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USA
13th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

LAUSD strike deadline nears

Los Angeles Unified moved closer to avoiding a systemwide shutdown after reaching tentative agreements with both its administrators union and United Teachers Los Angeles, but a strike still looms unless SEIU Local 99 settles before Tuesday. The administrators deal includes an 11.65% raise over two years, with possible bargaining in a third year, plus new limits on uncompensated workload. The teachers pact would raise starting pay to $77,000, add student support staff, expand paid parental leave, and reduce some class sizes. Maria Nichols, president of Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, called the deal “a powerful testament to what unity, courage, and unwavering resolve can achieve.” Even with two agreements in place, solidarity actions remain likely if Local 99, which represents many low-paid campus workers, does not reach terms.

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.  

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WORKFORCE

Maryland teacher pipeline program boosts diversity

A long-running study of Maryland’s Teacher Academy program shows that encouraging high school students to pursue teaching can significantly strengthen the educator pipeline and improve diversity, but additional support is needed to ensure participants return to teach in their home districts. The program, which offers high school coursework in education, classroom experience, and college credit, increased the likelihood of participants becoming teachers by 45% and slightly boosted their earnings. It also helped narrow racial gaps in entry into the profession, though disparities remain, and relatively few students overall ultimately became teachers. However, the study found that many participants, particularly Black students, did not return to work in the districts where they trained, often opting for higher-paying or more diverse districts elsewhere. Researchers emphasize that while “grow-your-own” programs can attract more diverse candidates, retaining them locally requires stronger mentorship, earlier hands-on teaching experiences, and better guidance on college pathways.

Wisconsin teacher pay declines sharply

Teacher compensation in Wisconsin has significantly decreased since the implementation of Act 10 in 2011, with a reported $25,000 drop in real terms expected by 2024. This decline is contributing to a teacher shortage, as evidenced by 1,700 education graduates in the 2023-24 academic year choosing not to teach in the state. The issue was discussed during a Green Bay roundtable led by State Superintendent Jill Underly, who emphasized the budget shortfalls in various school districts. Immediate action is needed to address these financial challenges, improve teacher retention, and ensure quality education for Wisconsin students.

CMSD cuts staff to save millions

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is reducing its workforce by cutting an undisclosed number of administrator and staff positions to address a significant budget gap. The budget shortfall stems from decreased funding and rising operational costs. CEO Warren Morgan emphasized the difficult nature of these decisions but stressed their necessity for the district's financial stability. Changes will be implemented immediately.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Schools debate teaching family values

Lawmakers in Indiana are advocating for schools to implement the 'success sequence,' a framework suggesting that completing education, obtaining stable employment, and marrying prior to parenthood can significantly reduce poverty rates. Critics, including various educators and social advocates, argue that this perspective oversimplifies the complexities of poverty and unfairly stigmatizes single-parent households. This debate recalls Vice President Dan Quayle's 1992 remarks regarding the sitcom 'Murphy Brown,' which sparked national discussions on family structure. Indiana state Senator Spencer Deery, a proponent of the initiative, emphasizes its potential to lower poverty rates, which affect approximately 14% of Indiana's population. As schools navigate this contentious issue, they must balance teaching effective decision-making with avoiding the imposition of specific ideological beliefs on students and families.

TEACHING

NYC schools adopt IB program

Several schools in District 13, Brooklyn, have adopted the International Baccalaureate (IB) program as an alternative to gifted education, aiming to provide rigorous academics for all students. The district now includes five elementary and two middle schools in the IB pathway, with hopes of expanding to high schools. This shift aligns with New York State's upcoming graduation requirement changes, emphasizing project-based assessments. The IB program has helped boost enrollment and improve test scores, though it requires significant investment and teacher training. "IB has brought back the passion," said Tracey Scronic, the district's IB coordinator.

SCHOOL CHOICE

A solar-powered town redefining education choice

Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town, is rapidly growing and developing a diverse and innovative education landscape to match its forward-looking identity. With a population of around 15,000 and plans to expand significantly, the Florida community offers families a wide array of K–12 options, including public charter schools, homeschooling, and emerging microschool models. Public charter schools like Babcock Neighborhood School and Babcock High School emphasize project-based learning, appealing to families seeking hands-on, experiential education. At the same time, new alternatives such as Primer, a private microschool network blending structured learning with flexibility, are gaining interest among parents looking for more personalized approaches. Florida’s education savings account programs play a key role in enabling this variety, giving families roughly $8,000 per student annually to customize learning through private tuition, homeschooling, tutoring, or hybrid models.

LEGAL

Minnesota districts challenge immigration enforcement

Two Minnesota school districts, including Fridley, are suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reinstate limits on immigration enforcement near schools. This legal action highlights concerns over immigration agents conducting operations at or near educational facilities, affecting students and families. The lawsuit, supported by the state's teachers' union, seeks to protect school environments from enforcement activities. The court's decision could impact how immigration laws are enforced in educational settings nationwide.

FINANCE

CPS and archdiocese funding dispute

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Archdiocese of Chicago are in conflict over the termination of special education tutoring services for over 800 Catholic school students due to a $1.2m funding shortfall. CPS cites stagnant federal funding amid a 10% increase in student enrollment as the cause, while the Archdiocese contends that CPS mismanaged allocated funds. The Archdiocese, led by Superintendent Dr. Jim Rigg, is considering legal action if the funding issue is not resolved by the end of the current school year. This dispute significantly impacts students with special needs and their educational support services.

INTERNATIONAL

Growing trend of staff undermining school leadership

A new Australian report highlights the growing problem of “upward bullying,” where employees undermine or intimidate their managers, warning that it is becoming a significant risk in schools and other organizations. The study found that 71% of senior leaders have experienced such behavior, 93% say it has damaged their confidence, and two-thirds report serious negative impacts on performance and wellbeing. Experts argue that upward bullying is often misunderstood as routine workplace conflict, allowing it to persist unchecked. Unlike healthy dissent, which is direct and evidence-based, upward bullying typically involves persistent, indirect behaviors such as questioning authority publicly, withholding information, and building informal alliances against leaders. Over time, these patterns can erode authority, delay decision-making, and increase stress and burnout among leaders. To mitigate the issue, schools should focus on identifying behavioral patterns rather than isolated incidents, set clear expectations for professional conduct, and strengthen leadership capability in managing these dynamics.
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