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24th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Doctors, nurses warn of rising risks as childhood vaccine rates decline

Falling childhood vaccination rates across the U.S. are raising concerns about a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles, with experts warning that declining immunization coverage is leaving many communities below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. The trend is highlighted by personal accounts from older generations, including infectious disease specialist Dr. Judith Feinberg and school nurse Kate King, who both experienced measles firsthand and are now advocating for vaccines as cases reemerge, including recent outbreaks in Ohio. Health professionals attribute growing hesitancy in part to lingering distrust from the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside misinformation and access barriers, even as most parents still consider vaccines safe. Meanwhile, exemptions for religious or personal reasons have reached their highest levels in years, contributing to increased vulnerability among schoolchildren. Advocacy groups and school nurses are focusing on education and outreach, emphasizing real-life consequences of preventable diseases, while warning that without improved vaccination rates, outbreaks are likely to intensify.

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POLICY

New Nevada superintendent sets priorities for funding, pre-K expansion, and career pathways

Nevada’s new state superintendent, Victor Wakefield, has outlined a strategic vision for improving K-12 education, emphasizing stronger early learning, expanded career and college pathways, better support for educators, and more effective use of funding to drive measurable results. After a statewide tour of schools, Wakefield said aligning spending with clear priorities, such as pre-K expansion, where enrollment has grown but still reaches fewer than one in five four-year-olds, and increasing access to advanced and career-focused courses, will help guide future legislative investment decisions. He also highlighted disparities in access to rigorous coursework across districts, ongoing staffing and infrastructure challenges, and budget pressures tied to declining enrollment, while stressing the need for clearer accountability, stronger family engagement, and more consistent planning to improve student outcomes statewide.

LEGAL

Court finds Des Moines schools not responsible in teen suicide case

A Polk County judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Des Moines Public Schools regarding the suicide of thirteen-year-old Leilani Gonzalez in March 2023. The lawsuit, filed by her mother, Danielle Yonemura, alleged that the district contributed to the tragedy through bullying and repeated suspensions. Judge Scott Rosenberg ruled that the law cited by Yonemura does not permit a private lawsuit against the district, stating: "Without a legally cognizable duty, even the most troubling allegations of misconduct cannot form the basis for liability." Yonemura expressed concern over the ruling, stating that it allows districts to act against children's interests without accountability. She emphasized the need for meaningful protections for LGBTQ+ students, highlighting that "when systems fail to protect vulnerable students, they are contributing to the very harm they claim to prevent." The district welcomed the court's decision, affirming their commitment to student welfare.

DISTRICTS

LAUSD moves to rename schools and rethink holiday honoring César Chávez

Los Angeles USD is set to vote on removing César Chávez’s name from two campuses and renaming César Chávez Day as “Farmworkers Day” following sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader. The proposed resolution would shift the district’s focus from honoring Chávez as an individual to recognizing the broader farmworkers movement, while also naming four alleged victims and committing to expanded trauma-informed support, counseling resources, and education on consent and abuse. The measure, expected to pass, reflects a broader reassessment of Chávez’s legacy in schools, with plans to complete the renaming by fall and to align curriculum more closely with collective labor history rather than a single figure, as educators respond to the impact of the allegations on students and communities.

FINANCE

Budget battle looms for NYC schools

During a recent City Council hearing regarding Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposed budget for New York City's public schools, concerns about potential budget cuts were prevalent. Brooklyn City Council member Lincoln Restler emphasized the significance of this issue, commenting: "There are not many individual issues that we will discuss at any of these hearings that impact our collective vote on the entire $127bn dollar budget." As K-12 enrollment has decreased nearly 10% over the past six years, city officials have allocated $1.6bn to maintain school budgets. However, with federal funding diminishing, the decision to keep budgets stable amid declining enrollment poses political challenges. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels noted that "no decision has been made on hold harmless," highlighting the need for sustainable funding for schools serving vulnerable populations. Preliminary school budgets are expected later this spring, leaving limited time for negotiations before the June 30 budget deadline.

Oklahoma’s pension gains at risk as lawmakers consider redirecting funds

Oklahoma is considering reducing extra contributions to its teacher pension system after years of improved funding, as lawmakers look to redirect hundreds of millions of dollars toward priorities such as teacher pay raises, school choice programs, and academic initiatives. The state has made significant progress over the past decade, cutting its unfunded pension liability from $10.4bn in 2010 to $6.1bn and improving its funded ratio from 47% to 80%, largely through increased contributions and benefit reforms, including raising the retirement age and extending vesting periods. However, policymakers are now debating scaling back roughly $456m in annual state contributions, a move that could slow or reverse progress, particularly as projections to fully fund the plan by 2034 depend on continued contributions and consistent investment returns.

GOVERNANCE

Student voices amplified in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee School Board has appointed three high school students as representatives from the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, allowing them to provide input during board meetings. Although they cannot vote, their roles are intended to enhance communication with students and advocate for issues such as budget equity and improved school meals. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius emphasized the importance of student perspectives, stating: "They experience the day to day, and it's good to always have that perspective front and center for every decision we make." The new delegates—Mateo De La Cruz, Lucina "Luna" Matos, and Ingrid Melzer—aim to address disparities in school funding and advocate for better meal options. Their involvement reflects a growing trend, as approximately 1,200 school boards nationwide now include student representatives.

