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On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of students with disabilities in the case of A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, making it easier for them to seek damages under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote: “We hold today that ADA and Rehabilitation Act claims based on educational services should be subject to the same standards that apply in other disability discrimination contexts. That our decision is narrow does not diminish its import for A.J.T. and a great many children with disabilities and their parents. Together they face daunting challenges on a daily basis. We hold today that those challenges do not include having to satisfy a more stringent standard of proof than other plaintiffs to establish discrimination” under the two federal laws. The case arose from the situation of Ava Tharpe, a Minnesota student with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, who faced challenges in receiving appropriate educational accommodations after moving to a new school district. The ruling overturns a previous requirement for a higher standard of proof, allowing families to pursue claims without facing undue burdens. The decision is seen as a significant step in protecting the rights of students with disabilities.

 

EdSource

Education Week News

New York Times

Washington Post

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population.
School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

After the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires, students from Pasadena USD returned to school, facing emotional challenges but showing remarkable resilience. Katje Davis, a teacher, noted: “This loss was hard... we’ve figured out how to put the kids first.” Despite losing two elementary schools, the district quickly relocated students to maintain community ties. By May, assessments revealed a 15% increase in elementary students performing at or above grade level in math and a 14% increase in reading. Pedro Noguera, Dean of USC’s Rossier School of Education, emphasized the importance of schools in providing stability, stating, “Schools provide a sense of continuity and safety for children.” While some families left, others expressed intentions to return, highlighting the ongoing impact of the fires on the community.

 

EdSource

The Glendale USD (GUSD) board convened an emergency meeting on June 8 to address concerns regarding immigration authorities in school communities. The board discussed a plan for potential ICE activity and communicated this to staff and families. A letter emphasized that “all students – regardless of immigration status – have the right to attend school, learn and feel safe on our campuses.” GUSD does not collect or share information about students’ immigration status, ensuring privacy for families. Parents were encouraged to collaborate with school principals to create child care plans and update emergency contacts.

 

Cresenta Valley Weekly

Los Angeles USD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has announced the creation of safe zones around school campuses to alleviate concerns among undocumented parents and students during graduation events. The initiative aims to address fears of deportation that have overshadowed graduation season.

 

Los Angeles Times

Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Superintendent, has clarified that LACOE is not cooperating with ICE, addressing misinformation about unmarked vehicles seen at their Education Center. LACOE has informed members of staff, as well as Downey USD, about the matter. Duardo stated: “To be clear: LACOE is not cooperating with ICE or any federal agency. LACOE’s property is not being used for immigration enforcement.” 

 

EdSource

Palo Alto USD superintendent Don Austin envisions a transformation in education, stating that traditional comprehensive high schools will be replaced by more personalized learning environments. He anticipates a flexible schedule that allows students to start at different times, emphasizing the need for a "bigger menu" of options. Mr Austin's approach is inspired by the success of Middle College School at Foothill College, where students engage in both high school and college courses. He believes this model fosters a positive atmosphere with less peer pressure and anxiety. Mr Austin also supports expanding dual enrollment opportunities and suggests that schools should cater to individual needs rather than adhering strictly to traditional classroom structures.

 

Palo Alto Daily Post

Gustine USD has proposed a wellness center as part of 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) submissions by Congressman Adam Gray for the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget. If approved, the project would allocate $665,500 to create centralized wellness facilities at Gustine High School and Gustine Middle School, providing essential mental health and counseling services. Superintendent Bryan Ballenger emphasized that the center will consolidate services, enhancing accessibility and continuity of care. “By addressing mental health and wellness needs, we are removing barriers to learning,” he stated. The center aims to improve attendance, engagement, and academic performance, with services accessible through a referral process. While the project awaits congressional approval, Ballenger remains optimistic, noting support from Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla. The wellness center is expected to open by fall 2027, pending funding approval.

 

Westsideconnect.com

Collaborative Student Transportation has named Sara Houle as president. She joined the company as chief administrative officer in early 2023 and went on to serve as chief operating officer and most recently vice president of engagement and compliance. The Minnesota-based alternative transportation provider currently serves over 5,000 students in 15 states across the U.S. "It’s an incredible honor to lead a team so dedicated to creating safe, reliable, and student-centered transportation solutions," she commented. "I’m grateful for the trust and support, and I’m looking forward to the work ahead, strengthening partnerships, supporting schools and families, and continuing to put students first every day."

 

School Bus Fleet

In a bid to maintain fairness during the highly competitive gaokao exams, the annual national undergraduate admission exam in mainland China, major Chinese tech companies have disabled artificial intelligence (AI) functions. Over 13.3m students are currently taking these crucial exams, which determine university placements. Notably, Doubao, owned by ByteDance, informed users that "during the college entrance examination, according to relevant requirements, the question answering service will be suspended." Other AI tools, including DeepSeek and Yuanbao, have also restricted their services during exam hours. Additionally, AI monitoring tools are being employed to detect cheating behaviours, with strict consequences for any violations reported.

 

The Guardian

In a viral TikTok video, Michigan teacher Savanna Pavc, has shared her experience of confronting her sixth-grade class about their messy classroom. She left a note stating: "Janitorial: Please do not clean the floor. The students will clean up after themselves tomorrow," emphasizing that "6th graders should know better." She referenced a study by Marty Rossmann from the University of Minnesota, which found that children who participate in household chores develop essential life skills and become well-adjusted adults.

 

The Sacramento Bee