You’re all signed up for the Education Slice
Thank you for your interest in our service.
Watch out for a confirmation email from our subscriptions team. Once you have confirmed you will join the community of over 35,000 subscribers who are receiving daily Education intelligence to lead, innovate and grow.
Note: Due to the nature of this message you may find this in your "promotions" or "spam" folders, please check there. If nothing arrives within a few minutes let us know. If you do not receive this email we will be happy to help get you set up.
Adding the email address [email protected], will help to ensure all newsletters arrive directly to your inbox.
Recent Editions

Education Slice
National
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has announced that the U.S. Department of Education does not intend to honor any of the deadline extensions to spend COVID aid approved under the Biden administration. In a letter to state education leaders, she explained that “extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion." The decision jeopardizes billions in planned projects across at least 40 states, including HVAC upgrades, tutoring contracts, and mental health programs. As of late February, about $4.4bn of $201.3bn remained in unspent funds from the three federal relief allocations under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund approved by Congress. On Monday Joshua Michael, president of the Maryland State Board of Education, said that up to $418m is now at risk, including $305m that has already been spent and is yet to be reimbursed. The department said states can reapply for limited extensions if they prove the funds address pandemic impact. Elleka Yost, director of advocacy and research for the Association of School Business Officials, notes that school districts still will have to honor their contracts, which could mean cutting other budget areas. “Federal funding has become increasingly unpredictable for districts, making it very difficult for school business professionals to accurately forecast and plan,” she added.
Full Issue
Education Slice
California
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has announced that the U.S. Department of Education does not intend to honor any of the deadline extensions to spend COVID aid approved under the Biden administration. In a letter to state education leaders, she explained that “extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion." The decision jeopardizes billions in planned projects across at least 40 states, including HVAC upgrades, tutoring contracts, and mental health programs. As of late February, about $4.4bn of $201.3bn remained in unspent funds from the three federal relief allocations under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund approved by Congress. On Monday Joshua Michael, president of the Maryland State Board of Education, said that up to $418m is now at risk, including $305m that has already been spent and is yet to be reimbursed. The department said states can reapply for limited extensions if they prove the funds address pandemic impact. Elleka Yost, director of advocacy and research for the Association of School Business Officials, notes that school districts still will have to honor their contracts, which could mean cutting other budget areas. “Federal funding has become increasingly unpredictable for districts, making it very difficult for school business professionals to accurately forecast and plan,” she added.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Texas
The Texas House Public Education Committee has postponed a major meeting on school finance and voucher legislation until tomorrow, delaying votes on House Bill 2 (school funding) and Senate Bill 2 (vouchers via Education Savings Accounts). Committee Chair Brad Buckley said the delay allows lawmakers more time to review fiscal impact data released late Monday. Gov. Greg Abbott backs the voucher plan, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows expects both bills to pass soon. Democrats had previously stressed the importance of this data for understanding how proposed changes would affect their districts. Rep. Gina Hinojosa anticipates SB 2 will be amended to include elements of the House's voucher proposal, despite the bill’s Senate origin.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Florida
Florida lawmakers are considering halving funding for Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment, and other college-level high school programs, a move that could cost public schools millions and limit students’ access to advanced coursework. Orange County Public Schools estimates a $17m loss, while Palm Beach County Schools could lose $32m. These programs help over 193,000 students statewide earn college credit while still in high school. School leaders warn that the proposed cuts would force reductions in teacher bonuses, lab materials, exam fees, and training—potentially shifting costs to families and making programs inaccessible to low-income students. Lawmakers backing the cuts cite a lack of transparency around how districts spend the funds. Districts like Lake County and Orange County defend their spending and suggest clearer guidelines rather than reduced funding.
Full Issue