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For the fifth consecutive year, American teenagers' use of drugs and alcohol remains at a historic low, according to the National Institute of Health-funded Monitoring the Future survey. This survey, which has tracked student behaviors for over 50 years, indicates that the decline in substance use that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a lasting trend. Richard Miech, a research professor and lead investigator, said: "Many expected teen drug use levels to return to pre-pandemic levels once the social distancing policies were lifted, but this has not happened." The survey revealed that 91% of eighth-graders, 82% of 10th-graders, and 66% of 12th-graders reported not using marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine in the month prior to the survey. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called the results encouraging, noting that "so many teens choose not to use drugs at all." However, she emphasized the need for continued monitoring of these trends.

 

Star-Telegram

A federal judge has ruled against California school policies that prevent educators from disclosing a student's gender identity to their parents. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez said that “parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school student child expresses gender incongruence.” The ruling, which applies to all California public schools, was part of a class action suit filed by teachers and parents, including Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West from the Escondido Union School District. The decision has drawn criticism from the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, which argued it undermines privacy rights. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office plans to appeal, asserting that the ruling misapplies the law. Legal experts suggest the case may escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, underscoring the ongoing debate over student privacy and parental rights in education.

 

EdSource

As immigration enforcement intensifies under the Trump administration, Washington state lawmakers are proposing Senate Bill 5906 to protect early learning facilities, schools, colleges, and universities from immigration authorities without a court-approved warrant. Sponsored by Sen. Drew Hansen, the bill aims to establish clear boundaries for immigration enforcement in sensitive areas. “We have strong policies already, but we want to put those in state law,” Hansen said, emphasizing the need for judicial oversight. The legislation also mandates that educational institutions provide information on immigration rights and maintain a list of legal service providers. The bill comes in response to heightened concerns about immigration enforcement in schools, where many educators are immigrants.

 

The Columbian

Dozens of Michigan school districts are appealing a judge's ruling that upheld state budget conditions for funding related to school safety and mental health. The budget stipulates that to access $321m in funds, districts must waive legal privileges and agree to comprehensive investigations in the event of a mass casualty incident. Judge Sima Patel ruled against the plaintiffs, stating that the language in question is "clear and not vague." Scott Eldridge, the plaintiffs' attorney, argued that the terms are overly broad and violate the Michigan Constitution, claiming that "vagueness means it's limitless and unbound." Patel, however, emphasized the need for timely distribution of funds, denying requests to extend deadlines for waiving privileges.

 

Chalkbeat

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces a new federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) aimed at supporting low- and middle-income elementary and secondary school students. Effective January 1, 2027, individual taxpayers can claim a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $1,700 for cash donations to eligible SGOs. To qualify, SGOs must be listed by states that voluntarily elect to participate as covered states. The Treasury Department and the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2026-6, allowing states to make an advance election to join the program before submitting their SGO lists.

 

CPA Practice Advisor

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will receive an additional $193m in tax revenue following the City Council's approval of a budget that declared a $1bn surplus from tax increment financing districts. However, this increase will not significantly benefit classrooms as CPS continues to make spending adjustments, eliminate vacant positions, and manage rising debt interest payments. Mayor Brandon Johnson stated: “We added the largest TIF surplus in the history of the city to go to our schools, our parks, our libraries,” emphasizing the importance of these investments for the community. Despite the surplus, CPS is expected to allocate $175m back to the city for pension costs, leaving only about $18m for the school district. The district has already implemented cuts and a hiring freeze to address budget shortfalls, including an unexpected $8m gap due to federal grant reductions.

 

Chalkbeat

Governor Greg Abbott has enrolled Texas in a new federal scholarship program that could enhance the state's existing $1bn private school voucher initiative. This program, part of President Donald Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill,” provides tax incentives for donations to scholarship organizations, helping families cover educational costs. “That can be huge for kids all over the country,” said Matt Frendaway, vice president of the “yes. every kid.” foundation. Families earning less than 300% of their area's median income can qualify for these scholarships, which can also be used by children in traditional public schools for tutoring and extracurricular activities. Critics, however, express concerns that the program may favor wealthier families and lack sufficient oversight. Abbott and state Republicans support the initiative, viewing it as a step towards greater educational alternatives.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Los Angeles Unified School District will implement budget cuts, staffing reductions, and school consolidations as enrollment declines and pandemic relief funds expire. Chief Financial Officer Saman Bravo-Karimi said the district has had “fewer students each year . . . for over two decades,” sharply reducing per-pupil funding. A projected $1.6bn deficit for 2027–28 was erased using reserves and cost savings, but schools will begin cutting budgets in 2026–27, with consolidations and layoffs following. Officials say community needs will be considered, though hundreds of layoffs are expected.

