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The House Ways and Means Committee has passed, in a party-line vote, a proposal to create a national private school choice tax incentive. The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), part of the tax package making its way through Congress, allows donors to make charitable contributions toward tuition costs at private and religious schools and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax break for their contributions. A scholarship-granting organization would manage the contributions and distribute them to participating families to use toward education expenses. The total credits are capped at $5bn per year from 2026 through 2029. The tax credit would also apply for expenses toward instructional materials, tutoring, fees for assessments, therapies for students with disabilities, and dual enrollment for private and public school students. “If the ECCA is enacted and the maximum amount of tax credits … are claimed through individual donations, basically the number of students being supported by private school choice programs across the country would double in one year,” said Patrick Wolf, graduate director of the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. “A 100% increase in a single year in the number of people being served by private school choice programs. That’s a big deal.” However, Jon Valant, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, criticized the bill, stating that "it just doesn’t meet the kinds of standards that I think we should expect for public spending in education.”

 

K-12 Dive

The 74

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Brenda Cassellius, the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), has announced significant changes to the district's administrative structure, cutting 31 positions while adding 12 new roles aimed at streamlining operations. This restructuring, which follows an operational review by Gov. Tony Evers, seeks to shift the administrative model from a regional to a grade-level focus. Cassellius said: "The data clearly demonstrates that the status quo has not produced the academic results our students and families deserve." The changes are expected to save MPS $4m-$5m, with plans to fill long-vacant key positions. While the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association criticized previous cuts, Marybell Nieves-Harris, principal of Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School, praised the efforts to foster a new culture at MPS. The reorganization plan will be presented to the School Board for approval in the coming weeks.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Vancouver Public Schools officials, local leaders, and business representatives gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Ed Lynch Technical Trades Center at Fort Vancouver High School. This donor-funded facility aims to provide hands-on training in advanced manufacturing and welding, addressing the community's demand for skilled workers. Jon Girod, owner of Quail Homes, emphasized the center's role in creating pathways for students, commenting: “We’re bringing back Rosie the Riveter.” The project, fully funded by the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, is estimated to cost $3.5m and will accommodate around 200 students. Vancouver Public Schools' director of college and career readiness, Mark Wreath, noted that the center will significantly expand the district's current manufacturing capabilities. The initiative reflects a growing investment in career and technical education in Southwest Washington.

 

The Columbian

In response to rising antisemitism in California's schools, the Legislative Jewish Caucus has shifted its approach by introducing Assembly Bill 715, which aims to enhance anti-discrimination protections. Assembly Members Rick Zbur and Dawn Addis are leading this initiative, which seeks to create a state-level Antisemitism Coordinator and strengthen the Uniform Complaint Process in schools. Zbur said: “AB 715 demonstrates solidarity among California Legislative Diversity Caucuses to resolutely stand with the Jewish community to adopt meaningful legislation to root out hate in our classrooms.” While the bill has garnered support from various ethnic caucuses, it faces opposition from groups concerned about potential censorship and the impact on educational content. The bill's exact language is still under negotiation, with amendments expected in the coming weeks.

 

EdSource

The Board of School Commissioners has unanimously approved a $1.87bn budget for Baltimore City Public Schools for the 2026 fiscal year, marking a 5% increase from the previous year's budget of $1.78bn. This decision raises concerns regarding its sustainability in the current economic climate, especially with potential funding threats from the Trump administration. Mark Parker, councilmember for District 1 and vice chair of City Council’s Education, Youth and Older Adults Committee, addressed the school board meeting Tuesday night, highlighting the uncertainty around the state and city budget caused by dire decisions being made in Washington. “It’s a significant task to pass a budget [these days],” he told the board.

 

The Baltimore Sun

In her book “Lessons From My Teachers,” playwright Sarah Ruhl emphasizes the importance of dynamic learning in education. She argues that teaching should not be a one-sided process, commenting: “The goal of good teaching... shouldn't be packaged wisdom but the excitement of thought.” Ruhl reflects on her experiences as both a student and a teacher, highlighting the value of presence and engagement in the classroom. She believes that true learning occurs through collaboration and intellectual challenge, rather than through rigid curricula. Ruhl also shares insights from her mentors, including Paula Vogel and David Hirsch, who taught her the significance of passion and asking profound questions. Ultimately, Ruhl suggests that teaching and learning are deeply intertwined with love and human connection, urging educators to embrace the unpredictability of relationships in the learning process.

