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On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee (HAC) advanced a bill that would reduce federal Title I funding for low-income schools by 26%. The plan, which would also cut the overall U.S. Department of Education budget by 15% to $67bn for fiscal year 2026, differs from the bipartisan proposal agreed to by the Senate Appropriations Committee in July, which recommends increasing funding for the department by around $300m. An HAC report on the bill cites disappointing student test scores, despite increases in funding, arguing that "Federal tax dollars have not been shown to result in meaningful improvement in student achievement." Attempts to prevent cuts to Title I were unsuccessful; ranking Democrat Rosa DeLauro (D-CN) said the cuts will remove at least 72,000 teachers out of classrooms in low-income communities. A measure to block funding for mandatory active shooter drills unless parents are given an opt-out for students under 16 was agreed to by voice vote.

 

K-12 Dive

What can you do with the 2025 MAP Growth norms? Turning test results into action.

The 2025 MAP ^®; Growth™ norms are here, and while your students RIT scores are still measuring achievement on the same scale you know and trust, the reference point for interpreting those scores has shifted to reflect how students are performing today. Think of it like Google Street View updating its imagery. You’re still navigating the same streets, but now you’re seeing what the neighborhood actually looks like today, instead of photos from five years ago.

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Two students were critically injured following a shooting at Evergreen High School in the Denver metro area on Wednesday. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, a total of three minors were hospitalized, including the suspected shooter, who was injured by a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said: “Students should be able to attend school safely and without fear,” expressing concern for the victims and the community. U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) expressed her shock and heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to ensure the safety of children. Evergreen High School is part of the Jefferson Public School District, which also includes Columbine High School, the site of a school shooting in 1999 that was one of the deadliest in the United States at the time. “We cannot pretend this is just another tragic incident,” superintendent Tracy Dorland said in a statement on Wednesday night. “The pain of this incident reopens old wounds.”

 

ABC News

The Hill

New York Times

On Wednesday the U.S. Supreme Court denied South Carolina's request to pause a federal appeals court injunction that allows a 9th-grade transgender boy, identified as John Doe, to use restrooms consistent with his gender identity. The court's decision, which was not a ruling on the case's merits, reflects ongoing national discussions about transgender rights in schools. The three dissenters in the case were justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., and Neil M. Gorsuch. The injunction was granted by the 4th Circuit Court, which ruled that schools must permit trans students to use restrooms aligned with their gender identity under Title IX and the 14th Amendment. Doe's legal team argued that the injunction is crucial for his well-being, commenting: “no student has ever complained about sharing a boys' restroom with John.” The court's action comes amid a growing national debate over trans rights in schools and at a time when the Supreme Court is receiving more appeals over the matter. In its new term that begins next month, it will hear arguments in two cases involving trans students' participation in girls' and women's athletics.

 

Education Week News

New York Times

Politico

Washington Post

Two major US teacher unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, along with educators from Oregon, are suing the Trump administration over its immigration enforcement policies, specifically challenging the decision to allow arrests near school campuses. The lawsuit argues that this action terrorizes children and teachers, leading to decreased student attendance and participation, with some students dropping out. This action is considered a violation of the law and a departure from a nearly three-decade-old policy that designated schools, hospitals, and places of worship as "sensitive locations" to be avoided by immigration agents. Instances cited include masked agents making arrests near schools, even on private property, causing school lockdowns and student anxiety. Educators report increased fear among immigrant students and parents, affecting special education enrollment and English language learner classes. The legal challenge asserts that these policy changes violate the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.

 

Local10

The Miami-Dade School Board has authorized a lawsuit against South Florida Public Media Group, the management company of WLRN, alleging contract violations related to the acquisition of a new radio station in West Palm Beach. The board claims that the company’s actions have harmed the district, stating they should "return the millions of dollars it has wrongfully diverted." The lawsuit was unanimously approved during a recent meeting, with board member Roberto Alonso emphasizing the importance of ensuring public funds are used correctly. South Florida Public Media Group, which has managed WLRN since 2022, expressed surprise at the lawsuit and plans to continue communication with the board. The acquisition aims to serve over 800,000 residents currently lacking robust public media coverage.

 

The Miami Herald

The Leon County School Board has approved a $647m budget, reflecting a $19m decrease from the previous year. Superintendent Rocky Hanna cautioned that ongoing budget shortfalls could lead to classroom impacts and potential school closures. He said: "Students this year, thankfully, will not see a significant impact," but warned that future financial crises could affect educational quality. The budget reduction is primarily due to the end of federal COVID relief funds and decreased state funding. Additionally, Leon County educators are negotiating for better salaries, as the district's teacher pay ranks 59 out of 77 in Florida, averaging $50,955.39, which is about $4,000 less than the state average.

