March 23, 2026

Cornell University is under another federal investigation following a recent settlement and fine. The Chronicle of Higher Education is tracking developments in the Trump administration’s higher education agenda, including executive orders and agency actions. This comes amid broader federal efforts to reshape relationships with colleges and universities. Key Points Cornell faces a new federal investigation […]

New York City schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels stated that no decision has been made on continuing ‘hold harmless’ funding, which protects school budgets despite declining enrollment. This policy has been in place to shield schools from financial impacts of fewer students. Officials remain silent on potential changes for the upcoming year. Key Points Chancellor Samuels

New York City’s Education Department is set to release official AI guidance for schools after a long delay. In the meantime, some individual schools have developed their own AI policies to address the technology’s use in education. This reflects varying approaches to integrating AI in K-12 settings amid ongoing discussions. Key Points NYC Education Dept.

Lane Community College in Oregon is considering cutting 20 positions to address a projected $4 million budget deficit. College leaders have proposed eliminating the health information management and criminal justice programs as part of cost-saving measures. These changes aim to stabilize the institution’s finances amid enrollment and funding challenges. Key Points Potential elimination of 20

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has increased her proposed tax on Uber and Lyft rides to $1 per ride to address the school district’s budget shortfall. The announcement was made during a press conference on March 23, 2026, at Delaplaine McDaniel School. This measure aims to generate additional revenue specifically for Philadelphia’s public schools. Key Points

Jamelah Daboubi, an Ohio high school teacher, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old student. The case involved extensive texting and phone contact between the teacher and the minor. This incident occurred at a Columbus high school, highlighting issues of misconduct in educational settings. Key Points Teacher admitted to sexual relationship with

Oklahoma has excelled in funding its teacher pension system compared to other states, maintaining strong financial health. However, ongoing challenges like market volatility and demographic shifts raise questions about long-term sustainability. Policymakers must balance commitments to educators with fiscal responsibility to avoid future shortfalls. Key Points Oklahoma leads nationally in teacher pension funding levels and

Esports has become a rapidly growing program in U.S. K-12 schools, with over half of district leaders prioritizing gaming initiatives in recent years. Educators are eager to implement esports but face challenges with equipment costs and requirements. Acer is addressing this by offering entry-level hardware to make esports more accessible for schools. Key Points Esports

A federal court rejected Echols County School District’s qualified immunity defense in a lawsuit over non-compliance with a race bias settlement. The district argued that qualified immunity protected it from being sued for refusing to implement required changes. The ruling allows the EEOC case to proceed, holding the district accountable. Key Points Echols County School

Epic Charter Schools in Oklahoma, the state’s largest public virtual charter, has a thriving esports program with 300 to 500 active participants from Pre-K to 12th grade. The program caters to both competitive players and those who play for fun, aiming to involve as many students as possible. It highlights how small, rural, and charter