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The ongoing government shutdown and President Donald Trump's policies have created significant uncertainty regarding mental health funding for schools. Julie Giannini-Previde, superintendent of the McKinleyville Union School District in California, expressed concern, commenting: "You have to be under a rock as an educational leader to not be worried about how any of this is going to happen." The Education Department has introduced new priorities for $270m in mental health grants, limiting funding to school psychologists while excluding counselors and social workers. Advocates worry that these changes, coupled with the cancellation of previously approved grants, will hinder recruitment and planning efforts in schools. Meanwhile, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) downplayed these concerns, urging a focus on facts rather than fear.

 

Politico

In the aftermath of the Oxford High School shooting, Michigan districts have received substantial state funding for safety and mental health services. However, new legislation requires districts to waive attorney-client privileges and comply with state investigations following mass-casualty events to access these funds. This has sparked controversy, with several school groups expressing concerns over the vague language and potential legal implications. Sen. Darrin Camilleri stated: "I am very concerned if schools decide not to take this funding." The current budget allocates $321m for safety and mental health initiatives, but districts must decide by November 30 whether to accept the funds under the new conditions. School leaders are divided, with some advocating for the funding while others caution against the legal risks involved.

 

U.S. News

The ongoing government shutdown has delayed Impact Aid payments for 20 Wisconsin school districts, affecting over 21,000 children. State Gov. Tony Evers has urged U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Linda McMahon to release the funds, which are crucial for districts with nontaxable federal land, including those on Native American reservations. In a letter dated November 10, Evers said: "Refusal to fulfill your legal and statutory obligations by providing these payments to schools that support core operations is unacceptable." The halt in funding has forced district leaders to scramble for financial solutions, with many relying on Impact Aid for significant portions of their budgets. Evers criticized the delay as "completely unnecessary and entirely self-inflicted by the Trump administration," emphasizing the urgent need for action to support Wisconsin's students and schools.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has indicated that the search for a new chief executive of Chicago Public Schools is still open, contradicting reports that the school board had settled on two finalists. Johnson denied knowledge of any final candidates and encouraged further applications, following criticism from Chicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates, who argued the process lacked transparency and that mayoral authority remains under Illinois law. One reported candidate, Denver’s Alex Marrero, has withdrawn after being named publicly; the other, Meisha Ross Porter, has yet to be interviewed. If she withdraws, the board may need to restart the months-long process.

 

Chicago Tribune

The Newark school board's recent decision to extend Superintendent Roger León's contract until 2030 has drawn significant criticism due to its lack of public transparency. The contract was renewed in a late-night vote without prior public notice, raising concerns about the board's commitment to ethical governance. Former South Ward Councilman Oscar James remarked: "You fight so hard as a community to get local control back, just to see the power not even be exercised." Critics argue that the board's actions reflect a disregard for community interests, especially given the district's low student performance, with only 34% reading at grade level and 21% proficient in math. The board's decision-making process has been called into question, with accusations of backroom dealings and a lack of accountability. As the community seeks answers, key political figures remain silent on the matter.

 

Chalkbeat

Portland Public Schools' plans to establish the Center for Black Student Excellence at the One North development have encountered significant delays. A recent due diligence investigation revealed that the property will not be ready for student use for up to three years due to necessary seismic upgrades and other construction needs. The school board, which authorized a $16m purchase, is set to vote on the acquisition next month. Aryn Frazier, director of the Center for Black Excellence, emphasized the urgency of the project, commenting: "The district has abdicated its responsibility to educate Black children in a way that leaves them well and whole." However, concerns have been raised about the center's accessibility and its focus on community organizations rather than direct student services. Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong noted that the facility would be available to all students, regardless of background.

 

The Oregonian

In response to the federal government shutdown, the Denver Public Schools Foundation has revived its Food Security Fund, initially established during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to provide grocery gift cards to families affected by delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments and to support school food pantries, which have seen increased demand. Sara Hazel, president and chief executive of the foundation, said: "Luckily, kids are still receiving breakfast and lunch at school, but we know families are food insecure." Since reactivating the fund on October 31, the foundation has allocated over $100,000 to schools and community hubs, yet has received requests exceeding $200,000. The foundation plans to keep the fund operational as long as necessary to address the ongoing food insecurity.

 

Chalkbeat

In Alaska, public schools are increasingly serving as emergency shelters amid rising climate-related disasters. Following the remnants of Typhoon Halong, hundreds of residents from Kipnuk sought refuge in their local school, which, despite being structurally sound, faced generator failures that hindered its ability to provide adequate shelter. Alaska state Senator Löki Tobin emphasized: "It is a known fact that if you need to evacuate, you evacuate to the elementary school." However, many rural schools have been neglected, with only 14% of maintenance requests approved over the past 28 years. Alaska Education Commissioner Deena Bishop noted that the lack of maintenance leads to emergencies, commenting: "Just the maintenance that goes in every day to keep up a building, that's really where the flaw is. The crux of the situation is that we get to an emergency because we didn't take care of it."

