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26th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

FCC seeks public comment on whether E-rate should be scaled back or ended

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on Thursday to seek public comment on whether the E-rate program, which helps schools and libraries afford internet access, should be narrowed, reoriented, or potentially ended after nearly 30 years. The FCC said it will examine whether E-rate-funded networks are being used for educational purposes, whether safeguards against waste, fraud, and abuse are sufficient, and whether participating schools are protecting children’s online safety. The commission is also considering whether the program should address concerns over screen time, social media access, and academic outcomes. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the review is appropriate given broader debates over student screen time and school technology use. The notice asks whether the program has fulfilled its original mission now that school and library connectivity has expanded significantly, and whether funding should be limited to rural areas or places with limited broadband competition. Education, library, and technology groups warned that ending or limiting E-rate would deepen the digital divide and argued that the FCC lacks authority to sunset the program. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez also cautioned that reducing connectivity support would conflict with national goals around digital literacy and artificial intelligence education.

BOOST ENROLLMENT

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TEACHER TRAINING

Court blocks student loan rule that excluded education graduate programs

A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Education exceeded its authority by narrowing the definition of "professional" graduate degrees, overturning a Trump administration rule that excluded education, nursing, and several other fields from higher federal student loan borrowing limits. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, found that the department improperly altered a longstanding regulatory definition while implementing new graduate borrowing caps established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Under the law, students pursuing professional degrees can borrow up to $50,000 annually, or $200,000 in total, compared with $20,500 annually, or $100,000 in total, for other graduate programs. The Education Department had argued that education degrees did not qualify because entry-level teaching jobs generally require only a bachelor's degree. Educators and professional organizations countered that many roles, including principals, school counselors, and special education administrators, require graduate degrees and warned the lower borrowing limits could worsen educator shortages by making advanced study less affordable. Howell vacated the department's revised definition and directed the agency to return to the previous regulatory framework while developing a new list of qualifying professional degrees. However, it remains uncertain whether education programs will ultimately be included under the revised definition. The National Education Association and other plaintiffs welcomed the decision, while the Education Department said it is reviewing the ruling.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Federal initiative prioritizes physical security and emergency preparedness

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, has launched the School Safety Enhancement grant program, making $93m available to help states improve physical school security and emergency response capabilities. State educational agencies can apply for competitive grants ranging from $500,000 to $5m, with federal officials expecting to award funding to approximately 30 states. States receiving grants will distribute the funds to local school districts through a secondary subgrant process. The program, which was developed in response to recommendations from the U.S. Department of Justice’s review of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, will fund projects such as interior door locks, secure entry systems, perimeter security, visitor screening, metal detectors, emergency communication systems, and safety training for school personnel and school resource officers.

POLITICAL

House Democrats move to impeach Education Secretary Linda McMahon

House Democrats have launched impeachment proceedings against Education Secretary Linda McMahon, accusing her of unlawfully attempting to dismantle the Department of Education without congressional approval, although the effort is widely viewed as unlikely to succeed. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon introduced three articles of impeachment alleging that McMahon has deliberately undermined the department by cutting its workforce by 40%, canceling billions of dollars in grants and contracts, transferring key responsibilities to other federal agencies, and disrupting congressionally authorized education programs. The filing follows a report from the department's Inspector General concluding that the administration's actions have impaired the agency's ability to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. McMahon defended her record, arguing that she is carrying out President Donald Trump's mandate to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy and improve student outcomes. House Education Committee Chair Tim Walberg dismissed the impeachment effort as "political theater." Political analysts said the impeachment resolution has little chance of advancing in the Republican-controlled House, describing it as largely symbolic. 

LEGISLATION

North Carolina overrides Governor's vetoes to enact DEI bans in public education

North Carolina lawmakers have overridden Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes to enact laws banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public schools, community colleges, and universities, marking a significant expansion of the state's education policy changes. The new laws prohibit public schools from promoting what they define as "divisive concepts," bar the creation of DEI offices and programs, and prevent public colleges and universities from requiring students or employees to endorse specified concepts related to race and sex. The legislation also prohibits school offices or divisions from using the terms "diversity, equity, and inclusion" in connection with promoting the banned concepts. Republicans said the legislation is intended to ensure students are treated as individuals rather than by race or sex and argued it will eliminate discriminatory practices in public education. House Speaker Destin Hall said the laws end "divisive DEI policies," while supporters maintained the measures protect equal treatment and reduce ideological instruction in classrooms. Democrats, educators, and civil rights advocates criticized the legislation. Teachers rejected claims that schools engage in indoctrination, while education leaders warned the new requirements could create uncertainty over how educators teach history, discuss complex social issues, and support students from diverse backgrounds.

FINANCE

Chicago School Board calls for more state education funding

The Chicago Board of Education has unanimously adopted a legislative agenda calling for increased state education funding, a millionaire's tax, and other policy changes, although the plan was approved after Illinois lawmakers had already passed the state budget and adjourned for the summer. Several board members expressed frustration over the timing, noting that adopting the agenda months after the legislative session limited its immediate impact. They called for the document to become a "living" agenda that can be updated throughout the year and used to guide future advocacy efforts. The agenda comes as Chicago Public Schools faces a projected $732.5m budget deficit and includes requests for additional funding through Illinois' evidence-based school funding formula, higher state reimbursements for mandated services, and greater state support for Chicago teacher pensions. It also introduces new proposals, including a millionaire's tax to generate dedicated education revenue and increased regulation of charter schools. The Chicago Teachers Union has separately urged lawmakers to convene a special legislative session to address school funding, warning that staffing reductions could occur without additional state support.

LEGAL

Jeffco school board authorizes potential lawsuit over Title IX enforcement

The Jefferson County School District (Jeffco) board has authorized its legal team to file a lawsuit if the U.S. Department of Education moves to enforce allegations that the district violated Title IX, arguing that the federal government's interpretation of the law conflicts with Colorado's anti-discrimination requirements. The board voted 4-1 to give the district authority to pursue legal action after the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued an impasse letter following its investigation into Jeffco's policies on transgender students. The district said it expects further federal action that could jeopardize millions of dollars in federal funding or place the district under high-risk status. Federal officials allege Jeffco violated Title IX by allowing transgender students assigned male at birth to use girls' bathrooms and locker rooms, participate in girls' sports, and share overnight accommodations with female students. Jeffco disputes the findings, arguing that OCR's conclusions are based on factual errors. The dispute is part of a broader nationwide effort by the Department of Education to investigate school districts over gender identity policies under Title IX.

GOVERNANCE

Iowa City Schools moves to restore trust with independent financial oversight committee

The Iowa City Community School District will begin accepting applications on June 29 for a new financial oversight committee created to strengthen budget oversight, improve transparency, and help restore public confidence following the district's financial crisis earlier this year. Greater Iowa City Inc. is assisting the district by managing the application process, convening a selection committee, and recommending nominees to the school board. Applications will close on July 13, with recommended candidates scheduled to be presented to the board on July 28. Officials said the goal is to assemble a credible group with expertise in finance, governance, accounting, auditing, banking, business leadership, risk management, or law. The committee was established after the district uncovered years of inaccurate financial reporting, weak internal controls, and cash flow problems, including the retroactive approval of a $10m interfund loan to cover operating expenses. The advisory committee will review budgets, audits, financial reporting, internal controls, and long-term financial planning, providing recommendations to the school board.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance incentives show promise as Portland-area district faces staffing cuts

Reynolds High School has made progress reducing chronic absenteeism through intensive student support and attendance incentives, but looming budget cuts threaten to undermine those gains as the Reynolds School District district scales back staff dedicated to keeping students in school. The Portland-metro school, where nearly 60% of students were chronically absent during the 2024-25 school year, has used daily attendance incentives, including donated Chick-fil-A coupons, alongside personalized interventions to improve attendance. After several months of the incentive program, chronic absenteeism had fallen to about 50%, according to district tracking data. Student engagement liaisons play a central role by monitoring attendance, contacting families, developing attendance contracts, checking on students throughout the school day, and helping address barriers such as housing instability, transportation problems, work schedules, childcare responsibilities, and food insecurity. The district said these individualized efforts require significant staff time and sustained relationships with students.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Milwaukee PS considers bus route changes after review identifies millions in potential savings

Milwaukee Public Schools is considering changes to its transportation system after an external review identified operational inefficiencies that contributed to nearly $10m in budget overruns this school year and highlighted opportunities to improve service while reducing costs. The district transported more than 40,700 students during the 2025-26 school year, spending $78.9m against a budget of about $69m. District officials now need to reduce transportation costs by approximately $3.5m to meet next year's $75.2m budget. Consultants from 4MATIV said adjustments to school bell schedules, bus routes, and stop locations could generate millions of dollars in savings while improving reliability. The review found that only 83% to 85% of buses arrive on time, with the worst delays occurring on later afternoon routes. Schools dismissing around 4 p.m. experience "chronically late" buses, and consultants suggested shifting some start and dismissal times by five to 15 minutes to improve schedule performance. The report also found that roughly one-third of bus trips lacked GPS tracking, limiting both route monitoring and families' ability to track buses. District officials emphasized that no major transportation changes are planned for the upcoming school year. Instead, MPS will spend the summer gathering feedback from families and school communities before considering longer-term adjustments to bus stops, routes, or school schedules.

