Chalkbeat

Preliminary data revealed that reading scores in New York City last school year sank sharply, with third graders showing a nearly 14 percentage point decline. Overall proficiency for students in grades 3-8 dropped by 6 percentage points. The steep drops are occurring as city officials implement mandated curriculums aligned with the science of reading.

Newark piloted the state cellphone ban for K-12 students, a move mandated by new law requiring all New Jersey schools to implement a bell-to-bell prohibition on personal internet-enabled devices. During the pilot at Malcolm X Shabazz High School, staff found the policy successful due to engagement increases; however, concerns remain regarding emergency contacts and potential student anxiety. The state’s mandate also provided funding for districts to purchase storage systems like Yondr pouches.

Chicago Public Schools will open 15 more Sustainable Community Schools this year, expanding the program to 51 schools. The initiative, launched in 2018 with the Chicago Teachers Union, provides $500,000 annually to partner with nonprofits for student and family support. A Chalkbeat analysis highlights mixed outcomes, including higher graduation rates but also unspent funds and challenges in partnerships.

Chicago’s school board passed a $10 billion budget preserving jobs but relying on $150 million in uncertain state funding. The district may need a short-term loan to cover September payroll, which could be costly due to high interest. The budget decision is tied to political tensions over Illinois’ school funding formula and upcoming school board elections.

Simone Hawkins, deputy chancellor overseeing New York City's free childcare program for 2-year-olds, is leaving her role in September. The program, set to launch this fall with 2,000 seats, faces operational challenges. Officials and advocates praised her contributions to early childhood education but expressed concern over her departure.

New York City Education Department relaxed a 2023 curriculum mandate requiring early childhood programs to use The Creative Curriculum, allowing providers to apply for alternative curricula from a pre-approved list. The mandate, part of former Mayor Eric Adams’ NYC Reads overhaul, faced criticism for imposing rigid requirements on educators. However, the GOLD assessment system, which accompanies The Creative Curriculum, remains in place.

Ryan Higgins left teaching in 2022 due to stagnant pay, excessive workload, and pandemic-era challenges, joining a wave of teacher departures in Texas and nationwide. From 2020 to 2025, Texas lost 35,000 teachers, reflecting a national trend of elevated turnover that disproportionately impacts high-poverty schools and correlates with declining student test scores.

A study finds that teachers with math teaching anxiety negatively impact student progress, particularly among struggling learners. Over 11% of Indiana's elementary and middle school teachers reported significant math anxiety, with new and early-grade educators most affected. Students with disabilities, low-achieving students, and those from lower-income families were more likely to have anxious teachers, exacerbating learning gaps.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will start the upcoming school year with a less than 1% overall staffing cut compared to last year, but hundreds of new special education positions will be added at some campuses. Over 200 schools will see staff increases, while others face significant staff reductions, as the district works to address a $732.5 million deficit. Schools with staffing changes serve a high proportion of students from low-income households.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed 13 individuals to New York City’s school board, including environmental advocates and education policy experts, and reappointed three members from former Mayor Eric Adams. The board, which oversees major school decisions, will address issues like AI in classrooms and declining enrollment.

The Denver school board and Superintendent Alex Marrero agreed to continue working on their strained relationship after a closed-door meeting. The discussion followed months of tension over policy governance and Marrero's concerns about the board overstepping its authority. Both sides expressed commitment to ongoing dialogue and potential adjustments to governance frameworks.

A new study finds that teachers with math teaching anxiety negatively impact student learning, particularly affecting students already struggling in math. In Indiana, 11% of teachers reported significant apprehension about teaching math, with new and early-grade educators more likely to lack confidence. Students with disabilities, low-achievers, and those from lower-income families were disproportionately taught by these anxious teachers, leading to modest declines in learning rates.

Philadelphia plans to close 17 district schools, prompting some Board of Education members to demand scrutiny of charter schools under the Renaissance Initiative, which has not succeeded in improving neighborhood schools. Many Renaissance schools enroll students outside their catchment areas, increasing competition with district schools.

New York City's specialized high schools offered 4,000 admissions this year, with only 3.5% (140) going to Black students, highlighting racial disparities in the SHSAT-based admissions process. Critics argue the standardized test disproportionately disadvantages students of color, and efforts like the Discovery program fail to address systemic inequities in public education.

