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Educators working with immigrant families are increasingly reporting negative impacts from heightened immigration enforcement, including elevated student anxiety and reduced attendance. A national survey by the EdWeek Research Center revealed that 86% of respondents have students from immigrant families. Since the rescission of the policy protecting schools from immigration enforcement, many educators have noted that fear and anxiety among students have intensified. Approximately 50% of educators indicated that their students expressed fear or anxiety this school year, with 24% reporting decreased attendance. The survey also found that responses to immigration enforcement varied significantly across districts, with many educators indicating a lack of clear protocols in place.

 

Education Week News

On November 24, 2025, approximately 300 students from McMinnville High School staged a walkout to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in their community. This action followed the detention of 17-year-old Christian Jimenez, who was apprehended during his lunch break despite asserting his U.S. citizenship. McMinnville School District Interim Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua stated: "Our goal is to provide a normal day of learning as much as possible," emphasizing the district's commitment to supporting affected students. The protest reflects growing concerns over immigration enforcement practices, with advocacy group Oregon for All reporting that four U.S. citizens were detained in Oregon last week, including individuals documenting ICE activities.

 

The Oregonian

Following an investigation by two students at Canyon Crest Academy, the San Dieguito Union High School District in California is drafting new regulations for its high school foundations. These foundations, which operate independently and generate millions in donations, have lacked district oversight. A report revealed that 25% of funds intended for student clubs were redirected to the general fund, and the executive director's salary was not reported on tax filings. In response, the district is finalizing a memorandum of understanding to enhance transparency and accountability, with new guidelines expected to be implemented by the 2026-27 academic year.

 

EdSource

California's education system is facing a significant crisis due to funding freezes, proposed cuts, and potential government shutdowns, which threaten essential resources for millions of students. With approximately $8bn in federal K-12 education funding at stake, state leaders are taking legal action to protect core services for vulnerable populations. The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) aims to direct resources to high-need students, but disparities in funding allocations persist. Los Angeles USD has implemented initiatives like the Student Equity Needs Index (SENI) to address these issues, yet challenges remain. If federal funding disappears, the only safeguard is how effectively states and districts use what they have, indicating the importance of strategic resource management. To strengthen funding systems, leaders must enhance need-based formulas, ensure equitable per-pupil funding, and empower school leaders to make informed spending decisions.

 

EdSource

Vancouver Public Schools recently requested $21.4m in emergency funds from the state to address cash flow shortages, the largest request ever made by a school district in Washington state. The state approved only $8.7m of this request. The district had previously cut $35m from its budget for the 2024-25 school year. According to the school board's agenda, “The state Legislature prefers to delay our largest basic education payments towards the end of our fiscal year and after the school year has concluded.” Vancouver has sought apportionment advances in prior years, receiving $18.5m last year and $15.5m in the 2023-24 school year. Vancouver Public Schools board President Jessica Roberts said: “We are now exploring other sources... to fill this temporary cash flow gap.” The district was the only one in Clark County to receive apportionment advances for the 2024-25 and 2023-24 school years. Roberts emphasized the need for budget reductions and a plan to restore cash reserves to correct the district's budgetary trajectory.

 

The Columbian

The Colts Neck school board in New Jersey has adopted a "Parental Bill of Rights" policy that has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates. This policy allows parents to be informed when their children change their pronouns or gender identity at school. School board president Angelique Volpe said: "Parents are the primary authority in their children's education," emphasizing the board's commitment to parental rights. Critics, including Michael Gottesman, founder of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition, argue that the policy undermines the rights of LGBTQ+ students and could lead to "forced outing." While many New Jersey school districts maintain policies that protect transgender students' privacy, recent court decisions have prompted some to reconsider these policies. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between parental rights and student safety in educational settings.

 

NJ.com

Seattle Public Schools officials are developing a districtwide policy to limit student cellphone use, aiming for implementation at the start of the 2026-27 school year. The proposed policy includes prohibiting cellphones in elementary schools, enforcing an “away for the day” policy in middle schools, and requiring high school students to keep phones away during class unless permitted by a teacher. Associate Superintendent Rocky Torres-Morales said: “Limiting cellphone use during the school day will improve student focus, encourage more face-to-face social interaction, and decrease incidents of cyberbullying.” The district's study revealed that students generally support phone-limiting policies as long as they are not overly restrictive. Interim Superintendent Fred Podesta noted that Cleveland High School students even created a slogan: “no cell bell to bell.” The district plans to gather further community input before finalizing the policy.

