Become more informed in minutes....

On Monday afternoon, the Trump administration announced that it is delaying the release of nearly $6.9bn in federal K-12 education funding scheduled for July 1, affecting programs including Title I-C Migrant Education ($375m), Title II-A Supporting Effective Instruction Grants ($2.2bn), Title III English Language Acquisition Grants ($890m), Title IV-A for academic enrichment ($1.3bn), and Title IV-B 21st Century Community Learning Centers ($1.4bn). It later added that it is also withholding Grant Award Notifications for adult basic and literacy education ($72m). The funds being withheld from the affected programs represent at least 10% of the federal K-12 education spending in 33 states and territories, according to estimates by the Learning Policy Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit think tank. “The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” the Department of Education said in written communications to states about its plans. Although federal law prohibits the executive branch from withholding congressionally appropriated funds unless it gives federal lawmakers an opportunity to approve or reject the move within 45 days, Russell Vought, who Trump appointed to lead the Office of Management and Budget, has said he believes restrictions on impoundment are unconstitutional. It is currently unclear how long the funding delay might last, or when the federal funds might be distributed.

 

Learning Policy Institute

Education Week News

Los Angeles Times

Politico

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review two significant cases related to political speech in public schools. One case, MacRae v. Mattos, involved a teacher in Hanover who was dismissed for her TikTok posts expressing controversial views. Justice Clarence Thomas, in his statement regarding the denial of review, said he agreed with the court that the teacher's appeal had not squarely challenged the 1st Circuit’s Pickering-Garcetti framework. The other case, B.W. v. Austin Independent School District, involved a Texas student who claimed harassment after wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. The court's refusal to hear these cases leaves unresolved questions about the balance between free speech and workplace harmony in educational settings.

 

Education Week News

U.S. News

School districts across the U.S. are facing significant cuts to mental health staffing due to the Trump administration's cancellation of federal grants. Hennessey Lustica, project director of the Wellness Workforce Collaborative, warned that: “Cutting this funding is just going to devastate kids,” highlighting the impact on over 20,000 students in her district alone. The $1bn in grants, part of a gun violence bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, aimed to enhance mental health support in schools, particularly in rural areas. However, the Trump administration criticized aspects of the program related to race. The cancellation affects numerous districts, including West Contra Costa USD, which will lose nearly $4m, and Birmingham City Schools in Alabama, which will not receive the remainder of a $15m grant. As mental health needs rise, experts warn that these cuts will exacerbate existing challenges for students.

 

U.S. News

In California's K-12 schools, approximately 1 in 3 students, totaling 1,918,385, speak a language other than English at home and were not fluent in English upon starting school. Of these, about half, or 1,009,066, are current English learners, while the remaining 909,319 have achieved fluency. The process for designating a student as an English learner begins with a language survey during enrollment, followed by the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). According to the California Department of Education, 72% of English learners were born in the U.S., with Spanish being the most common language spoken. Research indicates that it typically takes students four to seven years to become proficient in academic English, with reclassification rates increasing as students progress through grades. As noted: "Only 7.6% of first graders who started as English learners had been reclassified as fluent." The percentage rises significantly in higher grades, highlighting the ongoing challenge of language acquisition in California's diverse educational landscape.

 

EdSource

The Castaic USD governing board has unanimously approved its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the upcoming school year, outlining goals to enhance educational outcomes for all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The LCAP, developed with input from district personnel and community stakeholders, aims to provide high-quality education and support to narrow achievement gaps. For the 2024-25 school year, the district budgeted approximately $2.15m to improve services for high-needs students, with plans to spend about $32m in the 2025-26 school year. Board member Laura Pearson said: "We are committed to raising academic achievement for all students," after the board passed the LCAP and budget motions 5-0.

 

Signalscv.com

Santa Monica-Malibu USD is set to save taxpayers over $22m due to high credit ratings from Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global. Moody's maintained its Aa1 rating, while S&P affirmed its AA+ rating, leading to lower borrowing costs for the district's $200m general obligation bond issuance aimed at modernization projects. School Board President Jennifer Smith expressed satisfaction with the ratings, which she said reflect the district's "good management practices." Despite challenges like declining enrollment and wildfire damage, the district's financial stability is bolstered by its community-funded status, relying on local property taxes. The bond sale attracted over $350m in orders, showcasing strong investor interest. The district's diverse revenue streams and strategic financial management practices contribute to its resilience amid economic pressures.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

According to a recent survey by the Gallup-Walton Family Foundation, teachers who utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools weekly save an average of six weeks during the school year. Key tasks benefiting from AI include creating worksheets, performing administrative duties, and lesson preparation. Despite these advantages, only 32% of K-12 teachers reported using AI regularly, with 40% not using it at all. Stephanie Marken, senior partner for U.S. research at Gallup, said: "Teachers are not only gaining back valuable time, they are also reporting that AI is helping to strengthen the quality of their work." The report highlights a significant gap in AI adoption, emphasizing the need for schools to provide necessary tools and training. Additionally, 65% of special education teachers believe AI can enhance accessibility for students with disabilities, while concerns about its ethical implications in classrooms persist.

