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A national study in JAMA found that a one-week social media detox significantly improved mental health in 18- to 24-year-olds. Participants who paused use of platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat saw reduced anxiety (16%), depression (25%), and insomnia (15%). The largest gains were seen in those with existing moderate to severe depression. Despite reduced social media use, overall phone time slightly increased. “Brief digital detox interventions may offer meaningful mental health benefits,” the study noted, especially for youth with compulsive or problematic social media habits.

 

EdSource

Arts Access Miami, established in 2020, aims to bridge the gaps in arts education across Miami-Dade. Following significant cuts to arts funding during the 2008 recession, many schools lacked consistent arts programs for over a decade. The initiative has led to improved student attendance and engagement in participating schools. “Miami is proving that real change happens when we build together,” said Sammy Gonzalez Zeira, chief executive of Young Musicians Unite. The Central Dade Arts Alliance, part of a broader strategy, will serve over 3,500 students in underserved neighborhoods. Arts Access Miami plans to invest $14.9m in arts education over the next three years, ultimately reaching over 90,000 students by 2028. Alan Valladares, director of Arts Access Miami, emphasized the importance of collaboration in making arts a core part of education.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

West Contra Costa USD in California is facing a potential strike as labor negotiations with the United Teachers of Richmond reach an impasse. Union leaders are demanding a 10% pay increase over two years, while the district has offered only a 2% annual increase. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton emphasized the district's financial constraints, commenting: "Like a family budget, we can only spend what we can afford." The district is grappling with declining enrollments and rising costs, leading to a structural deficit. Other districts in California are also experiencing similar challenges, with negotiations ongoing. The situation remains tense, as the union has indicated a "real possibility of a strike in the week ahead."

 

EdSource

Washington state's new retail sales tax, effective October 1, is projected to generate approximately $1.1bn by 2027 through levies on various services. However, school districts, which rely heavily on temporary staff for essential services, are concerned about the financial implications. A coalition of over 40 districts has urged Gov. Bob Ferguson and the Legislature to address the "unintended consequences" of the law, which could impose an average 10% sales tax on services critical to education. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, chair of the House Finance Committee, acknowledged the need for clarity, commenting: "I think in a perfect world there'd be complete certainty." Potential changes may include exempting school districts from the tax, but this could reduce necessary revenue. The Department of Revenue is working on clarifying guidance, but uncertainty remains regarding the tax's application to temporary staff hired from private vendors.

 

The Columbian

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is set to terminate the charter of Carmen Northwest Middle and High School in 2027, a decision that may have significant repercussions for the district. The school board voted on November 20 to grant a one-year renewal, contingent upon the school's closure and relocation. The move is part of a broader trend, as six other charter schools are also leaving MPS, which could result in a loss of over 3,500 students and more than $12m in annual revenue. Alan J. Borsuk, a senior fellow at Marquette Law School, notes: "The changing picture for semi-independent charter schools in MPS is shaping up as a victory—a victory that may well be pyrrhic." The implications of these changes could lead to a decline in overall student achievement and financial stability for MPS.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Coconino County Accommodation District has received a $500,000 grant to enhance safety at Ponderosa High School in Flagstaff and Tse' Yaato' High School in Page. This funding is part of a larger $682,471 safety project, which includes a $182,471 district match. The initiative, titled “Safer Coconino County Accommodation Schools,” aims to implement modern security improvements that align with the federal School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) goals. The project focuses on addressing safety needs through evidence-based technologies and practices. Coconino County Superintendent of Schools emphasized the importance of this funding in advancing school safety.

 

Arizona Daily Sun

A new type of lens, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, aims to slow the progression of nearsightedness, or myopia, in children aged 6 to 12. The Essilor Stellest lenses, which utilize concentric rings to refocus light, have shown a 70% reduction in myopia progression over two years. Dr. Michael Repka from Johns Hopkins noted, “It was typically and simply: ‘Your child needs to wear glasses and they'll live with it.’” The lenses are expected to cost around $450, with major vision insurance providers likely covering them. Unlike contact lenses, which are also FDA-approved for myopia, these glasses offer a more comfortable alternative for younger children. While the lenses have shown promising results, further research in the U.S. is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

 

U.S. News

Recent immigration policies have led to significant enrollment declines in U.S. schools, particularly affecting districts like Los Angeles USD, which lost over 7,000 students this year. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said: "These declines reflect a climate of fear and instability created by ongoing immigration crackdowns." The drop in newcomer students, those enrolled for three years or fewer, has been particularly alarming, with a decrease from 21,997 to 17,342 in Los Angeles. The trend is mirrored in other districts, including Miami-Dade, where enrollment from newcomers has plummeted from nearly 14,000 to 2,550. The financial implications are severe, with districts facing budget shortfalls and potential staff reductions. Schools are implementing measures to reassure families and encourage enrollment, emphasizing the importance of a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

 

Los Angeles Times

Northside High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has significantly enhanced its Career Tech program through a classroom expansion and the hiring of new educators, as stated by Principal Jeremy Madden. The new facilities, completed before the 2025-26 school year, offer programs in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, health sciences, and computer sciences. Madden emphasized the importance of preparing students for life after graduation, stating: "The school's job is to track every kid; what are they doing when they leave here?" The program aims to equip students with essential skills for in-demand jobs, particularly in health care and technology. Educators like Brian Renfro and Seth Nicholas are actively engaging students in hands-on experiences, preparing them for careers in construction and health sciences. Madden believes these initiatives can significantly improve the economic prospects of students, potentially transforming their future.

 

Tuscaloosa News

In the fall 2025 semester, new international student enrollment at U.S. institutions decreased by 17%, primarily due to visa restrictions and government policies, according to a report from the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education (IIE). This decline is projected to cost the economy $1.1bn, as international students contributed nearly $55bn to the U.S. economy during the 2024-25 academic year. Bjorn Markeson, an economist at Implan, stated: "International students do far more than attend classes—they sustain local economies." The U.S. has historically been the leading host for international students, but the enrollment pipeline is under pressure, with fewer students choosing to study in the U.S. due to restrictive visa policies and changing attitudes abroad. Fanta Aw, NAFSA's executive director and chief executive, remarked on the precarious position of global talent in the U.S., emphasizing the ripple effects of these policy changes on campuses and communities.

 

CNBC

Following a U.K. Supreme Court ruling which found that religious education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools have failed to comply with human rights law, Minister for Education Paul Givan has issued guidance to school leaders insisting that "both Religious Education and collective worship continue to be a legal requirement," and that the judgement has not struck down existing legislation. The court recently upheld a 2022 ruling by the High Court in Belfast that religious education and Christian worship were not conveyed in an “objective, critical and pluralistic manner” and therefore breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). A child, known as JR87, and her father sought a judicial review after she took part in non-denominational Christian religious education and collective worship as part of the curriculum at a controlled primary school, a common form of state-funded school, in Belfast. Her parents “did not wish her to be taught that Christianity was an absolute truth” and in 2019 voiced concerns that their daughter’s education “did not appear to conform with their own religious and philosophical convictions." Givan has said he will provide further "legally sound" and comprehensive guidance to schools in the coming weeks, and that his department has "requested further legal advice to understand the full implications of the judgment." 

 

BBC News

The Irish Times