Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
USA
18th March 2026
Together with

FlexPoint Brand Logo

THE HOT STORY

Education funding rises, but poorer school districts fall behind

Most U.S. states increased or maintained education funding in 2023, but more than 10 reduced the share allocated to high-poverty districts, reversing a decade-long trend toward more equitable funding, according to a new analysis from the Education Law Center. While per-pupil spending generally rose after adjusting for inflation, the distribution of funds has become less progressive, with only 17 states providing significantly more funding to low-income districts, down from a peak of 28 in 2022. Some states, like Connecticut, now allocate less funding to poorer districts, highlighting widening disparities. The findings underscore a growing gap between overall funding levels and equitable distribution, as rising costs and economic pressures continue to strain school systems, particularly in lower-income communities. “In order to be fair, school funding must be both adequate and equitable,” said Danielle Farrie, Education Law Center research director. “So this means that states provide an overall level of funding that’s sufficient to provide all students with the resources that they need to meet state standards, and that the funding should be distributed so that students in poverty receive more.”

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning  

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:    
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff    
Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.  

Download Free Guide

 

LEGAL

Federal judge strikes down Arkansas' Ten Commandments law

A federal judge has ruled against an Arkansas law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy L. Brooks said: “Nothing could possibly justify hanging the Ten Commandments, with or without historical context, in a calculus, chemistry, French, or woodworking class.” The law, supported by Republicans, including President Donald Trump, has faced legal challenges in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. The ruling, which blocks the requirement, raises questions about its applicability across the state. Megan Bailey, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, emphasized that the ruling “makes clear the law is unconstitutional.” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced plans to appeal the decision, asserting the need to “defend our state's values.” Meanwhile, Louisiana and Texas have enacted similar laws, with varying degrees of implementation and legal scrutiny.

Texas judge extends voucher deadline

U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett has ruled that Texas must extend its deadline for private schools to apply for the state's voucher program to March 31, following a lawsuit alleging the exclusion of Islamic schools. The judge expressed concern over the absence of approved Muslim schools, describing it as “troubling.” Texas excluded these schools due to alleged ties to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has not been designated a terrorist organization by the federal government. Eric Hudson, attorney for the plaintiffs, remarked: “The state has rigged the lottery,” indicating a systematic exclusion of Muslim parents from the program. The ruling consolidates two lawsuits challenging the exclusion, emphasizing the need for fair and inclusive implementation of the program. CAIR-Texas urged state officials to ensure that faith-based schools, including Islamic institutions, are given equitable opportunities to participate.

DISTRICTS

Los Angeles teachers union poised to announce strike

With contract negotiations stalled, the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union is expected to announce a strike date today that could disrupt the education of approximately 390,000 students. The announcement will coincide with a rally in Gloria Molina Grand Park, where thousands are anticipated to gather. UTLA's proposal includes an average salary increase of 17% over two years, particularly benefiting early career teachers. Union Vice President Julie Van Winkle emphasized the need for higher wages, commenting: "Our members aren't trying to buy one house in San Pedro and six houses in Florida. They're just trying to afford rent in the district in which they teach." The district's counteroffer includes an 8% raise over two years, but financial pressures, including declining enrollment and the expiration of pandemic aid, have complicated negotiations.

New superintendent named for Wrightstown

The Wrightstown School Board has appointed Dirk Ribbens as the new superintendent, effective July 1. Ribbens, currently principal elsewher in Wisconsin at Ashwaubenon High School, holds an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a master's degree from UW-Madison, and a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Lawrence University. The appointment follows a period of instability in district leadership, which began with the abrupt retirement of former Superintendent Andy Space in January 2025. Ribbens aims to foster a collaborative environment among the community, school board, staff, students, and parents to enhance student learning and safety.

LEGISLATION

Dispute over school immigration tracking bill leaves Tennessee legislation in limbo

Tennessee’s House has passed a revised bill requiring schools to track and report students’ immigration status, but its future remains uncertain due to a conflicting Senate version that originally sought to challenge the Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision guaranteeing free public education regardless of status. The amended House bill removes provisions that could have led to disenrollment, amid concerns over risking up to $1bn in federal funding, though critics argue it still raises privacy risks and could deter immigrant families from enrolling children in school. Lawmakers remain divided, with the Senate yet to decide whether to align with the House changes, negotiate a compromise, or allow the legislation to fail altogether. The debate has been highly contentious, reflecting broader tensions over immigration policy, while a separate bill criminalizing certain undocumented immigrants has also passed the House and is expected to face legal challenges if enacted.

WORKFORCE

School District 90 greenlights deal delivering 21% salary boost

River Forest District 90 has approved a new contract for its educators, resulting in an average salary increase of approximately 21% over four years. The contract, which is retroactive to the beginning of the school year and will expire at the end of the 2028-2029 school year, covers 145 teachers across three schools. Superintendent Ed Condon stated: "We believe strongly that (the contract) demonstrates strong value to our extraordinary teachers while maintaining strong financial stewardship." The contract includes an immediate average salary increase of 7.8%, followed by 4% increases in the next two years. The final year will see salary adjustments based on the consumer price index, with increases capped between 3.25% and 5%. The total cost of the contract is projected to be $55m over four years, as the district continues to utilize reserve funds to manage deficit spending. Union officials expressed that the contract helps maintain competitive salaries with neighboring districts.

