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USA
20th October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Supreme Court revisits race and education with Maryland magnet school case

Montgomery County Public Schools has become the subject of a US Supreme Court review examining whether facially race-neutral admissions policies can constitute racial discrimination under the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. The Association for Education Fairness, representing parents who allege that changes to magnet middle school admissions disadvantaged Asian American students, has challenged policies introduced in 2017 and subsequently revised in 2020 to incorporate lottery-based admissions. Lower courts dismissed the case after finding that Asian American admissions exceeded the group's share of applicants. The Supreme Court will consider whether plaintiffs must demonstrate an aggregate disparate impact to establish discrimination, revisiting school admissions law following its 2023 ruling against race-conscious college admissions. Arguments are expected in early 2027, with a decision anticipated by the end of June.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff
Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.

Download Free Guide

 

STUDENT SUPPORT

Federal education report reveals rising disability rates among public school students

The U.S. Department of Education has reported that 19% of nearly 50m public school students received disability-related services during the 2023–2024 academic year, up from 17% two years earlier. According to its latest civil rights data collection, 15% of students were served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), while 4% received support through Section 504. Despite representing just 15% of enrollment, students with individualized education programs (IEPs) accounted for 68% of seclusion incidents involving students and 73% of students physically restrained, as well as approximately one-quarter of suspensions. The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates has raised concerns about these disparities, calling for evidence-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, restraint, and seclusion.

GOVERNANCE

Indiana district turns $20m in annual savings into higher teacher pay

South Bend Community School Corp.has achieved approximately $20m in annual savings beginning in 2026 through strategic financial reforms, including $10m from switching health insurance providers, $5m from bringing facilities management in-house, and another $5m from administrative consolidation, contract cancellations, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven efficiencies. Speaking at the Association of School Business Officials International's annual conference, chief financial officer Ahnaf Tahmid explained how the district redirected $12m of these savings to provide teachers with a one-time $9,000 pay increase. The initiative has made South Bend the highest-paying school district in its region and helped eliminate teacher vacancies at the start of the 2026–27 academic year, demonstrating how proactive financial management can improve both operational efficiency and staff retention.

Tennessee judge halts Memphis school takeover amid ongoing legal challenges

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) has regained full authority under its locally elected school board after a Tennessee judge temporarily blocked the state's takeover of the district, reversing a federal court decision that had reinstated the state-appointed oversight board just days earlier. The ruling has forced the cancellation of the nine-member oversight board's scheduled meeting and added further uncertainty to ongoing legal proceedings. MSCS and Shelby County leaders have challenged the takeover, arguing that the state lacked evidence to justify intervention and that the process could irreparably harm district operations. The oversight board had previously advanced governance procedures, including a proposed approval process for contracts exceeding $50,000, with support from consulting firm MGT.

WORKFORCE

Colorado childcare workers face widening pay gap

Colorado’s early childhood educators are facing significant financial pressures despite their essential role in children's development, with median wages for lead teachers at just $18.50 an hour, compared with $37.50 for kindergarten teachers. Childcare workers earn approximately $20 an hour statewide, well below the $36 hourly wage needed to afford typical housing costs, contributing to a 19% annual workforce turnover rate. Meanwhile, families in Colorado’s 10 largest counties spend 18% to 25% of their monthly income on childcare, limiting providers’ ability to raise salaries without increasing tuition. Amid uncertainty surrounding federal funding, local initiatives are offering annual salary supplements of up to $6,500, establishing higher wage floors, and increasing compensation to retain educators. Advocates argue that sustained public investment is essential to improving workforce stability, childcare affordability, and long-term educational outcomes.

ENROLLMENT

California schools face sharp decline in immigrant student enrollment

California public schools are experiencing a sharp decline in newly arrived immigrant students following changes in federal immigration policy, prompting some districts to reduce specialized programs, reassign staff, and prepare for further funding pressures. Oakland USD enrolled just 498 new immigrant students in 2025–26, compared with more than 1,300 annually in most previous years, and has reduced its middle and high school newcomer programs from 17 schools to six. Los Angeles USD has reported a decline in newcomer enrollment from 20,755 in 2024–25 to 11,103 in 2026–27, while San Juan USD has experienced a smaller 13.6% decrease. Education leaders warn that continued enrollment losses could undermine language support, bilingual education, and specialized teaching resources, leaving districts less prepared for future increases in immigrant student arrivals.

