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On Thursday, a coalition of nearly 600 local, state and national organizations representing districts, teachers, families, and students, in signing a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, asking them to facilitate the speedy release of over $6.8bn in federal education funds for ESSA Title programs I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B. “These programs serve more than 95,000 K-12 schools and 55m students, as well as 1.2m adult learners. The delays are forcing schools to lay off staff, cancel professional development, eliminate afterschool and summer programs, and scramble to prepare for the upcoming school year without the resources they were promised,” the letter stated, adding: “With just weeks before schools reopen, this funding delay is sabotaging student learning, educator preparedness, and essential services—particularly for English learners, rural students, and families with the greatest need." The July 1 disbursements to states are seen as critical for the institutions that educate and support young people and adult learners across the country. The letter's sentiment were echoed in a separate missive on Thursday to McMahon and Vought from seventeen Democratic state governors describing the funding freeze as "unacceptable," and detrimental to school operations and student services. Signatories included Katie Hobbs of Arizona, Gavin Newsom of California, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, and Daniel McKee of Rhode Island.

 

Allied For Progress - Press Release

Allied For Progress - Letter to Secretary McMahon and Director Vought

Tess Mata's tragic death at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, has led her family to sue major companies they believe contributed to the gun violence that claimed her life. The Matas, along with other families, allege that exposure to violent content in video games, particularly “Call of Duty,” and social media platforms like Instagram, played a role in the shooter's actions. Veronica Mata stated, “They glorify these weapons. They made it enticing for young kids to want to purchase these guns.” The lawsuit claims that these companies have created an environment that encourages violence among youth. Activision and Meta are seeking to dismiss the case, citing First Amendment protections. The families are determined to hold these corporations accountable, with lawyer Josh Koskoff emphasizing that “any adolescent that wants to download Call of Duty can do that.” The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent in the ongoing debate over the influence of violent media on real-world actions.

 

Los Angeles Times

Indiana is planning to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education to consolidate federal education funding into block grants, allowing schools to use the funds with fewer restrictions. Ron Sandlin, chief innovation officer at the Indiana Department of Education, said: “It's calculated the same, but once it gets to you, you can use it for any activity approved by ESEA. No longer will you receive Title III money that can only be used on specific activities. You'll receive Title III money, and then it can be used on any activities.” The plan, if approved, would take effect in the 2026-27 school year and includes creating an “Innovation Fund” to support a broader range of schools. Indiana's approach aligns with similar proposals from Iowa and Oklahoma, reflecting a trend towards greater state control over education funding.

 

Chalkbeat

In response to ongoing reading challenges, New York City's public schools are implementing a new literacy initiative called NYC Reads, which mandates that all public schools adopt one of nine city-approved intervention programs. Starting next school year, schools will be required to provide targeted support for students lagging in reading skills, with interventions tailored to their needs. First Deputy Chancellor Dan Weisberg emphasized the importance of effectively catching up students, emphasizing that “Gett[ing] really good at catching students up [is] the next New York City Reads and Solves challenge.” However, educators have raised concerns about the implementation and training necessary for success, highlighting the need for well-trained interventionists to ensure the program's effectiveness. One principal worried that it could overwhelm educators who are already dealing with other curriculum shifts. The principal said reviewing material using their existing curriculums and phonics programs was sufficient.

 

Chalkbeat

In February 2023, Shauna Haney, principal of Ogden High School north of Salt Lake City, implemented a cellphone policy aimed at increasing student engagement. After observing that students were distracted by their phones, she noted: “If they're on their phone, they're not actively engaged in the learning process.” The policy involves confiscating phones after multiple infractions, with parents required to retrieve them after the second offense. Initially met with resistance, parents later recognized the benefits of reduced distractions. By the 2024-25 school year, first-time infractions dropped significantly, from 355 to 101 second-time offenses. Haney's approach aligns with Utah's statewide cellphone restrictions, which took effect on July 1. She emphasizes the importance of consistent enforcement and support for teachers to ensure the policy's success. “It takes a lot for us to be organized [to collect cellphones from the classes],” Haney stated.

