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21st April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

SCOTUS takes up case on faith-based schools, LGBTQ+ access, and public funding

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case examining whether Colorado can deny state-funded preschool subsidies to Catholic schools that do not comply with nondiscrimination rules requiring admission of LGBTQ+ families. The case stems from a broader legal challenge by administrators of two Catholic preschools, who argue that the state’s conditions for funding violate their First Amendment rights by forcing them to choose between their religious beliefs and access to public support. At the center of the dispute is Colorado’s universal preschool program, approved by voters in 2020, which provides free early education to tens of thousands of children. To participate, schools must agree to offer equal access regardless of factors such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, income level, or disability. State officials argue these requirements are essential to ensure fair access to publicly funded services. Lower courts have sided with Colorado, ruling that the law applies equally to all participating schools and does not target religious institutions specifically. Judges relied on the Supreme Court’s 1990 decision in Employment Division v. Smith, which allows neutral, generally applicable laws to stand even if they incidentally burden religious practices. However, the Catholic schools argue that this precedent has led to inconsistent outcomes and should be reconsidered, particularly in light of more recent rulings that have expanded protections for religious institutions in public funding programs. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in the fall.

THE LATEST IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

What’s Shaping Special Education Today

With approximately 7.5 million students nationwide receiving special education services, guidance around special education continues to evolve making it difficult for leaders to keep pace with the most relevant information. To help leaders stay current, a curated collection of the latest special education insights and free resources brings together expert perspectives and research‑aligned guidance.

These timely resources spotlight current thinking on special education as intervention, evidence‑based dyslexia practices, and instructional approaches that support students with learning disabilities across broader systems of support.


 

DISTRICTS

Pittsburgh schools go remote for NFL draft

Pittsburgh Public Schools has decided to cancel in-person classes from Wednesday through Friday due to the influx of fans for the NFL draft, which is expected to bring between 500,000 and 700,000 visitors to the city. District spokesperson Ebony Pugh said: "We understand, for some, [their] kid can go down the road, but there's also a number of students who that's just not the reality." The decision aims to provide equitable access to education, as many students rely on public transportation that will be heavily impacted by the event. While some parents, like Sonja Smith, express concerns about equity and the impact on student learning, others, including 11th grader Kaya Lewis, support the move, citing the challenges of commuting during the draft. City recreation centers will be available for students needing a place to connect online.

Seminole schools face budget crisis

Seminole County Public Schools is grappling with a $26.4m budget deficit, prompting significant changes in district policies. Recently, the district announced it would no longer approve out-of-state and overnight student field trips due to costs, a decision that sparked backlash from parents and students. Although the district quickly reversed its decision, the financial strain remains evident as enrollment declines. Superintendent Serita Beamon noted plans to cut over 280 positions, aiming for $23.4m in savings. The district is also reviewing travel budgets, which could lead to further restrictions. Robin Dehlinger, chairwoman of the school board, acknowledged the communication issues surrounding these changes, stating: "What we're trying to do is make sure that as we are in difficult and challenging financial times, we are utilizing our resources to the best advantage of the students."

FINANCE

Colorado proposes higher per-student funding under new school finance plan

Colorado lawmakers have introduced a School Finance Act that would raise statewide K-12 education funding to $10.2bn for the 2026–27 fiscal year, equating to about $12,314 per student, an increase of $438 per pupil. The proposal maintains full funding for schools despite broader budget pressures, including a projected shortfall of up to $1.5bn, and reflects a $214m increase in the state’s contribution to $5.6bn, while local funding would slightly decline to $4.6bn. The bill also continues the phased rollout of a new funding formula, with $150m allocated next year as part of a broader $500m annual implementation plan. Additional measures include adjusting enrollment calculations to a three-year average and introducing a “smoothing factor” to stabilize funding for districts experiencing enrollment changes. The plan would also eliminate the ASCENT dual-enrollment program and phase out the TREP teacher preparation initiative due to cost concerns and limited impact data. The bill has passed its first committee unanimously and will proceed through the legislative process ahead of a May deadline.

LEGAL

Court rejects parents’ appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge from Massachusetts parents who said a public school district violated their parental rights by honoring their child’s request not to disclose a new name and pronouns at school. The lawsuit, dismissed by lower courts, argued the policy infringed due process protections under the 14th Amendment. Upholding that dismissal, the 1st Circuit said it was “unconvinced” that using gender-affirming names or pronouns amounted to medical treatment and said parents “remain free” to guide their child outside school.

TECHNOLOGY

K–12 districts tackle AI adoption with safeguards, training, and equity focus

K–12 school districts across the U.S. are increasingly shifting from caution to active adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), with IT leaders focusing on building policies that ensure ethical, transparent, and equitable use in classrooms. At the recent CoSN 2026 conference, district leaders highlighted approaches such as integrating AI principles into existing policies rather than creating standalone rules, emphasizing human oversight, data privacy, and responsible use in teaching and assessment. Practical frameworks are also emerging, including “stoplight” systems that clearly define when AI use is prohibited, permitted with disclosure, or required for assignments. Schools are also investing in tools and training to monitor and guide AI usage, including filtered AI platforms and teacher education on evaluating student work beyond final outputs. At the same time, districts are addressing concerns about a growing “AI divide,” where unequal access to advanced tools could widen educational disparities, prompting efforts to provide universal access through enterprise licenses and ensure all students learn to use AI effectively.

Los Angeles USD to limit student screen time

Los Angeles USD is set to implement significant restrictions on student screen time, particularly for kindergarten and first-grade students. The proposal, led by board member Nick Melvoin, aims to address concerns over the negative impacts of excessive device use, including anxiety and attention issues. The resolution encourages teachers to prioritize paper and pen assignments and suggests banning access to platforms like YouTube and gaming sites. It states: "While access to and developing skills in technology are critical in a digital world, excessive screen time can be associated with vision problems, increased anxiety and depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, difficulty managing emotions, lower academic achievement, and weaker cognition." If approved, the policy will require further development, including establishing daily and weekly screen time limits for students. The initiative reflects a growing parental pushback against technology in education.

POLICY

Book bans hit record highs

According to the American Library Association (ALA), book bans and attempts to remove titles are at unprecedented levels. The ALA's State of America's Libraries Report revealed that Patricia McCormick's “Sold” topped the list of most challenged books for 2025. Other notable titles include “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky and “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe. The ALA recorded challenges to 4,235 different works, with a significant shift in objections coming from government officials and conservative activists rather than local parents. “In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents,” said Sarah Lamdan, executive director of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. The report highlights a politically-driven campaign against certain books, with actual removals exceeding 5,600. The ALA emphasizes the importance of libraries as spaces for diverse stories and experiences.

NUTRITION

Florida moves to exclude soda, energy drinks and candy from SNAP benefits

Florida's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) now prohibits the purchase of "junk food" items, including soda, energy drinks, candy, and ultra-processed desserts. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) implemented this policy to encourage healthier food choices among low-income households. "Florida is committed to promoting the health and well-being of families who participate in SNAP," said DCF's Healthy SNAP Florida. The initiative aims to "alleviate hunger and combat malnutrition" by steering beneficiaries towards more nutritious options. This change aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's findings that about one in five U.S. children and adolescents is obese, with higher rates among Hispanic and Black Americans.

LEADERSHIP

Baltimore City Schools names Jermaine Dawson as next CEO

Dr. Jermaine Dawson has been named the next chief executive of Baltimore City Public Schools and will assume the role on July 1 2026, succeeding Dr. Sonja Santelises after her decade-long tenure leading the district. Dawson currently serves as deputy superintendent of academic services for the School District of Philadelphia and brings extensive experience from leadership roles across multiple U.S. school systems, with a focus on improving attendance, academic outcomes, and operational performance. District officials said he will work with the school board to build on existing strategies, including strengthening community engagement, advancing equity, and improving student outcomes. His appointment follows a public search process and comes as Baltimore schools look to continue progress made under Santelises, whose tenure included new school construction, improved literacy rates, expanded arts programs, and district-wide infrastructure upgrades.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Palos Heights gains school district support for extended redevelopment funding plan

Community High School District 218 in Illinois has voted to support a 12-year extension of Palos Heights’ Gateway Redevelopment Project tax increment financing (TIF) district, bringing the proposal closer to approval. The extension, originally set to expire in December 2027, would allow the city to continue using incremental property tax revenues to fund infrastructure improvements and support development projects. District officials acknowledged the extension could divert some property tax revenue away from schools but backed the plan, citing long-term economic benefits from increased business activity and population growth. City leaders indicated the extension may not run the full term if remaining development sites, including potential restaurant projects along Harlem Avenue, are completed earlier. The extension still requires support from all affected taxing bodies, though Orland High School District 230 has raised concerns about lost revenue and questioned the necessity of a full extension without clearer development plans. While the TIF fund currently holds over $2.1m and has supported several past projects, debate continues over balancing immediate school funding needs with broader economic development goals.

RECRUITMENT

Report highlights gap between assistant teachers’ impact and policy support

Assistant teachers play a central role in early childhood classrooms, yet most state policies fail to reflect their importance, with limited training requirements, low pay, and restricted career progression. A report from the National Institute for Early Education Research found that only one-third of state-funded preschool programs require minimum credentials, such as a Child Development Associate qualification, and just 30% meet recommended standards for ongoing professional development. This lack of requirements contributes to low wages, averaging $11.88 per hour, and creates a cycle where assistant teachers struggle to afford further education needed for advancement. While assistant teachers often function as co-educators, supporting children’s learning and development alongside lead teachers, many states have responded to staffing shortages by lowering standards rather than improving training and compensation. However, some states, including New Mexico and Alabama, are adopting stronger approaches by requiring higher qualifications, offering structured training, and improving pay, aiming to professionalize the role and strengthen the early education workforce.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Education Department proposes linking college funding to graduate earnings

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed a new accountability framework that would tie federal funding for college programs to the earnings outcomes of their graduates, potentially cutting access to student loans and, in some cases, Pell Grants if programs fail to deliver sufficient economic value. Under the proposal, undergraduate programs whose typical graduates earn less than high school graduates could lose federal aid eligibility, while graduate programs must demonstrate earnings above those of the average bachelor’s degree holder. The rule is positioned as a replacement for the Gainful Employment Rule and is intended to ensure taxpayer funds support programs that improve students’ financial prospects. The regulation, expected to take effect July 1 following a 30-day comment period, has drawn mixed reactions, with industry representatives welcoming broader accountability across all education sectors but raising concerns about flaws in the earnings-based formula, including regional wage differences and variations in employment types.

INTERNATIONAL

Victorian teachers intensify industrial action amid pay row with government

Public school teachers and staff in Victoria, Australia are escalating industrial action as negotiations with the state government stall over pay and conditions, introducing measures including bans on written report comments, refusal to implement new initiatives, and rolling half-day walkouts. The dispute follows the government’s 17% pay offer, which unions rejected in favor of a 35% increase, with the Australian Education Union arguing staff are overworked, underpaid, and facing chronic underfunding, while the government says it remains committed to reaching a fair agreement through ongoing negotiations.
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