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The Trump administration is moving to restrict access for undocumented students to federally funded early childhood, dual-enrollment, and postsecondary career and technical education programs. This initiative, led by the U.S. departments of Education and Health and Human Services, aims to classify these programs as similar to welfare, thereby excluding undocumented immigrants. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said: “The department will ensure that taxpayer funds are reserved for citizens and individuals who have entered our country through legal means.” Critics, including Julie Sugarman from the Migration Policy Institute, warn that these changes could create a chilling effect on families seeking educational opportunities. The new rules could significantly impact programs like Head Start, which has historically been open to all children meeting federal requirements. “This decision undermines the fundamental commitment that the country has made to children and disregards decades of evidence that Head Start is essential to our collective future,” commented the National Head Start Association in a Thursday statement. “Attempts to impose such a requirement threaten to create fear and confusion among all families who are focused on raising healthy children, ready to succeed in school and life.”  

 

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Los Angeles Times

The Chicago Board of Education is considering significant changes to its policy on grade skipping and accelerated classes to enhance equity in access. Proposed modifications include eliminating external testing fees and expanding eligibility to students scoring in the top 10% of their school, rather than solely those exceeding state standards. CPS spokesperson Quan Vu highlighted existing disparities, stating, “with the majority of elementary acceleration applicants coming from the north side.” If approved, these changes could allow an additional 1,500 students to access accelerated placement, impacting the 2026-27 school year. The board is set to vote on these proposals later this month.

 

Chalkbeat

In a recent meeting, the Linn-Mar school board decided against removing "gender identity" from its anti-bullying policies, with the Iowa district emphasizing that it is not legally required to do so. Board member Melissa Walker explained that :“Removing gender identity is not something we are legally required to do...This is a preemptive recommendation aimed at reducing a potential but albeit vague legal risk. I personally believe it asks us to compromise too much of our own integrity as a district. It would weaken the clarity of our own values and dilute our commitment to protecting all kids in our schools." The board has faced pressure from community members, including Kat Power, who argued that removing such protections would be “reckless.” While some districts in Iowa have opted to remove "gender identity" from their policies, Linn-Mar and others like Johnston Community School District have chosen to maintain it, highlighting the ongoing debate over equity and inclusion in education.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

Berlin Borough and Gibbsboro, two small New Jersey school districts, have entered a five-year agreement to share Superintendent Jack Marcellus, aiming to reduce costs while maintaining educational quality. Marcellus, who has been Gibbsboro's superintendent since 2016, will now oversee both districts, which serve pre-kindergarten to eighth-grade students. Brandy Titus, president of the Berlin Borough school board, stated, “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and educational excellence.” The arrangement is expected to save Berlin Borough $42,000 in the 2025-26 school year. Currently, there are 24 superintendents managing multiple districts in New Jersey, a number that has been declining in recent years. Joyce Miller, president of the Gibbsboro school board, emphasized that this partnership will help navigate financial challenges while ensuring quality education.

 

NJ.com

Members of Montana’s School Funding Interim Commission voted 13-7 on June 23 not to include organizations representing educators, school administrators, school business officials and school board trustees, including the Montana Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), in a working group informing its policy work. Tom Burnett, a Montana State Library Commissioner and former lawmaker from Bozeman, first suggested not including the groups in the June 23 meeting. He raised concerns their participation in the working group would make it grow too large and create difficulties reaching consensus. Shelley Turner, MASBO executive director, said she doesn’t view the vote as a dismissal of her organization’s perspective, and that she believes the commission still values the organizations’ expertise. “I remain committed to ensuring our voice is heard as key topics arise, and MASBO will always be available to provide insight, context, and recommendations," she added. 

 

More than 55,000 students in Philadelphia may face challenges getting to school due to a planned 20% reduction in SEPTA service starting August 24. The cuts will affect bus and rail lines serving over 25 district schools, particularly impacting students in Northeast Philadelphia, where public transit options are already limited. Jody Holton, chief planning and strategy officer at SEPTA, warned: “Across the whole system, there is going to be crowding, there's going to be reliability issues.” The school district relies heavily on SEPTA for middle and high school transportation, and the cuts could lead to longer commutes for students, teachers, and parents. State lawmakers are advocating for increased funding to prevent these service reductions, emphasizing the importance of SEPTA for families in the city.

 

Chalkbeat

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has ordered that all school districts provide universal free meals. Instead of seeking additional funding, Walters directed districts to reallocate existing budgets, targeting "bloated" administrative salaries. He said: “No more triple-taxing parents to cover lunches while administrators pad their paychecks.” Critics, including Rep. Dick Lowe, argue that such changes should be legislated rather than mandated without funding. Quinton Hitchcock, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Education, said Walters had legal authority to issue the rule under three state statutes related to district budgeting and financial reporting. The order, effective in the 2025-26 school year, comes amid financial challenges, including the loss of nearly $78 million in federal funding. School leaders warn that the mandate could lead to cuts in other essential programs, with some districts unable to meet the new requirements without drastic budget changes. Advocates for free meals emphasize the need for a sustainable funding strategy rather than an unfunded mandate.

 

Education Week News

Recent test results indicate that Alabama students are improving across nearly all grade levels and subjects, signaling the effectiveness of recent educational reforms. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said: “We're moving toward the right goals,” highlighting the progress in English, math, and science scores. The Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) exam showed that proficiency rates increased, with 60.6% of students achieving proficiency in English language arts, 36.8% in math, and 39.7% in science. However, challenges remain, particularly in middle school math, where only a quarter of seventh and eighth graders met proficiency benchmarks. Despite these hurdles, the state is investing in targeted interventions and support for lower-performing students, which appears to be making a positive impact. Additionally, the number of English learners receiving support has grown significantly, reflecting the state's commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students.

 

Al.com

In response to a measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, Austin Public Health and the University of Texas have developed a measles outbreak simulator to forecast the spread of the disease based on school vaccination rates. Dr. Desmar Walkes emphasized the importance of vaccination, warning: "In communities where vaccination rates dip even slightly, the risk of measles outbreaks rises dramatically." The simulator aims to help public health officials target schools with low vaccination rates, as the goal is to achieve 95% vaccination to prevent outbreaks. The tool has gained interest from 22 states, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding vaccination efforts. The initiative highlights the ongoing need for vigilance against vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in light of changing environmental factors that may increase the risk of outbreaks.

 

Austin American-Statesman

A new bill introduced in the House aims to regulate college sports by providing limited antitrust protections for the NCAA and prohibiting schools from using student fees to fund athletic programs. Co-sponsored by seven Republicans and two Democrats, the SCORE Act seeks to establish national standards for name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments, which have gained prominence following a $2.78bn lawsuit settlement. The legislation also includes provisions to protect Olympic programs and mandates that schools with high-earning coaches offer at least 16 sports programs. The bill's restrictions on student fees could significantly impact funding strategies for athletic programs, as many schools are exploring ways to cover the costs associated with athlete compensation.

 

AP News

USA Today

Cal State L.A. has announced that professors can transition their classes online due to heightened concerns among students regarding potential immigration raids. Provost Heather Lattimer noted that many students are "scared to take public transit and fearful of driving to campus," prompting the university to reiterate policies allowing for excused absences and alternative arrangements. Although no raids have occurred on the campus, which serves a significant immigrant population, the fear of federal actions has led to increased anxiety among students. Lattimer emphasized the university's commitment to supporting the safety and well-being of its community, stating, "As a campus, we need to thoughtfully navigate these concerns." The decision to offer remote options reflects previous practices during the pandemic and wildfires, but it remains uncertain how widespread these online classes will be in the upcoming fall semester.

 

Los Angeles Times

In a significant move towards enhancing student safety, all new Canadian school buses will be required to implement perimeter visibility systems by November 1, 2027. Gatekeeper Systems Inc. has secured contracts worth approximately C$450,000 ($328,000) to equip school buses in Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia with advanced mobile data collectors and video technology under its Platform-as-a-Service model. Doug Dyment, Gatekeeper’s president and chief executive, expressed enthusiasm about the company's growing market share, stating, “Once our PaaS platform is installed on a school bus, it becomes easy to add new safety solutions in the future.” The new regulation from Transport Canada is expected to impact over 65,000 school buses and cost an estimated C$196m between 2024 and 2036. Gatekeeper is also expanding its financial capabilities to support this initiative and other large projects.

 

School Bus Fleet

The National Association of Secondary School Principals has honored Tony Cattani and Damon Lewis as the 2025-26 National Principals of the Year. Cattani, principal of Lenape High School in New Jersey, was recognized for his innovative peer observation system that enhances teacher collaboration and professional growth. He expressed his emotional reaction to the award, stating, "It made everything worthwhile." Lewis, principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Connecticut, aims to improve equity in education and increase access for marginalized students. He shared his motivation for switching to education, saying, "I thought to myself: How selfish is it of me to continue this business route?" The principals were selected from a group of six finalists for their focus on improving school culture and climate, battling absenteeism, and finding effective ways to help teachers grow in their jobs.

 

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