Anita Blanton and Chalkbeat reporter Mila Koumpilova discuss delays in Chicago Public Schools' Black Student Success Plan, which have frustrated advocates. The U.S. Department of Education has withheld grant funds related to the plan.

Detroit voters will decide on an 18-mill operating millage for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) on August 4 to secure $100 million in annual revenue. The millage is needed after Detroit Public Schools' debt payments end and state funding is eliminated, affecting commercial/rental properties but not primary homeowners.

The Denver school board will hold a special meeting on July 27 to address concerns raised by Superintendent Alex Marrero, who alleged the board is overstepping its authority. Marrero's June email highlighted disputes over policy governance, with his contract allowing termination if governance policies are materially altered. Board President Xóchitl Gaytán confirmed the meeting aims to resolve concerns without invoking contract termination clauses.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has prioritized childcare, transportation, and housing in his first six months in office, but K-12 public education has received minimal attention, with only 11 press releases and one new policy affecting classrooms. Experts and education advocates question his focus on K-12 schools, which constitute a major portion of the city's government operations.

Pennsylvania's We Love Philly organization offers pre-apprenticeships in digital marketing and cybersecurity to high school students and recent graduates. The state has expanded these programs, with nearly 3,200 participants in 2023, and Governor Josh Shapiro proposes doubling investment to $7 million. However, there is no guarantee of jobs post-training, and data on program effectiveness remains limited.

Most Iowa school districts have agreed to exclude undocumented high school students from federally funded career and technical education programs, following the Trump administration's interpretation of the 1982 Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision. The policy limits access to dual enrollment and career training, citing a distinction between 'basic public education' and postsecondary opportunities.

A federal judge temporarily blocked a state takeover board's authority over Memphis-Shelby County Schools, preventing disruptions to contract payments and operations ahead of the 2026-27 school year. The court order aims to maintain the status quo as the district prepares for the August 3 start date.

New York City officials delayed the release of AI guidance for schools after backlash to a March draft policy. The policy, initially set for June release, will now be published this summer due to public concerns and over 6,500 comments. The draft proposed a traffic light framework for AI use but excluded student AI use, sparking criticism from parents and council members worried about learning and mental health impacts.

Chicago Public Schools are increasingly relying on alternate revenue streams as budgets tighten, according to a report by Chalkbeat and the Chicago Tribune. Mila Koumpilova from Chalkbeat discussed the findings on The Point.

The Trump Administration moved oversight of special education and civil rights enforcement from the Department of Education to two separate agencies. Chalkbeat national editor Erica Meltzer provides an analysis of the changes.

The New York Knicks' NBA championship victory led to a planned ticker-tape parade on a school day conflicting with science Regents exams. Some parents and a student have started petitions to reschedule the parade or cancel school, citing equity concerns for students taking exams. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, known for prioritizing citywide fun for students, faces challenges in securing another waiver to adjust school schedules.

New York City public schools will remain open and the Regents exam schedule will not be altered for a Knicks ticker-tape parade on Thursday, despite conflicts with science and math exams. Some families and students have expressed concerns, with petitions calling for rescheduling, but officials emphasize students should proceed with exams as planned.

NYC public schools will not face budget cuts next year, with funding remaining steady or potentially increasing despite a 10% enrollment drop over six years. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels emphasized maintaining or boosting financial support to ensure stability for students and educators.

School districts nationwide are facing budget cuts due to declining enrollment, rising healthcare costs linked to GLP-1 weight loss medications, and other financial pressures. Over half of the 50 largest districts are poised to cut staff, programs, or services, with examples like Broward County Public Schools reducing 1,000 staff positions and closing six schools.

The Philadelphia school district plans to phase out its Intensive Learning Support (ILS) program for students with additional learning needs by the end of the school year, aiming to integrate them into general education classrooms with additional services. The decision, led by chief of special education Nathalie Nérée, cites minimal academic growth in ILS students and aligns with research supporting inclusion. However, some teachers fear the move may strain resources and leave students without adequate support.

Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, reflects on the challenges of integrating AI into education and explains why the anticipated AI revolution in schools, particularly through Khanmigo, has not yet materialized. The article highlights ongoing obstacles in AI adoption within educational systems.