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5th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

AI deepfake incidents raise school safety concerns

U.S. schools are facing growing concerns over artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfake images and videos targeting students and educators, with many districts lacking clear policies, training, and response procedures. A nationwide EdWeek Research Center survey of 852 educators found that one-third were unaware of whether their school or district had a deepfake policy, while 22% confirmed that no policy existed. Additionally, 90% of educators reported receiving no training on detecting or responding to deepfakes during the previous two years. The risks are particularly concerning for students, with a 2024 Center for Democracy and Technology survey finding that one in four K-12 students knew someone depicted in a nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfake. Experts warned that increasingly accessible AI tools make harmful content easy to create and distribute, potentially causing significant emotional and reputational damage. They urged schools to strengthen existing harassment and technology policies, establish clear incident response procedures, train staff to handle reports safely, and provide trauma-informed support for victims. 

STATE ASSESSMENT PREPARATION

From 28% to 54% on the State Assessment

At Westview Elementary in Phenix City, average proficiency rose from 28% to 54% after the campus brought in Lumos for its state assessment practice. 
  • 26-percentage-point gain in average proficiency
  • Targeted, consistent practice inside existing intervention blocks
  • Lumos is backed by ESSA Level 3 evidence
  • In a study of 600+ schools, 92% using Lumos with fidelity saw 15%+ improvement
“Targeted instruction and consistent practice are helping students build confidence, close gaps, and achieve success.”

— Samantha Cochran, Instructional Coach, Westview Elementary

See whether Lumos can lift your campus’s state test scores this year.

See How Lumos Helps Schools Grow

 

REMUNERATION

U.S. teacher pay falls behind global peers

U.S. public school teachers earn significantly less than other college-educated professionals, with a new Brookings Institution analysis ranking the United States last among more than 30 industrialized countries for primary school teacher pay relative to other graduates. The study found that American primary school teachers earn approximately two-thirds of what other college graduates receive annually, while separate research from the Economic Policy Institute revealed a 25% teacher pay gap in 2025. Brookings also highlighted a long-term decline in the proportion of public school spending allocated to teacher salaries, falling from 57% in 1919 to 26% in 2019, partly reflecting increased investment in staffing rather than higher wages. According to the National Education Association, average teacher salaries reached $74,495 during the 2024–25 school year, up 3.5% annually but still 5% below levels from a decade earlier after adjusting for inflation. The findings have prompted renewed discussion about targeted pay increases for teachers in hard-to-staff schools, specialized subjects, and high-performing roles as districts contend with tightening budgets and declining enrollment.

California lawmaker secures tax relief for early childhood educators

The Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act, authored by California Congressman Jimmy Panetta, has been signed into law, extending federal tax deductions for classroom supplies to preschool and transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers for the first time. Previously available only to K-12 educators, the deduction will allow eligible early childhood teachers to claim up to $350 in classroom expenses next year, helping offset the average $895 educators spend annually on learning materials. The legislation follows California’s statewide expansion of universal transitional kindergarten, which became fully implemented during the 2025–26 school year. During a visit to Santa Teresa Elementary School in San Jose, Panetta emphasized the importance of recognizing early childhood educators’ contributions and easing their financial burdens. Local teachers welcomed the measure, highlighting the significant personal costs of classroom supplies, particularly in high-cost areas such as Silicon Valley.

TECHNOLOGY

Google backtracks on plan to block school search access

Google has reversed its decision to deny schools access to its search engine if they opted out of its Gemini artificial intelligence products, following widespread criticism from politicians, educators, and technology experts. The company initially announced that both Google Search and Gemini would be disabled for K-12 student accounts unless administrators explicitly enabled them, with executives suggesting schools rejecting AI would also lose search access. However, following objections from former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Google clarified that schools can independently enable Search without adopting Gemini. The apparent reversal came within hours of the initial announcement, with Google confirming that the services have separate administrative controls. Ann Skeet of Santa Clara University said Google’s apparent reversal reflects a growing recognition that educators, rather than technology companies, should control how technology is used in schools.

DISTRICTS

Pro-school-choice candidates poised for narrow majority on Chicago school board

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is preparing for a historic shift in governance following the city's first fully elected school board elections, with preliminary results suggesting that candidates backed by pro-school-choice organizations could secure a narrow 11-seat majority on the 21-member board. Jessica Biggs is set to become board president, while the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) could hold nine seats, potentially reducing its influence over district policy. However, four races remain too close to call, and the final balance of power has yet to be confirmed. The incoming board, which could include eight newcomers, will oversee a $10bn school district employing more than 40,000 people while confronting significant budget shortfalls, declining enrollment, potential school closures, and decisions about artificial intelligence in classrooms. Members will also face difficult choices over property taxes, charter school funding, and staffing priorities. Although competing unions and advocacy groups supported different candidates, education leaders have emphasized the importance of collaboration, with the new board's effectiveness likely depending on its ability to build consensus across political and policy divisions.

Texas Governor-elect Hinojosa could alter Austin ISD’s future

Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has raised hopes of preventing a state takeover of Austin ISD (AISD) following her election victory over incumbent Greg Abbott, although existing education laws could limit her ability to intervene. Hinojosa, a former AISD trustee, has pledged to replace Education Commissioner Mike Morath, increase public school funding, raise teacher pay, and protect local control. However, Austin ISD faces mandatory state intervention after Burnet and Webb middle schools received five consecutive failing accountability ratings. Education experts warn that replacing Morath would not remove these legal requirements, while any successor would need confirmation from the Republican-controlled Texas Senate. A new commissioner could nevertheless influence whether the state replaces the district’s elected school board or closes the two schools. Pending appeals of the schools’ ratings and parent petitions could also affect the outcome.

FINANCE

Indiana school funding measures win broad voter support

Indiana public schools secured voter approval for 27 of the 39 funding referendums on the November ballot, representing a 70% passage rate despite widespread concerns about rising property taxes and living costs. However, 12 referendums failed, including renewal requests in Anderson, Franklin, Decatur, Sheridan, and Smith-Green, leaving affected districts facing potential staffing reductions, program cuts, and widening budget shortfalls. Decatur Township officials have warned that the district may need to cut more than $8m by 2028. Under recent changes to state law, districts cannot seek another referendum until November 2028, increasing financial uncertainty. Indiana school officials are calling for a minimum 6% increase in state K-12 tuition support in the next biennial budget, citing rising transportation, utility, and employee health insurance costs. 

Miami-Dade teachers celebrate tax renewal

Miami-Dade teachers will continue receiving a crucial salary supplement after voters overwhelmingly approved the renewal of a dedicated property tax. The measure, which garnered over 80% approval, maintains a $1 tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value, generating more than $500m for Miami-Dade Public Schools. This funding is vital for boosting teacher salaries and ensuring school security. The tax has been renewed every four years since 2018, addressing the challenges posed by sluggish state funding for public schools. Florida teachers are among the lowest paid in the nation, making this tax renewal essential for retaining educators.

Milwaukee Public Schools faces mounting budget pressures and fraud losses

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has reported a $450,000 loss from a bank impersonation fraud scheme, compounding mounting financial pressures as the district faces a budget deficit of approximately $58m. Officials have recovered $255,000 and are working with law enforcement to trace the remaining $195,000, while deputy chief financial officer Jennifer Buros has been appointed acting CFO during the investigation. The district’s 2026–27 budget has increased to $1.77bn from an earlier projection of $1.6bn, driven by declining enrollment, rising transportation and food costs, and maintenance demands across 145 aging school buildings. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius has warned that financial reserves have fallen to just $500,000, compared with a recommended level of approximately $88.5m. She is considering school closures and mergers while calling for changes to Wisconsin’s school funding formula, particularly special education reimbursements. 

 
WPR

Minnesota schools to receive additional $33 per student

Minnesota voters have approved a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of revenue distributed to public schools from the state's permanent school fund, providing additional education funding without raising taxes. The amendment allows annual distributions to increase from approximately 2.5% to 4.5% of the fund's value, generating an estimated additional $33 per student when the changes take effect on July 1, 2027. The fund is supported by timber and mining lease revenues from state trust lands, with proceeds invested and distributed to school districts. Under the new arrangement, Duluth Public Schools expects to receive approximately $280,000 in additional funding, while Minneapolis Public Schools could gain nearly $1m. However, Minnesota's four Bureau of Indian Education schools remain excluded from the fund, prompting discussions about potential additional support through the state's general fund.

NUTRITION

Universal school meals proposal falls short in North Dakota

North Dakota voters have narrowly rejected a proposal to introduce universal free school meals, with 50.61% voting against Constitutional Measure 2 and 49.39% supporting it in the 2026 midterm elections. The measure would have required schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 students, regardless of household income. Its defeat means North Dakota will not join the nine states that have established universal free school meal programs, including California, Maine, Minnesota, and Colorado. Supporters of these programs have reported increased meal participation and improvements in school culture. Meanwhile, efforts to expand free school meals nationwide are continuing, with federal lawmakers introducing the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026, which would provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and after-school snacks to students across the country. A separate federal proposal introduced in September also seeks to expand universal free school meals.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Ohio launches $9m school safety grant program

Ohio has approved more than $9m in grants to strengthen security across K-12 schools during the 2027–28 academic year, supporting investments in safety technology, emergency preparedness, and staff training. The funding, authorized under House Bill 96, will help districts purchase silent panic alarms, gunshot-detection systems, and technology enabling law enforcement to access school security cameras during emergencies. Eligible projects also include active shooter training, mental health education, school resource officer training, and automated alerts concerning dangerous individuals. Schools can apply for two funding streams: formula-based grants providing at least $2,500 per organization or $4.50 per student, whichever is greater, and program-based grants offering up to $40,000 per organization. Districts may apply for both programs, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until exhausted. Applications close May 28, 2027.

LITERACY

Idaho's early literacy rates reach seven-year high, but kindergarten readiness remains a concern

Idaho has reported its highest fall reading proficiency rate in at least seven years, with approximately 60% of kindergarten through third-grade students reading at or above grade level, according to September 2026 assessments. Results from the AI-powered Idaho Reading Indicator showed an improvement of approximately three percentage points from the previous year, with nearly 70% of third-graders meeting proficiency standards. However, kindergarten performance declined slightly, with just 43.85% demonstrating grade-level reading skills, raising concerns about school readiness. Among economically disadvantaged students, proficiency increased four percentage points to 51.8%, while English language learners and special education students reached 33.8% and 32.8%, respectively. State officials attributed the broader improvements partly to sustained investment in early literacy, with funding increasing from $13.1m in 2019 to $72.8m in 2025. Despite the gains, officials emphasized the need to address declining kindergarten readiness and persistent achievement gaps.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghanistan’s education system under growing strain

UNESCO and UNICEF have warned that Afghanistan’s education crisis is worsening, with approximately 53% of primary school-age children outside formal education and more than 2.6m girls barred from schooling beyond sixth grade. Their latest report highlights mounting pressure on the education system as the school-age population has increased from 10.4m in 2019 to 11.5m in 2024, compounded by insufficient investment, recurring emergencies, and the arrival of more than 1m returnees this year. Although public primary school enrollment reached approximately 6.6m in 2025, growth has failed to keep pace with demand, while fewer than half of fourth-grade students demonstrated minimum language proficiency. Higher education enrollment remains significantly below pre-Taliban levels, with 208,000 students in 2026 compared with approximately 430,000 in 2020, as women remain excluded from universities. The UN agencies have called for the restoration of educational rights for girls and women, increased investment in teachers and learning resources, and urgent action to prevent long-term damage to Afghanistan’s development.

South Korea selects 43 regions for education reform initiative

South Korea's Education Ministry has selected 43 regions for a new education reform initiative aimed at improving small schools, reducing educational disparities, and strengthening cooperation between schools, universities, and local industries. The program, launching in January 2027, will provide government funding, administrative support, and regulatory exemptions for up to five years. Of the selected regions, 32 face population decline and will prioritize school consolidation, shared curricula, and community partnerships, while the remaining 11 will focus on educational inequality and regional workforce development. Participating cities and counties can receive up to ₩2bn ($1.5m) annually, while metropolitan governments may receive up to ₩4 bn. Funding will initially cover three years, with a possible two-year extension based on performance. The initiative builds on a 2024 pilot program and forms part of the government's broader strategy to address falling student enrollment, sustain regional education systems, and improve long-term economic opportunities outside major urban centers.
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