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USA
29th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Most teens ignore school phone bans, using devices for 1.5 hours daily

A University of Southern California study has found that while 98% of teens attend schools with cellphone restrictions and most support the rules, students still use their phones for an average of 1.5 hours during the school day. Despite bans, two-thirds of students at schools with full restrictions still use phones in class, often with minimal consequences, and most report little impact on academic performance or social dynamics. Other typical consequences include confiscating the phone for the remainder of the class or the entire day, contacting parents, assigning detention, or requiring a parent to retrieve the device.

MULTILINGUAL LEARNER PD

Multilingual Learner Classroom Strategies from Leading Experts

Multilingual learners have a wealth of strengths to offer their classrooms and communities. Explore bite-sized professional development featuring effective practices from two leading experts, Dr. Luz Yadira Herrera and Dr. Kate Kinsella, that build from the cultural and linguistic assets that multilingual learner students already possess to activate engagement and accelerate growth.

Explore multilingual learner strategies and solutions

 

GOVERNANCE

Mamdani's mayoral control dilemma

Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City, is poised to take control of the city's public schools but faces a six-month wait before he can appoint the majority of the Panel for Educational Policy. This panel, which votes on significant contracts and policy changes, currently consists of appointees from his predecessor, Eric Adams. Mamdani's situation is unique, as he is the first mayor since the implementation of mayoral control in 2002 who cannot immediately appoint the board's majority. Advocacy groups are urging state lawmakers to reconsider the governance structure, emphasizing the need for a more democratic system. As noted by Greg Faulkner, the current board chair: "In some ways it's a good test in terms of what it would look like to have a more independent board." Mamdani's administration will need to navigate these challenges while addressing community concerns and maintaining accountability.

State intervention: Bessemer City Schools Board suspended

The Alabama State Department of Education has suspended the Bessemer City Schools Board of Education due to ongoing dysfunction. Since August 2024, the board has operated under state oversight, losing authority over personnel, finance, and operations. The chief administrative officer determined that advisory meetings held by board members were not providing meaningful input, leading to their suspension from regular meetings. The intervention was prompted by issues such as canceled meetings due to lack of quorum and deteriorating school facilities. Bessemer City, located west of Birmingham, serves approximately 3,000 students and employs nearly 240 staff members.

LEGAL

Judge rules San Francisco USD unlawfully reassigned journalism teacher

Lowell High School administrators unlawfully reassigned educator Eric Gustafson for defending students' First Amendment rights, as determined by a ruling from the San Francisco County Superior Court. Gustafson had filed a lawsuit against the San Francisco USD in June after Principal Jan Bautista removed him from his journalism class, which he had taught since 2017, to teach English. This action followed a student-reported story alleging verbal harassment by unidentified teachers, leading to student unrest. Gustafson stated: "The ruling is so clearly a defense of student journalism." The court mandated Bautista to reinstate Gustafson to his journalism position within 30 days, citing a violation of California's Journalism Teacher Protection Act, which safeguards educators from retaliation for supporting students' rights. District spokesperson Laura Dudnick emphasized the commitment to providing quality journalism instruction and keeping students informed of updates.

LEGISLATION

Iowa state legislation aims to strengthen teacher vetting

A piece of proposed legislation in Iowa, Senate Study Bill 3015, seeks to enhance the verification process for educators' identity and employment eligibility. The initiative follows the resignation of former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, who was found to have falsified his citizenship and educational credentials. Iowa Senator Lynn Evans, a Republican and former school superintendent, said: "I think it just enhances what the public is already expecting is being done." The bill mandates that school districts verify all employees' eligibility in accordance with federal immigration law and requires the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to confirm the lawful presence of licensure applicants. While education lobbyists raised concerns about specific legal terminology, they did not oppose the bill's intent.

DISTRICTS

Philadelphia parents push back against district plan to shut middle schools

The School District of Philadelphia announced plans to close Conwell Middle School and Stetson Middle School, among others, starting in 2027. This decision is part of a reorganization plan aimed at addressing declining enrollment and building issues, including asbestos and poor ventilation. Councilmember Quetcy Lozada expressed surprise at the announcement, commenting: "Conwell is more than a school. They are part of a family." The proposal has faced significant opposition from parents, alumni, and educators who view these schools as vital community resources. Conwell's enrollment has dropped from 176 students in 2022 to 109 in 2025—a 38% decrease. The district's plan includes reassignment of students to other schools, but concerns remain about the quality of those institutions. Community meetings are scheduled to gather feedback before the final plan is presented to the Philadelphia Board of Education on February 26.

