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USA
10th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

House Dems seek answers on Education Department’s civil rights backlog

Dozens of House Democrats have urged Education Secretary Linda McMahon to explain a growing backlog of civil rights complaints at the Department of Education, raising concerns that staff cuts have stalled investigations meant to protect students. Led by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), 70 lawmakers sent a letter questioning how the Office of Civil Rights is handling tens of thousands of complaints after hundreds of attorneys and staff were laid off at the start of the Trump administration. The lawmakers cited reports that more than 22,000 complaints were filed in 2024 and that the office is now grappling with about 25,000 cases and 7,000 open investigations, with some staff rehired only temporarily. They claimed no racial harassment or discrimination investigations have been resolved since President Donald Trump took office, and are seeking information on the size and nature of the backlog, staffing levels and the standards being used to determine discrimination.

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DISTRICTS

Contract row triggers San Francisco USD teacher strike

San Francisco USD public schools closed on Monday as teachers initiated a strike for the first time in nearly fifty years, primarily over healthcare coverage and salary increases. The United Educators of San Francisco walked off the job after negotiations with the district failed. Superintendent Maria Su said: "Every day this strike continues has real consequences," emphasizing the impact on students and families. The district is facing a $102m budget deficit and has been under state fiscal oversight due to ongoing financial challenges. Teachers are demanding a 9% pay raise over two years, while the district has offered a 6% increase. Rising healthcare costs have also been a significant concern, with premiums reaching $1,500 per month for families. The strike reflects broader labor unrest in California, as educators in Los Angeles and San Diego have also authorized strikes for better pay and resources.

Free mental health clinics at 23 Massachusetts schools set to end in June

A $5m pilot programme that has provided free mental health clinics in 23 Massachusetts public schools is due to end in June, leaving schools and healthcare providers scrambling to find replacement funding. Launched in 2022 and run by the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, the initiative was the first of its kind in the state to offer free urgent and ongoing mental health care within schools, particularly in lower-income districts and communities with more English-language learners. The programme supplemented school mental health teams with additional clinicians, social workers and bilingual specialists, contributing to sharp reductions in suspensions, absences and emergency 911 calls. At some schools, ambulance calls dropped from weekly incidents to just a handful over an entire year, while others reported suspensions falling by around half. Funded initially by three philanthropic foundations, the four-year pilot was intended to demonstrate impact before transitioning to public or insurance-based funding. However, expiring grants now coincide with tighter local, state and federal education budgets and uncertainty over future federal mental health support.

Philadelphia parents rally to save schools

In Philadelphia, community meetings have seen significant turnout as families and students advocate against the proposed closure of twenty schools starting in 2027. District officials, led by Superintendent Tony Watlington, argue that the closures are necessary to address declining enrollment and deteriorating facilities, commenting: "If we accept the status quo, we will get what we've always gotten." However, many community members express concerns about the impact on student safety and the loss of small, supportive school environments. The district plans to present the proposal to the Board of Education on February 26, with ongoing community meetings scheduled to address concerns.

GOVERNANCE

Florida bill seeks statewide inventory of school districts’ unused land

A Florida House bill would require public school districts to report all vacant, unimproved land they own to the Florida Department of Education, creating a statewide inventory for planning and transparency. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Danny Nix Jr., HB 1147 advanced through a House subcommittee on a party-line vote, with supporters arguing the state currently lacks a clear picture of districts’ unused land holdings. Democrats and some school officials voiced concern that the measure could pave the way for charter schools to gain access to district-owned land, echoing controversy around the state’s Schools of Hope law. Although earlier language that prioritised charter schools was removed, critics said districts already disclose land holdings through public records and warned that vacant land is often held for specific reasons, such as future educational needs, donor restrictions or federal liens. Under the revised bill, districts would be required to submit detailed information on each parcel, which the state would compile into a public report.

LEGAL

Social media giants face landmark trials

The world's largest social media companies, including Meta and YouTube, are facing significant legal challenges this year regarding their impact on children's mental health. Opening arguments in a landmark trial begin this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, where claims suggest that these platforms intentionally design features that addict children and exacerbate mental health issues. Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, stated: "This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts... bringing Big Tech to court." The case centers on a 19-year-old, referred to as "KGM," whose experiences may influence numerous similar lawsuits. The outcome could reshape how these companies manage child users and may challenge their legal protections under the First Amendment and Section 230.

