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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.

 

Chalbeat

Education Week News

K-12 Dive

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.

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Download CTE Guide

 

The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance to states, reminding them of their existing flexibility to use federal funds for enhancing school choice. This initiative, stemming from President Donald Trump's early directives, aims to empower parents in customizing their children's education. Hayley Sanon, the principal deputy assistant secretary, said: “States can use this flexibility so that parents can be given a range of options.” However, critics like Ivy Smith-Morgan from EdTrust argue that the letter lacks new information and merely reiterates existing policies. The guidance allows states to allocate up to 3% of Title I funds for direct student services, including advanced courses and dual enrollment. While only Ohio currently utilizes this flexibility, the letter serves as a reminder of the potential for broader school choice initiatives.

 

Education Week News

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) voted on a proposed contract deal with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) on Monday, after months of intense negotiations. The tentative agreement, which could still fall through, includes proposals for 4% raises, additional funding for sports, and class-size limits. CPS chief executive Pedro Martinez said the "contract … recognizes the significant contributions of our educators,” aiming to avoid a strike for the first time in over a decade. The final vote from union members is expected next week, followed by a presentation to the Chicago Board of Education for approval. However, political tensions remain, as Mayor Brandon Johnson faces scrutiny over his relationship with the CTU and the district's financial management. The outcome of this contract could significantly impact Johnson's political future and the dynamics between the CTU and other unions.

 

Chalkbeat

Chicago Tribune

Dallas ISD is experiencing a remarkable trend in teacher retention, with a turnover rate of 16.8% in 2023-24, lower than the state average of 19.1% and the regional rate of 20.9%. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde highlighted that the district has successfully retained 98% of master-level teachers and 97% of those designated as Exemplary II. This success follows the implementation of the Teacher Excellence Initiative, which has improved teacher salaries and performance evaluations. With 62% of DISD teachers earning at least $70,000, the district is leading in teacher compensation compared to nearby districts.

 

Dallas News

The Florida House has proposed a $100m allocation to raise salaries for veteran teachers, shifting focus from new hire incentives to experienced educators. The proposed House budget stipulates that the funds would go to teachers with at least two years of full-time experience in Florida public schools. Districts and charter schools would be required to use 0.53% of their Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) base funding for this purpose. The House sets the overall FEFP budget at $11.3bn, significantly more than the Senate’s $8.43bn. The plan also includes $1.25bn to maintain previous teacher salary increases. The Florida Education Association has made raising teacher salaries its top legislative priority, noting that Florida ranks second-lowest in average teacher pay nationally—just over $53,000, compared to the $69,500 U.S. average. While Gov. Ron DeSantis has prioritized starting salaries in recent years, critics argue that veteran teachers have not seen meaningful pay raises.

 

Florida Politics

Instagram has launched a new Schools Partnership program to help educators report cyberbullying, fast-tracking their concerns for review and notifying them of any resulting action. Schools in the program will also receive digital safety resources. Sameer Hinduja of the Cyberbullying Research Center said the system empowers educators, who often feel unable to address off-campus bullying. However, Merve Lapus of CommonSense Media cautioned that the effort doesn’t mean Instagram is now a youth-focused platform. He also pointed to a new California law—requiring social platforms to act on school or parent-reported bullying within 30 days—as a likely motivator for Instagram’s action. Experts called for further changes, such as algorithm reform, to reduce harmful content exposure. Past leaks revealed Meta’s own research showed its platforms negatively affect children’s mental health but failed to act.

 

Education Week News

Colorado's Healthy School Meals for All program may face significant cuts if voters do not approve new funding measures. The program is currently experiencing a $1.2bn budget shortfall, with a projected need of $151m next year, while only $108.8m is expected to be collected. Lawmakers have proposed House Bill 1274, which includes two referendums for the November ballot aimed at raising additional revenue. One referendum would allow the state to retain funds typically refunded to taxpayers, while the other would increase taxes on high earners to generate over $95m annually for the program. If these measures fail, only schools participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision would qualify for free meals, leaving many students without access. As Jason Gonzales reports, "In the best case scenario, voters approve more revenue for the program and the state avoids cuts."

 

Chalkbeat

School transportation teams face numerous challenges, including fluctuating student populations and staffing shortages. To address these issues, districts are encouraged to adopt a multimodal approach, integrating various transportation options beyond the traditional yellow bus. Flexibility is key, as districts explore supplemental transportation and technology to enhance operational efficiency. For instance, HopSkipDrive connects schools with vetted drivers for unique student needs, such as specialized routing for IEP students and access for those in remote areas. By diversifying transportation solutions, one district has successfully reduced chronic absenteeism, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach. Additionally, leveraging technology like RouteWise AI allows districts to optimize routes and minimize costs, ensuring a more reliable transportation system for all students.

