to expand its free AI Educator Series to Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Australia, and sub-Saharan Africa, helping teachers and university faculty integrate Gemini into classroom instruction, assessments, and administrative tasks. Developed in partnership with ISTE+ASCD, the program offers self-paced training, digital badges, and opportunities to earn continuing education credits. New U.S. modules focus on interactive assessments, game-based learning, and assignment design to strengthen critical thinking and responsible AI use. The expansion builds on existing initiatives across Asia and Europe, including training opportunities for more than one million educators in the Philippines and 650,000 teachers in the UK. Google also reported training 80,000 educators in India during September, while Malaysian teachers have reported saving three to five hours of preparation time per topic.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe