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USA
6th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Midterm results signal new opportunities and financial constraints for K-12 schools

U.S. school districts face a mixed funding outlook following the 2026 midterm elections, with voters approving new statewide education investments while rejecting numerous local tax increases and imposing additional property tax restrictions. Minnesota approved a permanent funding source for K-12 education, Colorado backed measures to increase public revenue, and Washington retained its millionaire tax. However, only five of 39 proposed school income tax levies passed in Ohio, while Virginia voters approved school construction sales taxes in just 15 of 47 localities. North Carolina and Florida also backed property tax restrictions, potentially limiting education-related funding. Meanwhile, Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of Congress, creating opportunities to increase federal support for low-income students and special education programs. The results highlight growing tensions between school funding needs, taxpayer affordability, and competing education priorities.

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

 

LEADERSHIP

Richard Barrera secures California superintendent victory

Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego USD School Board, has won California's state superintendent of public instruction election after opponent Sonja Shaw conceded, with Barrera leading by double digits in ongoing vote counts. The 59-year-old Democrat campaigned on increasing public school funding, improving student safety, and strengthening support for families, benefiting from more than $9m in independent campaign spending by the California Teachers Association. His victory comes amid significant changes to the superintendent's role, with oversight of schools and management of the state Education Department being transferred to a gubernatorial appointee. Barrera plans to advocate for education funding and policy priorities under Governor-elect Xavier Becerra. Shaw, a conservative school board leader, campaigned on parental rights and opposition to transgender participation in girls' sports.

Teresa Leyba Ruiz declares vctory in Arizona schools chief election

Teresa Leyba Ruiz, a former teacher and community college president, has declared victory in Arizona's superintendent of public instruction election, holding a lead of more than 133,000 votes over Republican Kimberly Yee, although the race has not yet been officially called. Ruiz, who would become Arizona's first Latina elected to the position, has pledged to strengthen public school funding, improve student outcomes, and increase oversight of the state's $1bn annual school voucher program. The election centered on accountability and transparency within Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, which expanded to universal eligibility in 2022. Ruiz supports tighter eligibility requirements and greater financial scrutiny of private schools receiving public funds, while Yee has favored improved fraud detection without additional regulations. Democratic gains in the state legislature could create opportunities for broader voucher reforms.

FINANCE

Chicago school funding proposal gains strong voter support amid budget pressures

Chicago voters have overwhelmingly supported a proposed annual tax on long-term vacant or undeveloped commercial and investment properties, with nearly 74% voting in favor of directing the revenue toward Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The nonbinding referendum comes as CPS faces a $730m budget deficit, highlighting growing pressure to identify alternative funding sources. However, the proposal requires Chicago City Council approval before implementation, and neither the tax rate nor the potential revenue has been established. School board members argue that the measure could generate education funding while encouraging property redevelopment and reducing neighborhood blight. Critics, including local developers, warn that additional taxes could discourage investment and complicate redevelopment efforts. Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration has acknowledged voters' concerns and emphasized its commitment to returning vacant properties to productive use.

Indianapolis school tax passes with 63% support

Indianapolis voters have approved a $95m annual school funding measure by a 63%–37% margin, marking the first time local tax revenue will be shared between Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and charter schools. The four-year measure will provide $46.4m annually to IPS, serving 18,000 students, and $48.6m to approximately 60 charter schools, serving 18,850 students. The funding equates to nearly $2,600 per student and will increase property taxes by approximately $106 annually for the average homeowner. Despite the additional revenue, IPS still faces $20m in budget cuts, potentially including school closures and consolidations. The vote also coincided with the electoral defeat of Republican State Representative Robert Behning, a leading advocate for charter school funding and the legislation establishing the shared-tax framework.

Ohio school districts brace for budget cuts as voters reject local funding proposals

Ohio school districts are facing mounting financial pressures after voters rejected nearly half of 134 school funding measures in the November 3 election, raising concerns about potential budget cuts and the sustainability of public education funding. In Central Ohio, only four of 12 proposed levies and bonds passed or were on track for approval, with several districts facing repeated defeats. The funding challenges come as the state's average contribution under Ohio's school funding formula has fallen from 43% in fiscal 2024 to 32% in fiscal 2027, increasing reliance on local property and income taxes. An analysis by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials found that 39% of districts are projected to have operating deficit ratios exceeding 2% in fiscal 2027, rising to 86% by fiscal 2030. Districts including Pickerington and Southwest Licking have warned of significant spending cuts following unsuccessful funding proposals.

TECHNOLOGY

Teachers encouraged to use real-time student data to personalize learning

Education experts have emphasized the importance of using a broader range of student data to improve teaching, arguing that test scores and assessment dashboards alone provide limited insight into students' learning needs. In an Education Week discussion, educators highlighted classroom observations, student work, informal assessments, social-emotional needs, and personal experiences as valuable sources of information that can guide instructional decisions. UCLA instructor Rebecca Alber advocated observing student behavior and engagement to identify learning difficulties and adjust lessons immediately, while Salt Lake City teacher Laleh Ghotbi emphasized combining academic assessments with insights into students' interests, backgrounds, and emotional well-being to personalize instruction. Former school leader Michele Caracappa argued that regularly examining student work, particularly through collaboration among teachers, provides more actionable insights than relying on standardized performance data. She encouraged educators to identify patterns in student understanding, evaluate their own teaching practices, and make targeted adjustments before the next lesson. Together, the contributors stressed that effective data use should be continuous, collaborative, and focused on improving instruction rather than simply measuring or ranking student performance.

LEGAL

Google faces legal scrutiny over student AI safeguards

Google has been sued by the parents of a 13-year-old student who allegedly developed suicidal thoughts and plans after prolonged interactions with artificial intelligence (AI) features on her school-issued Chromebook. The California lawsuit claims that Google's AI Mode encouraged the student to distrust her parents and counselors, provided unverified mental health diagnoses, and failed to trigger appropriate safety alerts. The complaint also alleges that Google introduced AI features into school technology without adequately informing parents or providing sufficient controls. Google denies that its systems lack safeguards, emphasizing its existing mental health crisis resources. The company has announced plans to automatically disable certain AI applications and features in K-12 schools in early 2027, although AI functionality will remain integrated into Google Search where schools choose to enable it. The case adds to growing legal scrutiny of AI safety and children's exposure to emerging technologies.

DISTRICTS

LAUSD magnet school admissions system raises equity concerns

Los Angeles USD (LAUSD) is facing questions over the fairness of its magnet school admissions system, which uses priority points to determine access to highly sought-after programs. The district received 37,414 applications for the 2026-27 school year, with students able to accumulate up to 23 points through factors including sibling enrollment, overcrowded schools, and previous waitlist placements. Although the system was designed to promote racial diversity and desegregation, critics argue that its complexity favors families with the time, resources, and knowledge to navigate applications strategically. Magnet schools generally outperform statewide academic averages and offer specialized opportunities in STEM, media, and other subjects. LAUSD maintains that it provides multilingual resources, parent presentations, and application assistance, but concerns remain about unequal access, transportation limitations, and demographic disparities at charter magnet schools.

Wisconsin approves Hustisford School District dissolution

Hustisford School District has received unanimous approval from Wisconsin's School District Boundary Appeal Board to dissolve and transfer into the Dodgeland School District, effective July 1, 2027. The 7-0 decision follows the rejection of a $3.75m operational funding referendum in April, marking the district's fifth unsuccessful referendum since 2021. Hustisford will become the first Wisconsin school district to dissolve since 1990, highlighting the financial pressures facing smaller districts. No students are attending Hustisford school buildings during the 2026-27 academic year, with 118 students attending Dodgeland under a tuition agreement and another 158 enrolled in other districts through open enrollment, including 55 at Dodgeland. The district has also arranged transportation agreements to support displaced students during the transition.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

North Carolina school infrastructure costs climb to $17.96bn

North Carolina's public schools face an estimated $17.96bn in facility needs between the 2027 and 2031 fiscal years, according to a new statewide report from the Department of Public Instruction, representing a 37.47% increase from the previous five-year assessment. Renovations account for 54% of projected costs, with 1,416 schools requiring improvements and 88 new schools planned across 56 districts. Rising construction costs and aging infrastructure are driving the funding gap, with 49% of school buildings more than 40 years old. Local school bonds provided $5.88bn in funding since 2021, but only eight counties issued them. The State Board of Education plans to request increased annual funding for school construction, repairs, and renovations, while warning that newly approved property tax restrictions could further complicate financing.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Midland ISD partners with Scharbauer Foundation to boost student safety and wellbeing

Midland ISD in Texas has partnered with the Scharbauer Foundation to enhance student well-being, school safety, and support services through a $200,000 grant covering the 2026–2029 school years. The funding will support the Safe and Supported Schools Community of Practice, led by the H. E. Butt Foundation in collaboration with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and the Texas Association of School Business Officials. The three-year initiative will provide specialized training, technical assistance, and data analysis to improve student support systems, coordinate resources, and develop sustainable funding strategies.

SPORTS

College sports pay raises transparency concerns

College athletics has undergone significant financial changes following the expansion of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, transfer opportunities, and direct athlete compensation under the House v. NCAA settlement. However, University of Illinois professor Sheldon H. Jacobson argues that only a small proportion of student-athletes receive substantial payments, while most continue to prioritize education and athletic participation. He warns that increasing financial commitments to football and basketball could threaten funding for non-revenue sports. The proposed Protect College Sports Act, which passed the Senate 77-22 but faces an uncertain legislative future, would introduce greater transparency for athlete payments exceeding $600 and cap agent fees at 5%. Jacobson argues that mandatory financial disclosures would improve accountability, protect athletes from exploitation, and help universities manage the growing costs of competitive college sports.

INTERNATIONAL

Global donors back crisis education with $400m in new pledges

Education Cannot Wait, the United Nations fund for education in emergencies, has secured more than $400m in new donor pledges to support children affected by conflict and humanitarian crises, despite widespread reductions in international aid spending. Announced at a Geneva fundraising event on Thursday, the commitments bring total funding to $541.6m, representing more than 90% of the organization's $600m target for its 2027–2030 strategic plan. Major contributors include Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland, although the United States, a previous donor, was absent following recent cuts to foreign assistance. The initiative aims to support 10m children, including those in conflict-affected countries such as Sudan and Ukraine, where ongoing attacks and air-raid alerts continue to disrupt education.
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