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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
A new survey by the Association of School Business Officials International and the Title IV-A Coalition shows that school districts across 43 states across the nation rely heavily on federal Title IV-A grants to fund STEM programmes, mental health services, and classroom technology. Among more than 1,000 finance and operations leaders surveyed during the 2024-2025 school year, 56% used funds to expand STEM and computer science, 36% prioritized school-based mental health services, and 29% invested in blended learning and computer-based assessments. Some 78% cited the program’s spending flexibility as its most valuable feature, allowing districts to address gaps not covered by state or local budgets. While Congress allocated $1.38bn for fiscal year 2026, 61% of respondents said funding levels remain insufficient, prompting calls for increased support in the 2027 federal budget to meet rising student and district needs. “Title IV-A’s flexible structure recognizes that one-size-fits-all approaches don’t always work in education," commented James Rowan, CAE, SFO, CEO/Executive Director of ASBO International. "It empowers education leaders, especially in rural, underserved areas, to strategically invest funds to meet their students’ unique needs, whether by enhancing educational offerings, improving school environments, or expanding student access to digital skills and tools to help them succeed.”
Education Slice
California
California has initiated a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, challenging its threat to withhold $4.9bn in federal education funding over the state's policy on gender identity disclosure. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated: "We will not stand by as U.S. ED uses baseless claims to attack crucial education funding." The lawsuit argues that the Department's actions are unconstitutional and motivated by discrimination against transgender individuals. The California Department of Education (CDE) has been accused of coercing school districts into withholding information about students' gender identities, which Bonta disputes, asserting that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act only requires disclosure of educational records. This legal battle is part of a broader conflict over parental notification policies regarding transgender students, with implications for educational rights and student privacy.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Texas
A new survey by the Association of School Business Officials International and the Title IV-A Coalition shows that school districts across 43 states across the nation rely heavily on federal Title IV-A grants to fund STEM programmes, mental health services, and classroom technology. Among more than 1,000 finance and operations leaders surveyed during the 2024-2025 school year, 56% used funds to expand STEM and computer science, 36% prioritized school-based mental health services, and 29% invested in blended learning and computer-based assessments. Some 78% cited the program’s spending flexibility as its most valuable feature, allowing districts to address gaps not covered by state or local budgets. While Congress allocated $1.38bn for fiscal year 2026, 61% of respondents said funding levels remain insufficient, prompting calls for increased support in the 2027 federal budget to meet rising student and district needs. “Title IV-A’s flexible structure recognizes that one-size-fits-all approaches don’t always work in education," commented James Rowan, CAE, SFO, CEO/Executive Director of ASBO International. "It empowers education leaders, especially in rural, underserved areas, to strategically invest funds to meet their students’ unique needs, whether by enhancing educational offerings, improving school environments, or expanding student access to digital skills and tools to help them succeed.”
Education Slice
Florida
The recent passage of House Bill 1119 in Florida has ignited a heated debate over book bans in public schools. The bill, which passed with an 84-28 vote, aims to eliminate books deemed harmful to minors, disregarding their literary or artistic value. Critics, including Rep. Rita Harris, argue that this legislation could lead to the removal of significant works, including classics like "Beloved" by Toni Morrison. Harris warned that the bill could further exacerbate the ongoing trend of book censorship in Florida, where many titles have already been restricted. Democratic House Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell expressed concerns that the bill may disproportionately affect books about race, culture, and LGBTQ+ themes. As the debate continues, advocates for book freedom are alarmed by the potential implications of this legislation.
Full Issue