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Linda McMahon won confirmation as U.S. education secretary on Monday, gaining Senate approval in a 51-45 vote along party lines. “The Department will be focused on advancing education freedom, not building up government-run systems. We will empower states and districts to have more say in what is working on the ground for students instead of bureaucratic edicts from Washington, D.C.,” McMahon said in a statement following her confirmation. “President Donald Trump pledged to make American education the best in the world, return education to the states where it belongs, and free American students from the education bureaucracy through school choice. I intend to make good on that promise.” During the confirmation process, she said that the administration is planning to “reorient” the department while acknowledging that some of the agency’s largest programs would remain in place. She also said core programs, such as Title I money for low-income schools and Pell grants for the poorest college students, would not be eliminated.

 

USA Today

K-12 Dive

New York Times

Politico

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Chicago Public Schools has approved a $25m contract with Metropolitan Family Services to revive the Back to Our Future program, aimed at reengaging dropouts. The initiative, which previously helped around 150 students return to school, has faced challenges due to recruitment issues and lack of clear outcomes. Toni Copeland said the program needed an agency to oversee spending, monitor results, train the partner nonprofits and ensure that both CPS and the nonprofits are pulling their weight. Officials added that Metropolitan Family Services was selected based on its experience working with nonprofits that serve vulnerable adults.

 

Chalkbeat

In Georgia, lawmakers are debating the future of automated speed cameras in school zones, with some advocating for a ban. Critics argue that these cameras prioritize revenue generation over child safety, as highlighted by House Bill 225, sponsored by Dale Washburn. He stated, “These camera companies are engaged in deceit and trickery.” While supporters claim the cameras enhance safety, evidence shows that speeding violations have decreased by 92% in areas where they are used. However, concerns about the financial incentives for local governments and camera companies persist, with over $112 million generated since 2019. Legislative discussions are ongoing, with some proposing reforms to improve camera regulations rather than abolishing them entirely.

 

AP News

Ohio lawmakers are proposing bills to mandate computer science as a high school graduation requirement. The proposed legislation aims to enhance students' skills in a rapidly evolving digital world and prepare them for future careers. State Rep. Gayle Manning, one of the lawmakers introducing the bill, explained: "The goal of this bill is to set students up for success by allowing them to develop valuable skills such as problem solving and computational thinking and make Ohio a leader in tech education." The bill comes amid research which shows that 38% of Ohio's high schools do not offer any computer science classes. Ohio’s statewide percentage is less than most of most of its neighboring states, she said. For instance, 91% of Indiana public high schools offer computer science classes.

 

News Cleveland

The U.S. Supreme Court has chosen not to review a case concerning bias-reporting policies at educational institutions, particularly focusing on Indiana University's approach. These policies aim to create a safe learning environment but have faced criticism from conservative groups, which argue they may lead to self-censorship among students. Justice Clarence Thomas expressed concerns, stating, “Common features of bias response policies suggest that they may cause students to self-censor.” The case, Speech First Inc. v. Whitten, highlighted the existence of similar policies in 115 school districts across 22 states. Indiana University maintains that its bias-response program encourages free expression while fostering inclusivity. The Supreme Court's decision leaves Indiana's policy intact for now, despite dissent from Justices Thomas and Alito, who believe the issue warrants further examination.

 

Education Week News

Central Ohio school districts are urging changes to Gov. Mike DeWine's proposed school funding budget, fearing significant financial losses over the next two years. Concerns arise from the use of outdated data that fails to account for inflation, potentially forcing districts to seek additional levies from property taxpayers. The Ohio Education Policy Institute reports that state public schools could lose over $100 million, with 87% facing budget reductions. John Coneglio, president of the Columbus Education Association, criticized the proposal, stating, "It's defunding public education in Ohio for for-profit charter schools and religious schools." Many districts, including Columbus City Schools, are projected to lose substantial funding, while others may see minor increases. The proposal's reliance on 2022 data has raised alarms, with officials like South-Western City Schools Treasurer Hugh Garside emphasizing the need for updated figures to reflect current economic realities.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, is facing a significant leadership challenge that may impact his role in New York City's upcoming Democratic mayoral primary. Having led the nearly 200,000-member union since 2009, Mulgrew is now navigating what could be the most competitive reelection of his career. In contrast to the 2021 mayoral race, where he effectively supported Scott Stringer's campaign with nearly $4m from a super PAC, the current political landscape presents a tougher scenario for Mulgrew. As he contends with this challenge, the stakes for his leadership and influence in city politics are higher than ever.

