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USA
19th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Supreme Court to review split over Title IX rights for school employees

The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear a case examining whether employees of federally funded public educational institutions can privately sue under Title IX for sex discrimination in the workplace, a decision that could significantly expand or limit legal protections for school employees nationwide. The case centers on two former Georgia university employees: MaChelle Joseph, a former women’s basketball coach at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Thomas Crowther, a former art professor at Augusta University. Both allege they were treated unfairly under Title IX-related proceedings and challenged adverse employment actions taken against them. Joseph was fired in 2019 after filing complaints alleging that the women’s basketball program received fewer resources than the men’s team. Crowther’s contract was not renewed in 2021 following allegations of inappropriate classroom conduct and sexual harassment made by students. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled that employees at public educational institutions do not have a private right to sue under Title IX, creating a split with several other federal appeals courts that have allowed such claims. The Supreme Court’s eventual ruling could clarify whether Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs, also provides a direct avenue for public school and university employees to pursue workplace discrimination claims in court.

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FINANCE

Long Island school districts face budget proposal votes

Long Island voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide on budget proposals for 124 school districts, with total planned public school spending reaching nearly $16.9bn for the 2026-27 school year if every budget passes. The proposed spending increase of 3.26% comes as districts grapple with inflation, staffing reductions, delayed state aid decisions, and rising operational costs. Local property taxes would increase by 2.5%, reaching $10bn across Long Island. Education leaders said inflation has significantly strained district finances, contributing to widespread cuts. A Newsday analysis found that roughly one-third of districts have proposed reductions to staffing or programs, while only a handful plan to add services or personnel. School officials also faced uncertainty due to delays in New York State’s budget approval process. Because the state budget had not been finalized by Monday, districts were still unsure how much aid they would receive for next year. Many districts expected at least a 2% increase in foundation aid, despite Gov. Kathy Hochul’s January proposal calling for only a 1% increase. In addition to school budgets, voters will decide on at least 90 ballot propositions, most involving capital improvement projects for school facilities. School board elections are also taking place, with 358 candidates competing for 257 seats, although only 51 districts have contested races.

Bipartisan school funding proposal collapses in Wisconsin Senate

Education leaders across Wisconsin are urging lawmakers to revive a failed $1.8bn bipartisan budget agreement that would have directed more than $617m to public schools, including significant increases in special education reimbursement funding. Superintendents from Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha, Racine, and Green Bay said the proposal represented meaningful progress and warned that failure to pass a compromise package could lead to cuts in student programs and staffing. The plan, negotiated by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders, would have increased special education reimbursement rates to nearly 43% this year and an estimated 50% next year, alongside additional general school aid intended to reduce local property tax burdens. Education groups said chronic underfunding of special education has forced districts to divert money away from academics and staffing, while the Wisconsin Association of School Boards described the bill’s collapse as a missed bipartisan opportunity. The bill also included measures to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, and to issue taxpayer rebate checks, but it failed in the Senate after opposition from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The Senate ultimately voted down the measure 18-15 after several Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the package.

LEADERSHIP

Ten candidates compete for California schools chief as Governor pushes overhaul

Ten candidates are competing to become California’s next superintendent of public instruction, though the role itself could soon change dramatically under a proposal from Gov. Gavin Newsom to place greater control of the state education system under the governor’s office. The crowded race includes current and former lawmakers, school board leaders, union officials, educators, and community college trustees. Among the leading candidates are San Diego Unified board president Richard Barrera, Chino Valley Unified board president Sonja Shaw, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and former state Sen. Josh Newman, all of whom have raised the most campaign funding so far. Candidates have largely focused on issues including student achievement, absenteeism, literacy, workforce preparation, and school funding, though divisions have also emerged around LGBTQ+ policies and parental rights. Additionally, a number oppose Newsom’s proposal to weaken the elected superintendent’s authority by consolidating control of the Department of Education within the governor’s office.

POLICY

NC education officials call for stronger research partnerships to influence policy

North Carolina education leaders, university researchers, and policymakers gathered at the state Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh last week to discuss how academic research can more effectively inform education policy and funding decisions across the state. The convening, organized in part by the NC Collaboratory, brought together roughly 80 researchers from institutions including NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UNC-Greensboro, alongside DPI officials, State Board of Education staff, the governor’s education advisers, and former lawmakers. Participants focused on improving communication between researchers and policymakers, who often face competing priorities and limited time to digest complex data. Jeni Corn, research director for social sciences at the NC Collaboratory, told attendees that researchers must take responsibility for translating findings into accessible, actionable information that policymakers can quickly understand and share. Speakers throughout the event emphasized the importance of presenting research in practical terms tied directly to student outcomes and policy decisions.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Missouri launches new workforce skills program for students

Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has announced a new partnership with Educational Testing Service to introduce the “Skills for the Future” initiative in schools, aimed at helping students build workforce-ready skills including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The program is designed to address what officials described as a growing disconnect between classroom learning and the skills employers and colleges expect from graduates. Missouri joins several other states already participating in the initiative, including Rhode Island, Nevada, North Carolina, Indiana, and Wisconsin. A pilot program will launch during the 2026-27 school year through partnerships with the Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts and the Success Ready Students Network. The initiative is intended to complement Missouri’s existing academic standards rather than replace them. The program focuses on four key areas: work output, stakeholder evaluation, skill development, and social capital, helping students gain practical experience while building connections with employers and community networks.

