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The cancellation of the high school longitudinal studies by the Trump administration has raised significant concerns among educators and researchers. These surveys, which have been collecting data since 1972, provided critical insights into how academic choices influence students' futures. Adam Gamoran, a former nominee for the Institute of Education Sciences, expressed frustration, commenting: "For 50 years, we've been mapping a timeline of progress of our high school system, and we're going to have a big blank. That's very frustrating." The data collected has been instrumental in shaping educational policies and practices. Quintin Shepherd, superintendent of Pflugerville ISD in Texas, emphasized the importance of these surveys for benchmarking and improvement. The cancellation affects ongoing research into chronic absenteeism and students' college aspirations, with Elise Christopher, a former statistician at the National Center for Education Statistics, warning: "We can't just pick this back up later." The loss of this data could hinder understanding of educational trends and student needs in the coming years.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

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Newark Public Schools students are showing signs of academic recovery, with English language arts and math scores increasing by approximately 3% over the previous year, according to a district analysis. In grades 3 to 9, 34% of students passed the English language arts test, while 21.1% passed the math assessment. Superintendent Roger León noted: "Students who are in the older grades are able to demonstrate better recovery than the students that are in the younger grades." Despite these improvements, many students still fall short of state standards. The district has implemented various initiatives, including tutoring and a new curriculum, to support academic recovery. Rochanda Jackson, executive director of the Office of Data and Research, emphasized the need for continued focus on improving student outcomes, adding: "We need to keep these at the forefront of our thoughts as we continue to strategize on what needs to be done to accelerate beyond pre-pandemic performance to mastery and sustained academic excellence." The results reflect ongoing efforts to address the learning disruptions caused by the pandemic.

 

Chalkbeat

Portland Public Schools has reported significant improvements in state test scores, indicating a recovery in reading and math proficiency among its students. According to the Oregon Department of Education, "71% of Portland Public Schools' white students who sat for Smarter Balanced tests last spring scored as proficient at reading and writing," surpassing state averages. However, this success is not evenly distributed; Black students in the district scored only 11% proficient in math and 19% in reading. Chronic absenteeism, particularly among Black students, is a contributing factor, with 55% missing at least 17 days of school in the previous year. While the district has made strides, disparities remain, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support all student demographics.

 

The Oregonian

Four school districts in the Des Moines metro area are proposing bond measures to fund new schools and renovations. The Ankeny Community School District seeks a $130m bond for a career and technical education hub and athletic centers, with no increase in property taxes if approved. Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District is requesting $88m for renovations and inclusive playgrounds, also promising no tax increase. Southeast Polk Community School District aims for a $51m bond to build an elementary school and improve playgrounds, while West Des Moines Community School District proposes a $135m bond for widespread facility improvements. According to district spokesperson Bryan Geelan, "The district would use existing available funds to cover the difference" in project costs.

 

Des Moines Register

Ohio Republican lawmakers have introduced House Bill 486, which aims to allow public school teachers and college professors to discuss the positive influence of Christianity on American history without fear of reprimand. State Representative Gary Click, R-Vickery, emphasized that many educators hesitate to teach this topic due to concerns about violating the separation of church and state, commenting: "It's just teaching history. You shouldn't be proselytizing kids in school." However, Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, argues that the First Amendment already permits discussions on the impact of religion in history and that the bill favors Christianity over other religions. The bill, named the "Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act," lists topics such as the religious backgrounds of the Declaration of Independence signers and the influence of the Ten Commandments on American law. Click believes that a lack of understanding of Christianity's role in history has contributed to societal issues, asserting that students often receive a one-sided view of religion.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

As the new school year begins, students in Oxnard, California, are grappling with heightened emotional distress due to recent immigration raids. Maria Caballero Magaña, a K-8 school counselor, noted that families are experiencing anxiety and fear, with children expressing worries about potential separation from their parents. "People were emotional, angry, fearful, and it affected everyone. “Because if it wasn't happening to you personally, it was happening to your neighbor, it was happening to your best friend's family,” she said. The impact of these raids extends beyond immediate emotional responses; experts warn of long-term mental health consequences, including chronic anxiety and depression. In California, where approximately 1m children have an undocumented parent, the effects are widespread. Schools are responding by offering mental health support, but many students remain hesitant to seek help. Dr. Lisa Fortuna, a child psychologist, emphasized the importance of schools in providing stability and support during these challenging times.

