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The U.S. Department of Education's decision to transfer responsibilities to other federal agencies has raised significant concerns among advocates for students with disabilities. Lindsay Kubatzky, director of policy and advocacy at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, warned: "We think this risks going back to a time in which there wasn't any oversight from the federal government. We know what happens when states are left to their own devices: students with disabilities are segregated.” The reorganization includes shifting key functions, such as administering Title I funding, to the U.S. Department of Labor without congressional approval. Disability rights advocates fear that this fragmentation will complicate oversight and support for special education, potentially leading to a regression in protections for students with disabilities. Denise Marshall, chief executive of The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, said: "The separation and fragmentation of K–12 oversight, funding, and technical assistance is a direct threat to the integrated systems that are designed to serve all children in our nation's schools." The situation is further complicated by significant staff reductions at the department, which may hinder effective implementation of special education laws.

 

Education Week News

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The Salem-Keizer School District in Oregon is advocating for legislative changes to address a long-standing undercount of over 100,000 low-income students in Oregon, which they believe has resulted in a funding shortfall of at least $290m. Superintendent Andrea Castañeda emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding: "There is never a wrong time to do the right thing." The district's analysis revealed a correlation between underfunding and poor academic outcomes for students of color. The reliance on outdated census data for funding calculations has disproportionately affected rural districts and those serving high numbers of English learners. Castañeda presented these findings to state officials, urging them to consider more accurate data collection methods, such as direct certification, to ensure equitable funding distribution. The need for reform is underscored by a 2024 report from the Education Law Center, which ranked Oregon last among 48 states for its regressive funding system impacting high-poverty schools.

 

The Oregonian

Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the addition of 10,000 after-school seats across 75 schools and 11 community centers for fall 2026, as part of a broader commitment to create 20,000 new seats by 2028, aiming to make after-school programs universally accessible for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Amaris Cockfield, a spokesperson for the Adams administration, emphasized the need for a sustainable after-school system that addresses economic disparities and service gaps. A 2023 report from the nonprofit Citizens' Committee for Children of New York revealed that 80% of NYC families cannot afford after-school services. Adams said: "This is the first big step toward our vision of ‘After-School for All' that will help us create a city where every child has a safe, enriching place to grow beyond the classroom." The total investment for after-school programming is projected to reach $775m annually by 2027.

 

Chalkbeat

New York Daily News

During a recent hearing, Philadelphia City Council members questioned school leaders about various issues, including the district's facilities plan and the non-renewal of two charter schools. Superintendent Tony Watlington said that the district is “committed to bringing recommendations this winter” regarding school closures. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas expressed concerns about the potential closure of Black-led institutions, emphasizing the need for transparency in the decision-making process. The district is also facing a projected $341m deficit for fiscal year 2026, with Watlington noting the necessity of austerity measures to balance the budget by 2030. Mayor Cherelle Parker supported the district's approach to school closures, commenting: “I want every parent to know that I want what every parent wants: our children to have something better than what we had.”

 

Chalkbeat

Portland Public Schools is recommending that the school board approve a construction management contract with Texas-based Procedeo to oversee nearly $1.4bn in taxpayer funds for the construction of three new high schools over the next five years. Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong stated that this contract represents “a pivotal moment for Portland Public Schools.” Despite previous skepticism regarding Procedeo's performance on existing contracts, the firm emerged as the preferred choice after a two-round evaluation process. The school board is set to review the contract in December, with a focus on strategies to expedite the construction schedule. However, concerns remain regarding Procedeo's lack of specific cost-reduction strategies and the absence of on-site project managers.

 

OregonLive.com

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT for Teachers, a specialized version of its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot tailored for K-12 educators and school districts. The tool will be available free of charge to educators in the U.S. until June 2027. According to Leah Belsky, vice president of education at OpenAI, “Our objective here is to make sure that teachers have access to AI tools as well as a teacher-focused experience so they can truly guide AI use.” The platform allows teachers to securely manage student information, receive personalized support, and collaborate with colleagues. OpenAI emphasizes that student data will be protected and not used for model training. While ChatGPT for Teachers is not designed for student use, it aims to equip educators with the necessary experience to foster responsible AI practices in their classrooms.

 

CNBC

More than one hundred students at Skyline High School in Oakland staged a walkout on Tuesday, following a shooting incident last week that left a fifteen-year-old student injured. The shooting, allegedly carried out by two juveniles using ghost guns, marked the third lockdown for the school this year. Junior Blake Rogers organized the protest, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures: "I really hope (that) the district starts listening to students’ concerns and student voices and starts taking our safety more seriously instead of putting Band-Aids on it." The protest also honored John Beam, the athletic director at Laney College, who was fatally shot the day after the Skyline incident.