CHARTERS

North Chicago charter schools remain open pending state conditions

The Illinois State Board of Education has overturned North Chicago School District 187’s decision to close two LEARN Charter School Network campuses, allowing the schools to remain open if they meet a series of state-imposed conditions. The dispute began after District 187 initially voted in March 2025 to renew the charters for LEARN 6 and LEARN 10 for five years, before later reversing course and directing the schools to close by June 30, 2027. LEARN appealed the decision to the state board. The ISBE voted on May 13 to set aside the district’s nonrenewal decision, creating a path for both schools to continue operating under state authorization. LEARN president and chief executive Greg White said the decision provides clarity and allows the organization to focus on improving academic achievement and student support services. Under the state’s ruling, LEARN 6 must secure a lease or sublease for its current location at Naval Station Great Lakes by September 1 or identify a new approved facility in North Chicago by July 2027. LEARN 10 faces similar requirements for its current location at the former Yeager Elementary School or another suitable building.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

NYC plans vendor ratings and route upgrades for school bus network

New York City officials say they are preparing a major overhaul of the city’s troubled school bus system, including the rollout of new routing software and public vendor scorecards designed to improve accountability and efficiency across the network. The city’s school transportation system serves roughly 145,000 students through approximately 9,000 routes operated by 52 companies at a cost exceeding $2bn annually. About 43% of students relying on yellow bus service are children with disabilities, making service disruptions particularly harmful for vulnerable students who may miss instruction or become chronically absent. Education Department officials said new routing software from Via Transportation is expected to launch in September after years of delays. The updated system is intended to create shorter, more efficient routes and better adapt to traffic conditions in real time. The city currently relies in part on routing software introduced in 1994 that has not received regular technological updates for more than a decade. Officials also announced plans to begin publishing “vendor scorecards” in June. The scorecards will evaluate bus companies on metrics including crashes, vehicle age, driver staffing levels, breakdowns, contract violations, and safety data generated through GPS systems. The city said the scorecards are intended to increase transparency and hold vendors more accountable for service quality.

TEACHER TRAINING

Districts warn loss of Title II funds could undermine teacher support programs

School districts across the U.S. are facing uncertainty over the future of Title II-A, the federal government’s main source of funding for teacher professional development, after the Trump administration again proposed eliminating the program in its latest budget plan. The $2.2bn program supports instructional coaching, teacher training, recruitment, apprenticeships, and collaborative learning in roughly 95% of school districts nationwide. Many districts, particularly rural systems, rely on the funding to maintain ongoing teacher support programs. Education leaders said uncertainty surrounding the grants has already disrupted hiring and budget planning. While Congress preserved funding for the 2026-27 school year, districts remain concerned about future cuts and proposals to fold Title II into a broader block grant with fewer protections for professional learning. Supporters of the program said Title II has helped schools move away from one-time workshops toward sustained, classroom-focused coaching and collaboration aimed at improving teacher effectiveness and student outcomes.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Columbus City Schools unveils major capital improvement projects across district

Columbus City Schools has announced a $60m capital improvement plan that will fund building renovations, athletic facility upgrades, playgrounds, HVAC replacements, and energy-efficient improvements across dozens of schools beginning this summer. Superintendent Angela Chapman unveiled the plan at Salem Elementary School, where the district will invest $6m in a full building refresh, a new playground, outdoor learning spaces, and other upgrades scheduled for completion before the 2026-27 school year. Some of the improvements, including an outdoor classroom, were designed with input from students. The broader districtwide investment includes more than $50m for projects such as HVAC upgrades at 11 schools and facilities, roof replacements, athletic facility improvements at several high schools, auditorium and gymnasium renovations, parking lot resurfacing, and classroom upgrades. District officials said the projects are funded through the $100m levy approved by voters in 2023.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Pell grants expanded to cover short-term workforce training programs

Beginning July 1, students enrolled in short-term workforce training and career education programs will become eligible for federal Pell Grants under a new Workforce Pell Grant rule announced by the U.S. Department of Education. The change expands federal financial aid beyond traditional undergraduate degree and certificate programs to include short-term training aimed at preparing students for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs. Under the new rule, eligible programs must be offered by accredited institutions and meet strict requirements tied to student outcomes and labor market demand. Governors and state workforce boards will help determine which industries and educational programs qualify based on workforce needs within their states. Programs approved for Workforce Pell funding must last between eight and 15 weeks and include 150 to 599 instructional hours. Correspondence courses, noncredit classes, and remedial programs are excluded from eligibility. To qualify, workforce programs must also demonstrate measurable return on investment through data including completion rates, job placement rates, and graduate earnings.

INTERNATIONAL

Test data shows deepening of wealth gap in Australian student achievement

A new analysis of 17 years of NAPLAN standardized test data has found that educational inequality between advantaged and disadvantaged students in Australia is growing, with learning gaps widening as children move through school. The research, conducted by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute, concluded that socioeconomic inequality has become deeply entrenched across Australia’s education system. The study analyzed NAPLAN data from 2008 through 2025 and converted scores into equivalent years of learning. Researchers compared student performance against parental education and occupation levels. They found that an average year 3 student with at least one parent holding a bachelor’s degree or higher was more than two years ahead of a student whose parents had not completed school. By year 9, that gap had widened to more than four years. Researchers described the issue as systemic and structural, citing factors including increased competition between schools, the growth of the private school sector, inequitable funding, and selective enrollment practices. According to unpublished OECD-related research referenced in the report, Australia has experienced the largest increase in socioeconomic school segregation among 50 OECD member and partner nations over the past two decades.
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