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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
The U.S. Department of Education has proposed revamping its longstanding Comprehensive Centers program, calling its current structure “duplicative,” “confusing,” and insufficiently responsive to state and local needs. The program, which uses regional and national contractors to provide technical assistance to states and school districts, would be restructured to give state and local leaders greater influence over priorities. A key proposal includes creating a new national center offering “concierge-style” support to help educators navigate technical assistance and connect with relevant organizations. Under the new model, nationally focused centers would determine their areas of emphasis based on feedback from state and local education officials, rather than having priorities set by the department. Recent focus areas under existing contracts, awarded in 2024, have included teacher shortages, fiscal equity, and multilingual education. The department also signaled it may terminate current contracts, which run through 2029, to launch a new competition aligned with the redesigned framework. The proposed changes are tied to the Trump administration’s broader push to “return education to the states.” A 30-day public comment period will follow before final decisions are made.
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Education Slice
California
The U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated a San Diego judge's order affirming parents' rights to be informed about their child's gender identity at school. In a 6-3 decision, the Court granted an emergency appeal from the Thomas More Society, which argued that California's student privacy policy infringes on parental rights and religious freedoms. The Court said: "Parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school student child expresses gender incongruence." The ruling specifically addresses parents who object to the policies or seek religious exemptions. Mark Rienzi, president of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, emphasized the importance of parental involvement, commenting: "Parents' fundamental right to raise their children according to their faith doesn't stop at the schoolhouse door." The decision marks a significant moment for parental rights in the U.S.
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Education Slice
Texas
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, set to launch in the 2026-27 school year, allows families to use state funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, or tutoring. Administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the program aims to provide parents with more educational choices. With over 130,000 applications submitted by the midway point of the application period, the TEFA program is expected to significantly impact local public schools, as concerns arise about potential funding losses. Local education leaders, including Guillermo Pro and Dr. Gerardo Cruz, expressed worries about the financial implications for public education, while others, like Dr. Guadalupe Perez, welcomed the opportunity for increased enrollment in private institutions. The application process remains open until March 17, 2026.
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Education Slice
Florida
Florida is on the verge of passing SB 182, aimed at enhancing teacher training and mentorship in public and charter schools. Sponsored by Sen. Shevrin Jones, the bill has received unanimous support in committee and is now headed to the Senate floor. The proposed "School Teacher Training and Mentorship Program" would allow experienced or retired teachers to mentor those in schools with "D" or "F" grades. “The purpose of this program is to increase the effectiveness (and) implementation of best practices of classroom teachers and improve student achievement,” Jones said. Mentors, who must have at least three years of experience and a "highly effective" rating, would receive stipends of up to $3,000. The program aims to foster better classroom management and student performance, with funding potentially sourced from the Educational Enrichment Allocation. If passed, the bill could take effect on July 1.
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