 

Tallahassee.com

Brevard's school board has approved a budget of $1.62bn for the 2026 fiscal year, reflecting a decrease of over $4.3m from the previous year due to declining student enrollment. BPS Chief Financial Officer Cindy Lesinski stated, "Our current expenditures aren't — they're not sustainable," highlighting the need for cost-cutting measures. The budget, which has generally increased over the past five years, is divided into five categories, including general funding of $835m and capital project funds of $476m. As families increasingly opt for charter schools and private options, the district anticipates further enrollment declines, prompting a review of staffing and resource allocation to ensure sustainability.

 

Florida Today

WINK News

Volusia County Schools approved a $1.36bn budget for 2025-26, higher than the $1.17bn tentatively adopted in July, after a late adjustment from the Florida Department of Education. The budget passed 4-1, with board member Donna Brosemer dissenting over the steep increase compared to similar enrollment levels a decade ago and concerns that 71.5% of operating costs go to salaries and benefits. CFO Todd Seis cited DOE’s late entry and rising costs, while board leaders stressed inflation in salaries, insurance, and capital projects, including school safety mandates. The budget includes $703m for the general fund and $469m for capital projects. VCS faces a $12m deficit, leaving just over 5% in reserves.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

The 2025 Educator Confidence Report by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt reveals a significant increase in educator optimism, with nearly half of the 1,005 teachers and over half of the 150 administrators feeling positive about their professions. This marks a rise from only 35% confidence last year. Despite concerns over decreased school funding, educators report improved student academic growth. The report highlights that while 25% of teachers and 36% of administrators plan to leave the profession in the next five years, there is a growing confidence in using technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms. Almost 90% of teachers believe AI users should be taught ethical usage, indicating a readiness for more training in this area.

 

EdSource

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is reassigning 116 teachers due to a significantly larger-than-expected enrollment decline of over 6,600 students, surpassing the initial projection of 3,000. This enrollment drop, which includes 2,500 immigrant students, will lead to a recalculation of state funding, likely increasing an anticipated $27m reduction. The district aims to match reassigned teachers' specialties with existing vacancies, with notifications and new assignments scheduled for mid-September. The enrollment shortfall directly impacts school funding allocations, as nearly 31% of OCPS's budget relies on state funds.

 

News 13

Click Orlando

Orlando Sentinel

The Martin County School Board has unanimously decided to end the provision allowing the teachers union president, Matt Theobald, to work full-time for the union while retaining employee status. Theobald criticized the decision as an "anti-teacher attack," arguing it undermines teachers' voices. The board's decision, made during the September 8 meeting, was based on concerns over "special treatment" for one employee. The board rejected a special magistrate's recommendation that would have allowed the union president to take leave while keeping benefits. Theobald, a 17-year veteran teacher, noted that his previous full-time role with the union helped increase membership and allowed him to engage with district officials. Teachers are expected to vote on the new contract that eliminates presidential leave later this month.

 

TCPalm

Broward schools are advancing with a controversial plan to purchase thousands of laptops for students, despite an ongoing investigation by the county inspector general. The Broward School Board convened on Tuesday to discuss the $115m computer contract, primarily with HP, and plans to revisit it at the upcoming meeting on September 16. Should the district approve the contract, the purchase process could commence shortly.

 

Sun Sentinel

In Florida, several school districts are grappling with a significant shortage of bus drivers, leading to frustrating delays for families. Jeremy Furlong, a parent from Wesley Chapel, expressed his concerns: "It's not acceptable to have to deal with this every single day." His children's bus delays have ranged from 30 minutes to over an hour, forcing him to rely on neighbors for transportation. Dr. Toni Zetzsche, chief communications and community engagement officer for Pasco County Schools, acknowledged the ongoing challenges, saying: "While we have made progress... we recognize that delays still create challenges for students and families." A report by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that 81% of school administrators reported bus driver shortages as a problem, with nearly half deeming it a major issue. Meanwhile, neighboring districts like Pinellas County have a surplus of drivers, while Hillsborough County has improved its situation significantly.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

For the first time, there are more children in the world who are obese than underweight, according to a major study by Unicef, which warns that ultra-processed food is overwhelming childhood diets. The United Nations agency said there are 188m teenagers and school-age children with obesity, affecting health and development, and bring a risk of life-threatening diseases. While 9.2% of five to 19-year-olds worldwide are underweight, 9.4% are considered obese, the report found. In 2000, nearly 13% were underweight and just 3% were obese. Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The highest rates of obesity among children and young people are found in some of the Pacific Island states, including Niue (38%), the Cook Islands (37%), and Nauru (33%). But many high-income countries also face a serious obesity problem. Among 5-19 year olds, 27% are obese in Chile, 21% in the United States, and 21% in the UAE. UNICEF is urging governments to take binding measures, including advertising restrictions, taxes on sugary drinks and unhealthy foods, and policies that encourage production of fresh produce.

 

BBC News

France 24

The Guardian