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- 1Supreme Court to hear two K-12 education cases▼UPDATE: Two K-12 education cases to be heard by Supreme Court
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases concerning K-12 education, according to EdSource. The report announces the cases but gives no detail on the issues involved or the parties. The development matters because Supreme Court rulings on public schooling can reshape policy for school districts, teachers, students and families nationwide.
- 2GAO finds federal chronic absenteeism data unreliable●Chronic absenteeism calculation unreliable at federal level, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office reports that national figures on chronic absenteeism in US schools cannot be relied upon, citing problems with how the data is calculated and reported across states and districts. The finding raises concerns for policymakers who use absenteeism rates to gauge post-pandemic learning recovery and target education funding.
- 3New York City Public Schools ban AI use through middle school▼New York City Public Schools banning AI use through middle school starting this year
New York City Public Schools, the largest school district in the United States, is banning the use of artificial intelligence tools by students through middle school beginning this academic year. The move restricts access to chatbots and similar AI services for younger pupils, and is drawing attention as educators nationwide debate how to handle AI in classrooms.
- 4Wisconsin Education Leaders Put Cybersecurity at Center of Budget Proposal▼Wisconsin Education Leaders Prioritize Cybersecurity in Budget Proposal
Education leaders in Wisconsin are making cybersecurity a priority in their latest budget proposal, seeking dedicated funding to protect school districts from growing digital threats. The proposal signals a shift in how state education officials view technology risks, as schools increasingly manage sensitive student data and rely on connected systems for daily operations.
- 5
Lake Worth ISD in Texas is providing students with a free course in AI literacy, aiming to build skills and understanding of artificial intelligence among young people. The district-level initiative reflects a broader push by US school systems to prepare students for a workforce increasingly shaped by AI tools.
- 6St. Vrain Valley parents push back on smartwatch ban●St. Vrain Valley parents push back on school day smartwatch ban
Parents in Colorado's St. Vrain Valley School District are objecting to a ban on smartwatches during the school day. The policy, aimed at limiting distractions and communication devices in classrooms, has drawn criticism from families who say the watches help them stay in touch with their children. The debate echoes wider disputes across US districts over phones and wearables in schools.
- 7Education Department tells grantees to 'defend the spend'▼Education Department wants grantees to ‘defend the spend’
The US Education Department is asking its grant recipients to justify how federal education funds are being spent, under a 'defend the spend' directive. The policy signals tighter scrutiny of grantee budgets and program costs. Education sector outlets are flagging the move, which could increase reporting burdens for school districts and organizations relying on federal grants.
- 8Detroit Lakes backs restricting girls sports to biological sex▼Detroit Lakes joins push to restrict girls sports to biological sex
Detroit Lakes has joined a broader movement to restrict girls' sports teams in Minnesota to athletes of the biological sex female at birth. The move places the lakes-area school district alongside other communities pushing for policies that exclude transgender girls from female athletic competitions. The debate reflects a wider national fight over transgender participation in school sports, with supporters citing fairness for female athletes and opponents raising discrimination concerns.
- 9Hendry County schools open employee health clinics▼Hendry County schools launch employee clinics to lower health costs
Schools in Hendry County, Florida have opened on-site health clinics for their employees in an effort to reduce healthcare costs for the district and its staff. The move lets workers access medical care at school facilities, potentially cutting insurance expenses and missed work time. It reflects a broader push among employers to control rising health benefit costs.
- 10Personal finance to be added to Washington DC school curriculum●Expert weighs in on addition of finance to DC curriculum
An education expert has offered commentary on Washington DC's decision to add financial literacy to the public school curriculum. The move would see students taught practical money skills such as budgeting, saving and credit as part of their standard schooling. The expert's remarks are drawing attention as districts across the US weigh similar additions of personal finance education.
- 11
The Cedar Rapids school district in Iowa has met the requirements set by the US Department of Justice to end a period of federal monitoring. The development was reported by The Gazette, covering local education news. The district's compliance marks the conclusion of oversight tied to federal obligations, though further details on the agreement and timeline were not provided.