CYBERSECURITY

Texas school district says cyberattack compromised sensitive personal information

A cyberattack against Alamo Heights Independent School District in March exposed the personal information of more than 26,000 people, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial or medical information, according to a data breach filing with the Texas Attorney General's Office. The attack disrupted the district's operations for nearly a week, leaving staff and students without Internet access while officials worked to restore systems and investigate the incident. Following a forensic review, the district determined that sensitive personal information had been accessed and potentially downloaded, prompting notification letters to affected individuals in accordance with state law. The incident highlights the continuing cybersecurity risks facing school systems. Texas now requires school districts to maintain cybersecurity policies, designate cybersecurity coordinators, and report breaches to the Texas Education Agency. The state also launched a K-12 Cybersecurity Initiative in 2023 and recently approved an additional $42 million to extend the program through 2027 as ransomware attacks on schools continue to rise.

LITERACY

Virginia weighs revised timeline for reading and math benchmarks

The Virginia Board of Education is considering delaying full implementation of higher reading and math proficiency standards by two years, replacing the current four-year phased rollout with a plan that would implement the new cut scores in a single step during the 2028-2029 school year. The proposal follows a state review recommending refinements to Virginia’s K-12 accountability system and is intended to give school divisions more time to prepare while reducing the number of major policy changes introduced each year. State Superintendent Jenna Conway said the revised plan would still implement the higher proficiency standards one year sooner than the original four-year schedule. Under the proposal, the Department of Education would provide districts with preview results before implementation, revise school performance labels, adjust accountability measures for English learners and high schools, and formally adopt the new School Performance and Support Framework in 2028-2029. A state study estimated the higher standards could reduce overall school performance scores by about 8.5 points, with reading proficiency falling by about 21 points and math proficiency by about 17 points under the new benchmarks.

Wisconsin plans statewide literacy strategy and expanded school support

Kaylee Jackson, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s new director of literacy, said implementing the state’s Act 20 literacy law is only the beginning of a broader effort to improve reading achievement, with meaningful gains likely to take six to seven years to materialize. Jackson, who began the role in May, is leading statewide implementation of the 2023 law, which requires schools to adopt science of reading instruction centered on phonics. She said her priorities include strengthening collaboration between the DPI and school districts, launching a statewide literacy plan later this year, and placing literacy coaches in 54 schools to support teachers and improve third-grade reading outcomes. Wisconsin’s reading performance remains a concern. The state ranked 30th out of 35 states in reading growth last year, while nearly 37% of students in four-year-old kindergarten through third grade scored below the 25th percentile on early literacy assessments. Reading scores for students in grades three through eight also remained largely unchanged after the first year of Act 20 implementation.

INTERNATIONAL

Heatwaves force school closures across Europe as classrooms swelter

Thousands of schools across Europe have closed, shortened the school day, or introduced emergency measures as record-breaking heatwaves expose the lack of cooling infrastructure in classrooms and raise concerns about student safety and learning. With few schools equipped with air conditioning, teachers have resorted to improvised cooling measures, including fans, misting sprays, emergency blankets on windows, and lighter dress codes. Around 1,000 schools in England and Wales either closed or reduced hours during the latest heatwave, while France placed about 13,500 schools on special schedules or temporarily shut them. French teaching unions have called for a nationwide strike, describing working conditions during the country's record-breaking heatwave as "unacceptable," as soaring temperatures have forced thousands of schools to close and left staff and students struggling in overheated classrooms. The heatwave is prompting renewed debate over how schools should adapt to a warming climate. Barcelona is investing €100 million from tourist tax revenues to install air conditioning in about 170 schools by 2030; other proposed solutions include planting more trees, installing window filters, adding shade to schoolyards, adjusting exam schedules, and improving building design.
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