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Delegates to the National Education Association's annual meeting approved the creation of a nearly $200,000 emergency fund to support teachers protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, citing ongoing legal uncertainty and the importance of retaining immigrant educators. The fund is expected to assist an estimated 14,000 to 20,000 teachers who came to the United States as children before 2007, while remaining compliant with federal restrictions on providing financial support to undocumented immigrants. Immigration emerged as one of the union's top priorities, with delegates also calling for additional resources to help educators understand local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The assembly also approved work to develop model policies protecting educators and students from AI-generated identity theft, including deepfake images, videos, and audio that could damage reputations or lead to disciplinary action. Delegates said schools and unions need updated safeguards as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable of creating convincing fake content.

 

Education Week News

The Supreme Court has allowed Texas to enforce a state law requiring mobile app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent before minors can download apps, while the underlying legal challenge continues through the courts. The unsigned emergency order included no explanation and drew no publicly noted dissents. The law, passed in 2025 amid growing concerns over children's online safety, has been challenged by the Computer & Communications Industry Association, whose members include Apple and Google, alongside a group of students. They argue the measure violates the First Amendment by restricting young people's access to a broad range of lawful digital content, from books and music to educational subscriptions. Texas defended the law by arguing that downloading an app involves agreeing to terms that can affect a child's privacy, location tracking, data collection, and legal rights. State officials said parents should therefore have oversight when minors enter into those agreements. Monday's ruling does not decide whether the law is constitutional. Instead, it leaves in place a decision by the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that allowed the law to take effect after a federal district court had temporarily blocked its enforcement in December. The decision follows a series of recent Supreme Court actions involving online age verification. Last year, the Court allowed Mississippi to enforce a similar law covering major social media platforms while litigation proceeded, although Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested that law was likely unconstitutional despite concluding that a temporary injunction was not justified. 

 

CNN

The Texan

Politico

Reuters

Minnesota's plan to introduce its first statewide K-12 health education standards by 2028 has been thrown into doubt after an administrative law judge ruled that the state's rulemaking process did not comply with legal requirements. Chief Administrative Law Judge Jessica Palmer-Denig found that the Minnesota Department of Education failed to provide adequate notice to lawmakers, did not sufficiently explain implementation costs to the public, and granted itself broader discretion than allowed under state law. The proposed standards, developed by educators, students, and health experts, cover topics including CPR, nutrition, consent, media literacy, puberty, abuse prevention, pregnancy, and suicide prevention. The judge recommended clarifying several key terms and suggested the department consider withdrawing the rules altogether. State education officials said they are reviewing the decision to determine their next steps. Lawmakers, educators, and advocacy groups urged the state to appeal the decision, warning that further delays will postpone access to comprehensive health education that they believe is critical to students' long-term well-being.

 

MPR News

Washington state is winding down its Required Action District (RAD) program, which has provided funding, oversight, and leadership support to the state's lowest-performing public schools for the past 16 years, after lawmakers eliminated its $14m annual budget. The program, which helps schools implement improvement plans and receive intensive state monitoring, is scheduled to end by June 2027 after federal funding proved insufficient to replace the lost state support. Education leaders warn the decision will reduce resources for some of the state's most vulnerable students, including those at Amistad Elementary School in Kennewick, where nearly 90% of students come from low-income households and many require additional academic and language support. Although Washington's broader School Improvement Framework will remain in place, educators and state officials say the loss of RAD funding weakens efforts to improve outcomes at struggling schools.

 

Tri-City Herald

California is investing $10m to recruit high school students into bilingual teaching careers as it works to address a shortage of an estimated 6,000 bilingual teachers needed to meet its goal of enrolling half of all K-12 students in bilingual education programs by 2030. The new grant program will allow school districts to partner with community colleges and universities to create clearer pathways for students to earn both teaching credentials and bilingual authorizations. Educators and researchers welcomed the initiative but cautioned that the funding alone will not be enough to solve the shortage. They point to limited bilingual teacher preparation programs, particularly in regions with large English learner populations, as well as the additional time and cost required to obtain bilingual certification, which can add $1,500 to $4,000 to a teacher's education expenses. While California has more than doubled the number of bilingual teaching authorizations issued annually over the past decade, many districts still rely on emergency permits or struggle to staff dual-language programs.

 

EdSource

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will require pre-K and kindergarten teachers and staff to assist students with toileting beginning this fall, responding to a growing number of children entering school without being fully potty-trained. The new policy formalizes existing practices by directing educators to help students with tasks such as changing diapers or pull-ups, using the toilet, and cleaning themselves when necessary, while encouraging schools to promote greater independence over time. District leaders say the policy reflects a broader post-pandemic trend, with educators and pediatricians reporting that more children are starting school lacking basic self-care skills. Supporters argue the guidance is necessary because public schools cannot refuse students who need assistance, while opponents, including teachers and their union, warn it places additional responsibilities on already stretched staff, raises health and liability concerns, and could contribute to educator burnout. The issue extends beyond Anne Arundel, with neighboring Maryland districts also reporting an increase in students needing bathroom assistance, although most stop short of requiring teachers to provide hands-on care.

 

The Baltimore Banner

Outgoing Chesapeake Public Schools Superintendent Jared Cotton says expanding career and technical education, increasing technology access, and strengthening communication with families are among the accomplishments he is most proud of after eight years leading the district. During his tenure, the 40,000-student school system introduced one-to-one student laptops, expanded remote learning, invested in a new career center, and navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming one of the first districts in the region to resume in-person instruction. Cotton, who began his career as a fifth-grade teacher in Chesapeake and was named Virginia's Superintendent of the Year in 2019, said building public trust has become one of the most important aspects of school leadership as education has become increasingly politicized. Colleagues praised his calm leadership and willingness to embrace new ideas while maintaining the district's traditions. Although Cotton had planned to retire this summer, he will remain in the role until his successor's contract is finalized to ensure a smooth transition. He will then join the University of Virginia to lead a statewide education consortium connecting researchers with schools and education leaders.

 

The Virginian-Pilot

The Springfield School District 186 board has unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with Ball-Chatham on July 6, following a mediated process involving the Sangamon-Menard Regional Office of Education. Terrance Jordan, the Illinois disrict's superintendent, commented: "Both parties are happy. When both parties are happy, you can say that it's equitable." The agreement will facilitate the construction of a new school that consolidates Hazel Dell, Laketown, and Southern View elementary schools. The 29-acre parcel of land, previously owned by the University of Illinois System, will extend Ball-Chatham's boundaries. While legalities remain, District 186 plans to lease the property for 99 years. The agreement reflects a commitment to providing students with state-of-the-art facilities, as emphasized by Board President Erica Austin, who noted the importance of the 1% sales tax in funding these developments.

 

The State Journal Register

Melissa Dohrer, a kitchen manager for the Iowa City Community School District, has been selected for a prestigious national fellowship focused on improving school nutrition and will lead an effort to develop more plant-based entrées for the district's cafeterias. As one of 23 school food professionals chosen for the Chef Ann Foundation's Healthy School Food Pathway program, she will spend 13 months building leadership skills and designing a capstone project that could serve as a model for schools nationwide. Dohrer, who has worked in the district's nutrition services department for 13 years, said her goal is to provide nutritious meals that keep students healthy and ready to learn. Drawing inspiration from food trends on platforms such as TikTok, she aims to create menu options that appeal to students while supporting healthier, more sustainable eating habits. District leaders praised her creativity and commitment to improving school meals, particularly as schools compete with off-campus dining options for high school students.

 

The Gazette

New York City's Department of Education will pilot digital student OMNY transit cards at seven schools this fall, allowing students to use their cellphones to access free public transportation. The initiative follows widespread complaints about paper OMNY cards that have been prone to breaking, malfunctioning, or taking months to replace, disrupting students' commutes to and from school. Students without smartphones will still be able to receive physical cards. The pilot includes traditional public, charter, and non-public schools selected based on their readiness to transition to virtual cards. The move builds on the city's shift from MetroCards to OMNY cards, which now provide students with four free rides per day, 365 days a year, offering greater flexibility than the previous transit program.

 

Chalkbeat

A federal appeals court has upheld the constitutionality of the U.S. college accreditation system, rejecting Florida's challenge to the Higher Education Act and ruling that requiring institutions to be accredited to qualify for federal student aid is a lawful condition. The 11th Circuit unanimously found that private accrediting agencies do not exercise government authority and that Congress has long relied on accreditation to help ensure federal financial aid supports quality institutions. Florida had argued that private accreditors wield excessive power over billions of dollars in federal student aid without sufficient government oversight, claiming the system violates several constitutional provisions. The court dismissed those arguments, finding that accreditors derive their authority from member institutions rather than the federal government, and that the U.S. Department of Education retains responsibility for determining eligibility for federal funding.

 

Courthouse News Service

China has unveiled plans to strengthen its global education influence during its 2026–30 Five-Year Plan by expanding international research partnerships, encouraging overseas Chinese graduates to return home, attracting foreign universities to establish joint programs, and promoting Chinese education brands worldwide. The strategy also calls for deeper collaboration with Europe, North America, Belt and Road countries, and the Global South, while increasing China's role in global education governance through organizations such as UNESCO, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, alongside expanding the "Study in China" initiative and international student exchanges.

 

China Daily