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On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of students with disabilities in the case of A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, making it easier for them to seek damages under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote: “We hold today that ADA and Rehabilitation Act claims based on educational services should be subject to the same standards that apply in other disability discrimination contexts. That our decision is narrow does not diminish its import for A.J.T. and a great many children with disabilities and their parents. Together they face daunting challenges on a daily basis. We hold today that those challenges do not include having to satisfy a more stringent standard of proof than other plaintiffs to establish discrimination” under the two federal laws. The case arose from the situation of Ava Tharpe, a Minnesota student with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, who faced challenges in receiving appropriate educational accommodations after moving to a new school district. The ruling overturns a previous requirement for a higher standard of proof, allowing families to pursue claims without facing undue burdens. The decision is seen as a significant step in protecting the rights of students with disabilities.

 

EdSource

Education Week News

New York Times

Washington Post

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population.
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The Denver school board has approved a four-year pause on school closures due to low enrollment, allowing no closures until 2030. The decision, made with a 4-2 vote, aims to provide stability for students and families. Board member Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán emphasized the need for communities to heal from recent closures, explaining: “I think our communities need a break and they need some time to heal from this closure process.” However, the amendment does allow for closures if there are significant changes in enrollment or funding. The district anticipates an 8% decline in enrollment by 2029, which may necessitate future closures. The board's decision reflects community concerns and aims to offer clarity during uncertain times.

 

Chalkbeat

Madison City Schools in Alabama is preparing to redraw district lines in anticipation of the new Russell Branch Elementary School opening in fall 2026. Superintendent Ed Nichols emphasized the importance of community feedback, adding: “None of these are final.” The district is currently conducting a survey until June 20 to gather public input on three proposed options. The changes are necessary due to population growth in various areas of the city. While the primary focus is on elementary schools, adjustments will also affect middle and high school district lines. Nichols noted that the district aims to maintain balance across schools, asserting, “We have schools that are balanced all across the district.” A second survey and community meeting will follow to refine the proposals before a recommendation is made to the school board.

 

Al.com

The Jackson school district in Ocean County, New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit against the state, citing “systemic and unconstitutional underfunding” as the cause of school closures, job losses, and program cuts. The district claims a $22.4m reduction in state aid over seven years has led to significant challenges, including a 15.6% drop in enrollment from 2017-18 to 2024-25. School board president Tina Kas said: “Somewhere along the way, the formula became broken and the state has refused to address it.” The lawsuit seeks compensation and demands a revision of the state funding formula to better reflect the district's unique needs, particularly regarding transportation for private school students. Following the closure of Christa McAuliffe Middle School, the district will have five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.

 

NJ.com

An increasing number of school districts are adopting a four-day school week to enhance student attendance and attract teachers, especially in rural areas. A recent study by the American Institutes for Research examined this trend in Missouri, where 178 districts have made the switch. While superintendents reported a rise in teacher satisfaction and applicant numbers, the research revealed minimal evidence supporting these claims. According to Andrew Camp from Brown University, “We don’t rule out the possibility that there is a short-term, very small bump in teacher retention and recruitment. But what our results from Missouri show is that, over this lengthy period, there’s no lasting effect.”

 

EdSource

States and school districts are increasingly implementing restrictions on student smartphone use, citing concerns over classroom distractions and mental health issues. Emily Boddy from the Massachusetts Coalition for Phone Free Schools argues that a phone-free environment fosters independence and resilience among students, noting: “I'm so glad my dad can't text me all day.” However, Annette Campbell Anderson from the Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools cautions against blanket bans, emphasizing the need for a broader understanding of how cellphones impact children's social skills and mental health. She believes that addressing cellphone addiction requires a comprehensive approach beyond school hours. Both experts agree on the importance of educating students about healthy tech habits and the need for collaboration between schools and parents to tackle this challenge effectively.

 

Education Week News

The Detroit Public Schools Community District has adopted a $1bn budget for the upcoming school year, maintaining current funding levels and introducing new initiatives. Key features include a pilot program for yellow bus transportation aimed at improving attendance and a continuation of an incentive program that rewards students for perfect attendance. Chief finance officer Jeremy Vidito said the district will then bring back a budget amendment in the fall, due to uncertainties surrounding state and federal funding. The budget also allocates $38m from a literacy lawsuit settlement to enhance literacy support, including hiring more teachers and interventionists. Despite a decrease in overall expenditures, the budget prioritizes student attendance and literacy improvements.

