Become more informed in minutes....

A group of former federal special education officials has written to leaders of the House and Senate education appropriations subcommittees urging them to reject efforts to move oversight of special education services to the U.S. Department of Education. The Supreme Court's decision to allow the Education Department to continue downsizing clears the way for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to be moved under the auspices the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, although no formal plan has been made public. In addition to warning against this, the letter also asks Congress to reject President Donald Trump’s plan to combine into a block grant certain funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in fiscal year 2026. It argues that a current Republican-led proposal to consolidate IDEA’s preschool funding and support for teacher training, technical assistance, and special education research “would have an immediate detrimental impact on special education, students with disabilities, schools, and states.” The National Down Syndrome Congress said: “IDEA is an education and a civil rights law, not a social service, and it must remain in a department dedicated to education to ensure strong oversight, enforcement, and accountability." 

 

K-12 Dive

The Green Bay Area Public School District is considering adjusting secondary school start times for the 2026-27 school year, aiming to enhance student attendance and success. Currently, most secondary schools begin at 7:30 a.m., but proposed changes could see high schools starting at either 8:10 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. Cindy Olson, director of elementary and secondary education, said: "I'm sure there are some people out there saying, 'Well, if we start earlier, we're going to end earlier, too.' That's not necessarily the case." The district is also looking to implement personalized programming for students struggling with credits and to monitor student performance more closely. A formal recommendation regarding the start times is expected in the coming months.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

Indian Prairie School District 204 is piloting a new weighted grading system this year to enhance grading equity and standardization. The initiative, presented by Deputy Superintendent Louis Lee and Assistant Principal Montrine Johnson, will categorize student work into formative (20%) and summative assessments (80%). Johnson emphasized that formative assessments are “low-stakes” and help students identify their strengths and areas for improvement. The rationale behind this system is to provide a clearer understanding of students' mastery of topics. However, concerns were raised by board members regarding the potential inequities this system may create, particularly for students with different learning needs. The pilot program will begin in the fall, with plans to evaluate its effectiveness and possibly implement it as standard policy by August 2027.

 

Chicago Tribune

The California School Boards Association (CSBA) has launched a comprehensive set of resources aimed at assisting school leaders in understanding and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings. This initiative includes fact sheets, research briefs, and webinars covering various aspects of AI, such as legal considerations and ethical frameworks. Susan Markarian, Chair of the AI Taskforce and trustee in the Pacific Union Elementary School District, emphasized the importance of adapting to AI's rapid evolution, commenting: “As AI transforms society, it is essential that we do our best to keep pace with and address the implications of this new technology.” The CSBA is committed to providing ongoing support and resources as AI technology continues to develop.

 

EdSource

Ohio has enacted a law mandating public school districts, charter schools, and STEM schools to prohibit cellphone use by students starting January 1, 2026, with exceptions for emergencies and medical conditions. However, private schools are not bound by this law, although many have already implemented their own restrictions. For instance, Cincinnati Country Day School requires students to surrender their phones for the entire school day, a change that students have welcomed. Troy McIntosh, executive director of the Ohio Christian Education Network, stated: "There has to be a space that our students have where they are not distracted by the pervasive influence of cellphones." As of July 14, 23 schools have committed to banning cellphones during school hours to mitigate distractions.

 

Cincinnati.com

According to the annual salary and benefits survey by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, women and people of color continue to be underrepresented in superintendent roles. The 2024-25 survey revealed that 86% of respondents were aged 41 to 60, with the mean age rising to 52. Chris Tienken, a researcher, noted, “Superintendents seem to be getting younger,” highlighting a trend of younger individuals entering the position. Despite slight increases in diversity, the percentage of superintendents identifying as Black rose to 4.7% and Hispanic or Latino to 4.4%. Rachel White, an associate professor, emphasized that women and people of color often pursue higher education as a “safety mechanism” to prove their qualifications. The mean superintendent salary for 2024-25 was $169,343, a 2% increase, but still not keeping pace with inflation. Both White and Darrius Stanley stressed the importance of mentorship and community for underrepresented leaders.

