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USA
9th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Ohio senator urges Congress to eliminate federal Education Department

An Ohio Republican lawmaker is urging Congress to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, arguing that states and local communities should have primary control over education policy. Senate Education Committee Chair Andrew Brenner introduced a resolution calling on federal lawmakers to eliminate the department and shift responsibilities, including oversight of funding for low-income students and special education, to states. Brenner argued that federal involvement has created excessive bureaucracy without improving student outcomes and that education was largely managed by states before the department was created in 1979. He said state governments could respond more quickly to challenges such as workforce changes driven by artificial intelligence. Democratic lawmakers on the committee have pushed back, questioning whether removing federal oversight would weaken national education standards and civil rights protections. They also raised concerns about whether all students would have equal opportunities without federal involvement. The resolution would not change policy directly but would signal Ohio lawmakers’ support for eliminating the federal agency and encourage state officials to prepare for a potential shift in responsibilities.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS BEFORE THEY NEED IT

Why Great Teachers Don’t Guess When It Comes to Support

Ever feel like you’re part detective, part reading coach, and part superhero? You’re not alone. Teachers everywhere are asking, “Where exactly does this student need support?” and “How do I find it fast?” — because those answers unlock real progress.

Whether it’s helping a kindergartner decode their first sight words or guiding a 10th grader through complex text, pinpointing what a student really needs makes all the difference.  

Great instruction shouldn’t feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. High-quality instructional resources grounded in the Science of Reading make supporting students your superpower.   

Hear from Leading Experts on the Evidence-Based Practices That Support Your Instruction and Advance Student Achievement.

 

DISTRICTS

Green Bay School Board picks new superintendent

The Green Bay School Board has appointed Michael Hernandez as the new superintendent, succeeding Vicki Bayer, who plans to retire at the end of the school year. Hernandez, currently an assistant superintendent in the Appleton Area School District, was selected after a board vote on March 6, with contract negotiations set to begin on March 9. School Board president James Lyerly expressed confidence in Hernandez, adding: "I think he's going to be a fantastic superintendent." While all board members supported the decision, Alex Mineau expressed concerns about the district's needs. Hernandez has a strong background in education, having previously served as chief of secondary schools for the Madison Metropolitan School District and principal at Madison East High School. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and two master's degrees from Cal State San Bernardino.

Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent considers major layoffs

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius has proposed cutting approximately 263 jobs for the upcoming school year, pending approval from the Milwaukee School Board at a special meeting today. This decision follows a budget overspend of about $46m, necessitating significant reductions to achieve a balanced budget. Cassellius estimates that these job cuts could save the district around $30 million, with additional savings expected from reducing contracts with outside vendors. While specific job titles have not been disclosed, the cuts will primarily affect school-based positions, including assistant principals and deans, as well as central office roles. Cassellius emphasized that certain positions, such as classroom teachers and counselors, will be protected from layoffs. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal during the board meeting.

Philadelphia's small schools in jeopardy

Philadelphia's small themed high schools, once a cornerstone of the city's education reform, now face an uncertain future under Superintendent Tony Watlington's facilities plan. This plan proposes closing 18 schools, including several small high schools, and merging them into larger neighborhood schools. Watlington warned: "We can't keep all the small boutique high schools and the neighborhood high schools. We don't have the resources to do all of it." Critics argue that small schools foster close relationships and higher student engagement, while supporters of the plan believe it will address disparities in educational opportunities. The Board of Education President Reginald Streater echoed Watlington's concerns, labeling the maintenance of numerous small schools as "unsustainable."

Inside a Texas district’s response to three years of campus closures

Amid ongoing challenges, Aldine ISD in Texas, led by Superintendent LaTonya Goffney, is addressing the need for school closures due to declining enrollment and budget constraints. Over the past three years, the district has closed 11 schools, with two more set to close at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Goffney attributes the enrollment drop to factors such as declining birth rates and a significant reduction in immigrant students. She emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, explaining that: "Overcommunicate and share more data with the community than some leaders may think is necessary." The district's approach includes assessing building conditions and combining underenrolled schools to minimize community impact. Goffney's leadership focuses on ensuring staff and community members understand the rationale behind these difficult decisions.

GOVERNANCE

Tensions rise at Denver school board meeting

Tensions escalated during a recent Denver school board meeting as board members DJ Torres and Monica Hunter accused board President Xóchitl Gaytán of unilaterally excluding items from the agenda. Torres stated: "I believe you have unjustly and unilaterally made decisions to withhold things from the agenda." The conflict highlighted ongoing issues since Torres and Hunter's election in November, with Gaytán asserting her authority over agenda decisions. The meeting's heated exchanges recalled a tumultuous period in the board's history, prompting Mayor Mike Johnston to label it dysfunctional. Following the contentious discussion, board members agreed to take a break before resuming the meeting.

