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The U.S. Supreme Court has directed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to reconsider its ruling on a New York state law that eliminated religious exemptions for school vaccinations. This decision follows the high court's previous ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which affirmed parents' rights to challenge public school curricula based on free exercise of religion. The case, Miller v. McDonald, arose after New York's 2019 law removed religious exemptions in response to a measles outbreak. Amish schools and parents contested financial penalties imposed for non-compliance, arguing that the law infringes on their First Amendment rights. The 2nd Circuit previously ruled that the law did not pose an existential threat to the Amish community, referencing Wisconsin v. Yoder. In a related matter, the Supreme Court declined to review a case regarding book removals in public libraries, which has implications for school libraries as well. The justices let stand a lower court's decision allowing the removal of books, including ones dealing with themes of race and LGBT identity, from its public library system. The lower court rejected the argument made by the plaintiffs that removing the books was unlawful under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protections against government abridgment of free speech.

 

Education Week News

New York Times

Reuters

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The New York City Education Department mistakenly communicated a significant change regarding student arrests for weapons on school grounds, leading to confusion among school leaders and families. Jenna Lyle, a department spokesperson, clarified: "They are being corrected with the small number of schools that received them." The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that there were no changes to their arrest policy, despite the erroneous letter. Concerns arose that the miscommunication could disproportionately affect Black and Latino students. Johanna Miller, director of the education policy center at the New York Civil Liberties Union, expressed alarm over the confusion, emphasizing the importance of clear communication on such critical issues. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining effective school safety policies while ensuring equitable treatment for all students.

 

Chalkbeat

Recent polling by Kids First Chicago indicates a significant lack of awareness regarding the transition to a fully elected Chicago Board of Education in 2027, particularly among young adults and Latino residents. The poll revealed that two out of three Chicagoans are unaware of this change, with only one in ten able to name their current board member. Hal Woods, chief of policy at Kids First, emphasized the need for increased outreach, adding: "There's clearly some steps we need to take to make sure that folks are aware that the transition is happening." The findings suggest that outreach efforts should begin well before the November 3 election, particularly targeting Latino communities, which represent a significant demographic within Chicago Public Schools. Jaime Dominguez, a political science professor at Northwestern University, noted that outreach typically starts too close to the election, which contributes to lower awareness levels.

 

Chicago Sun Times

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the Loudoun County School Board in Virginia, alleging violations of equal protection based on religion. The lawsuit stems from the board's gender policy, which allows transgender students to use locker rooms corresponding to their gender identity. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said: "Students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate," emphasizing the conflict between the policy and the rights of religious students. The DOJ's action follows a series of legal challenges against school gender policies nationwide, particularly under the Trump administration. The Loudoun County School Board has maintained its policy despite federal orders to change it, citing compliance with court precedents regarding transgender rights.

 

U.S. News

Wisconsin public school districts are advocating for full special education reimbursement rates through a new bill introduced by Rep. Angelina Cruz and Sen. Jeff Smith. The bill aims to ensure a 42% reimbursement rate for the current school year and 45% for the following year, addressing a recent reduction to 35% due to higher-than-expected costs. Cruz said: "This is following through on the promise that the Legislature made to public schools in terms of special education reimbursement." The proposal seeks to alleviate financial pressures on districts, which have struggled with rising costs and insufficient state funding. Despite the challenges, the bill is still in the early stages and may face hurdles in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

School leaders across the U.S. are facing significant challenges due to rising unpaid meal debts, exacerbated by the end of the universal free meals program initiated during the pandemic. In Iowa, families owe over $2.2m in meal debts, with Waukee Community School District reporting a deficit of $68,000 for the current school year. Amy A'Hearn, director of nutrition services at Waukee, emphasized: "We won't turn a kid away because we know how important nutrition is." To address this issue, schools are increasingly relying on community donations and funds like the Feed the Future Fund. The U.S. Department of Agriculture mandates that schools attempt to collect meal debts until they are deemed uncollectible. As the situation worsens, advocates urge Congress to provide free meals to all students, highlighting the critical link between nutrition and academic success.

