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A Virginia jury awarded $10m to Abby Zwerner, a former teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Zwerner accused Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal, of neglecting warnings about the child's possession of a gun. Zwerner's attorney, Diane Toscano, emphasized the responsibility of school officials: "It's Dr. Parker's job to believe that that is possible. It's her job to investigate it and get to the very bottom of it." Zwerner sustained severe injuries, requiring multiple surgeries, and has since left the teaching profession. Parker faces a separate criminal trial for felony child neglect, while the student's mother was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for related charges.

 

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NPR / National Public Radio

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Lessons That Drive Active Learning

Active learning is essential in mathematics, moving students beyond passive reception to actively build knowledge—a practice proven to improve understanding not only of math but across all areas of STEM.

The enVision+ Mathematics lesson design ensures this engagement through three strategic lesson types:

Let's Investigate lessons drive student-led, open-ended exploration of real-world problems, fostering deep conceptual understanding and curiosity. These lessons are supported by the 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Discussions.

Let's Build lessons facilitate knowledge construction by having students solve a problem first, then immediately formalize that understanding through Visual Learning, using digital tools like virtual manipulatives.

Let's Model in 3 Acts lessons challenge students to apply their learning through an engaging, three-part mathematical modeling process in real-life contexts.

This intentional structure places students at the heart of learning, leading to better long-term retention, greater confidence, and stronger critical thinking skills.  

Download Resources to Try Now!

 

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund food-assistance benefits for November, criticizing the government’s efforts so far to make payments during the government shutdown. Judge John McConnell said the administration violated the order he issued last week that required the government to tap emergency funds and “expeditiously” pay benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “Last weekend, SNAP benefits lapsed for the first time in our nation’s history. This is a problem that could have and should have been avoided,” he said, adding that the government “knew there would be a long delay in paying [partial] SNAP benefits and failed to consider the harms individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer.” The Justice Department is appealing the decision to the court of appeals, according to court filings.

 

ABC News

Politico

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal

Oregon’s public schools are bracing for rare midyear budget cuts due to an unexpected drop in state revenue caused by recent federal tax law changes and rising unemployment. This marks the first time since the 2008 financial crisis that the state may need to reduce education funding midyear. School district leaders and advocacy organizations on Wednesday called on the Legislature to help them by tapping Oregon’s $1.2bn education stability fund. At a news conference co-hosted by the Oregon Association of School Business Officials, Umatilla School District Superintendent Heidi Sipe said she and other superintendents will need emergency funding to weather changes through the current school year and prepare for leaner years ahead. Jackie Olsen, executive director added that the rising costs of the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) are also impacting district budgets. She added, however, that any changes to how much schools are compelled to contribute to the system will not have an immediate impact on the emergent budget issues. “PERS reform, I think, is such a hot topic and something that is so big, I don’t think that we have an easy solution for that, nor do I think that that is anything that I have any recommendations for, or even know how that would solve some of those problems long-term,” she said.

 

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Recent elections in Texas revealed a significant voter reluctance to raise property taxes, with many measures aimed at funding education, public safety, and infrastructure being rejected. According to a Texas Tribune analysis, over half of the proposed tax increases failed, including a notable defeat in Austin, where voters turned down a measure intended to address homelessness and budget shortfalls. State Senator Paul Bettencourt remarked: "The public is signaling they want more," indicating a strong preference for tax cuts. While some districts successfully passed tax increases, the overall trend suggests a growing resistance to higher taxes, with Gov. Greg Abbott aiming to prioritize tax cuts in the upcoming 2026 midterms. Despite the defeats, property taxes in Austin will still rise, albeit less than anticipated. The ongoing debate over property taxes continues as Texas grapples with balancing budgetary needs and taxpayer sentiment.

 

U.S. News

The Seattle School Board has unanimously chosen Benjamin Shuldiner as the new superintendent of Seattle Public Schools (SPS). The board's decision initiates contract negotiations, with Shuldiner expected to assume his role in early 2026. Shuldiner, currently the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan, expressed his commitment to making Seattle the "single greatest urban school district in America." He has a proven track record of improving academic performance, having raised test scores and graduation rates in Lansing. Shuldiner emphasized the importance of addressing SPS's estimated $87m budget shortfall, commenting: "There are a lot of inefficiencies in this SPS budget that we can massage and change." He is eager to implement systemic changes and support the diverse needs of the district's communities. Shuldiner's extensive experience includes founding a high school in New York City and serving in various educational leadership roles.

 

The Columbian

A divided federal appeals court in Ohio on Thursday ruled against the Olentangy Local School District's gender pronoun policies. The court sided with Parents Defending Education, stating the policies violated students' rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The district argued the rules aimed to prevent bullying. Circuit Judge Eric Murphy noted that the district failed to prove that allowing alternative speech would disrupt school activities. The ruling reverses a previous decision and sends the case back to U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley for further action. Marbley's order allows the district to maintain its antidiscrimination policy.

 

U.S. News

According to a report released today by nonprofit group News Literacy Project, 84% of teenagers view the news media negatively. This skepticism poses risks to their well-being and democracy, particularly as misinformation spreads through artificial intelligence. The report highlights that many teens believe journalists engage in unethical practices, with about half asserting that reporters often manipulate information. Hailey Hans, an 18-year-old senior at Weir High School in West Virginia, emphasized the need for media literacy in classrooms, commenting: "We need to be told how to look at a story and tell what's biased, what's fake." The report suggests that schools can play a crucial role in teaching students to differentiate between credible news and opinion-based content, ultimately fostering a more informed generation.

 

Education Week News

The School District of Philadelphia is grappling with the impacts of climate change, which has led to increased school closures and inadequate cooling systems affecting nearly 26% of its buildings. Katy Egan, co-chair of the Safe Air for Philly Schools campaign, emphasized the need for improved air quality and HVAC systems, adding: "HVAC systems not only make classroom temperatures better, but they also filter." The district's facilities planning process has highlighted community concerns, with 56% of respondents prioritizing air conditioning improvements. However, challenges remain, including a lack of transparency in the school closure process and the need for a proactive maintenance strategy. Akira Drake Rodriguez, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that the district's focus on emergency repairs is insufficient for long-term sustainability. As the district works on its second sustainability plan, GreenFutures 2.0, stakeholders hope for greater collaboration and prioritization of climate action.

 

Chalkbeat

California has mandated the State Board of Education to adopt a minimum of five math programs for grades K-8, but the board exceeded expectations by approving 64 programs during a recent meeting. The selection process involved 172 individuals from instructional materials review panels evaluating 67 programs across three categories: basic K-8 math, Algebra 1, and integrated mathematics. Linda Darling-Hammond, board president, said: "It’s a very exciting time for us in California around math," emphasizing the need for a renewed focus on math education. The approved programs align with the state’s 2023 revised math framework, which aims to enhance students' conceptual understanding and reduce tracking that disadvantages low-income, Black, and Latino students. As districts begin to select their own programs, challenges remain, particularly for smaller districts. Ellen Barger, assistant superintendent for Santa Barbara County, noted the potential for "a paradox of choice" with so many options available.

 

EdSource

Haiyan Fan, a Chinese language educator and founder of MetaChinese, shares insights on literacy instruction based on her experiences teaching in Arkansas. She emphasizes the importance of "anchoring" written forms to meaning, commenting: "Orthography needs to be anchored in meaning." Fan highlights that many students struggle with spelling not due to a lack of understanding but because they fail to connect written forms with their meanings. She advocates for deliberate instruction that sensitizes students to patterns in language, using creative methods to reinforce learning. Fan warns against educational practices that prioritize surface engagement over meaningful learning, urging educators to protect instructional time dedicated to anchoring literacy skills. In a digital age, she stresses the need for educators to build strong connections between form and meaning to prevent students from drifting away from essential literacy skills.

 

Education Week News

Cora Anderson and Madison DeCleene, athletes at St. Norbert College, have benefited from a new NCAA pilot program that allows Division III athletes to continue competing at their former schools while attending a different institution. Both students are now enrolled at Bellin College, approximately ten miles from St. Norbert, where they study nursing. DeCleene expressed her excitement, stating: "Now I'm able to achieve my full potential by pursuing both my academic goals and my athletic career as well." The program aims to provide flexibility for student-athletes, as noted by Jim Troha, chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, who emphasized the need to adapt to changes in higher education. Currently, only three athletes nationwide are participating in this pilot program, which requires individual NCAA approval. Anderson and DeCleene are navigating the challenges of balancing their academic and athletic commitments, with DeCleene running independently to supplement her training. Both athletes hope this initiative will expand, allowing more students to pursue their dual passions.

 

U.S. News

UNESCO's Ghana representative Edmond Mukaila has urged African nations to harness artificial intelligence to improve education, highlighting its potential for personalised learning, teacher support, and overcoming geographical barriers. Speaking at the 2025 Africa Education Trust Fund AI Conference in Accra, he also noted AI’s role in future skills development and curriculum design. “From smart agriculture solutions that optimize crop yields and water usage to AI-driven health care diagnostics that improve access to medical care, their applications are limitless,” he added.

 

News Ghana