 

The Columbian

Recent research reveals that young adults, particularly those aged 18 to 21, tend to overconsume calories after a diet high in ultra-processed foods. "Snacking when not hungry is an important predictor of later weight gain in young people", commented Alex DiFeliceantonio, an assistant professor with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech in Blackburn and a co-author of the study. The report, published in the journal Obesity, involved 27 participants who followed either an ultra-processed diet or a healthier, unprocessed diet for two weeks. While overall calorie intake did not significantly change post-diet, those who consumed ultra-processed foods snacked more, even when not hungry. This behavior could lead to long-term weight gain, prompting researchers to call for further studies on the effects of ultra-processed foods on eating habits.

 

US News

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced his youth and education transition committee, which notably lacks current principals, teachers, and students from New York City's K-12 system. While Mamdani's campaign focused on affordability, including free child care, he provided limited details on enhancing the school system. The committee comprises advocates from child care policy, school integration, and higher education leaders, including Josh Wallack and Edie Sharp from the previous administration. Mamdani expressed concerns about school segregation and included members like Nyah Berg and Matt Gonzales, who have advocated for racial equity in education. Grace Rauh of Citizens Union said: "I'm most hopeful about the tremendous opportunity we have to help shape a transformative policy to support families." The committee aims to guide Mamdani's administration as he prepares to take office on January 1.

 

Chalkbeat

The House Education and Workforce Committee has initiated an investigation into alleged antisemitism in three public school districts: Berkeley USD in California, Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, and the School District of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Representative Tim Walberg, the committee chair, requested information regarding reports of antisemitism and whether a hostile environment exists for Jewish K-12 students. The committee aims to assess compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded programs. Walberg said: "According to press and whistleblower reports, antisemitic incidents have continued to proliferate since the plan." The districts must submit requested documents by December 8. Fairfax County Public Schools has expressed its intent to cooperate fully with the inquiry.

 

CNN Edition

Odyssey, a New York firm, has been awarded the contract to manage Texas's new private school voucher program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts. This decision follows a competitive bidding process, with Odyssey's bid being the lowest at $26m for 2026 and 2027. The program, which aims to provide funding for private school tuition, homeschooling, and educational materials, has been heavily supported by Governor Greg Abbott, who has invested significant political capital in its passage. "Odyssey is proud to have been the top-scoring company in a competitive bidding process," said an Odyssey spokesperson. However, critics, including Maggie Stern from Our Schools Our Democracy, have raised concerns about Odyssey's past operational issues in similar programs, urging for thorough oversight of the $1bn taxpayer investment.

 

San Antonio Current

The NCAA penalties related to Michigan's football program's sign-stealing operation are projected to exceed $30m, according to athletic director Warde Manuel. In a recent interview on The Big 1050 WTKA, Manuel stated: "We're going to find a way to deal with it." The NCAA's sanctions, announced in August, follow a two-year investigation into the scandal, which coincided with Michigan's run to the national championship in the 2023 season. Although Michigan initially appealed the ruling, it later withdrew its appeal, as did Coach Sherrone Moore after serving a self-imposed two-game suspension. The NCAA cited "overwhelming" evidence of a cover-up by staff and indicated that a multiyear postseason ban was warranted, but ultimately decided against it to avoid penalizing current student-athletes. Jim Harbaugh faces a 10-year show-cause order, while Connor Stalions received an eight-year ban from college athletics.

 

U.S. News

Under new regulations from the Trump administration, students pursuing medical and nursing degrees will face significant borrowing limits. The "One Big Beautiful" legislation restricts federal student loans for professional degrees, capping annual borrowing at $50,000 and total borrowing at $200,000 over four years. Vineet Arora, vice dean of education at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine, stated: "That will automatically give a lot of people some pause to think about where they're accepted and what their finances are." This policy is expected to disproportionately affect students from lower-income backgrounds, potentially leading to a less diverse healthcare workforce. The Association of American Medical Colleges warned that these changes could exacerbate the existing physician shortage, which is projected to reach 86,000 by 2036.

 

CBS News

NPR / National Public Radio

New Zealand’s education system is embedding mandatory financial literacy into the national curriculum from 2026, covering Years 0–10 through the Te Mātaiaho framework. The programme integrates financial education into the Social Sciences strand, starting with basic budgeting and needs vs wants, and progressing to insurance, taxation, and investment by Year 10. It emphasizes practical application over rote learning, preparing students for real-world financial decisions. Digital finance will feature prominently, with lessons on cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital wallets introduced through hands-on activities and live market data. The update includes scaffolded learning by year group, compulsory implementation by 2027, and support for teachers via resources and training from the Retirement Commission and universities. The initiative aims to reach 800,000 students annually and address widespread gaps in structured financial teaching.

 

techAU

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