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war have significantly impacted K-12 schools across the U.S., with reports indicating a rise in antisemitic incidents since the October 7 2023 attack on Israel. Josh Hirsch, a high school teacher in Colorado, faced backlash for his pro-Israel comments, prompting him to join an advocacy network by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to promote inclusivity. The ADL recorded 860 antisemitic incidents in non-Jewish schools last year, highlighting a concerning trend. Various states, including Texas and California, have enacted measures to address antisemitism in schools, with some legislation criticized for potentially stifling free speech. Kristen Thompson, a Republican state senator in Oklahoma, stated: "These bills make it clear that Oklahoma stands with our Jewish communities and will not tolerate hatred disguised as political discourse." The ongoing debate raises questions about balancing free expression and combating hate in educational environments.

 

U.S. News

The Burlington County Special Services School District in New Jersey has introduced a fleet of 10 electric buses and five charging stations at its Westampton campus. This initiative, described as the largest electric bus fleet in Burlington County, aims to enhance environmental sustainability and improve student health. Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel said: "The switch from diesel to electric powered buses is an investment in a cleaner environment and also our students' health. Because of this upgrade, many of our Special Services School students and staff will no longer be exposed to diesel exhaust on school trips or daily commutes to and from school." The fleet includes seven 24-passenger buses and three 54-passenger buses, replacing approximately half of the district's aging diesel buses. The transition is supported by $1.6m in federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program. Officials plan to phase out all diesel buses in the future.

 

NJ.com

Rosie Leyva, a literacy specialist at Butler Academic Center in Alameda County's juvenile hall, emphasizes that success varies for each student. The county is implementing a new literacy intervention program, the first of its kind in California, aimed at addressing the diverse literacy needs of high school students in the juvenile justice system. Michael M. Massa, chief of health policy for the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR), said: "This is the first literacy intervention program designed to support high school students that fall in the literacy range of zero to third grade." The program, Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words (SIPPS), focuses on older students with low literacy skills, aiming to build trust and provide age-appropriate materials. Initial assessments indicate a significant need for such interventions, as none of the detained students met literacy standards in the previous school year. The program seeks to improve educational outcomes and reduce recidivism rates by reengaging students with school upon their release.

 

EdSource

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is offering $1,000 bonuses to retired teachers who return to the classroom, aiming to ensure every child has access to high-quality, licensed educators. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius emphasized, “Every child deserves high-quality, permanent, licensed teachers," highlighting the district's commitment to improving educational standards. The Wisconsin Policy Forum reported a nearly 20% increase in emergency teaching licenses since the 2021-22 school year, with about 4,000 issued in 2023-24. While these licenses allow individuals with any bachelor's degree to teach, concerns about the quality of education persist. The report also noted that 21% of Wisconsin teachers with less than three years of experience used emergency licenses, indicating a shift in the traditional pathway to teaching. MPS has seen a decrease in reliance on emergency licenses, with efforts to fill vacancies and reduce unlicensed educators.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A group of nearly one hundred Black Ohio University alumni has sent a letter to approximately 1,200 high schools across Ohio, advising students to reconsider attending the university due to recent state-mandated cutbacks to diversity programs. The letter, authored by alumni including Kyle Bowser, Mary Bradley, Richard Lancaster, and Sterling Winn, expresses concern over policy changes that do not align with cultural considerations. Bowser stated: "The letter is to say, 'Here are some of the changes happening at OU. If this is important to you, then you should be aware.'" The letter follows the U.S. Department of Education's directive to eliminate race-based decision-making and Ohio's Senate Bill 1, which bans diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at public colleges. Ohio University Trustee Matthew Evans acknowledged the concerns raised by the alumni, emphasizing the university's commitment to comply with the law while supporting student organizations.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

A new report from the Luigi Giussani Foundation, in Kampala, Uganda assesses the integration, implementation, and measurement of 21st-century life skills education across sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on socio-emotional learning, soft skills, and resilience. It finds that while life skills are widely recognised as critical for youth development, especially among vulnerable populations, implementation across national education systems is patchy due to infrastructural constraints, inadequate teacher training, and misaligned or non-contextualised frameworks. The review underscores the need for systemic reforms and long-term investment to ensure life skills programming is effective, measurable, and scalable across sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on evidence-based approaches and culturally relevant assessment tools, governments and stakeholders can better prepare young people to thrive amid socio-economic challenges.

 

Frontiers