 

Education Week News

North Shore School District 112 in Highland Park, Illinois, has introduced a geothermal heating and cooling system capable of keeping approximately 68,000 sq ft of building space comfortable while significantly reducing energy costs at the 130-year-old Ravinia Elementary School. The dynamic closed loop system the district has installed at a cost of $6.7m, absorbs and rejects heat into subsurface water. Whereas a similarly sized traditional geothermal system might need 50 wells, the system at Ravinia has just three wells drilled down 10-inch boreholes. If the aquifer’s flow rates match “the ideal predicted design,” each well could produce up to 150 tons of cooling and 50 tons of heating at full capacity. The system should reduce the facility’s carbon emissions by about 30% while trimming operations and maintenance costs.

 

Chalkbeat

Michael Mann, head of school at Washington Park High School in Newark, reflects on his 32-year journey in education, which began unexpectedly after leaving a career in foreign service. “I entered education accidentally,” Mann shared, highlighting how teaching English abroad transformed his life. He emphasizes the importance of humility in effective teaching, stating, “The best teachers are humble, nerdy, former athletes.” Mann also addresses current educational challenges, particularly the need to support undocumented students, advocating for clear communication that ensures their safety at school. His proactive approach includes displaying supportive posters and providing resources for families. Mann's commitment to engaging with families is evident as he greets parents daily, fostering open communication and responsiveness to their concerns.

 

Chalkbeat

In a piece for Education Week, educators Marie Moreno, Rachel Edoho-Eket, and David Upegui share effective, low-cost strategies for improving the teaching environment. Moreno emphasizes that enhancing teacher satisfaction doesn't require a large budget. Key recommendations include prioritizing teacher collaboration time, providing regular constructive feedback, and cultivating a positive school culture. Edoho-Eket highlights the importance of recognizing staff contributions and involving teachers in decision-making processes. Upegui advocates for administrators to be physically present in classrooms to foster connections and support. These strategies aim to create a supportive atmosphere that benefits both teachers and students, ultimately leading to better educational outcomes.

 

Education Week News

California has added 3,000 new classroom teachers and numerous administrators despite a decline in student enrollment and budget cuts following the end of pandemic funding. The California Department of Education (CDE) released the long-awaited data, which had not been updated since the 2018-19 school year. José Magaña, executive director of Bay Area Latinos for Education, emphasized the importance of accessible data, stating, “It’s very difficult to do this work without having the data in front of us.” The report reveals a 19% increase in Hispanic teachers and a 21% rise in Hispanic administrators over the past five years. However, challenges remain, including declining enrollment and budget constraints that may affect future teacher numbers. The CDE plans to release additional data for the 2024-25 school year later this year.

 

EdSource

New data provided by Pittsburgh Public Schools shows thousands of drivers were still illegally passing stopped school buses during the 2024-25 school year. Data from the district's school bus safety program with BusPatrol, showed that between August 26 2024 and June 12 2025, 10,989 motorists failed to stop for a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing in Pittsburgh. More than 95% of violations were first-time offenses. Pittsburgh Public Schools began modernizing its bus fleet in 2023 with AI-powered safety cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses and endanger children. Pittsburgh Public Schools Police then review the video footage to determine whether a violation occurred. "We're seeing fewer repeat violations, which means the message is getting through," said Justin Meyers, president and chief innovation officer at BusPatrol. "But there's still work to be done. This program is about curbing reckless driving habits, protecting kids, and building a culture of safety around every school bus."

 

CBS News

Ofqual, the U.K.'s exams regulator has announced the withdrawal of its statistics on access arrangements for GCSE and A-level exams from 2014 to 2024 due to significant data inaccuracies. The regulator admitted that the number of pupils reported to have received extra time was overstated, with previous figures suggesting that 30.1% of students were granted 25% extra time in 2023/24. Tom Bramley, executive director of research and analysis at Ofqual, explained: "Our analysis has now revealed that they have led to a significant overstatement of approved access arrangements." The inaccuracies stemmed from issues in data recording, including duplicate applications and arrangements for students who did not sit exams. Revised statistics will be published later this year, aiming for a more accurate representation of access arrangements in the education sector. 

 

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