July 13, 2026

Chicago Public Schools is laying off 162 central and citywide employees as part of efforts to address a budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. The reductions target non-school-based positions to help balance district finances. Key Points CPS laying off 162 central and citywide employees Action taken to close budget deficit for 2026-27 school year […]

The New York City Council is set to vote on legislation providing a $10,000 wage perk for school paraprofessionals. The bill addresses compensation for these public school support staff positions. Questions regarding the council’s authority to enact the measure have been raised. Key Points City Council schedules vote on $10K perk bill for paraprofessionals Measure

New York launched a campaign to dispel cannabis myths for teens following state legalization. The initiative provides resources to help schools address the topic with students. It focuses on delivering accurate information in K-12 educational settings. Key Points Campaign targets NY teens after cannabis legalization Aims to correct misconceptions through school-based education Supports schools in

A top DOJ official announced that parental rights and student gender transitions will be civil rights enforcement priorities. The statement outlines the Justice Department’s focus under the current administration. It targets K-12 school policies related to these issues. Key Points DOJ designates parental rights as a civil rights priority Student gender transitions named as enforcement

Pennsylvania’s state budget provides an additional $157 million for Philadelphia schools. This forms part of a larger $670 million increase in statewide school funding. The budget does not include a proposed cellphone ban. Key Points Additional $157 million allocated to Philadelphia schools Total education funding boost reaches $670 million No statewide cellphone ban included in

Maine and 14 other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to prevent proposed cuts to federal funding for school mental health programs. The action targets reductions in support for K-12 mental health services. The case centers on disputes over continuation of existing education funding streams. Key Points 15 states sue Trump administration

Multiple states are enacting policies and programs to address rising rates of chronic absenteeism in K-12 schools. Measures include family outreach, incentives, and accountability mechanisms. These efforts aim to increase student attendance following pandemic-related disruptions. Key Points States are piloting interventions such as mentoring and attendance tracking systems. Chronic absenteeism remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic

The opinion piece outlines minor state-level regulatory and administrative adjustments that could reduce operational pressures on K-12 school districts. It emphasizes practical steps in funding allocation, compliance requirements, and resource management. The focus remains on strengthening existing public district structures. Key Points Minor changes to state regulations can lower administrative costs for districts Targeted funding

The opinion article discusses extending structured literacy methods based on the science of reading from elementary to high school settings. It addresses ongoing reading challenges among adolescents and explores curriculum adaptations for secondary education. Implementation considerations for policy and instruction are examined. Key Points Science of reading emphasizes phonics and evidence-based literacy strategies. High school

The Los Angeles Unified School District has received warnings that it could exhaust its cash reserves by 2027. The projection stems from current budget trends and spending patterns. District officials are reviewing options to address the potential shortfall. Key Points LAUSD faces a projected cash shortage by 2027 based on financial forecasts. The warning highlights