 

Politico

The Wall Street Journal looks at the growing trend of school districts investing in the expansion and renewal of high-school shop classes, noting that districts are "betting on the future of manual skills overlooked in the digital age" as higher education costs rise and the threat of generative AI looms over more white-collar work. At Middleton High School in Madison, Wisconsin, around a quarter of students have signed up for classes in new technical education facilities that were created as part of a $90 million campus investment program in 2022, and where welding instructor Quincy Millerjohn says the school wants "kids going to college to feel these courses fit on their transcripts along with AP and honors". State-wide, demand for high school architecture and construction classes was up 10% year-on-year in 2022/23, while the number enrolled in manufacturing courses rose 13%. Nationally, research shows that around half of college graduates end up in jobs where their degree isn't needed, the paper notes, while acknowledging that cost is a key barrier to schools wishing to offer vocational courses - from the price of materials and equipment to the need to recruit teachers with valuable trade skills.

 

The Wall Street Journal

The Fiesta Sports Foundation has announced that applications for its 2025/26 Empowering Diversity Scholarships are now open to Arizona high school seniors and students attending postsecondary institutions. The foundation is awarding 28 scholarships, with successful applicants on the first track to be awarded a $5,000 scholarship and an additional $500 in wraparound support services from the Be A Leader Foundation and Education Forward Arizona. Applicants on the GED track, who must be at least 16 years of age and have not graduated from an accredited high school or received a high school equivalency certificate or diploma, will receive $500 to cover fees for their GED assessment and the same $500 in wraparound support.

 

Arizona Daily Sun

Alaska's rural school districts are facing severe neglect as state funding for construction and maintenance projects has been largely ignored for over 25 years. In Sleetmute, a school serving primarily Indigenous children is on the verge of collapse, with an architect declaring it "unsafe for occupancy." Local resident Taylor Hayden discovered extensive damage, stating, "Just like someone took a jackhammer to it." Despite numerous requests for funding, many projects have languished for years, with 135 rural school projects waiting for over five years. State education Commissioner Deena Bishop acknowledged the system's failures, while Rep. Bryce Edgmon emphasized the need for action, stating, "These bright young children show up every morning to go to school in a building that's not fit for even anything but being ready to be demolished." The situation highlights the ongoing inequities faced by Alaska Native students in accessing safe and adequate educational facilities.

 

NPR

Five weeks into New Zealand's new school year, daily attendance is running at an average of 88%, up from 85% in the equivalent period last year. The figures showed daily attendance at the third of schools with more barriers to achievement as measured by the equity index ranged from the mid-seventies to mid-eighties. Attendance at the third of schools with the fewest barriers ranged from the high eighties to low nineties. Associate Education Minister David Seymour said the government had prioritised attendance and it was having a positive impact on the number of students getting back to school. "While there's still plenty of work to be done to increase attendance across New Zealand, I've been really impressed by the work of many schools to prioritise time in the classroom. For example, I recently heard of a school that requires 95% attendance for students to participate in school sports. "If we continue to make small steps like this, we will be on track to achieve our target of ensuring 80% of students are present more than 90% of the term by 2030," he said.

 

RNZ

Jenny Wagner, a special-education teacher at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, has been honored with the inaugural Dan Marburger Mentors in Violence Prevention Advocacy Award for her significant contributions to combating bullying, gender violence, and sexual harassment among students. Wagner has led the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program since its inception in 2017, empowering students to advocate for their peers. She stated, "This award really belongs to all the student mentors who've led MVP since 2017." The program fosters a safer school environment by encouraging open dialogue and effective bystander intervention. Wagner's recognition highlights the importance of student-led initiatives in creating a supportive community.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa