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USA
28th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Ed. Dept. slashes assault investigations amid staff cuts and policy shifts

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has sharply reduced its investigations into sexual violence in schools following mass layoffs by the Trump administration. With half its legal staff gone and a backlog exceeding 25,000 cases, the department has opened fewer than 10 sexual violence probes since March 2025, down from dozens annually. Meanwhile, it has increased Title IX investigations into transgender accommodations. Victims now increasingly turn to lawsuits as complaints stall or go unacknowledged. Advocates say this undermines accountability, risks a return to a two-tiered justice system, and erodes decades of civil rights progress. Though the department has pledged to restore some staff, it continues defending the layoffs and its revised Title IX focus.

MULTILINGUAL LEARNER PD

Multilingual Learner Classroom Strategies from Leading Experts

Multilingual learners have a wealth of strengths to offer their classrooms and communities. Explore bite-sized professional development featuring effective practices from two leading experts, Dr. Luz Yadira Herrera and Dr. Kate Kinsella, that build from the cultural and linguistic assets that multilingual learner students already possess to activate engagement and accelerate growth.

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FINANCE

Illinois considers federal school voucher program

Illinois is contemplating participation in the first federal school voucher program, which has garnered support from private school advocates and religious conservatives. Under this initiative, donors can receive a tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to scholarship-granting nonprofits, which can be used for private school tuition and related expenses. Proponents argue that the program enhances parental choice and provides low-income students with better educational opportunities. However, critics, including Huu Nguyen, a board member at Illinois Families for Public Schools, contend that it diverts funds from public schools, adding: “We believe that as a public good, public dollars should fund public schools. School voucher programs that take tax dollars to fund private education are the antithesis of public policy that supports the common good.” Gov. JB Pritzker has not yet made a decision, with his office indicating that they are reviewing the tax credit while emphasizing the need to focus on affordability for families and support for public schools. The debate continues as public school enrollment declines in Illinois.

Wisconsin superintendents warn of funding crisis

Superintendents from five major Wisconsin school districts have expressed concerns over the financial challenges facing families and schools alike. Green Bay Areas's Vicki Bayer, Madison Metropolitan's Joe Gothard, Milwaukee's Brenda Cassellius, Kenosha's Jeffrey Weiss, and Racine's Soren Gajewski highlight the impact of rising costs on school operations, stating: "When state support goes down or stagnates, property taxes go up." The recent state budget, which did not increase general state aid despite a $4bn surplus, has left districts unable to plan effectively. The superintendents call for a bipartisan compromise on school funding, emphasizing the need for predictable, sustainable support tied to the cost of living. They warn that without adequate funding, the quality of education and future economic prosperity in Wisconsin is at risk. The superintendents urge lawmakers to invest in education, stating: "Students are receiving less while taxpayers are paying more—and it does not have to be this way." They represent over 140,000 students in the state.

LEGISLATION

California lawmakers propose ban on former ICE agents in schools and police jobs

California lawmakers have introduced a new bill, AB 1627, that would prohibit anyone employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) between September 2025 and January 2029 from working in state law enforcement or the public school system. Assembly Member Ávila Farías said the measure is intended to protect constitutional rights and restore public trust, arguing that public servants must uphold due process and community safety. The restrictions would apply broadly across schools, colleges, and policing roles, with background checks expanded to include prior ICE employment. The proposal follows a wave of anti-ICE legislation in California amid growing criticism of federal immigration enforcement tactics.

Indiana lawmakers push forward Ten Commandments school bill

Indiana lawmakers have advanced House Bill 1086, which would allow, but not require, teachers and principals to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Originally a mandate, the bill was heavily amended and now classifies the Ten Commandments as a "protected document" alongside secular historical texts. While proponents argue the commandments support moral education, opponents, including Democrats and faith groups, warn it breaches the First Amendment's separation of church and state and may marginalize non-Christian students. The bill follows similar efforts in other Republican-led states that have largely failed court scrutiny based on precedent from the 1980 Stone v. Graham case. The bill now moves to Indiana’s House floor.

Nebraska mulls mandatory third-grade retention for students who fail reading tests

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has proposed a new policy requiring students to repeat third grade if they fail a state-mandated reading test, with exemptions for some special education pupils. The plan, set to begin in 2027, would introduce intensive acceleration classes with smaller teacher-to-student ratios for struggling readers, alongside increased early assessments from kindergarten through second grade. The proposal has drawn both support and criticism, with backers pointing to the success of such a scheme in Mississippi, while opponents warn that retention can be harmful and question whether sufficient resources are available.

GOVERNANCE

Texas takes over failing school districts

The Texas Education Agency has initiated takeovers of four school districts due to persistent low academic performance, specifically targeting six campuses that received F grades for five consecutive years. Commissioner Mike Morath stated that the districts' inability “to implement effective changes to improve the performance of students” justified this intervention. The affected schools predominantly serve low-income Black and Hispanic students, with many facing significant challenges outside the classroom. Critics argue that the accountability system fails to address the broader socioeconomic factors impacting education, emphasizing that “schools alone cannot solve inequality tied to race and poverty.” The agency maintains that the A-F grading system is essential for evaluating school performance and driving improvements. However, the long-term effects of such takeovers on community morale and educational outcomes remain a point of contention.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Chess tournament promotes peace in Philly

The 19th annual Checkmate Violence chess tournament, held at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, aimed to engage youth in critical thinking while providing a safe environment away from gun violence. Gil Motley, the tournament's founder, emphasized the importance of thoughtful decision-making: "Think before you do something, think before you act." With 206 fatal shootings reported in Philadelphia last year, the tournament serves as a proactive measure to keep students occupied and away from dangerous situations. Approximately 1,000 students participate in chess clubs supported by the After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP), which also offers various extracurricular activities. The tournament draws 200 to 250 players annually, highlighting the role of chess in fostering community and resilience among youth in a city grappling with violence.

CLASSROOM

No AI allowed: A Texas teacher's radical approach

Chanea Bond, a composition and American literature teacher at Southwest High School in the Fort Worth ISD in Texas, has adopted a pen-and-paper approach to eliminate generative artificial intelligence (AI) from her classroom. Bond believes that this method fosters critical thinking and writing skills among her students, asserting: "I know that when my students leave my class that they know how to think and they know how to write." While many educators are integrating AI into their teaching, Bond's strategy emphasizes handwritten assignments and journaling to build confidence and engagement. She assesses students on various stages of their writing process, ensuring they develop foundational skills. Despite some students initially struggling with this approach, many have come to appreciate the benefits of an AI-free environment. Bond remains open to evolving her methods but currently sees little value in AI for her students, asserting that learning to articulate thoughts without technology is crucial for their development.

TECHNOLOGY

Student hackathon ignites passion for neuroscience

The Brain Storm BCI Hackathon, hosted by Precision Neuroscience, brought together eighty-eight students from Greater Boston universities to explore brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Held at the Microsoft New England Research and Development Center, the event aimed to inspire future leaders in neuroscience. Chief People's Officer Joel Greengrass emphasized the importance of investing in talent: "It's really investing in the next generation of talent and helping to develop it." Participants worked in teams to tackle real-world challenges, such as building computer models to interpret brain signals and creating applications for surgical procedures. The hackathon provided hands-on experience in a field often perceived as inaccessible, with students like A.J. Shulman from Brown University noting the excitement of collaborating with peers. The event concluded with awards for the top teams, further motivating students to engage in this innovative field.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Yale to offer free tuition for families earning under $200,000

Yale University has announced that beginning with the fall 2026 class, it will waive tuition for students from families earning under $200,000 annually and cover full costs — including housing and meals — for those with incomes below $100,000. This move aligns Yale with peer institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Penn, which have recently expanded financial aid to boost economic and racial diversity following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling restricting race-based admissions. Under the new policy, about 80% of U.S. households would qualify for free tuition, and nearly half would pay nothing to attend Yale. The initiative also includes travel allowances, medical insurance, and start-up grants for low-income students.

INTERNATIONAL

French Parliament backs U-15 social media ban and school phone curbs

French lawmakers have approved legislation banning access to social media for children under 15 and prohibiting mobile phone use on high school premises. Backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s government and fast-tracked through parliament, the bill was introduced by MP Laure Miller following concerns over the psychological impact of platforms such as TikTok on minors. After legal concerns from France’s top administrative court about compatibility with EU law and fundamental freedoms, the bill was softened and rewritten. The adopted version does not directly impose obligations on platforms but states that access to social networks is prohibited for under-15s, with the government indicating platforms will need to implement age-verification measures. The legislation also includes provisions to protect minors from excessive commercial pressure and harmful content, and could extend to certain social features of messaging apps and popular video games. The government intends for the social media ban to apply to new registrations from September 2026, with full age verification of users required by January 1 2027, allowing the measures to take effect at the start of the next school year.
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