 

Education Week News

Todd Finnell, the Imperial County Superintendent of Schools, has been elected as the president of the California County Superintendents for the 2025-2026 term, starting July 1. Finnell, who has experience as both a teacher and administrator, emphasized the importance of collaboration in education. He said: “The future of education lies in our ability to work together, across counties, systems, and communities, to reimagine what’s possible for every learner.” He will be joined on the Executive Committee by Tim Hire and Richard DuVarney, superintendents from Tulare and Tehama counties, respectively.

 

EdSource

The Cedar Rapids school board has unanimously approved the contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover, effective July 1 and running through to June 30, 2028. Grover, who requested no salary increase, expressed her gratitude to the Iowan district, commenting: “I am honored by the board's continued confidence and proud to serve the Cedar Rapids community.” Her annual salary will be set at $314,150, with a contribution to a tax-sheltered annuity program amounting to 14.6% of her salary. Since her appointment in April 2023, Grover has focused on enhancing academic outcomes and fostering community engagement.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

In the realm of education, social-emotional learning (SEL) is increasingly recognized as essential for fostering a supportive classroom environment. Michelle Makus Shory, Ed.D., emphasizes the importance of creating welcoming spaces for multilingual learners, explaining: "It is important that when students enter the room, they see images that are reassuring and representative of their cultures." Effective strategies include using dialogue journals for personal communication, incorporating movement and mindfulness practices, and establishing community norms. Melanie Battles, Ph.D., highlights the significance of organic check-ins with students, allowing them to express their feelings and build connections. Leah Porter, a 3rd-grade teacher, shares that the most impactful SEL moments often arise from small, everyday interactions that foster empathy and support among students. Overall, SEL practices are vital for nurturing a sense of belonging and community in classrooms.

 

Education Week News

According to the Indiana Department of Education's recent Choice Scholarship report, the number of students using state vouchers for private schools increased in Lake and Porter counties. In Lake County, 6,823 students utilized vouchers in the 2024-25 school year, marking a 506-student rise from the previous year. Porter County saw 1,420 students using vouchers, a 302-student increase. The report indicates that statewide participation rose by 8.5%, a decrease from the previous year's 32% increase. The Choice Scholarship program, initiated in 2011, aims to provide low-income students access to better-performing private schools. As Gov. Mike Braun's administration pushes for universal eligibility, critics argue that the program lacks accountability and undermines public school funding. The report highlights that the average voucher award is $6,536, while private school tuition averages $8,368. "A white, female elementary-aged student represents the average voucher user," the report states.

 

Chicago Tribune

Montana is launching a new teacher apprenticeship program aimed at addressing the state's teacher recruitment and retention crisis, particularly in rural areas. The initiative, supported by the U.S. Department of Labor's State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula program, will allow aspiring K-12 educators to earn while they learn, completing their education through partner schools. Lance Melton, Executive Director of the Montana School Boards Association, emphasized the importance of this program, commenting: “By investing in registered apprenticeships, we are not merely training future educators; we are nurturing a skilled workforce that truly understands the values of the communities we serve.” With 885 open teaching positions across the state, the program aims to create a sustainable pipeline of local teachers who are likely to remain in Montana's classrooms.

 

Billings Gazette

An independent investigation has found that Canada's N.W.T. government was slow to take action after lead was detected in school drinking water, because two of its departments failed to understand the health implications of the situation. Students, staff and parents at École William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School in Yellowknife found out on May 27 that there had been elevated levels of lead found in the drinking water at a single water fountain in each school.  The following month, further testing confirmed high levels of lead at both schools. In a statement Monday afternoon, Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland said the investigation confirmed "warning signs were missed, key test results weren't escalated quickly enough and communication between departments and with the public was inconsistent," adding: "These are serious systemic failures that affected both safety and trust. That is not acceptable. I take full responsibility for ensuring we fix it." She said changes are already underway, including developing a territory-wide testing program for water in schools, with public reporting.

 

CBC News