 

EdSource

Fresno USD has seen a significant increase in online enrollment, growing from 40 students to over 800 in its Farber School of Online Learning. Educators like Tony Flori emphasize the importance of catering to diverse student needs, noting that online education can be a better fit for those with social anxiety. Students can participate in Advanced Placement classes and school clubs, while teachers adapt their methods to engage students effectively. The shift to online learning has reshaped educational experiences, providing a viable alternative for many.

 

The Fresno Bee

Teachers can greatly benefit from students' perspectives, which provide valuable insights into their learning experiences. Damian Bebell, a research professor at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College, emphasizes that collecting feedback can challenge teachers' assumptions and enhance their understanding of student needs, adding: “When we give teachers those tools and resources and get out of the way, teachers refine their thinking.” Utilizing tools like Google Forms and Survey Monkey allows educators to gather data that reflects the voices of all students, not just the most vocal. This approach can lead to improved student engagement and academic performance, as research shows that responsive schools correlate with better grades and attendance. Bebell encourages teachers to creatively explore what questions to ask, highlighting that even simple surveys can yield significant insights into students' learning environments.

 

Education Week News

Four students from San Bernardino County have achieved remarkable success by winning full-ride scholarships to Arizona State University after competing in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio. The students, Tyler Kalanjian, Zackary Lewis, Leila Maleki, and Michael Stodelle, showcased their talents and hard work, earning recognition beyond just trophies.

 

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

The U.S. Senate parliamentarian has ruled that a $4bn plan to expand private school vouchers violates procedural rules, advising against its inclusion in President Donald Trump’s budget reconciliation bill. The proposal aimed to create a federal tax credit for scholarships to private schools, allowing donors to receive tax benefits. While supporters argue it would provide alternatives to underperforming public schools, opponents, including Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), warn it could lead to fraud and divert funds from public education. Merkley said: “We have been successful in removing parts of this bill that hurt families and workers, but the process is not over.” The future of the voucher plan remains uncertain as Senate Republicans consider their next steps.

 

EdSource

The Trump administration's investigation into Harvard University revealed violations of the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli students. The Department of Health and Human Services reported that these students experienced “severe, pervasive and objectively offensive harassment” following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The investigation identified a “pattern of unlawful and unchecked discrimination” at Harvard, concluding that the university's response was “deliberate indifference.” Paula Stannard, the director of the civil rights office, said: “Harvard's public pledges to improve its disciplinary framework for harassment and misconduct are inadequate to meaningfully address these serious findings.” The administration has frozen over $2bn in federal grants to Harvard and warned that failure to comply could lead to a referral to the Department of Justice for a federal civil suit. Harvard maintains it has taken significant steps to combat antisemitism and disagrees with the findings.

 

CNBC	Los Angeles Times

CBC News reports on how teacher shortages have become an issue in nearly every Canadian province and territory. While the overall number of educators in K-12 public schools rose around 3%  from 401,286 in 2018-2019 to 413,667 in 2022-2023, according to Statistics Canada, the number of teacher vacancies varies from region to region. Limited housing and a higher cost of living have perennially kept more teachers from certain regions, including remote and rural areas, explained Clint Johnston, president designate of the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF), the national group representing the unions of more than 365,000 K-12 teachers and education workers. "There's a lot of certified individuals in most of our provinces and territories, but … they're not sticking with it," he said. "There's not enough support workers. There's not enough teachers … everyone's workload has gone up and become untenable." Measures to address the shortages include new recruitment campaigns in New Brunswick and Alberta, and funding for rural and remote teacher candidates to train in their home communities in British Columbia and Alberta. Ontario and New Brunswick are allowing teachers' colleges to accept more students, while several regions have also floated the idea of accelerating or condensing teacher training. Commenting on the matter Ontario science teacher Jason Bradshaw said: "If [governments] want to show teachers that they are valued and respected and give people a reason to come into … and stay in this profession, we have to know that they're going to invest in us long term."

 

CBC News