LEGISLATION

Kansas Republicans prepare for veto showdown over school choice bill

Kansas lawmakers have approved House Bill 2468, which would allow the state to opt into a federal school choice program converting tax credits into financial aid for K–12 students; however, Gov. Laura Kelly is widely expected to veto the measure due to her longstanding opposition to directing public funds toward private education. The bill passed with solid Republican support in both chambers, including a 27–12 vote in the Senate and 76–44 in the House, though amendments to reduce the program’s cap to $15m were needed to secure additional backing. While Senate Republicans appear to have enough votes to override a veto, House leaders remain short of the two-thirds majority required, meaning the legislation’s future is uncertain. Supporters argue the measure would expand educational choice and ensure Kansas benefits from federal tax credits that might otherwise flow to other states, while critics warn it would effectively divert public resources from already strained public school systems, with projected reductions in state revenues and ongoing concerns about underfunded programs such as special education.

WORKFORCE

Asian teachers face hiring barriers

A February study found that school hiring processes may significantly disadvantage non-white teaching candidates, with Asian American applicants facing the steepest barriers at every stage. Drawing on more than 46,000 applications from districts and charter networks between 2019 and 2024, researchers found Asian candidates received offers at about half the rate of other groups, even after accounting for stronger paper credentials. Dan Goldhaber said that after adjusting for experience and education, “they look like better candidates on paper,” yet still fared worse.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

New AI enforcement system to fine drivers passing stopped school buses in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Public Schools in Michigan has introduced artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cameras on 135 school buses to identify and fine drivers who illegally pass stopped buses, with a five-week warning period before enforcement begins April 27. The system, developed in partnership with Dean Transportation and BusPatrol, captures violations only when stop arms and red lights are activated, with footage reviewed by police before citations, estimated around $250 plus court costs, are issued. The initiative aims to improve student safety amid widespread violations, with an estimated 2,200 incidents daily in Michigan and more than 400,000 annually, alongside recent crashes causing injuries and fatalities. District leaders said the program, funded through ticket revenue at no cost to schools, also includes interior bus cameras requested by parents, and is intended to deter dangerous driving behavior while providing transparency through video evidence.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Bipartisan vote advances school-based firearm safety education in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma House has overwhelmingly approved a bill allowing optional firearm safety training in K–12 public schools, passing 84–10 with bipartisan support and sending the measure to the Senate. The proposed program would provide age-appropriate, politically neutral instruction, ranging from basic avoidance guidance for younger students to safe handling and storage education for older students, while prohibiting live ammunition and allowing parents to opt out. The curriculum would be developed by state education and law enforcement bodies, with trained officers recommended as instructors, as lawmakers emphasized the goal of delivering practical safety education without mandating participation or requiring teachers to lead the training.

INFRASTRUCTURE

From hallways to hubs: Why schools are embracing third spaces for connection

Schools can play a critical role in replacing declining “third spaces”, informal social environments like parks or malls, by intentionally designing areas such as libraries, hallways, and commons to support students’ social and mental well-being. With rising loneliness among young people, these flexible, voluntary spaces can foster connection, improve academic outcomes, and provide low-pressure environments for interaction. To achieve this, designers are encouraged to create multifunctional, accessible environments that incorporate natural elements, comfortable “resimercial” materials, and inclusive layouts, while integrating smart systems and robust technology infrastructure. The goal is to transform underused school areas into adaptable community hubs that support collaboration, relaxation, and engagement, positioning schools as central spaces for both learning and social connection.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Department of Education launches portal to disclose foreign funding in universities

The U.S. Department of Education has introduced a new online portal requiring colleges and universities to disclose foreign funding, aiming to improve transparency and enforce compliance with federal reporting laws. The initiative, tied to Executive Order 14282, comes amid concerns over foreign influence in U.S. education, with $72.1bn in funding already disclosed across 559 institutions, including $5.2bn reported in 2025 alone. The department also released data showing more than 8,300 foreign funding transactions in 2025, with Qatar the largest source at $1.1bn, followed by countries including the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland, and Japan. Officials emphasized that institutions have a legal obligation to report foreign gifts exceeding $250,000, while critics have long argued that enforcement has been insufficient.

INTERNATIONAL

Ayotzinapa families demand answers after 11 years

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that her government is negotiating the return of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) to continue investigations into the 2014 disappearance of 43 students from the Raul Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers' College in Ayotzinapa. The GIEI, established in 2014, has faced challenges, including accusations of government interference, leading to their departure in 2023. Angela Buitrago, an investigator, stated that the experts are willing to return but await specific terms. Sheinbaum emphasized the need for a new investigative framework, which will include a thorough analysis of phone records from the night of the disappearances. Despite numerous arrests, no convictions have been made in this notorious human rights case, which has drawn international attention. Sheinbaum described a recent court decision regarding army documents as "highly questionable," highlighting ongoing complexities in the investigation.

Victorian teachers and support staff launch first strike in 13 years amid pay dispute

Up to 35,000 teachers and education staff staged a 24-hour strike across the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday, rallying in Melbourne’s CBD and forcing around 500 public schools to close or significantly reduce operations in the first such action in 13 years. Organized by the Australian Education Union (AEU), the protest highlighted growing frustration over pay, workload, and staffing shortages, with some schools shut as entire teaching cohorts walked out. The strike comes amid protracted enterprise bargaining negotiations that began about eight months ago, with the union seeking a 35% pay increase over four years, smaller class sizes, and better classroom and mental health support. The Victorian government has offered an 18.5% increase, including an immediate 8% rise for teachers and 4% for support staff, followed by annual 3% increases and a 1.5% overtime allowance. It added that it had made efforts to avoid the strike and urged the union to prioritize minimizing disruption to students, noting that negotiations are ongoing.
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