 

School Bus Fleet

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology rapidly evolves, educators are questioning how it will affect math instruction. Jeffrey Bush, an assistant research professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, emphasizes that students still require a solid foundation in core math concepts. He suggests that teachers can effectively integrate AI by using it as a learning tool, stating, “Here’s an AI assignment, here’s what I’m asking you to do on AI.” However, he warns of potential pitfalls, including inaccuracies and biases in AI outputs. Bush believes that understanding the foundations of math is crucial, as critical thinking remains a uniquely human skill that AI cannot replicate.

 

Education Week News

Georgia lawmakers have approved House Bill 268, aimed at enhancing school safety in response to the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Holt Persinger, focuses on improving communication between schools and providing essential mental health resources. Despite the removal of a controversial student-tracking database, the bill includes provisions for a statewide alert system to identify students who pose a threat. “We've got to communicate if there's a threat,” Persinger commented. The legislation mandates quicker record transfers and requires police to inform schools of any threats made by students. Additionally, it proposes wearable panic buttons for staff and annual electronic campus maps for safety agencies. The bill is now awaiting Governor Brian Kemp's signature or veto.

 

U.S. News

The Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has released a report titled "Examining the Racial Impact of Public School Attendance Zones in Colorado," which highlights the need for school districts to revise attendance zones every four years with a focus on civil rights. The report indicates that current zoning practices reflect segregated housing patterns, limiting access to quality education for low-income families. It states, “This segregation fuels a widespread belief that schools serving predominantly white and affluent students are inherently better.” Recommendations include increasing funding for student transportation, allowing families to choose schools, and implementing a “controlled choice” system to promote integration. The committee emphasizes that redrawing school boundaries regularly can help prevent entrenched segregation while maintaining stability for students.

 

Chalkbeat

UC Santa Barbara clinical psychology professor Erika Felix argues that trauma-informed practices (TIPS) must become a core component of educator training. With over 80% of children experiencing adverse childhood events by adolescence, schools play a critical role in fostering resilience and supporting healing. TIPS training teaches educators how to respond to student trauma and regulate stressed students, especially during crises such as school shootings or natural disasters. While California offers resources like the “Safe Spaces” online program, Felix notes uptake is unclear, and teachers often face barriers such as lack of time, energy, and administrative support. Only 16 states require trauma-informed training, and California doesn’t mandate it for future teachers. Felix recommends requiring TIPS in teacher credentialing programs and professional development for current educators and administrators. “We need to scale up these programs,” she writes, warning that unless action is taken before the next tragedy, trauma training will continue to be a low priority.

 

Ed Source

In Hermiston, Oregon, a new tutoring program is helping elementary students improve their reading skills, particularly with challenging words like "laugh." Senior Mariela Eliason, who tutors second grader Mason, emphasizes the importance of phonics, stating, "Once they start seeing how sounds go together, it's so much easier for them to start seeing how words go together too." The program, backed by a $90m investment from the 2023 Legislature, aims to address the alarming statistic that 60% of third graders in Oregon are not proficient in reading. With the help of high school students trained in the science of reading, the initiative has shown promising results, with many students making significant progress in reading fluency and accuracy. The district plans to expand the program further to enhance literacy skills among its youngest learners.

 

The Oregonian

Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among student athletes and on school campuses, prompting a new bill in Florida aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness. Representatives Alex Rizo and Taylor Yarkosky introduced House Bill 1607, which mandates that all public schools must have at least one operational automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site. Yarkosky highlighted alarming statistics: "Roughly four of our school-age youth die every day from sudden cardiac arrest," emphasizing the critical need for immediate access to AEDs. The bill also includes requirements for CPR training and the establishment of a Plan for Urgent Lifesaving Emergencies (PULSE) plan. If passed, Florida would become the first state to implement such measures.

 

Florida Politics

Mexico has implemented a government-sponsored ban on junk food in schools to combat its severe obesity and diabetes crisis. The new health guidelines, which took effect recently, target processed foods like sugary drinks and chips that have long been popular among schoolchildren. The Education Ministry announced the ban on social media, urging parents to prepare healthier meals. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of nutritious options, stating, “It is much better to eat a bean taco than a bag of potato chips.” UNICEF reports that Mexican children consume more junk food than any other country in Latin America, with 40% of their daily calories coming from sugary and processed foods. Enforcement of the ban may be challenging, as many schools lack resources and monitoring has been inconsistent. Violations could result in fines ranging from $545 to $5,450.

 

CNN Edition

U.S. News

The Netflix drama "Adolescence" is set to be shown in U.K. secondary schools, addressing the toxic and misogynistic influences that young boys encounter online. Anne Mensah, vice president of UK content at Netflix, expressed pride in the show's impact, commenting: "We're incredibly proud of the impact the show has made." The four-part series aims to highlight the pressures faced by young people and their parents, making it a significant educational tool for schools across the U.K.

 

Keys News