TECHNOLOGY

E-Rate spending trends highlight growing demand for wireless networks

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a review of the E-Rate program as new analysis reveals a significant shift in school technology funding toward internal network infrastructure. Between fiscal years 2017 and 2025, Category 1 funding requests for Internet connectivity declined 19% from $2.11bn to $1.71bn, while Category 2 requests for wireless equipment, switches, and cabling increased 62% from $895m to $1.45bn. Research by Funds For Learning also found that 71% of surveyed applicants expect to upgrade Wi-Fi networks within three years, while 76% anticipate increased bandwidth requirements. John Harrington, chief executive of Funds For Learning, highlighted the importance of maintaining flexible infrastructure funding, while Keith Krueger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking, advocated expanding E-Rate eligibility to include cybersecurity services. The FCC's review is examining the program's educational purpose and its relationship to student screen time.

SCHOOL CHOICE

Sen. Tim Scott urges states to adopt federal school choice tax credit program

In a Bloomberg Tax opinion article, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has called on governors to participate in the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program, scheduled to begin January 1st 2027, arguing that it will expand educational opportunities for families across income levels. The initiative allows taxpayers to receive credits of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which provide funding for tutoring, educational resources, and school choice. Scott highlighted that 31 states have opted into the program, including South Carolina, where approximately 782,000 students could potentially benefit, according to the American Federation for Children. Citing advocacy group research, he argued that the initiative could improve educational access, encourage charitable giving, and give parents greater control over their children's education, while acknowledging opposition from teachers' unions and other critics.

TEACHER TRAINING

OpenAI AI Skills Jams equip teachers with reusable classroom resources

OpenAI has reported positive feedback from its AI Skills Jams, free training workshops delivered with the Walton Family Foundation across nine U.S. communities, attracting more than 1,600 K–12 teachers, administrators, and district leaders. Of 802 survey respondents, 92% said they created something reusable, 96% intended to apply their learning within 30 days, and 97% would recommend the workshops to colleagues. Educators developed lesson plans, science simulations, administrative tools, and customized ChatGPT applications to support classroom instruction and routine school operations. However, 29% requested additional hands-on practice, highlighting the need for more tailored training for beginners and experienced users. OpenAI plans to use the feedback to improve future workshops, although the findings do not establish measurable improvements in student outcomes or long-term workload reductions.

CURRICULUM

Houston ISD's multimillion-dollar curriculum reaches schools in Texas and Colorado

Houston ISD (HISD) has expanded the reach of Superintendent Mike Miles' New Education System (NES) by providing its internally developed curriculum free of charge to school districts and charter networks across Texas and Colorado. HISD has spent between $10m and $19m annually on curriculum development since June 2023, employing at least 100 staff members to produce instructional materials. Adopters include Beaumont, Garland, and Tyler ISDs, International Leadership of Texas, and Colorado's Montezuma-Cortez School District, with implementation ranging from selective use of teaching resources to broader adoption of the NES model. HISD has reported a reduction in D- and F-rated schools from 120 to 13 since the state takeover began in 2023, although concerns remain over curriculum errors, alignment with state standards, and limited teacher preparation time.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Soaring diesel costs force Arizona schools to cut bus routes and increase spending

Arizona school districts have reported mounting transportation costs as diesel prices reach approximately $6.37 per gallon, compared with $3.59 a year earlier, forcing districts to increase budgets, consolidate routes, and reduce services. Deer Valley Unified has increased its transportation budget by approximately $500,000, or more than 14%, while Gilbert Public Schools faces an additional $8,000 in weekly fuel expenses. The financial pressure has been compounded by persistent driver shortages and difficulties transitioning to electric buses. Elleka Yost of the Association of School Business Officials International has highlighted infrastructure challenges, including narrow roads, small bridges, extreme temperatures, and shortages of trained maintenance technicians, which complicate fleet electrification despite rising diesel costs.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Cornell sexual assault allegations prompt prospective students to reconsider applications

Cornell University has faced growing scrutiny over its handling of an alleged October 2024 sexual assault, prompting some prospective students to reconsider applying ahead of its November 1 early-decision deadline. Christopher Rim, chief executive of Command Education, reported that four of his clients who had planned early applications have withdrawn those plans, while Crimson Education CEO Jamie Beaton has also observed concerns about campus safety and culture. Cornell has commissioned an independent review led by former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and suspended fraternity parties and social events for the remainder of the 2026–27 academic year. Despite the controversy, admissions consultants expect limited long-term effects on applications or enrollment, citing Cornell's selective admissions and established reputation.

INTERNATIONAL

Childhood poverty limits access to books and worsens educational outcomes in Ireland

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found that childhood poverty in Ireland significantly affects educational achievement, school engagement, and future aspirations, with limited access to books and reading opportunities among the key contributing factors. The report reveals that half of Irish children experience poverty before age 13, while one in five endure three or more periods of financial hardship. Among persistently poor nine-year-olds, 9% report never liking school, compared with 4% of children who have never experienced poverty. Additionally, just 62% of persistently poor 13-year-olds expect to earn a college degree, compared with 79% overall. The ESRI has recommended improving access to books, extracurricular activities, parental reading support, and positive teacher-student relationships to reduce educational inequalities.
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