 

Los Angeles Times

Oklahoma's new academic standards mandate the teaching of "discrepancies" in the 2020 election results, perpetuating a false narrative initially promoted by President Donald Trump. The standards, enacted by the Republican-controlled legislature, require students to identify alleged discrepancies, including claims about ballot counting and mail-in voting security. Ryan Walters, the state superintendent of public instruction, said: "These new standards will ensure that kids have an accurate and comprehensive view of historical events." Critics, including Anton Schulzki from the National Council for the Social Studies, argue that the standards mislead students by presenting unverified claims as accepted facts. Tammy Patrick from the Election Center emphasized that such teachings could further erode public confidence in the electoral process. While a lawsuit may delay the standards' implementation, it primarily addresses the approval process rather than the content itself.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

A Trump administration draft executive order aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into K-12 schools, prompting discussions about its implications for education. As nations like China and Singapore advance their AI education initiatives, the U.S. faces critical questions about who will control AI's role in classrooms. AI is not just a new tool; it disrupts traditional education by creating parallel systems that may lack public oversight. The rise of AI challenges three core principles: agency, accountability, and equity. Local control and community engagement are essential to ensure AI serves educational values. Dallas schools Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde emphasized, “It’s irresponsible to not teach (AI). We have to. We are preparing kids for their future.” The choices made now will determine whether AI enhances or undermines public education.

 

EdSource

Matthew Ebert, a principal coach with over 20 years in education, reflects on the challenges of traditional grading systems. In a piece for Education Week he shares a poignant story of a former student who struggled in a prestigious high school despite earning good grades, highlighting the disconnect between grades and actual mastery of content. Ebert advocates for standards-based grading, which focuses on assessing students against specific standards and allows for reassessment opportunities. He notes: "We were never looking to penalize the kids who had figured out how to play the game of school; we were simply trying to create a fairer and more accurate system of assessment." Through this approach, Ebert's school aimed to provide a more equitable learning environment, ultimately fostering a sense of ownership in students regarding their education.

 

Education Week News

During the 2023 to 2024 school year, Montgomery Public Schools reported 239 incidents of students experiencing suicidal ideation. Natasha Sippial, the district's social work coordinator, emphasized that “every single threat is taken seriously.” The district collaborates with Carastar Crisis Center to provide mental health resources, ensuring students are not left alone during crises. When students return, officials work with them to create safety plans. Carastar therapists are available at 23 of the district's 48 schools, with Donna Leslie, the executive director, noting the importance of a supportive team around each child. Leslie is also working to hire a fourth therapist to better serve the schools.

 

Tuscaloosa News

In response to divisive public discourse, a new pilot program called Dialogues aims to teach adolescents the art of respectful disagreement. This initiative, developed by Schoolhouse.world, allows students aged 14 to 18 to create portfolios demonstrating their ability to engage in civil discussions on controversial topics. Eight prestigious universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Johns Hopkins University, will consider these "civility transcripts" in their admissions processes. Jim Nondorf, from the University of Chicago, emphasized the importance of students who can contribute positively to campus conversations, stating, “I want students who can come here and add to the conversation on campus, but do it in the right way.” The program has already seen over 600 students participate, logging around 2,000 hours of discussions, showcasing the potential for productive dialogue among youth.

 

Education Week News

A new report from Save the Children shows that, in spite of U.S. efforts to curb border crossings from Mexico, migrant children are still coming north with hopes of reaching the nation, facing high levels of family separation and violence. The study is based on interviews with 155 migrant children and their caregivers across three of Mexico's major border cities - Ciudad Juárez, Reynosa, and Tijuana. They showed that many children found themselves in overcrowded shelters, out of school and in unsafe neighborhoods alone, where they faced further dangers and continued to be denied their rights. Just over 70% of the children interviewed previously attended school, but 58.1% are now no longer learning inside a classroom. The interviewees reported administrative hurdles, security risks, and a lack of formal education in shelters as some of the barriers preventing children from acquiring an un-interrupted education. "No child should find themselves in this situation, especially after enduring such a perilous journey to find safety," commented Plan International chief executive Reena Ghalni. "They need support now, including protection, access to safe shelter, education, and mental health care." 

 

The Latin Times