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USA
12th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

U.S. voters reject school funding increases

U.S. voters have rejected numerous proposals to increase public school funding in the 2026 midterm elections, reflecting growing concerns about property taxes, household affordability, and education spending. In Texas, fewer than one-third of 78 school district funding measures passed, while most proposals also failed in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Virginia. Ohio voters approved just five of 39 proposed school district income taxes, while Virginia rejected 32 of 47 proposed local sales tax increases for school infrastructure. In New Hampshire, approximately 59% of voters supported limits on school district property-tax increases, according to the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials. Although funding measures secured majority approval in nine other states, several districts face significant financial consequences, including potential budget cuts and closures. Wisconsin’s Hustisford school district announced its dissolution following repeated unsuccessful tax referendums, highlighting the mounting financial pressures facing public education.

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 

 

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Aurora weighs two high school construction plans

The Aurora School Board is reviewing public feedback on a proposed $80.8m-$84.2m school bond issue aimed at addressing the Nebraska district's facility needs, with two competing high school construction options under consideration. Option F would create a standalone high school east of 4th Street, while Option G would replace the existing high school on its current site through a more expensive, phased construction process. More than 200 residents attended two recent public information sessions, prompting discussions about construction costs, tax implications, building layouts, and potential connections between the middle and high schools. Superintendent Jody Phillips emphasized the importance of transparency and community engagement, with plans to publish detailed project information, cost estimates, and architectural illustrations online.

Historic New Jersey school for deaf students closes indefinitely following ceiling collapse

More than 100 students at Lake Drive School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, face an extended relocation following a partial ceiling collapse on November 3, raising concerns about the future of the historic facility. No injuries were reported, but the building, which serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students from North and Central Jersey, remains closed while engineers and architects assess its safety. Students have been temporarily transferred to Mountain Lakes High School and Wildwood Elementary School, with the district working to maintain consistent instruction, specialized services, and transportation arrangements. Superintendent Brad Siegel confirmed that the disruption will extend beyond several weeks and that officials are seeking an alternative facility capable of accommodating most or all Lake Drive programs until the original building is certified safe. Constructed in 1914, the school has housed programs for students with hearing impairments since 1972. Long-term plans remain uncertain, with further discussions expected at the November 16 Board of Education meeting.

OPERATIONS

Los Angeles school board approves new measures to combat racist harassment

The Los Angeles USD (LAUSD) Board of Education has unanimously approved measures to address racist harassment and hate speech following reports that Black teachers and students have experienced repeated racial slurs, inadequate administrative responses, and, in some cases, retaliation for reporting incidents. The resolution calls for enhanced student counseling, staff training, improved incident reporting, and greater accountability, with district officials required to report progress to the board in March 2027. Black students account for approximately 7% of LAUSD enrollment, and educators have described persistent discrimination affecting classroom environments and student wellbeing. The measures emphasize restorative justice, focusing on educating students about the harm caused by racial slurs rather than imposing additional punitive discipline. However, some advocates argue that the resolution does not go far enough to protect educators or strengthen enforcement of existing policies. Board members have emphasized the importance of consistent responses to incidents, while proposals for family workshops aim to improve understanding of racial harassment and its consequences.

TECHNOLOGY

Google faces backlash from Chicago families over AI-powered search protections

Chicago parents, students, and educators have protested Google’s decision to restrict access to its search engine for K-12 school districts that disable embedded artificial intelligence (AI) features, raising concerns about student privacy, academic integrity, and corporate influence over education. Although Google has reversed its earlier policy of automatically enabling Gemini and other AI tools, schools seeking to block AI Mode and AI Overviews will also lose access to Google Search. Chicago Public Schools (CPS), which operates hundreds of thousands of Chromebooks, has already blocked major AI chatbots on student devices and is exploring ways to disable Google’s search-based AI features independently. The controversy follows the election of 12 Chicago school board candidates who supported a three-year moratorium on generative AI. Google maintains that its new Guided Learning feature will encourage critical thinking through step-by-step explanations, but critics argue that schools and families should retain control over classroom technology.

POLICY

Wisconsin education overhaul takes shape

Wisconsin Democrats have outlined plans to increase K-12 education funding after securing control of both legislative chambers for the first time in 16 years, alongside Democratic Gov.-elect David Crowley. Lawmakers aim to reduce school districts’ reliance on property tax referendums, strengthen special education reimbursement, and overhaul the state's school funding formula. The existing 2025–27 budget maintains general school aid at $5.58bn, while nearly two-thirds of districts are expected to receive less aid this school year. Of 79 school referendum questions on November 3 ballots, 62 sought property tax increases to support district operations. Additional Democratic priorities include universal free school meals, expanded childcare, and potentially reversing Act 10 restrictions on public employee collective bargaining. Legislative leaders are also considering a commission to develop long-term funding reforms amid an ongoing lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Wisconsin’s school finance system. Education leaders have welcomed the proposed changes, with Milwaukee Public Schools also advocating a statewide school building authority to support construction and renovations. However, questions remain over future funding for private school vouchers and charter schools.

STEM

NASA offers $1m in student awards for innovative lunar base designs

NASA has launched a $1m Moon Base Student Challenge, inviting U.S. high school and postsecondary students to design technologies supporting sustained human exploration near the lunar South Pole. The competition focuses on six technical areas: power generation and storage, habitat construction, life-support systems, surface mobility, communications, and astronaut safety. Open to students from academic, technical, and vocational backgrounds, the challenge requires no prior specialized engineering experience and aims to develop practical STEM skills while supporting NASA’s long-term lunar exploration ambitions. Teams must register by January 25, 2027, and submit initial concept papers by February 22. Up to 100 finalist teams will receive monetary awards and advance to a second phase, developing recorded presentations that demonstrate their designs and technical solutions. Finalists will be announced on March 11, with final submissions due April 19 and winners revealed May 6.

ENROLLMENT

Milwaukee Public Schools loses majority enrollment as vouchers and charter schools gain ground

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) now enrolls fewer than half of the city's publicly funded students for the first time, highlighting the growing influence of private school vouchers, charter schools, and open enrollment programs. MPS enrollment declined 5.8% to 53,922 students this fall, including 2,027 nonresident students, leaving the district serving just 49.7% of Milwaukee's publicly funded student population. Meanwhile, 30,091 students attend voucher-supported private schools, 15,826 attend charter schools, and 4,874 enroll in public schools outside the city. Total publicly funded enrollment has fallen by 13,202 students over the past decade to 104,363, reflecting declining birth rates and demographic changes. The shrinking student population is intensifying financial pressures on MPS, raising concerns about underutilized buildings, potential school closures, and long-term sustainability. Despite expanding parental choice, academic achievement remains a challenge across all school sectors.

HIGHER EDUCATION

New federal accreditation rules target campus viewpoint diversity

The Trump administration has announced sweeping changes to the U.S. college accreditation system, expanding federal oversight of institutions that depend on accreditation to access student loans and grants. The new regulations, set to take effect in July 2027, will require accreditors to evaluate intellectual diversity on campuses, placing greater emphasis on students’ exposure to differing viewpoints. The administration argues the reforms will promote academic freedom, increase competition among accrediting agencies, reduce costs, and encourage educational innovation. However, critics warn that the changes could enable political interference in universities, weaken independent oversight, and threaten student protections. Other provisions, including stronger assessments of graduation rates, student earnings, and employment-related outcomes, have attracted bipartisan support. The reforms will also make it easier for institutions to establish or switch accreditors, potentially reshaping higher education accountability ahead of the 2027–28 academic year.

 
NPR

Universities expand parent engagement training

U.S. teacher preparation programs are strengthening family engagement training to improve classroom management, parent communication, and teacher retention. Towson University and Elon University offer approximately 80 hours of practical experience working with families in community schools. Research shows that just over half of teacher preparation programs include family engagement coursework, while fewer than one-third of program leaders believe aspiring teachers develop essential partnership skills. The initiatives focus on communication, conflict resolution, cultural awareness, and professional boundaries, helping new teachers build confidence and reduce burnout.

INTERNATIONAL

European schools face widespread disruption following widespread bomb threats

On Wednesday, hundreds of schools across Italy, Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland have received bomb threats in an apparent coordinated campaign to disrupt education and public services. Italy's education ministry reported that more than 300 schools received emails warning of imminent explosions, prompting the evacuation of thousands of students. Similar threats triggered evacuations at schools in Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, although UK authorities have assessed the warnings as hoaxes. Police Scotland confirmed that threatening emails had been distributed widely across the UK and Northern Ireland but were not considered credible. The incidents follow a separate wave of bomb threats targeting airlines the previous week, which forced several aircraft to make emergency landings and disrupted European air travel.

Australian researchers call for stronger teacher wellbeing training

A University of Melbourne report has recommended making teacher wellbeing education a compulsory component of initial teacher education programs across Australia, aiming to improve workforce sustainability and address ongoing teacher shortages. The report, Start. And Stay: Incorporating Teacher Wellbeing into Initial Teacher Education, proposes at least one mandatory university subject dedicated to teacher wellbeing, alongside practical training integrated throughout teaching degrees. Researchers found that existing programs predominantly focus on student wellbeing, leaving graduates insufficiently prepared to recognize and manage their own professional challenges. Lead researcher Laura Dainton Smith emphasized that wellbeing must be a shared responsibility involving educators, school leaders, employers, and regulators, rather than an individual burden. The report also recommends stronger mentoring, supportive workplace cultures, and clearer professional support pathways for early-career teachers.
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