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USA
30th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Growing backlash prompts schools to rethink technology use

The role of technology in schools is facing significant scrutiny, as highlighted in Education Week's “Technology Counts” report. The pandemic accelerated tech adoption, with many districts implementing 1-to-1 computing programs, supported by federal stimulus funds. However, a recent survey by the EdWeek Research Center revealed that a majority of teachers and administrators believe parents feel students spend too much time on technology. Despite these concerns, most districts have not reduced their tech investments. Richard Culatta, chief executive of ISTE+ASCD, emphasized the importance of context in evaluating tech use, commenting: "A lot of schools handed out devices far faster than they were preparing their teachers [to teach with them]." He cautioned against discarding effective technology applications due to a lack of preparation for educators. The ongoing "techlash" is a key theme at the ISTE + ASCD conference in Orlando, Florida.

FINANCE

School closures spread across Alaska amid funding shortfalls

Alaska school districts closed 12 elementary and middle schools this year as declining enrollment, rising operating costs, and persistent funding shortfalls forced sweeping budget cuts across the state. Districts in Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna, Kenai Peninsula, and Ketchikan shuttered schools while reducing staff, increasing class sizes, and cutting programs, including music, sports, library services, health aides, and extracurricular activities. Officials said the closures were necessary to address multimillion-dollar budget deficits while preserving as many teaching positions as possible. School leaders cited years of state funding failing to keep pace with inflation, soaring healthcare premiums, energy costs, utilities, and special education expenses as the primary drivers of their financial challenges. Several districts also pointed to declining birth rates and growing enrollment in homeschool programs, which reduce state funding for traditional public schools, as factors contributing to shrinking budgets. Even after closing schools, many districts said they continue to face financial uncertainty pending final approval of additional state education funding.

Budget pressures and shrinking enrollment drive Nevada school closures

Nevada school districts are closing schools, consolidating campuses, and rethinking the use of their facilities as declining student enrollment and financial pressures reshape public education. Douglas County School District will close C.C. Meneley Elementary after more than 40 years of operation, its first school closure in 18 years, as enrollment has fallen 17.4% since 2016. The district, which faces a $5.4m budget deficit and has been placed on fiscal watch, expects to lose another 1,000 students over the next five years and plans additional consolidations to avoid a state takeover. The trend extends beyond rural districts. Clark County School District has seen enrollment fall from 320,000 students to about 280,000 since 2018-19, while Washoe County School District has lost roughly 5,000 students over the past seven years. Parents, educators, and school leaders welcomed efforts to preserve academic programs but argued that school closures reflect broader funding challenges. They called for increased state investment in K-12 education, warning that enrollment-based funding formulas have failed to keep pace with inflation and rising operating costs.

Pandemic-era hiring leaves New Jersey schools facing fiscal strain

New Jersey school districts are facing mounting financial pressure after expanding staffing levels during the pandemic despite declining student enrollment, leaving many struggling as temporary federal COVID-19 relief funding has ended. Hackensack Public Schools has become one of the highest-profile examples, cutting more than 150 positions to address a budget shortfall that reached $17m for the recently completed school year and is projected to grow to $21m in the coming year. The district's financial problems have been compounded by a 30% increase in employee health insurance costs, bookkeeping issues, and overspending identified in a recent audit. The challenges extend well beyond Hackensack. Between the 2018-19 and 2024-25 school years, New Jersey districts added more than 11,000 employees while statewide enrollment fell by just over 5,000 students, with paraprofessionals accounting for the largest share of new hires. Analysts say stronger long-term financial planning and greater accountability from both school administrators and boards will be needed to prevent similar fiscal crises in the future.

DISTRICTS

Baltimore County Board confirms William Heiser as superintendent

The Baltimore County Board of Education has approved a four-year contract for Dr. William Heiser as the next superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools. Heiser, who previously served as chief operating officer for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, succeeds Myriam Rogers, who announced her retirement earlier this year after serving as superintendent since 2023. Heiser was selected following a nationwide search that narrowed the field to four finalists. A former school principal and district leader with experience across three Maryland school systems, he was named Maryland High School Principal of the Year in 2013. In accepting the role, Heiser said he aims to build on the progress made under Rogers' leadership while combining instructional and operational expertise to strengthen Baltimore County Public Schools and improve student outcomes.

Dublin City Schools unveils long-term redistricting plan

Dublin City Schools has finalized new attendance boundaries for its high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, with the changes taking effect in the 2027-28 school year following months of community consultation and revised planning. The new high school map shifts areas from Jerome High School to Coffman High School and from Coffman to Scioto High School, while making only minor adjustments to middle school boundaries. District officials expect the high school and middle school boundaries to remain in place for at least 10 years. The district made more extensive changes to elementary school boundaries in northern Dublin to better balance enrollment, while leaving southern elementary attendance zones unchanged. Superintendent John Marschhausen said the elementary boundaries are expected to remain in place for three to five years as enrollment patterns continue to evolve

TECHNOLOGY

Parents urged to reduce screen time to help children build essential skills

Researchers are warning that excessive screen time may be contributing to delays in children's development of basic life skills, including tying shoes, using scissors, following instructions, and resolving social conflicts. Citing surveys of teachers and families, Jenna M. Leadbeater and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff argue that both children's growing use of screens and parents' device use can reduce opportunities for hands-on learning and face-to-face interactions that are essential for developing fine motor, social, and self-regulation skills. They note that children ages 2 to 4 spend an average of just over two hours a day on screens, while those ages 5 to 8 average nearly three and a half hours. The authors contend that screens cannot replace the feedback and guidance children receive from parents and caregivers when practicing everyday tasks, emphasizing that skills such as coloring, dressing, and problem-solving require real-world experience.

LEGAL

Court ruling forces Detroit district to seek voter approval for operating tax measure

The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling preventing Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) from using operating tax revenue to accelerate repayment of long-term debt. The court agreed with the Michigan Department of Treasury that state law does not allow operating millage revenue to be used for capital or other nonoperating debt once the district's emergency operating loan has been repaid. The decision means DPSCD must rely on voter approval of an August ballot measure that would allow the district to collect its own existing operating millage for the first time. The proposal would not create a new tax or increase tax rates, but would transfer collection of the current levy from the legacy Detroit Public Schools entity to DPSCD. District officials have warned that if the measure fails, DPSCD could face a $120m budget deficit in the 2027-28 school year. The legal dispute stems from the district's effort to use higher-than-expected property tax revenues to pay down approximately $1.3bn in capital debt and $355m in state revolving fund debt more quickly.

STEM

Minnesota program equips educators to launch robotics classes across rural districts

Minnesota State University is expanding access to STEM education through its Rural Experiential STEM Education Partnership Initiative (RESEPI), a two-week "train the trainers" program that equips educators with the skills to teach coding, robotics, and engineering. After piloting the program in three schools last year, the initiative has grown to 12 schools across southern Minnesota, with participating educators receiving robotics equipment to introduce hands-on STEM lessons in their classrooms. University officials estimate the program will reach approximately 600 students this fall. Participants learn to build, program, and operate robots before taking part in a robotics tournament and returning to their schools with the resources needed to integrate robotics into existing curricula. Educators and students said the program provides more than technical skills, helping develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration while exposing students to career opportunities in STEM.

REMUNERATION

Louisiana governor's teacher stipend plan resumes after court throws out lawsuit

A Louisiana judge has cleared the way for Gov. Jeff Landry's plan to fund another year of teacher pay stipends by dismissing a lawsuit that had temporarily blocked the proposal. The court lifted a restraining order after ruling that the plaintiffs' law firm, Baker Donelson, could not represent the challengers because it also represents the governor and the state in separate federal litigation, creating a conflict of interest without the governor's consent. The ruling did not address the underlying constitutional question of whether Landry has the authority to redirect K-12 education funding through an executive order. Plaintiffs, including former education officials and a current school board member, said they are considering filing a new lawsuit with different legal representation before the governor's plan takes effect. Under the proposal, $168m would be shifted from public school operating funds to provide $2,000 stipends for teachers and $1,000 for eligible school staff after lawmakers approved the plan last week.

HIGHER EDUCATION

New federal rule ties college loan eligibility to graduate income

The Trump administration has finalized new federal student loan rules that will require colleges and universities to demonstrate that graduates earn more than comparable workers without those degrees in order to remain eligible for federal lending programs. Under the new Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule, undergraduate programs must show graduates earn more than the typical high school diploma holder, while graduate programs must exceed the earnings of the typical bachelor's degree holder. Programs that fail to meet the earnings benchmark in two of three consecutive years will lose access to the federal Direct Loan program beginning in 2027. Institutions with low-performing programs that continue to miss the threshold for three years could also lose eligibility for broader federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, for those programs. The new rule is the latest step in the Trump administration's broader campaign to increase scrutiny of higher education.

Colleges tackle student isolation with new programs and social media education

Colleges are expanding efforts to combat student loneliness as research suggests excessive social media use may contribute to feelings of isolation. A University of Cincinnati study of roughly 65,000 students found that 54% reported feeling lonely, with those using social media for 16 hours or more per week significantly more likely to experience loneliness. Researchers cautioned, however, that the relationship is complex and varies depending on how individuals use social media, with active engagement often producing more positive outcomes than passive scrolling. In response, colleges are investing in programs that promote in-person interaction, including wellness spaces, peer mentoring, student organizations, and first-year courses that address healthy technology habits and social connection. Experts say these initiatives are designed to help students build meaningful relationships, improve their sense of belonging, and develop stronger social skills, particularly as many continue to feel the effects of pandemic-related disruptions.

INTERNATIONAL

China expands AI education as part of long-term technology strategy

China has unveiled a five-year plan to integrate artificial intelligence education across every stage of its school system, reinforcing President Xi Jinping's strategy to strengthen the country's leadership in advanced technologies. Under the new blueprint, AI will become a core competency for students, with schools expected to improve AI literacy and equip learners with the skills to identify and solve problems using the technology. Regional governments have been instructed to implement the policy nationwide. The initiative forms part of Beijing's broader effort to develop domestic technology champions and reduce reliance on foreign technology amid tighter Western export controls. At the same time, policymakers are seeking to balance greater AI adoption with employment stability, particularly as youth unemployment remains elevated. 
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