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USA
22nd January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Trump administration drops DEI appeal

The Trump administration has decided to withdraw its appeal against a federal court ruling that blocked its campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in schools and colleges. On Wednesday the U.S. Department of Education filed to dismiss its appeal, upholding a decision made by U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland, who stated that the anti-DEI guidance violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. The guidance had warned educational institutions that they would lose federal funding if they continued DEI practices. The case had been brought by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Sociological Association and a school district in Eugene, Oregon. 

INCREASE ENROLLMENT

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LEGAL

Texas jury acquits former Uvalde officer over response to Robb Elementary shooting

Adrian Gonzales, the first officer to arrive at the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, has been acquitted of 28 counts of felony child endangerment by a Texas jury. Prosecutors alleged he failed to act quickly to stop the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers. Gonzales’s defence argued he responded immediately but was misdirected, and lacked knowledge or access to the shooting location. The verdict follows emotional testimony and is the first trial among two criminal cases brought over the failed police response. A second officer, former Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo, is expected to face trial later this year on similar charges as Gonzales. He has pleaded not guilty.

Texas, Louisiana defend school displays of Ten Commandments in court

A federal appeals court is reconsidering Louisiana and Texas laws mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, which had previously been blocked by federal district judges due to potential violations of the First Amendment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit heard arguments on January 20, with Texas Solicitor General William R. Peterson asserting that the law represents a "historical document" integral to American heritage. However, Jonathan K. Youngwood, representing families challenging the laws, argued that these displays impose religious dictates on students, commenting: "From kindergarten to senior year, a student in public school will face an unavoidable constant: government-mandated religious dictates in every single classroom." The outcome of this case may set a precedent, with many legal observers anticipating a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Former Des Moines Super set to plead guilty to federal charges

Former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts is expected to plead guilty in federal court today to two charges, including falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. The plea follows his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, which shocked the community and highlighted his criminal history and falsified credentials. Roberts, who served as superintendent for two years, faces a maximum of twenty years in prison for the charges. According to the plea agreement, he acknowledges making a “false attestation” on the Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9) submitted during his hiring in 2023. The agreement also indicates that he could face deportation after serving his sentence. Roberts' attorney, Alfredo Parrish, stated that his client believed his immigration case was resolved. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa has agreed to recommend leniency, but the final sentence will be determined by the judge.

FINANCE

Los Angeles USD faces $401m budget deficit

Los Angeles USD (LAUSD) is confronting a projected $401m deficit in its unrestricted/unassigned general fund for the 2027-28 academic year. During the Committee of the Whole Meeting, district officials indicated that potential reductions in force may be necessary. Approximately 90% of the district's budget is allocated to personnel costs. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between fiscal solvency and protecting programs, schools, students, and the workforce: "Our commitment to striking a balance... is of paramount importance to us." The board is set to vote in February on possible layoffs, with notifications to staff potentially starting in March. Additionally, LAUSD has experienced a significant decline in enrollment, dropping from roughly 402,500 to 389,000, which is a 43% decrease since 2004.

WORKFORCE

River Forest teachers prepare for potential strike

The River Forest Education Association (RFEA) in Illinois is preparing for a potential teachers strike due to District 90's refusal to continue negotiations. The district has initiated the public posting process, sending its final offer to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. RFEA, representing over 140 teachers, began negotiations in April, with their previous contract expiring on August 15. Co-president Cindy Crannell expressed frustration, adding: "We are frustrated and disheartened by the district's lack of compromise." Despite multiple meetings, no progress has been made since a failed contract vote in November. Teachers have raised concerns about low morale and salaries, which average $77,679—less than neighboring districts. Superintendent Ed Condon claimed the proposed terms were the "most generous" in two decades, highlighting a 7% salary increase and improved benefits. The district remains committed to fair compensation while ensuring financial stewardship.