 

The 74 (Online)

U.S. high schools are increasingly deploying AI surveillance tools - cameras, sensors and predictive algorithms - to enhance safety amid concerns about school shootings and student behavior. A Futurism report highlights Beverly Hills High’s full-scale monitoring, including restroom audio sensors and facial recognition. Critics warn of privacy violations, psychological harm, and minimal safety gains, with mishaps like a Vancouver data breach illustrating risks. Legal scholars raise Fourth Amendment concerns, and students, parents, and educators are pushing back. Despite federal warnings and new privacy laws, widespread adoption continues, prompting urgent calls for ethical oversight and data safeguards.

 

Web Pro News

Tennessee House Republican leaders are advancing a plan to establish an oversight panel for Memphis-Shelby County schools, aiming to take significant decision-making power from the locally elected school board. House Speaker Cameron Sexton and education committee Chairman Mark White confirmed their commitment to pass takeover legislation in the 2026 session. White emphasized the need for the oversight board to have "teeth" to make impactful decisions, contrasting it with a previous advisory board proposal. Critics, including Memphis-Shelby County schools interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond, argue that state intervention has historically failed to improve educational outcomes. Despite recent academic growth, less than 25% of students meet grade-level benchmarks in reading and math. The proposed changes could reshape local governance, with potential implications for other districts in Tennessee.

 

Chalkbeat

The Florida Department of Education has announced that Governor Ron DeSantis' Floridians First budget proposal for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year includes a notable increase in funding for school safety, allocating $300m to the Safe Schools Allocation. This marks a $10m increase from the previous year. State officials said the funding reflects a commitment to secure learning environments for students and staff across Florida. The proposal includes $64m for hardening initiatives in higher education institutions and $6m for establishing Guardian Programs at state colleges and universities. Education leaders emphasized that this funding underscores the administration's dedication to prioritizing student safety at all educational levels.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

Republican attorneys general from 21 states are urging the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Florida’s HB 1069, a 2023 law enabling school book removals based on sexual content. Arkansas AG Tim Griffin argued the issue involves “government speech,” not subject to First Amendment protections. U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza previously ruled the law “overbroad and unconstitutional,” criticizing its vagueness. The law requires books challenged by parents for sexual content to be pulled from school libraries within five days. The lawsuit involves major publishers, authors, and parents challenging the statute’s constitutionality.

 

WFSU

New York City's class size reduction law, passed in 2022, mandates a maximum of 20 students in grades K-3, 23 in grades 4-8, and 25 in grades 9-12 by 2028. While 64% of classrooms currently meet these limits, educators express concerns about the challenges ahead. Ivette Dobarganes, a Spanish teacher, said: “People are teaching in offices, people are teaching in the hallway at some point because we just don't have enough classrooms.” Many teachers report positive changes, including increased student engagement and reduced stress. However, experts warn that achieving full compliance will require significant resources, with an estimated need for 16,300 additional teachers at a cost of $1.5bn annually. Jenna Lyle, an Education Department spokesperson, emphasized the city's commitment to meeting the law's milestones, stating: “We remain committed to complying with state law.”

 

Chalkbeat

Texas lawmakers are exploring new methods to evaluate school performance following lawsuits over state report cards. Leander School District's locally based evaluation system, introduced in 2021, aims for a "holistic approach" to assess schools beyond standardized tests, according to Brenda Cruz, assistant superintendent of empowered learning. Critics argue that the current A-F accountability system, heavily reliant on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), fails to provide a fair assessment, particularly for schools with high concentrations of low-income students. As the Texas Education Agency studies potential new measures, the debate continues over how best to represent school performance and ensure no student is left behind.

 

Austin American-Statesman