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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
The U.S. Department of Education has released a significantly reduced version of its annual Condition of Education report, publishing updates on just 17 indicators compared with the 702 measures typically tracked by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The scaled-back release follows deep staffing cuts and contract cancellations at the department’s research arm in 2025, which disrupted data collection and reporting activities. Among the key findings, states spent an average of $20,000 per public school student in 2024, though spending varied widely, ranging from $12,400 per pupil in Idaho to $33,600 in New York. Public K-12 enrollment fell 2% over the past decade, from 50.3 million students in 2014 to 49.4 million in 2024, with declines concentrated in elementary and middle school grades following the COVID-19 pandemic. High school enrollment, meanwhile, rose 2% between 2019 and 2024. The report also showed growing variation in early childhood enrollment across states and continued demographic shifts affecting school populations, with Texas gaining students while neighboring states saw declines. Researchers and education advocates expressed concern that the reduced report reflects a broader deterioration in federal education research capacity, noting that many NCES data collections have been halted or scaled back, potentially limiting the information available to policymakers, districts, and communities.
Full Issue
Education Slice
California
California is experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures hitting 100 degrees in March. The lack of HVAC systems in thousands of schools poses a significant risk to student safety and learning. Modern HVAC systems not only cool classrooms but also filter out harmful pollutants and reduce disease spread. The California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) aims to fund necessary upgrades, particularly in underserved communities. However, nearly $200m in CalSHAPE funds may be returned to utilities if not spent soon. Leah Stokes, an associate professor at UC Santa Barbara, emphasized the urgency, stating: “Our members and our students are very literally dying for this money.” The program's future hangs in the balance, and action is needed to ensure schools receive the funding they require for safe learning environments.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Texas
Texas is reviewing whether National Board Certification, a widely respected teaching credential that currently qualifies educators for salary increases of up to $9,000 through the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program, should continue to be recognized for incentive pay. The review, mandated under Texas’ new school funding law, comes amid concerns from some state leaders that the certification does not align with Texas’ merit-based compensation goals and may conflict with state policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Only about 1,200 of Texas’ 382,000 teachers hold National Board Certification, with roughly 620 receiving pay increases through the incentive program. Supporters argue the credential represents one of the most rigorous forms of professional development available, requiring extensive classroom analysis, student assessment, reflection, and evidence of instructional effectiveness. The State Board for Educator Certification must decide by December 31 whether National Board Certification will remain an approved pathway to incentive pay. Teachers and researchers argue that removing it would reverse years of state support for the credential and disregard evidence linking certification to improved student outcomes, particularly among low-income students, English learners, and those performing below grade level.
Full Issue
Education Slice
Florida
The U.S. Department of Education has released a significantly reduced version of its annual Condition of Education report, publishing updates on just 17 indicators compared with the 702 measures typically tracked by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The scaled-back release follows deep staffing cuts and contract cancellations at the department’s research arm in 2025, which disrupted data collection and reporting activities. Among the key findings, states spent an average of $20,000 per public school student in 2024, though spending varied widely, ranging from $12,400 per pupil in Idaho to $33,600 in New York. Public K-12 enrollment fell 2% over the past decade, from 50.3 million students in 2014 to 49.4m in 2024, with declines concentrated in elementary and middle school grades following the COVID-19 pandemic. High school enrollment, meanwhile, rose 2% between 2019 and 2024. The report also showed growing variation in early childhood enrollment across states and continued demographic shifts affecting school populations, with Texas gaining students while neighboring states saw declines.
Full Issue