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Education Slice helps you stay ahead of essential education news shaping your profession. With a dedicated daily National Edition and three strategic State Editions in California, Texas and Florida, we bring our unique blend of AI and education expertise to research and monitor 100,000s of articles to share a summary of the most relevant and useful content to help you lead, innovate and grow.

From Kindergarten to K-12, Edtech news, school management and teaching strategies… Education Slice is the only trusted online news source in the US dedicated to covering current headlines, articles, reports and interviews to make sure you’re at the forefront of changes in the education industry.

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National
Education Department cancels ESSER spending deadline extensions

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.

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Education Slice
California
Education Department cancels ESSER spending deadline extensions

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.

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Education Slice
Texas
House pauses school funding bills for fiscal review

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.

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Education Slice
Florida
Lawmakers propose deep cuts to AP and dual enrollment funding

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. 

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