POLICY

Former Chicago mayor advocates for school reform in Washington

Earlier this week former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, thought to be considering a potential bid for the White House, discussed his educational reforms at the Center for American Progress, asserting that his changes could serve as a model for the nation. He criticized both political parties for neglecting public schools, commenting: "Don't abandon public schools and don't abandon accountability." Emanuel emphasized the importance of phonics in early education and proposed initiatives such as universal pre-K and full-day kindergarten. He reflected on his tenure, noting that Chicago Public Schools were once the "single worst public school system in America," but improved significantly during his administration. Emanuel also highlighted the need for mentorship and parental support in education, advocating for a mandatory retirement age of seventy-five for government officials to promote change. His proposals aim to address broader issues of affordability and ethics in governance.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Wisconsin bill eases CDL rules for elderly school bus drivers

A bill to support Wisconsin school bus drivers aged 70 and older has passed the Assembly and is now heading to the state Senate. The legislation would reduce the required frequency of commercial driver’s license (CDL) renewals for these drivers from every two years to every four years and allow medically cleared drivers to return to work without waiting for state medical board approval. An amendment mandates annual medical exams despite the longer license renewal period. Proponents argue the changes will help address a school bus driver shortage, especially since about 25% of current drivers are 65 or older. Wisconsin has seen a 20% drop in bus drivers over the past two decades.

CLASSROOM

How to help students develop self-regulation skills

Recent observations gleaned by an Education Week poll on LinkedIn indicate a significant decline in students' self-regulation skills, with many educators describing them as "almost nonexistent." This issue is not limited to younger children; teachers report similar challenges among older elementary, middle, and high school students. Poor self-regulation can disrupt learning and contribute to teacher burnout. The survey revealed that 67% of educators rated students' self-regulation skills as low. To address this, educators suggest practical strategies, including using visual aids, providing explicit social-emotional instruction, and modeling self-regulation techniques. Schools are encouraged to implement these strategies to help students manage their emotions and behaviors more effectively.

SCHOOL CHOICE

Mississippi opts into federal school choice tax credit program

Mississippi will soon implement tax breaks for contributions to private-school scholarships through a federal program, as announced by Gov. Tate Reeves. The initiative is seen as a victory for school-choice advocates amid ongoing legislative debates. School choice, which aims to provide families with more educational options funded by public money, remains a contentious issue. Reeves said: "Mississippi believes that parents, not governments, know what's best for their children's education." The federal tax-credit program allows individuals to contribute up to $1,700 to organizations that award scholarships to private-school students, starting in federal tax year 2027. Donors will receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, significantly higher than other charitable contributions. Eligibility for scholarships extends to families earning up to 300% of the area's median income, approximately $150,000 in Mississippi. In the coming months, Reeves' office will designate organizations to manage these scholarships.

INTERNATIONAL

Underfunded schools force Pakistan's parents to pay for children’s education

Families in Pakistan are increasingly forced to spend their own money on their children’s schooling as government funding and support for education fall short. Chronic underinvestment in public education—Pakistan spends far below recommended levels of GDP on schooling—has led to deteriorating infrastructure, shortages of qualified teachers and high dropout rates, with more than 25m children out of school and many families turning to private or informal schools due to poor quality in the public system. As government resources fail to meet demand, parents are shoulderin the financial burden to secure better education opportunities, widening inequalities in access and quality.

AND FINALLY......

New initiative aims to combat book bans in schools

We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) has launched the Unbanned Book Network to address the increasing number of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries. The initiative aims to donate books by banned authors and appoint Author Ambassadors to support school districts facing censorship. WNDB chief executive Dhonielle Clayton stated: "We're not only facing an ongoing literacy crisis in the U.S., we're also battling increased rates of censorship, which is infringing on our students' right to read." The program will initially target twenty under-resourced schools in states like Texas and Florida, where bans are most prevalent. This effort is part of a broader response to the surge in book bans, which has been documented by organizations such as PEN America and the American Library Association.
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