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USA
10th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Federal judge’s decision gives school mental health projects temporary funding reprieve

Most U.S. school mental health projects that had faced cancellation will continue receiving federal funding for at least three more months after a federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s request to keep the grants frozen. The U.S. Department of Education has notified 120 grant recipients that funding for programmes hiring and training school mental health professionals will continue until June 1, though the department said it is issuing the extension “under protest” while appealing a lower-court ruling that found the earlier cancellations unlawful. The grants were part of two programs created to expand school-based mental health services and were funded through $1bn approved by Congress in 2022 following the Uvalde, Texas school shooting. While the court ruling temporarily restores funding for many projects, uncertainty remains as the administration’s broader appeal continues. Some grants have already been terminated or face additional reporting requirements to secure further funding.

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

Boston's graduation rate hits record high

Boston Public Schools (BPS) achieved a historic graduation rate of 81.3% in 2025, marking an increase of 1.6% from the previous year. This milestone reflects a steady rise from 59.1% in 2006, with over 400 additional students earning diplomas compared to 2024. Superintendent Mary Skipper said: "BPS has made important investments in strengthening instruction and student supports." The graduation rate for English learners and students with disabilities also saw significant improvements. Additionally, the dropout rate fell to 3.6%, the lowest on record, excluding the pandemic year of 2021. Mayor Michelle Wu attributed the success to enhanced academic programs and support systems, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high expectations for all students.

GOVERNANCE

Chicago considers whether school board members should be paid

The Illinois House is considering a bill that would allow members of the Chicago Board of Education to receive compensation for their roles, which currently require significant time commitments on a volunteer basis. State Representative Marcus Evans, who sponsors the proposal, argues that “for $0, what type of person are you going to get on the board?” Advocates believe that compensation could enhance representation and attract a more diverse group of candidates. The bill, which would lift the current prohibition on paying board members, is seen as a necessary step as Chicago transitions to a fully elected school board. However, opponents caution that compensation might attract profit-driven candidates rather than those committed to public service. The proposal is part of a broader effort to refine the governance structure of the Chicago Public Schools as it faces a projected $520m deficit in the upcoming budget.

Ohio board selects new schools chief after powers shift to state agency

Ohio’s State Board of Education has unanimously appointed Dr. Philip Wagner, superintendent of Johnstown-Monroe Local Schools, as the state’s new superintendent of public instruction. Wagner will begin the role in late July, with the board’s chief legal counsel Jason Wagner serving as interim superintendent, after current leader Paul Craft departed to head the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, which oversees schooling for 67,000 children of U.S. military families. The appointment comes after recent structural changes that reduced the board’s authority, transferring many responsibilities, including academic policy and oversight of the state’s 600-plus school districts, to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

LEGISLATION

Critics warn narrow student loan rule could worsen teacher and healthcare shortages

The U.S. Department of Education is facing pressure from higher education and K-12 groups to broaden its proposed definition of “professional student,” warning that the current rule, which excludes fields such as education, would limit graduate students to $100,000 in federal loans instead of $200,000 and could worsen workforce shortages in areas like teaching, school leadership, and healthcare. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent, the top Education Department official overseeing higher education, said the policy would place “downward pressure on colleges to lower costs, increase efficiencies, and prioritize high-quality programs.” However, in public comments, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education president Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy urged the department to widen its definition of “professional student” to include post-baccalaureate education programmes, warning that excluding them and lowering borrowing limits for part-time graduate students could worsen shortages of special educators. The comments, submitted on behalf of several K-12 organizations, including the Association of School Business Officials International, also noted that: “The broad field of education includes many professional roles that do not have teaching as a mandatory prerequisite and that require a graduate degree for licensure and/or hiring," including licensed school counselors, principals, and superintendents.

FINANCE

Audit shows slight drop in Mesa classroom spending

Mesa Public Schools allocated 70.8 cents of every dollar to classroom spending in FY2025, down slightly from 71.5 cents the previous year, according to a report by the Arizona Auditor General. The decline was driven by a $274 drop in per-pupil instructional spending to $6,508, leaving the district just below the state average of $6,510, even though spending on student support services and instruction support rose modestly. Overall spending per student fell $822 to $14,525, largely due to reduced spending on land and buildings as well as declining enrolment, with the district losing 7,809 students over five years and expecting further losses that could cut $18m in state funding. The report comes as Arizona lawmakers consider requiring districts to spend at least 60% of funds on instruction, while officials and education groups debate whether rising costs tied to special education services and other support needs make that target difficult to achieve. Chuck Essigs, of the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, said  the data shows Arizona near the bottom of all states in what it provides in aid.

