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USA
16th April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Who will lead California schools?

California voters remain largely undecided in the race for state superintendent, with none of the 10 candidates reaching 10% support among likely voters, according to a recent Public Policy Institute of California survey. The poll found 51% of voters think education quality has worsened, even as 57% of public school parents say schools are improving. Majorities support transitional kindergarten funding and limits on cellphone use, while only 24% back private school vouchers. Survey director Mark Baldassare said: “When you have more than half the people saying that they think that the quality of education has gotten worse, I think that’s something.” Separately, the California Teachers Association endorsed Tom Steyer for governor after withdrawing support for Eric Swalwell due to sexual assault allegations. CTA President David Goldberg said: "He also walked the picket lines with educators on strike," as he highlighted Steyer's commitment to educator unions. The union, representing over 300,000 members, found Swalwell's allegations "incredibly disturbing and unacceptable," leading to his withdrawal from the race and resignation from Congress. 

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

 

CURRICULUM

Parents demand curriculum access

David Bernstein, founder and CEO of the North American Values Institute, argues that public schools are increasingly blocking parents from reviewing taxpayer-funded curriculum materials, even when lessons touch on contested views of American history and politics. He says these restrictions are not accidental but reflect a broader shift toward using schools for social change rather than knowledge transmission. Citing examples from Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Montgomery County, he warns that secrecy damages trust between families and schools. Bernstein points to laws in states such as Florida and Utah as models, arguing parents should be able to review materials online without barriers.

LEGISLATION

Alabama schools to display Ten Commandments

Alabama has enacted Senate Bill 99, requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments alongside foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill into law, which will take effect on October 1. The law mandates that schools serving grades 5-12 post the Ten Commandments in classrooms and common areas such as cafeterias and libraries. Supporters argue that this pairing highlights the religious text's influence on American legal and cultural traditions, enhancing its educational value. However, the legality of displaying the Ten Commandments in schools is often challenged, as it is generally viewed as unconstitutional.

WORKFORCE

Back to the classroom: A professor's journey

Nathan A. Stevenson, Ph.D., an associate professor of special education at Kent State University, emphasizes the importance of professors engaging in substitute teaching to maintain their connection with K-12 education. He notes: “It is easily one of the best decisions of my career.” By stepping back into the classroom, Stevenson sharpens his instructional skills, combats “Ivory Tower Syndrome,” and builds better relationships with students and teachers. He believes that this experience enriches his teaching methods and enhances the quality of instruction for his adult students. Despite the challenges of balancing his university responsibilities with substitute teaching, he advocates for all education faculty to consider this practice, stating that the benefits are invaluable.

Teachers seek overtime recognition

Many educators are dedicating significant time beyond their contracted hours to tasks like lesson planning and grading, often without additional pay. A recent LinkedIn poll by Education Week revealed strong opinions on whether teachers should qualify for overtime pay, which they currently do not. Comments highlighted concerns about fair compensation, with one respondent stating: "Any answer other than 'yes' is simply ridiculous." Many teachers report working an extra 20-30 hours weekly, particularly for lesson preparation. The discussion also included suggestions for better salaries and adequate planning time during the school day.

TECHNOLOGY

Navigating the ed tech paradox

The role of educational technology (ed tech) in classrooms is increasingly contentious, as highlighted by Michael Horn, a lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education. He notes: "Simply layering ed tech onto the existing classroom model would have little to no transformational impact." While some advocate for the integration of AI in education, others call for restrictions on screen time and social media. Horn emphasizes that the effectiveness of AI depends on the underlying educational model, saying that "the learning model will always matter more than the technologies being used." He advises school leaders to prioritize student goals and design coherent models before implementing AI tools.

FINANCE

Parker's tax plan saves school jobs

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Superintendent Tony Watlington have announced a plan to save all school-based staff positions from cuts, contingent on Parker's proposed $1 rideshare tax. This tax, aimed at generating $48m annually for the district, is currently facing opposition from Uber, which argues that it unfairly burdens riders. “That is something for us to be proud of,” Parker said, emphasizing the need for the City Council's approval to reverse the proposed budget cuts. Watlington's draft budget had initially proposed significant cuts, including 340 school-based staff positions, to address a $300m deficit. The announcement signals the city's commitment to funding its schools, with Parker saying: “We're not just going hat in hand to Harrisburg.”

GOVERNANCE

Illinois schools get a fresh start

The Illinois State Board of Education has approved significant changes to the state's school accountability system, which will now feature new labels to better reflect school performance. State Superintendent Tony Sanders expressed optimism about receiving federal approval for the changes, which are expected to be implemented by fall. The new designations include Exemplary, Approaching Exemplary, Commendable, Developing, and Comprehensive, aiming to distribute schools more evenly across these categories. Sanders noted: "I don't think there's anybody that I've met in public education that would say that our current accountability has worked effectively at moving school improvement for student outcomes." While some education advocacy groups have raised concerns about the removal of certain measures, others have praised the board for being receptive to feedback. The new system will focus on "core indicators" of academic performance, including student growth and graduation rates.

Memphis school board race heats up

Memphis voters are participating in a significant primary election today, selecting from 15 Democratic candidates for four open school board seats. Early voting has commenced for the May 5 primary in Districts 1, 6, 8, and 9, with no Republican candidates this year. The Democratic primary will determine representatives for Districts 1 and 9, featuring incumbents Michelle McKissack and Joyce Dorse-Coleman. The election comes amid potential changes in district leadership, as Senate Republicans are advancing plans for a state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). This initiative follows the controversial firing of former Superintendent Marie Feagins last January. 

ATTENDANCE

Attendance dashboard reveals alarming trends

Ohio's new attendance dashboard, launched by Gov. Mike DeWine, reveals concerning chronic absenteeism rates among students, with some districts reporting rates as high as 56.5%. The dashboard currently lacks data from 24% of schools, leading to potentially misleading statistics. DeWine emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying: "Schools simply cannot do this work alone." Factors contributing to absenteeism include illness, transportation issues, and concerns about immigration enforcement. The dashboard categorizes absenteeism from "satisfactory" to "severe chronic absence," aiming to help local leaders address attendance problems effectively. DeWine noted that understanding these issues is crucial for communities, observing: "You can't solve a problem if you don't know you have a problem."

LEGAL

Former Urban Prep Academies CEO indicted

Tim King, the founder and former CEO of Urban Prep Academies, has been indicted for allegedly stealing over $100,000 from the charter school network. The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago claims King siphoned funds from Urban Prep's bank account to pay personal credit card bills, with a total of $103,833.31 misappropriated. Despite the legal troubles, Urban Prep's current leadership acknowledged King's lasting impact on the school. The charter network, which once boasted a 100% college acceptance rate for its students, is now facing significant challenges, including financial instability and legal battles with Chicago Public Schools.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Ohio tackles radon gas dangers

Ohio lawmakers have introduced House Bill 280 to combat the dangers of radon gas in homes and schools. Currently, Ohio lacks adequate radon testing requirements for schools and protections for renters. Rep. Kellie Deeter, R-Norwalk, introduced the bill following a Dispatch investigation into radon issues statewide. The bill mandates radon testing in schools and allocates $14m to assist districts. It also offers homeowners a tax credit for radon mitigation systems. "Parents and students deserve to know if they're being exposed to the gas," Deeter said. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and has been linked to various health issues. Ohio's current regulations only require home sellers to disclose past radon tests, leaving renters uninformed about potential risks.
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