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16th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Project AWARE grant turmoil exposes fragility of school mental health funding

The recent turmoil surrounding the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) mental health grants highlights the instability in funding for school mental health programs. After the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration abruptly canceled up to $2bn in grants on January 13, advocacy from educators and bipartisan congressional members led to a swift reversal on January 15. Chris Bucher, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Education, commented: "The conflicting information creates real stress for the schools, families, and communities who depend on these services." Despite the reinstatement, many states and school districts reported uncertainty regarding their funding status. The grants, which aim to enhance mental health awareness and access to services, received $140m in the 2025 fiscal year. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in securing consistent mental health support for students.

STRENGTHEN MATHEMATICS FLUENCY

More Than Speed: Why Math Fluency Matters  

Strengthening fluency in K-8 math students is vital because it allows them to solve problems accurately and efficiently. When students are fluent with basic facts and procedures, they free up cognitive resources to focus on higher-level thinking and complex problem-solving. Without fluency, students may struggle with multi-digit problems, fractions, and decimals, as their difficulties can compound over the years.

An effective approach to building fluency involves more than just rote memorization. It requires helping students understand number relationships, develop flexibility, and choose an efficient strategy. This foundation helps students develop a strong number sense and prepares them for future academic success. By cultivating fluency, educators help students build confidence and reduce the math anxiety that can hinder their learning journey.

Download free fluency resources to try now!

 

TECHNOLOGY

Bipartisan bill seeks to curb screen time and algorithmic feeds for children

A Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on Thursday saw lawmakers and experts raise concerns about the harmful effects of excessive screen time and social media use among children, who now average 7.5 hours of screen exposure daily. A proposed bill from Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) would set a minimum age of 13 for social media access and ban algorithm-driven content for users under 17. The legislation also requires federally funded schools to block social media on school devices and networks. Experts urged parents to delay children's social media use, linking excessive screen time to mental health challenges and a growing "loneliness epidemic."

FINANCE

Alabama Gov. pushes for $250m CHOOSE Act

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has proposed funding the CHOOSE Act at $250 million for the 2027-28 school year, commenting: "This will help even more families receive the education that best suits their child." The program, initiated in the 2025-26 school year, initially allocated $100m to support 23,000 students and currently has $200m available for the 2026-27 school year. It provides education savings accounts for homeschool students to purchase curriculum and technology. However, the program has faced criticism from state Democrats, including Representative Adline Clark, who argues it diverts public funds to private schools lacking accountability. John Wahl, chairman of the state GOP, contends that school choice benefits families who cannot afford private education. Lawmakers, including Senator Arthur Orr, emphasized the need to ensure that low-income students and those with disabilities maintain access to the program. The CHOOSE Act funding is derived from a combination of education and reserve funds.

Colorado Democrats push for greater education funding

Colorado Democrats plan to introduce legislation that seeks voter approval to raise the state spending cap, thereby increasing funding for education. The initiative, supported by the Colorado Education Association (CEA), aims to amend the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which currently restricts state revenue growth. CEA President Kevin Vick said: "We need to see some advancement and some improvement in our funding." The proposed measure would exempt current K-12 general fund spending from TABOR, allowing the state to allocate approximately $4.5bn for education in the 2025-26 year. The initiative aims to address funding deficits and improve educational resources, as studies indicate that Colorado needs an additional $3.5bn-$4.1bn to provide adequate education. Despite anticipated opposition from Republicans, proponents believe that public support for increased education funding is strong, with CEA polls showing a two-to-one margin in favor of sacrificing TABOR rebates for educational improvements.

Student support programs at risk as Utah board weighs deep budget cuts

The Utah State Board of Education spent over five hours on Thursday debating how to meet a legislative mandate to cut 5% from the state’s $5.9bn K-12 education budget, amounting to $163 million. The board only recommended a fraction of the required cuts and voiced frustration over unclear guidance and a rushed timeline. Proposed reductions included early literacy software, special needs scholarships, and administrative funds for voucher programs. Some of the most controversial suggested cuts, such as suicide prevention and student mental health screenings, triggered widespread public backlash, with board members receiving thousands of calls and emails. The final decisions now go to the Utah Legislature, which has the ultimate authority over state spending.

DISTRICTS

Fresno USD retirees face health care crisis

Fresno USD's health board is convening to address the ongoing health care crisis affecting retired educators. Since January 1, many retirees have lost access to health care from Community Medical Centers due to contract negotiations with Aetna. Over 6,200 retirees are enrolled in the Aetna program, with more than 1,500 having received care from Community Medical Centers in the past year. The district, which is among 7% of California school districts offering lifetime health benefits, is considering restoring a self-funded model for retiree health care. Patrick Jenson, the district's chief financial officer, said: "We really need to try to run both plans as long as it is financially feasible." The outcome of the health board's vote could significantly impact retirees' access to necessary medical care.