FINANCE

Illinois lawmakers push for education funding

Illinois lawmakers have introduced a plan to address the $5bn shortfall in public education funding, aiming to meet the goal of funding at least 90% of each school's needs by 2027. State Senator Graciela Guzmán, D-Chicago, emphasized the importance of fulfilling the promise to meet the needs of students, families, and communities, commenting: "The evidence-based formula was designed to correct generations of disinvestment. But it only works if it's actually funded. ...This bill is about fulfilling our promise that Illinois should meet the needs of our students, families and communities.” The proposals do not directly increase taxes but suggest taxing millionaires and digital advertising as potential revenue sources. Ralph Martire, executive director at the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, noted that a millionaire's tax could be complicated, requiring a constitutional amendment. He proposed increasing the state income tax while providing a low-income credit to generate significant revenue. The funding gap is exacerbated by rising education costs and a decrease in corporate tax revenue, with Chicago Public Schools experiencing a drop to 73% adequacy.

New Jersey secures $1bn in K-12 funding

New Jersey has successfully retained $1bn in federal funding for K-12 public schools, which the Trump administration had threatened to withhold unless states certified their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices as lawful. Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey's acting attorney general, said: "The settlement...will prevent the federal government from unlawfully withholding over $1bn in critical federal funding." The Trump administration's demands were effectively abandoned following a federal District Court ruling in Maryland that opposed the directive. Governor Mikie Sherrill emphasized the importance of this funding, calling the administration's actions an "affront to hardworking families." Nineteen Democratic-led states, including New Jersey, had sued U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon over the directive, which they argued was ambiguous and pressured schools to limit lawful initiatives. New Jersey is set to receive approximately $445 million in federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding for fiscal year 2024, among other funding streams threatened by the directive.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

New Jersey lawmaker pushes national standards for school bus safety

U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) is calling for New Jersey’s school bus seat belt requirement to be adopted nationwide, arguing that child safety standards should not vary by state. New Jersey has mandated three-point lap and shoulder belts on all new school buses since 2018, but fewer than 10 states have similar laws. Gottheimer said seat belts are proven to save lives and should be a national requirement rather than a state-by-state decision. Alongside the seat belt push, Gottheimer is reintroducing Miranda’s Law, which would require school districts to be notified within 24 hours of any bus driver violations. The bill is named after 10-year-old Miranda Vargas, who was killed in a 2018 school bus crash involving a driver with a history of traffic offences. While supporters acknowledge the cost of installing seat belts can run into thousands of dollars per bus, they argue it is a small price to pay for student safety. The proposals have backing from Democrats including Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and bipartisan support from New York Republican Mike Lawler, though similar efforts have previously failed to pass Congress.

CLASSROOM

Schools rethink how teens learn about money

U.S. high schools are increasingly adopting creative, real-world approaches to teaching personal finance as more states mandate the subject for graduation. Thirty states now require a standalone personal-finance course, a shift that will mean more than 73% of public high school students must take one by 2031, up from just 11% in 2023. Schools are responding by moving beyond textbooks to immersive lessons designed to shape lifelong financial habits. At Connecticut’s Ethel Walker School, students invest real money from the school’s endowment, track performance over several years and earn certification as tax preparers, helping local families file returns. In California, students at Da Vinci Communications charter school plan their financial lives decades ahead, learning the power of compounding, budgeting and early retirement savings through exercises such as writing letters to their future selves and opening Roth IRAs at 18. Educators say these experiential methods boost engagement and practical understanding, though researchers note that while financial education improves credit and debt behaviour, its long-term impact on wealth-building remains mixed.

TEACHER TRAINING

Teacher-leadership roles in jeopardy as budgets tighten

As school districts strive to enhance teaching quality, many have transitioned their best teachers into coaching and master teaching roles. These positions aim to foster collaboration among educators and improve student learning. However, with declining K-12 enrollment and the cessation of federal pandemic relief, these roles are increasingly vulnerable to budget cuts. Heather Peske of the National Council on Teacher Quality stated: "Districts that have been implementing these career ladders or differentiated roles are going to have to be very cautious and deliberate in developing their budgets for the next fiscal year." The Toledo school board's recent decision to eliminate 100 staff positions, including mentors and instructional coaches, exemplifies the challenges faced by districts. As districts adapt to tighter budgets, innovative staffing models may be necessary to sustain educational quality while managing costs.

INTERNATIONAL

Inclusive education gains ground in Japan

Inclusive education in Japan is steadily expanding, with more students with disabilities studying alongside their peers as schools adapt facilities, teaching methods, and overseas programmes to meet “reasonable accommodation” requirements. The trend follows Japan’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a 2024 legal revision obliging private institutions to provide greater support. In secondary education, joint classes and shared activities between mainstream and special needs schools are increasing understanding of diversity and collaboration. Additionally, the number of students with disabilities in higher education has quadrupled over the past decade, underscoring Japan’s gradual shift away from segregated education toward more inclusive learning environments.
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