LAUSD faces budget crisis amid turmoil

Los Angeles USD will hold its first regular meeting since Superintendent Alberto Carvalho was placed on administrative leave following a federal investigation. The agenda includes a significant budget update, labor agreements, and a resolution to distance the district from vendors linked to immigration enforcement. The Second Interim Financial Report indicates a projected deficit of $877m for the 2026-2027 school year, with a shrinking general fund balance. "LAUSD is still projecting deficit spending in each of the next three years," the district's presentation stated. Labor tensions persist as negotiations continue with major unions, including United Teachers Los Angeles. The meeting will also address student screen time guidelines and support for lowering the voting age to 16 in local elections.

NUTRITION

General Mills completes removal of synthetic dyes from school meal portfolio

General Mills said all of its products sold to kindergarten through 12th grade school meal programs are now made without certified artificial colors, achieving the target ahead of its summer 2026 deadline. The milestone was reached after the company reformulated its Lucky Charms 25% less sugar cereal, raising the portfolio from 98% to 100% free of certified colors. The company said the move responds to demand from schools for cleaner ingredient lists and aligns with broader regulatory shifts, including the US Food and Drug Administration’s plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes announced in April 2025. General Mills also remains on track to remove certified colors from its entire U.S. cereal portfolio by summer 2026 and from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Ohio lawmakers propose new funding and reforms for school transportation

A proposed bill in the Ohio House would allocate $88 million for school transportation, including restoring $45,000 grants for districts to purchase buses and increasing funding based on the number of students transported. The legislation would also require school districts and the private or charter schools they serve to coordinate tiered start times to improve bus scheduling efficiency. Supporters say the measures would help address aging bus fleets, rising costs and logistical challenges, though some districts note driver shortages remain a major barrier to improving transportation services.

TECHNOLOGY

Student AI misuse raises concerns

Securly’s review of nearly 1.2m student interactions with generative AI found that about 20% involved cheating, bullying, self-harm, or other problematic behavior, while 2% signaled possible safety risks such as violence or cyberbullying. Most flagged misuse centered on students trying to get AI to do their schoolwork. Tammy Wincup, chief executive of Securly, said: “When a district actually sets some guardrails and policies around their AI usage in schools, 80% of the conversations happening are within the district's policies.” The findings highlight both the scale of student experimentation with AI and the need for stronger oversight.

Connecticut schools debate cellphone ban

Connecticut lawmakers are considering a statewide bell-to-bell ban on student cellphones, with opinions divided among educators and parents as to the efficacy of such a law. Proponents, including James Tierinni, a math teacher in Manchester, argue that the negatives of cellphone use outweigh the positives, commenting: "I can tell you the negatives (of phones) outweigh the positives." They cite improvements in student attentiveness and sociability in schools that have implemented similar bans. However, critics, including Meriden Superintendent Mark Benigni, advocate for local control, emphasizing the need for schools to tailor policies to their unique environments. Concerns about emergency communication and responsible technology use also fuel the debate, with parents expressing fears about losing contact with their children during crises.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Bullying demands moral response

Elizabeth Reid, president and co-founder of the Jack Reid Foundation, argues that schools are failing students by focusing too narrowly on academics while neglecting kindness, respect, and character. She frames bullying as a widespread crisis that can have devastating consequences, including suicide, and draws on the death of her son Jack to call for stronger protections and cultural change. She writes that: “Bullying cannot be viewed as acceptable or endurable behavior,” and says new laws like New York’s Jack Reid Law matter only if schools actively investigate, respond, and build climates where cruelty is not tolerated.

INTERNATIONAL

Australian teachers’ union calls for major investment as school infrastructure review begins

Australia’s first national inquiry into public school infrastructure has been launched by the Australian Education Union to assess the condition of schools and recommend long-term funding and policy reforms. The review, chaired by former ACTU president Sharan Burrow, will examine infrastructure needs amid rising enrollments, growing student support needs and funding gaps, with consultations planned across communities, educators and governments. The union argues that stronger, coordinated investment in facilities is essential to improve student safety, inclusion and learning outcomes for the more than 2.6m students in Australia’s public schools.
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