NJ school district falls victim to $178k fraud

Princeton Public Schools officials reported that nearly $178,000 in payments made to a vendor for a construction project were lost due to a wire fraud scam. The district was alerted after the vendor, whose identity remains undisclosed, contacted them about the missing payments sent 15 months prior. School board president Dafna Kendall stated: "At that point, we realized that something untoward occurred." Following the discovery, the district filed a police report and is collaborating with law enforcement, legal counsel, and its insurance carrier to explore options. Kendall expressed confidence that the district would not incur the loss, asserting: "Right now, it doesn't look like the district suffered the loss." Princeton Public Schools serves approximately 3,800 students across four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

LEGISLATION

Tennessee bill could let schools bar undocumented students

Tennessee lawmakers are still weighing House Bill 793, a controversial proposal that would allow public schools to deny enrollment or charge tuition to undocumented students. The bill, which passed the state Senate in 2025 and awaits House consideration, would require families to provide proof of citizenship or legal residency. Critics warn the measure could violate federal civil rights laws and jeopardize $1.1 billion in federal education funding, while supporters argue it would help schools better manage resources. The bill could set up a direct legal challenge to a landmark Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing public education access for all children, regardless of immigration status.

LEGAL

Former Des Moines Superintendent reaches plea deal

Former Des Moines School Superintendent Ian Roberts is set to take a plea deal in his federal criminal case, according to recent court filings. Roberts, who resigned on September 30 after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, was found to be a native of Guyana without U.S. citizenship or legal work authorization. He faces a pending deportation order and was indicted on two counts for possessing firearms as an illegal alien and making false statements for employment. Prosecutors allege he possessed four guns, including a loaded handgun left in a district-owned vehicle. Despite denying wrongdoing, Roberts' legal team had previously indicated plans to challenge immigration orders.

GOVERNANCE

Chicago Public Schools short of applicants for LSC seats

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is facing a significant shortfall in applications for Local School Council (LSC) positions, having received only 2,350 applications for 6,123 available roles as of Wednesday. The LSCs, which function as mini school boards, are essential for overseeing school budgets, approving academic plans, and evaluating principals. CPS chief executive Macquline King emphasized the importance of community involvement, commenting: "LSCs play a critical role in the success of our district." With elections scheduled for March 18, the district is urging community members to participate, as only 78 of 511 councils are fully staffed. Cassie Creswell, executive director of Illinois Families for Public Schools, highlighted the necessity of council participation for school success, noting that a quorum is required for voting.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Community patrols enhance student well-being in California

Community patrols outside schools in California have significantly improved student attendance and mental health, particularly in areas affected by fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. Larisa Casillas, a parent involved in these efforts, stated: "Just the idea that they’re going to schools and targeting parents and children... it’s just infuriating." In response to the Trump administration's policy changes that allowed immigration enforcement near schools, local parents, teachers, and community members organized patrols to ensure safety and support for vulnerable families. These initiatives have reportedly led to increased attendance, as parents feel more secure sending their children to school. Tierre Mesa, a middle school principal, emphasized the importance of community support, noting that it helps students feel cared for and wanted.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Waymo robotaxis still passing stopped school buses, Austin ISD warns

Austin ISD (AISD) in Texas has issued renewed warnings after Waymo’s self-driving vehicles continued to pass stopped school buses with extended stop-arms, despite a December software recall aimed at correcting the problem. Four new citations have been issued since last month, bringing the total number of violations by Waymo vehicles to 24 for the school year. AISD is again urging Waymo to suspend operations during student pick-up and drop-off hours and is exploring legal options. The issue has attracted federal scrutiny, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launching a probe into Waymo’s conduct around school buses.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Chinese universities climb global research rankings as U.S. institutions lose ground

Chinese universities are rapidly rising in global rankings that measure research output, overtaking many leading U.S. institutions and pushing Harvard down to third place in the latest Leiden Rankings. The shift reflects China’s sharp increase in both the volume and influence of academic publications, with Zhejiang University now ranked first and seven other Chinese universities in the global top 10 on that research-focused list. While Harvard and other major U.S. universities are still producing more research than they did two decades ago, China’s output has grown much faster, narrowing — and in some cases surpassing — the traditional dominance of American academia. Experts say this trend signals an emerging rebalancing of global research leadership, driven by heavy Chinese investment in higher education and growing emphasis on publishing in widely cited English-language journals. Although U.S. institutions continue to perform strongly in broader rankings that include reputation and teaching quality, the research-output gap is widening as China expands its academic capacity and global ambitions.

INTERNATIONAL

Mentoring programs bridge education gap for disadvantaged children in Germany

A new study by the Universities of Bonn and Cologne has found that mentoring programs significantly improve educational outcomes for children from low socio-economic backgrounds in Germany. Despite equal academic performance, these children are 22 percentage points less likely to enter the high academic track in secondary school. However, participation in a year-long mentoring initiative increased their chances by 11 percentage points, a benefit that persisted for at least five years. In this program, university student volunteers were paired with disadvantaged children in second or third grade, meeting weekly for a year to support their personal development through activities and guidance. The study also found that mentoring helped parents consider more ambitious educational paths for their children, demonstrating that role models and external encouragement can influence critical schooling decisions.
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