 

Los Angeles Times

Jabari Wallace, a high school junior at Prosser Career Academy in Chicago, has developed a passion for carpentry, which he now shares with other deaf and hard of hearing students. During a recent career exploration event, over twenty students from Chase, Jamieson, and Bell elementary schools participated in hands-on training across various trades, including culinary arts and auto repair. Wallace said: "I love teaching [kids] especially the deaf and hard of hearing." The event, the first of its kind for Chicago Public Schools, aimed to showcase career-focused classes and provide students with role models. Cicely Boggan, a teacher of the deaf at Prosser, emphasized the importance of such events, noting that they motivate students by demonstrating what is possible. Rachel Arfa, commissioner of the mayor's office for people with disabilities, highlighted the need for more deaf teachers, stating: "That may be the only exposure deaf and hard of hearing students have to understanding what is possible for them." Prosser received a grant from Chance the Rapper's nonprofit SocialWorks to enhance its career programs.

 

Chicago Sun Times

WBEZ Chicago

Odyssey has been named by Texas acting state comptroller Kelly Hancock to design and administer its new $1bn school voucher programme, Texas Education Freedom Accounts, which launches in the 2026-27 school year. Odyssey will manage applications, oversee spending, raise awareness and handle complaints, receiving up to $50m for its services. “We’re moving quickly to launch this program, keeping the end goal in sight every step of the way — giving parents the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children to reach their God-given potential,” commented Hancock. “This is about empowering families, expanding opportunity and making sure every child can learn in the environment that works best for them.”

 

The Texas Tribune

California's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, initiated by Gov. Gavin Newsom, aims to address pandemic-related learning loss while simultaneously tackling the state's teacher shortage. The program has allocated approximately $18bn to support summer and after-school programs, which are often run by nonprofit organizations in collaboration with local school districts. Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, noted: "While it was not an intention in the design of the program, it offers a great teacher recruitment opportunity." With around 32,000 teachers in California working under temporary credentials, initiatives like Aim High and Freedom School are proving effective in inspiring students and staff to pursue teaching careers. These programs not only provide valuable experience but also foster a love for education among participants, ultimately contributing to the recruitment of new teachers in the state.

 

EdSource

Nearly 130 universities in New York are waiving application fees for high school seniors, as announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul. This initiative, now in its third year, aims to eliminate financial barriers and enhance college enrollment following a decline during the pandemic. The City University of New York (CUNY) will waive fees from October 27 to November 21 for New York City students, with additional waivers for students outside the city from November 10 to 21. CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez stated: "Waiving application fees is a simple but powerful way to encourage all students to apply to college." Last year, CUNY's fee-waived application period resulted in 60,000 freshman applications. Other institutions, including the State University of New York and several private colleges, are also participating in this initiative.

 

Chalkbeat

California is experiencing a significant nursing shortage, with only about one-third of qualified applicants accepted into nursing programs in 2022-23. Oscar Mateo, a nursing student at Mt. San Antonio College, faced intense competition, stating: "It's so competitive and stressful." The shortage is attributed to a lack of nursing faculty and limited clinical training opportunities, with over 66,000 qualified applicants turned away nationwide in 2023. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects California's nursing shortfall will grow from 40,790 this year to 61,490 by 2035. Legislative efforts are underway to support nursing programs, including a $60m grant to expand community college nursing programs. However, tensions between public and private institutions persist as they compete for resources and clinical placements.

 

Los Angeles Times

Egypt’s former tourism and antiquities minister Khaled el-Enany is vying to become UNESCO’s first Arab director-general, facing off against Firmin Édouard Matoko of the Republic of Congo, a long-serving UNESCO official. The winner will inherit an agency under financial strain after the U.S. withdrawal, with voting by the executive board now underway and a final decision due next month. El-Enany has backing from the Arab League and African Union, while Matoko is campaigning on depoliticization and budget discipline. Both candidates support private sector fundraising and aim to bring the U.S. back into the fold.

 

The Hill

Mary E. Brunkow, a molecular biologist and a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in downtown Portland, is one of three researchers awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work on immune system regulation. The trio, which includes Fred Ramsdell and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi, discovered the role of regulatory T cells in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance—an essential mechanism that prevents the immune system from attacking the body’s own cells. This research has significant implications for treating autoimmune diseases, improving organ transplant success, and enhancing cancer therapies. The award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, and the winners will share a prize of 11m Swedish kronor (nearly $1.2m).

 

The Oregonian