State Board of Education

California's Governor Gavin Newsom signed two new laws aimed at educating students about heat illness and establishing rules for outdoor activities during extreme weather events. One law requires the state Board of Education to consider teaching heat illness symptoms, while the other mandates schools to develop protocols for outdoor activities during extreme weather.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed legislation to refinance Music City Center bonds to free up Metro's debt capacity, including a $300 million transfer between authorities. The State Board of Education is considering allowing high school students to earn world language credits in different languages, facing opposition from teachers and students. Traffic disruptions on I-65 are planned for construction, and the Nashville Predators announced their 2026-27 season opener.

Tennessee education leaders are considering alternative pathways for teacher candidates struggling with the Praxis exam, including retaking specific sections or submitting competency evidence like lesson plans. The proposal aims to address teacher shortages while maintaining standards, with mixed reactions from supporters and critics.

North Carolina's new budget prohibits State Board of Education members from accepting temporary or interim roles with public school units during their tenure. The law also mandates monthly spending reviews for school districts, following a $46 million deficit in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Catty Moore, a State Board member, previously served as interim superintendent for Winston-Salem/Forsyth and Durham Public Schools.

North Carolina public schools maintained an 84% market share in the 2025-26 school year, serving over 1.5 million students. Enrollment in public charter and private schools increased, while homeschool enrollment declined. The State Board of Education aims to raise public school market share to 89% by 2030.

California may begin testing kindergarteners in math under Senate Bill 1067 to identify students falling behind early. Over 60% of California students perform below the state's math benchmark, and the bill aims to provide early intervention. The law would require schools to select approved math tests for kindergarten through second grade by 2028, with implementation costs exceeding $100 million.

Paul Burns was appointed interim education commissioner as Anastasios Kamoutsas departs for Polk State College. Taylor Hatch is leaving her role as Department of Children and Families Secretary, with no replacement details provided.

Governor Gavin Newsom's proposal to transfer control of the California Department of Education from the elected state superintendent to a new appointed education commissioner faces debate. Supporters, including Children Now and Assembly Bill 2117 co-author David Alvarez, argue for governance realignment, while opponents like the California Teachers Association criticize the move as undemocratic. A Stanford-affiliated report previously recommended similar reforms to improve education system management.

Texas's state board of education voted 9-5 to create a required reading list that includes Anne Frank and the Bible. Jewish leaders opposed the decision, citing concerns about introducing Christian content into lessons for the state's 5.5 million public school students.

Louisiana Republicans will hold a primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat between Julia Letlow and John Fleming after neither candidate secured a majority in the May 16 primary. President Donald Trump endorsed Letlow, who challenged incumbent Bill Cassidy, who was defeated in the initial primary. Democrats will also finalize their U.S. Senate nominee in a separate runoff.

The Florida Department of Education and state officials defend the legality of the school voucher system, arguing that damages claimed by the Florida Education Association are speculative and not caused by the state. The FEA and other plaintiffs, including parents and a teacher, filed a lawsuit alleging the voucher system violates the Florida Constitution's requirement for a uniform public education system. The state maintains that the Family Empowerment Scholarship program supplements, rather than replaces, public schools.

The State Board of Education will vote on new curriculum changes emphasizing Texas and Christian themes. Critics argue the updated social studies lessons and reading lists over-emphasize Christianity.

Oregon education officials recommend repealing 11 compulsory school attendance statutes and replacing them with rules measuring attendance as a performance growth indicator. The proposal aims to address high absenteeism rates, with lawmakers to review recommendations during the 2027 legislative session.

Nikki Snyder, R-Whitmore Lake, is serving her second term on the State Board of Education. She is a mom of three, school nurse, educator, Realtor, and business owner.

Colorado has implemented stricter rules for state-funded homeschool enrichment programs to address funding abuses and lack of transparency. The new regulations, prompted by law changes in late May, restrict programs from being authorized by distant entities and limit offerings to those available to public school students. Private schools can no longer receive state funding for designated enrichment time, and the co-op Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ERBOCES) is barred from operating programs outside its member districts.

Maryland voters face the June 23 primary election with issues involving incorrect mail-in ballots and unresolved redistricting. Key races include Rep. Andy Harris's re-election bid and a Democratic primary for the 1st District. Voters must register by June 2 or use same-day registration at polling locations.

North Carolina's Senate passed a bill banning children under 14 from creating accounts on social media platforms deemed 'addictive,' requiring parental consent for 14-15-year-olds and setting criteria for addiction based on user behavior and app features. The bill also mandates AI literacy standards in schools and prohibits the sale of child users' data, returning to the House for final approval.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a bill promoting daily recess and physical fitness in schools, citing existing efforts by the State Board of Education. The bill, which aimed to improve student health, became entangled in political debates over pesticide regulations after amendments protected manufacturers from stricter state labeling requirements.

Alaska’s schools, including those in rural areas with Indigenous student populations, face severe infrastructure issues like leaky roofs and broken pipes. A new budget approved by the state Legislature would increase funding for school repairs from $40 million to over $148 million in 2027, though this still covers only about 13% of requested repairs.

Texas is considering including Bible stories in public school reading lists, sparking debate among religious leaders, teachers, parents, and students about their place in secular education.