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USA
3rd July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Federal panel recommends stronger religious expression protections in public schools

A federal religious liberty commission established by President Donald Trump has released draft recommendations urging federal agencies to expand protections for religious expression in K-12 schools, including supporting Ten Commandments displays, creating guidance on parents' rights to opt children out of lessons that conflict with their religious beliefs, and promoting students' and school employees' rights to express their faith on campus. The report also recommends "Know Your Rights" materials for schools, a Justice Department hotline to investigate alleged religious liberty violations, expanded school choice, support for school chaplain programs, and extending the Equal Access Act to elementary schools. The commission argues that many schools incorrectly limit religious expression and that federal policy should place greater emphasis on protecting religious freedom in public education. Critics, including church-state separation advocates, say the proposals advance a Christian nationalist agenda, undermine the separation of church and state, and could disadvantage students from minority faiths or those who identify as LGBTQ+. The recommendations are not binding but could influence future federal education and Justice Department policies.

LEGAL

Denver schools face lawsuit over voting map

A conservative legal organization has sued Denver Public Schools, alleging the school board's 2024 voting district map was drawn with unlawful racial considerations to preserve representation for Black and Latino communities. The lawsuit, filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation, argues the map violates the Fifteenth Amendment and the federal Voting Rights Act by intentionally using race in the redistricting process, citing statements from school board members and recent U.S. Supreme Court guidance that limits the use of race in drawing electoral districts. The disputed map was adopted after the 2020 Census to rebalance population across school board districts while maintaining historically represented communities. Denver Public Schools said it had not yet reviewed the lawsuit and declined to comment. The case highlights the potential impact of the Supreme Court's recent Louisiana v. Callais decision, which has prompted renewed legal scrutiny of voting maps designed to preserve minority representation, with similar challenges expected against school districts and other local governments nationwide.

TEACHER TRAINING

California educators dispute findings, point to state's $1bn literacy overhaul

A new National Council on Teacher Quality report found that 35% of California teacher preparation programs received an "F" for literacy instruction, placing the state among the bottom 12 nationally, despite major investments to strengthen evidence-based reading instruction. The report found that fewer than one-quarter of reviewed programs earned an "A", while many devoted less than two hours to preparing future teachers to support English learners or struggling readers. California education leaders disputed the findings, arguing the report's methodology relies too heavily on course materials and fails to capture classroom training, noting that the state has invested approximately $1bn in literacy initiatives since 2020 and now requires all teacher preparation programs to meet new evidence-based literacy standards. The report also highlighted improvement since 2023, when 59% of California programs received failing grades, while national results also improved as more states adopted science-of-reading reforms.

DISTRICTS

Vancouver Public Schools welcomes new Superintendent

Rocky Torres-Morales has been sworn in as the new Superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools in Washington state, marking the beginning of a new era for the district. Torres-Morales, who previously served as an associate superintendent in Seattle Public Schools, was selected after a nationwide search that attracted 40 applicants. School Board President Wendy Smith said: "We believe Dr. Torres-Morales is the right leader at the right time for Vancouver Public Schools." Among his immediate priorities is addressing a $24m deficit that led to nearly 200 job cuts. Torres-Morales plans to hold community listening sessions and visit every school in the district by Thanksgiving. He emphasized the importance of navigating financial challenges while maintaining a focus on student-centered leadership. With a background in various educational roles and a commitment to dual language programs, Torres-Morales aims to leverage his skills in business and finance to benefit the district. His annual salary is $305,000, with a three-year contract.

Houston ISD shakes up leadership structure

Houston ISD (HISD) is undergoing a significant restructuring of its central office, creating four new offices to enhance oversight of elementary and secondary schools. This change, initiated by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, aims to streamline management by focusing on school types rather than geographic divisions. "Principals may report to these administrators in the new structure," indicating a shift in leadership dynamics. The overhaul follows the departure of several top leaders and aims to improve accountability within the district. HISD has also promoted new deputy chiefs to oversee these offices, with the number of employees earning over $200,000 increasing significantly since the leadership change. As the district continues to evolve, the implications of these changes remain to be fully understood.

TECHNOLOGY

Mississippi moves $25m classroom supply program to digital wallet platform

Mississippi is giving K-12 teachers earlier access to state-funded classroom supply money by making the $748 annual Education Enhancement Fund allocation available to school districts on July 15, instead of August 1, and replacing physical procurement cards with a digital wallet platform. The $25m program, which supports classroom supply purchases statewide, was changed after a state audit found $17.8m in funding was unavailable when teachers needed it most, forcing many to pay for classroom materials themselves. State officials say the new ClassWallet system will simplify purchasing and expense tracking, although some teachers remain cautious, noting that districts must still activate accounts and distribute access before educators can begin using the funds.

Wyoming: debate grows over one-to-one student devices and technology costs

Wyoming lawmakers are reconsidering how public schools are funded as the Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration reviews concerns over classroom technology, district infrastructure, and extracurricular activities following this year's school finance overhaul. Committee members questioned the value of one-to-one student device programs after hearing testimony from educators, students, and researchers about excessive screen time and artificial intelligence, while school administrators argued districts still face significant technology costs, including cybersecurity, software, servers, and network infrastructure. Lawmakers also examined a $3.8m statewide reduction in activity funding caused by a new district-based formula, with several districts warning of cuts to sports and other programs, and discussed a proposed "greater of" funding model that would cost an additional $5.3m statewide while ensuring no district receives less funding than under the previous formula.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

California mascot ban sparks conversations about Native American representation in schools

California schools have reached the deadline to comply with a state law banning Native American-themed mascots and school names deemed culturally insensitive, prompting many districts to either retire longstanding mascots or seek permission from local tribes to retain them. The updated California Racial Mascots Act expands an earlier ban on the term "Redskins" by prohibiting additional terms, while allowing schools to keep certain names, such as Apache or Chieftain, if they receive formal tribal approval. The law has sparked broader conversations about Native American representation, with educators, students, tribal leaders, and lawmakers using the process to examine school traditions and improve cultural understanding. Several districts, including Fresno USD and Fullerton High School, changed mascots after consulting Native American communities, while schools in Clovis, Sanger, and Sierra unified districts retained their names with tribal consent.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Florida district secures $1m to modernize student transportation

The School District of Lee County has secured $1m in Florida's new state budget to modernize its student transportation system with real-time GPS and GIS technology, enabling more efficient bus routing, live tracking, improved communication with families, and streamlined operations. The funding also supports implementation, staff training, and ongoing system maintenance, while additional state appropriations will expand the district's weapons detection program to improve campus security and ensure backup screening equipment is available for school events and equipment outages. The district will also receive $374,000 for upgrades to the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy Critical Fire Responder Facility, including replacement law enforcement training vehicles, renovated locker rooms and bathrooms, and construction of a secure staff entrance.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Bell's victory at UF

Stuart Bell has been confirmed as the president of the University of Florida (UF) after a politically charged selection process. The State University System's Board of Governors voted 15-1 in favor of Bell, marking a significant victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who supported Bell amid criticism from conservative activists regarding his stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Bell, who previously led the University of Alabama, has committed to upholding Florida's higher education reforms, stating, "I will not bring woke back to Florida's flagship campus." His confirmation concludes a tumultuous search that highlighted ideological divisions within the state's Republican leadership. Board member Nick Sinatra emphasized the need to "turn the page" and support Bell in his new role, urging a focus on the future of UF.

INTERNATIONAL

Pearson delays England SATs results after technical issues

Pearson has apologized for delaying the release of England's SATs results by more than a week, pushing the publication date from July 7 to July 16 because of technical issues. The National Association of Head Teachers called the delay in the release of the test results for 10-11 year olds as "completely unacceptable," while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described it as "deeply frustrating." NAHT General Secretary Paul Whiteman criticized the last-minute announcement, noting that schools had previously been reassured the results would be delivered on time and emphasizing the high standards expected of Pearson. He also raised concerns about the accuracy of marking following the technical problems and called for a full investigation to ensure similar issues do not happen again, while Pearson said it is working to resolve the problems and deliver accurate results.

AND FINALLY......

Milwaukee teacher uses America’s 250th anniversary to inspire students’ interest in U.S. history

Milwaukee Public Schools teacher Janet Key spent the past school year creating a year-long curriculum around America’s 250th anniversary, using hands-on activities, research projects, costumes, and field trips to immerse her second- and third-grade students in the Revolutionary era. The program included building a historical mural, studying the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, researching historical figures, and visiting local museums, with Key aiming to help students, many from immigrant families, develop a sense of belonging and a lasting interest in American history. She said the initiative also reflected her concerns about the declining emphasis on civics and social studies in schools, as well as falling levels of historical knowledge and national pride among younger generations.
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