FINANCE

Missoula County Schools seeks funding boost

The Missoula County Public Schools Board has unanimously approved two operational levies for the May ballot, totaling $2.45m —$1.1m for the elementary district and $1.35m for the high school. Board Chair Arlene Walker-Andrews emphasized the importance of these levies, commenting: "These funds are crucial for maintaining our educational standards." Superintendent Micah Hill also supported the decision, highlighting the need for adequate funding to support student success.

WORKFORCE

Nearly half of California teachers say they may leave the profession soon

Recent findings from Education Week’s annual The State of Teaching report reveal a new trend in teacher morale across the United States. Holly Kurtz, director of the EdWeek Research Center, said: "There’s a lot of evidence that indicates that teacher morale has been declining nationwide and is at, by some measures, the lowest point in recent memory." In California, teachers reported a morale score of 16 on the Teacher Morale Index, compared to a national average of 13. Alarmingly, nearly half of California teachers plan to leave the profession within the next decade, mirroring a national trend where approximately 35% of teachers express similar intentions. Factors contributing to this decline include increased class sizes, discipline issues, and the aftermath of the pandemic. Teachers have identified improved student behavior and additional planning time as critical to enhancing morale.

CLASSROOM

Rethinking the classroom: Why teachers may focus more on human development in the future

In a piece for Psychology Today Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., adjunct faculty member at the University of Utah School of Medicine, argues that the role of teachers could evolve significantly over the next 50 years, shifting from delivering information to guiding students’ personal and intellectual development. As technology and artificial intelligence make information more accessible and automate routine tasks, schools may place greater emphasis on helping students develop resilience, creativity, self-awareness, and adaptive thinking rather than simply memorizing facts. The author suggests future classrooms may move away from traditional lecture-based models toward flexible, inquiry-driven environments that prioritize student-centered learning. Teachers could act more as coaches or facilitators, helping students build emotional intelligence, executive function skills, and critical thinking abilities. Social-emotional learning and reflective dialogue may become integrated throughout the curriculum to support collaboration, empathy, and self-regulation. Assessment methods may also evolve, with portfolios, collaborative projects, and formative feedback replacing an overreliance on standardized tests. Technology, including AI, could personalize instruction and identify learning gaps, while teachers focus on ethical reasoning, mentorship, and meaningful relationships with students. Goldstein also envisions stronger partnerships between schools and communities, with students engaging in service-learning and real-world problem-solving.

CYBERSECURITY

Principals face cybersecurity burden

K-12 schools accounted for 74% of cyberattacks on educational institutions last year, making principals an increasingly important line of defense against phishing and other threats. The piece outlines four practical strategies: remove direct staff emails from school websites, reward employees who report suspicious messages, promote a “pause, verify, report” habit, and involve students and families in safe device use. Michelle Bourgeois, chief technology officer for Colorado’s St. Vrain Valley district, said principals help protect “the time dedicated to teaching and learning” when they reinforce strong cybersecurity practices.

RECRUITMENT

Addressing teacher shortages through recruitment could boost learning

In a piece for The 74 Zachary Levine, executive director at Teach.org, and Vince Marigna, chief executive of the Breakthrough Collaborative, argue that investing in teacher recruitment is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve student learning and strengthen the economy. With over a third of U.S. public schools reporting vacancies and many roles filled by underqualified staff, recruiting and supporting qualified educators has become increasingly urgent. Research suggests spending on teacher recruitment delivers a higher return on investment for student outcomes than most other education reforms. Effective teachers not only improve learning but also contribute to long-term economic benefits, as their students are more likely to attend college, earn higher incomes, and contribute to GDP growth. While federal support for teacher pipeline programs has recently declined, states, nonprofits and philanthropic groups are expanding initiatives, including financial incentives and recruitment programs, to attract new educators and address barriers to entering the profession.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Unlocking hidden scholarships at California's community colleges

California community college students have over $20m in unclaimed scholarship funds from the California Kids Investment and Development Savings program (CalKIDS). Launched in 2022, CalKIDS automatically awards at least $500 to low-income students and English learners to help them save for college or career training. Despite the funds being deposited into interest-bearing accounts, fewer than 8.3% of eligible families had claimed their accounts as of early 2024. California State Treasurer Fiona Ma stated: "This partnership reflects California’s commitment to ensuring that students can access the opportunities already available to them." To increase awareness, CalKIDS has shifted its marketing strategy to target high school graduates and college students, resulting in 12% of accounts being claimed by mid-2025. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that the new partnership will connect more community college students with the scholarships set aside for them.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea targets AI deepfakes ahead of June education vote

South Korea is moving to ban the use of deepfake content in local education superintendent elections, extending existing election laws that already restrict AI-generated media in other political contests. Under the proposed amendment, producing or using deepfakes within 90 days of an election could lead to up to seven years in prison or fines of 10m–50m won ($6,700 - $33,500), as authorities seek to prevent misinformation ahead of the 3 June 2026 elections. The move follows controversy over an artificial intelligence-generated campaign video posted by a candidate, which sparked criticism and renewed concerns about the influence of manipulated media on election fairness.
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