 

DesMoines Register.com

The Green Bay Area Public School District is contemplating a pilot program to implement weapons detection systems in its high schools. The proposal, set for discussion at the School Board meeting on December 22, aims to rotate detectors among the four major high schools. Superintendent Vicki Bayer emphasized that while these detectors could enhance safety, they are not a standalone solution: "There's a limited scope. This is literally only about addressing weapons." The district faces financial challenges, including a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, complicating the decision. The board will require a cost estimate before proceeding, and Bayer noted potential eligibility for grants from the Office of School Safety. The initiative follows a recent incident involving a student found with a handgun, prompting discussions on school safety measures.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

According to a study by researchers at UCLA and UC Riverside, public high schools are experiencing a "climate of distress" due to immigration enforcement, with 70% of principals reporting that immigrant students express fears for their safety. The report highlights that 36% of principals noted bullying of immigrant students, while 64% observed a drop in attendance. John Rogers, a UCLA education professor and co-author of the report, said: "It was striking that principals across every region in the country spoke of fear and concern in their school communities related to immigration enforcement." In response, schools, particularly in Los Angeles County, have implemented measures such as home-to-school transportation and contingency plans for deportation scenarios to support affected families. The study underscores the significant impact of immigration policies on the educational environment and student well-being.

 

Los Angeles Times

Montana's recent testing results indicate that 43.1% of students achieved proficiency in language arts, while 36.9% did so in math. Although the Montana Assessment of Student Testing (MAST) format prevents direct year-to-year comparisons, these scores are comparable to those from the 2021-22 school year. Superintendent Elsie Hedalen said: "In literacy we are higher than in math. That's a trend we've seen for many years." The MAST format, implemented statewide in the 2024-2025 school year, aims to provide timely feedback through smaller, more frequent assessments. However, a survey revealed that 72.8% of teachers struggled to align the new testlets with their syllabi, citing insufficient training. Despite these challenges, Hedalen noted that Montana students have shown resilience, ranking 10th in math and 4th in reading proficiency nationally. She emphasized the importance of using this data to support students in becoming college and career ready.

 

Great Falls Tribune

Newark Public Schools have shown gradual improvements in standardized test scores, although they remain below statewide averages. According to the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA), only 34% of Newark students passed the English language arts test, and 21% passed math. Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said: "Understanding where students are thriving and where additional support is needed will all help us in focusing our initiatives for maximum impact." The district has implemented a new literacy plan aimed at enhancing reading and writing skills, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. While achievement gaps among racial groups persist, recent data indicates a narrowing trend, with Black students experiencing a 1.6% increase in English language arts scores. The introduction of an adaptive testing format this school year may further influence student performance.

 

Chalkbeat

The Huntsville City Schools district in Alabama recently commenced construction on the $56m Montview Elementary School and the reimagined STEM Magnet Elementary School, part of a ten-year, $600m capital plan. The project, approved by the Planning Commission in October, will occupy 18 acres and feature a shared building of 110,000 square feet, with each school utilizing approximately 55,000 sq ft. Montview Elementary will continue to serve as a neighborhood school, while the STEM Magnet will cater to students citywide, offering specialized STEM labs and flexible learning spaces. Superintendent Clarence Sutton said: "This groundbreaking represents our promise in Huntsville City Schools to deliver the very best for students." The new campus is scheduled to open in August 2027.

 

Al.com

The structure of elementary reading blocks varies significantly across schools, despite over 40 states mandating evidence-based approaches to early reading instruction. While foundational skills like phonics are emphasized, the allocation of time and the sequencing of activities remain contentious. Anjanette McNeely, a kindergarten teacher at Windridge Elementary in Kaysville, Utah, integrates various components of literacy instruction, arguing: "I think we can have both" structured teaching and free play. Similarly, Jeannette Symmonds, a first-grade teacher at BelovED Community Charter in Jersey City, New Jersey, adapts her schedule based on student needs, emphasizing flexibility in instruction. Research suggests that while a reading block of 90 minutes is common, experts recommend extending this to two to three hours to better support diverse student needs.

 

Education Week News

In China, children’s smartwatches, originally marketed as safety devices, are increasingly becoming tools of peer pressure and digital addiction, with some watch accounts traded online for hundreds of yuan due to their social value. Experts, including Xiong Bingqi of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, warn that these devices now function as social "hard currency" among students, fostering exclusion and distorting values. Xiong is calling for tighter regulation to limit entertainment and social features under the Law on the Protection of Minors.

 

China Daily