Indian Prairie expands administrative space

Indian Prairie School District 204 is set to enhance its administrative capabilities by acquiring a facility adjacent to its administrative center in Aurora, Illinois, for $1.55m. The current Crouse Education Center is at capacity and lacks dedicated storage for supplies, necessitating the use of various school facilities for support services. The new facility will allow the district to consolidate operations, thereby freeing up space in schools for student learning. Additionally, this move aims to reduce the number of visitors and deliveries at school buildings, enhancing safety and security. The district will take ownership of the property after a 30-day due diligence period, although the current owner will lease it until July 15. The purchase agreement was approved by the board during its recent meeting.

FINANCE

California's education funding in jeopardy over ban on 'forced outing'

The Trump administration has threatened to withhold nearly $8 billion in federal education funding from California unless the state amends its policies regarding students' gender identity. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that California's approach violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), claiming state officials “egregiously abused” their authority by encouraging local districts to withhold information from parents. The state, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, maintains that its policy does not mandate nondisclosure and that parents retain access to their children's education records. The Education Department suggested that California could resolve the issue by ensuring districts inform parents about “gender support plans” and clarifying that state law does not override federal law. Legal challenges are ongoing, with a federal judge previously ruling against the state's policy, although an appeals court has since halted that decision.

CHARTERS

Twin Rivers board withdraws charter from adult school

Twin Rivers USD's board has voted to revoke the charter of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, which has been under scrutiny for misusing over $180m, according to a state audit. The Californian school serves primarily new immigrants seeking diplomas, English language skills, or vocational training. Despite emotional appeals from students and staff, including Teresa Hernandez, who said: "I finally found a school that adapts to my circumstances," the board remained unconvinced. Although district staff recommended maintaining the charter's relationship, board president Christine Jefferson expressed dissatisfaction with the school's progress in addressing previous violations.

POLICY

Teacher retention, diversity, and Latino representation dominate CT Education Summit

At Connecticut’s 2026 Education Issues Summit, educators and lawmakers highlighted pressing concerns including teacher shortages, low pay, and lack of representation, particularly among Latino voices. Calls were made to boost starting salaries to $60,000, increase educator diversity, support bilingual education, and better fund student services. The summit also drew criticism for limited Latino representation on panels, despite Latinos making up a significant portion of the student population. Former U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona urged action to protect public education and embrace multilingualism as a national strength.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Waymo vehicle strikes child near school

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation following an incident where a Waymo self-driving vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on January 23. The child reportedly ran across the street from behind a double-parked SUV during school drop-off hours, resulting in minor injuries. NHTSA's preliminary evaluation, announced this morning, will assess whether the Waymo autonomous vehicle exercised appropriate caution in the school zone, particularly during peak drop-off times. The agency will examine the vehicle's adherence to speed limits and its post-impact response. As stated by NHTSA, the investigation will focus on "intended behavior in school zones and neighboring areas."

CLASSROOM

Seating strategies for student success

Classroom layout and seating arrangements are critical decisions educators face at the beginning of the school year and throughout. The seating choice can significantly influence student focus and learning. While some teachers assign seats to facilitate name recognition, others prefer to observe student dynamics before making adjustments. Flexible seating models, which include various seating options like exercise balls and wobble stools, allow students to choose their learning environment, promoting agency in their education. However, the National Education Association cautions that flexible seating may not suit every student, stating: "While flexible seating may have become more popular in schools, it may not be for everyone." A recent poll by Education Week revealed that 60% of educators favor behavioral pairing for seating assignments, while others prefer random choice or alphabetical order. The ongoing debate highlights the importance of tailored seating strategies to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

TECHNOLOGY

Ohio schools embrace AI regulations

Ohio has become the first state to mandate K-12 public schools to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) policies, with a deadline set for July 1, 2026. The initiative, part of the state budget bill, requires districts to establish their own policies, with some already finalized. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is tasked with developing a model policy, which emphasizes AI as a tool for classroom innovation while ensuring safe and responsible implementation. The policy includes sections on building AI literacy, maintaining data privacy, and ethical use of AI. Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) has already adopted its policy, which aims to equip students for the future. CPS board president Brandon Craig said: "We wanted to make sure the students are equipped for the world they're entering, not just the world they're in now." As districts navigate this new landscape, the effectiveness of AI integration in classrooms remains to be seen.

INTERNATIONAL

Victorian teachers denied strike ballot as pay dispute deepens

The Victorian state government in Australia has blocked an attempt by the Australian Education Union (AEU) to hold a strike ballot, halting plans for protected industrial action following failed negotiations over a 35% pay rise. The union, which had applied to the Fair Work Commission to ballot members, accused the Allan Labor Government of undermining staff rights and perpetuating chronic underfunding in public schools. AEU President Justin Mullaly criticized the move as anti-union, citing wage gaps with NSW, excessive workloads, and over 385 school staff vacancies ahead of term one. The state government defended its actions, stating negotiations are ongoing in good faith.
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