 

Chalkbeat

Wisconsin Republican lawmakers are proposing a pilot program to integrate virtual reality (VR) technology into math education across three school districts. The initiative aims to enhance student engagement and address significant math performance gaps, particularly highlighted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Assessment of Educational Progress, which revealed that about 70% of eighth graders nationwide are not proficient in math. Sen. Dan Feyen said, "Having something like this can help bridge that gap," emphasizing the potential of VR to provide a different learning perspective. The program will align with state academic standards and is expected to improve learning outcomes, especially for students facing challenges in traditional learning environments. The Department of Public Instruction will oversee the pilot, which seeks to create a more interactive and effective math learning experience.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Collaborative Student Transportation has named Sara Houle as president. She joined the company as chief administrative officer in early 2023 and went on to serve as chief operating officer and most recently vice president of engagement and compliance. The Minnesota-based alternative transportation provider currently serves over 5,000 students in 15 states across the U.S. "It’s an incredible honor to lead a team so dedicated to creating safe, reliable, and student-centered transportation solutions," she commented. "I’m grateful for the trust and support, and I’m looking forward to the work ahead, strengthening partnerships, supporting schools and families, and continuing to put students first every day."

 

School Bus Fleet

Leigh Knapp, the first full-time media specialist at Bethune Academy in Milwaukee, has transformed the school's library into a vibrant space that fosters a love for reading. Her initiatives, including adding over 3,900 new books and implementing a schoolwide reading challenge, have significantly changed the reading culture. "It’s been like magic," Knapp said, noting a 549% increase in book circulation compared to the previous year. The changes have positively impacted struggling readers and English learners, with more students engaging with books that reflect their diverse backgrounds. Knapp's commitment to revitalizing the library has not only improved reading skills but also shifted attitudes towards reading among both students and staff. The success of her efforts highlights the importance of robust school libraries in enhancing student achievement.

 

Education Week News

Indianapolis Public Schools is contemplating a new policy on artificial intelligence (AI) to guide its use in classrooms. Following a yearlong pilot program involving 20 staff members, the district aims to ensure that AI tools are used effectively for teaching. Ashley Cowger, the district's chief systems officer, emphasized the need for staff to feel equipped to set boundaries for AI use, explaining: “There's still a lot to learn from a broader group of adult users before we're putting students in an environment that maybe doesn't match curriculum or what teachers are learning at the same time. We want to make sure that staff feel well equipped to determine what the boundaries are for use of AI in a classroom." The draft policy outlines acceptable uses of AI, including drafting communications and supporting lesson planning, while also addressing concerns about student privacy and bias. The district plans to launch a second phase of the pilot program with Google Gemini, costing $177 per user, to further explore AI's potential in education.

 

Chalkbeat

Jefferson High School in North Portland is facing a significant enrollment crisis, with only 87 ninth graders expected next fall. Portland Public Schools Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong highlighted the unsustainable nature of this situation at a board meeting on Tuesday, commenting: “Do we wait until the school is brand new and ready to open and risk Jefferson being 200 students or lower, or do we begin to make adjustments and shifts now?” The district plans to potentially sunset the dual enrollment zone that allows students to opt for other high schools, aiming to shift boundaries by 2026 or 2027. With a projected decline in student numbers due to factors like declining birth rates and high housing costs, the district is also launching a marketing campaign to attract families back to public schools.

 

The Oregonian

Oregon's state grant for university students pursuing teaching degrees has been revised to eliminate restrictions based on race or language. This change, prompted by concerns over potential legal challenges, allows any candidate with experience in diverse populations to apply. Kyle Thomas, director of legislative and policy affairs for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, explained that the goal "is to make sure that the aspiring educators that we award grants to are those that have the skills necessary to serve the culturally and linguistically diverse populations.” The modification aims to address the significant demographic gap between Oregon's public school students and teachers, as over 40% of students are non-white, while only about 14% of teachers identify as such. The new criteria will apply to grants awarded for the upcoming academic year, with current applicants needing to reapply.

 

The Oregonian

In a bid to maintain fairness during the highly competitive gaokao exams, the annual national undergraduate admission exam in mainland China, major Chinese tech companies have disabled artificial intelligence (AI) functions. Over 13.3m students are currently taking these crucial exams, which determine university placements. Notably, Doubao, owned by ByteDance, informed users that "during the college entrance examination, according to relevant requirements, the question answering service will be suspended." Other AI tools, including DeepSeek and Yuanbao, have also restricted their services during exam hours. Additionally, AI monitoring tools are being employed to detect cheating behaviours, with strict consequences for any violations reported.

 

The Guardian