 

EdSource

Truenorth Educational Cooperative 804, based in Highland Park, Illinois, is undergoing significant reorganization following a potential dissolution earlier this year. The cooperative serves 225 students with special needs across southeastern Lake County, supported by 220 instructional staff. As member districts began to withdraw, citing expanded internal special education services, TrueNorth's leadership, including interim superintendents Jimmy Gunnell and Jim Nelson, proposed a comprehensive overhaul. This includes a shift to a usage-based funding model, which will replace annual membership fees. Gunnell explained: "We're working directly with the district representatives for special education to determine what those needs are." The reorganization aims to focus on "complex and unique learners" and will involve staffing changes, including the elimination of half the current administration positions. The cooperative will continue to provide essential services while adapting to the evolving needs of its member districts.

 

Chicago Tribune

The Panel for Education Policy approved a three-year contract extension for New York City's yellow school buses, concluding months of tension and potential work stoppages. Chancellor Melissa Avilies-Ramos emphasized that the new contract does not fully address ongoing concerns, particularly for the 43% of students with disabilities who rely on these services. The decision to opt for a shorter contract was influenced by the panel's desire for greater leverage in future negotiations, as a five-year extension would have outlasted Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first term. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized the city's long-standing busing policies, adding: "We've done this for almost 50 years, and an extension would just allow for three more years." The contract covers 52 yellow bus companies and approximately 17,500 employees, with emergency extensions in place until the new contract is registered.

 

Chalkbeat

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has written to the U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Taxation raising concerns about the tax-exempt status of NCAA member schools and athletic conferences, citing nearly $200m in buyouts owed to fired college football coaches this season and a sharp rise in coaching salaries. In her letter, Cantwell questioned whether current tax rules remain appropriate given the commercial scale of college sports, and requested analysis to support potential legislation addressing excessive compensation and reconsidering tax advantages for athletic programmes.

 

USA Today

Calhoun Community College in North Alabama has surpassed 10,000 enrolled students for the first time in over a decade, prompting plans for a celebratory event. Kassie Mathis, Vice President of Student Services, stated: "This 10,000-student milestone reflects more than numbers. It shows how connected students feel to Calhoun." The college attributes its growth to strategic initiatives, including a new $16.7m Student Union and various innovative programs such as the STEAM Imagination Center and a Co-op program for Systems Engineering Technology. Graduates from Calhoun earn an average of $11,300 more annually than those with only a high school diploma. Wes Rakestraw, Vice President of Academic Affairs, emphasized the importance of strong dual enrollment partnerships in providing high school students access to college credit and career pathways. The celebration is scheduled for November 20 at 1 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center on the Decatur campus.

 

Al.com

UCLA is advancing its housing initiative with plans for a new 19-story tower that will accommodate 1,150 undergraduate students. The project aims to address the longstanding housing challenges faced by students, particularly in the expensive Westwood area. In 2022, UCLA became the first University of California campus to guarantee four years of housing for first-year students and two years for transfer students. “Residential housing allows us to better ensure that every student gets a good start and is therefore more likely to be successful,” said Gene Block, UCLA's then-Chancellor. The proposed tower, located at 901 Levering Ave., will feature a mix of one-, two-, three-, and primarily four-bedroom units, with construction potentially starting next year and completion expected by 2030. This development is part of UCLA's broader strategy to enhance student housing options amid rising demand.

 

Los Angeles Times

Japan’s Education Ministry has issued a safety notice to Japanese schools and universities involved in education exchanges with China, amid rising tensions following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on a potential Taiwan contingency. In fiscal 2023, 3,133 Japanese students were on short-term programmes in China, with 7,078 on long-term courses in 2022. Education minister Yohei Matsumoto announced the move after a Cabinet meeting.

 

The Japan News

Meta has begun notifying young Australians to download their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads ahead of a new law banning accounts for users under 16. The Australian government mandated that platforms must exclude users younger than 16 starting December 10. Meta informed thousands of young users via SMS and email, saying: “We will start notifying impacted teens today to give them the opportunity to save their contacts and memories.” With an estimated 350,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 on Instagram, the company is taking steps to comply with the law. Meta's vice president, Antigone Davis, emphasized the need for a more accurate age verification system, suggesting that app stores should collect age information during sign-up. Dany Elachi, founder of Heaps Up Alliance, supported the age restriction, observing: “children under the age of 16 are better off in the real world.”

 

AP News

BBC News

Reuters

Sydney Morning Herald

On Wednesday, First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance visited military families at Lejeune High School in North Carolina, marking their first joint visit. The purpose of the visit was to express gratitude for the service and sacrifices made by military families, especially as the holiday season approaches. This initiative underscores the importance of recognizing the contributions of those who serve in the military and their families.

 

ABC News

The Hill

Fox News