TECHNOLOGY

Rapid AI adoption in schools lacks strong proof of effectiveness, Stanford report warns

A Stanford review of more than 1,100 studies on artificial intelligence (AI) in K–12 education finds that while adoption of AI tools in classrooms is accelerating rapidly, there is limited rigorous evidence on their actual impact, with only 20 causal studies identified. Existing research is heavily skewed toward technical performance and short-term outcomes, particularly in math, leaving major gaps around long-term learning, equity, and real-world classroom use in U.S. schools. Early findings suggest AI can improve task performance when actively used, especially when tools guide reasoning rather than provide direct answers, but results are mixed when students work independently, raising concerns about whether AI supports genuine skill development. The report also highlights potential efficiency gains for teachers, such as reduced lesson planning time, but concludes that education leaders are making policy and investment decisions faster than the evidence base can support.

LEADERSHIP

Elementary leaders invited to join National Principals Association

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is rebranding as the National Principals Association (NPA) to include elementary school leaders, marking a significant shift in K–12 leadership. Ronn Nozoe, the chief operating officer for NPA, stated: "We're excited about reaching folks who are not currently affiliated because every single school leader deserves this kind of support." This expansion aims to enhance professional development and advocacy for all grade levels, addressing challenges such as teacher pipelines and student mental health. The NPA will also reorganize its leadership structure to ensure equitable representation across all educational levels. As the association evolves, it seeks to foster collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) while maintaining its unique identity.

EARLY YEARS

NYC expands free child care while CUNY builds future teacher workforce

Rosalinda Rodriguez, a single mother, experienced the transformative impact of free, high-quality child care through a federally funded Early Head Start program. Her son, who received support for a speech disability, is now thriving in elementary school, prompting Rodriguez to pursue her dream of studying early childhood education at the City University of New York (CUNY). CUNY officials are responding to the city's demand for early childhood educators as Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to expand free child care significantly. The initiative aims to create 2,000 new seats for two-year-olds this fall and an additional 10,000 seats the following year. Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez emphasized the need to expedite students' entry into the workforce, adding: "This is a moment where we need to meet the city's demand for their workforce." However, challenges remain, including low wages for early childhood educators, which average around $25,000 annually, compared to nearly $100,000 for K-12 teachers.

MATH

Encouraging math learning with whiteboards

Leanna Pitsoulakis, a math teacher at Carl Sandburg High School in Illinois, has implemented whiteboard desks in her freshmen honors math class, significantly enhancing student engagement and understanding. The initiative, funded by a $1,000 grant from the District 230 Foundation, has led to a 4.57% increase in student test scores. Pitsoulakis noted: "They're able to take more risks and feel more comfortable talking with their peers because everything they're doing is visible." This method, inspired by Peter Liljedahl's book “Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics,” encourages collaboration and allows students to learn from their mistakes. Students like Fatima Warden and Anna Mraz have reported increased clarity and engagement during lessons. Pitsoulakis aims to expand the use of whiteboard desks, as they foster a more interactive learning environment and help students develop essential social skills.

ABSENTEEISM

Oregon schools face attendance troubles

In Oregon, persistent student absenteeism is significantly hindering educational progress, with advocates highlighting that teachers lack sufficient time to address learning gaps due to the state's unusually short school year. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed that Oregon ranked below the national average in math and reading for fourth graders and eighth graders. Sarah Pope, executive director of Stand for Children Oregon, stated: "When we every month send the message home to kids and families, ‘Guess what? It's another no school day,' it sends that message home really powerfully that school is optional." The state mandates fewer instructional hours than the national average, contributing to chronic absenteeism, with one in three students missing over ten percent of school days. Despite recent legislative efforts to address attendance, significant challenges remain in extending the school year or day to improve student outcomes.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Over 576,000 student loan borrowers face delays in accessing affordable repayment plans

More than 576,000 federal student loan borrowers were still waiting for approval of income-driven repayment (IDR) plans as of the end of February, according to a court filing, while an additional 88,170 applicants remained in limbo for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) buyback decisions. Although the Education Department has reduced the IDR backlog from nearly 1.4m in July to around 576,000, no debt was forgiven under these plans in February, and experts warn it could take years to clear the remaining queue. The delays come as over 42m Americans hold more than $1.6tn in student debt, with around 9m borrowers already in default and many struggling to meet basic living costs. The situation may worsen as millions exit a paused repayment program and apply for new plans, while ongoing policy changes and legal challenges continue to limit access to relief options.

New life for suspended UA magazines

Two student-produced magazines from the University of Alabama (UA), previously suspended, will now be independently published under new names: Selene and Sixty-Three. The suspension followed a memo from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding anti-discrimination laws, which prompted a petition for restoration. The magazines, which focused on Black students and women, respectively, faced backlash on campus and gained national attention. UA stated that the suspension aimed to ensure inclusivity among community members participating in university-funded programs. Now, under the nonprofit Masthead, Selene aims to uplift marginalized voices, stating: "Selene welcomes all readers into her audience regardless of gender." The rebranded magazines are set to publish this spring.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico considers new restrictions on underage social media use

Mexico is exploring the introduction of a minimum age for social media use, with Education Minister Mario Delgado citing concerns over the impact of unregulated platforms on young people’s mental health and a lack of accountability from major tech companies. Inspired by recent legislation in Australia and France, the government has launched consultations with experts, communities, and industry stakeholders, with proposals expected by June, while parallel regional efforts such as Jalisco’s proposed restrictions in schools signal increasing domestic momentum for tighter regulation.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe