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The White House has announced that 67 tech companies and associations have signed a pledge supporting the Trump administration's aim of making artificial intelligence (AI) education accessible to all students. The “Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education,” signatories of which include Google, Microsoft, IBM, Meta, NVIDIA, MagicSchool, and Varsity Tutors, supports efforts to “provide resources that foster early interest in AI technology, promote AI literacy, and enable comprehensive AI training for educators.” “It is clear there is a lot of energy about AI and how it can be used responsibly in education,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “The resources and tools that have been pledged through this initiative will help our teachers and learners leverage AI in classrooms and communities across America.” The Software & Information Industry Association said it will create a working group among its corporate members to develop strategies for transparently disclosing how AI tools are used in the classroom. It added: These best practices will help companies communicate to the K-12 community, parents, and students about AI’s use in school environments and equip them to responsibly use it."

 

K-12 Dive

A federal appeals court ruled against Katie Wood, a transgender teacher, affirming Florida's law that prohibits K-12 educators from using personal titles or pronouns that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. The 11th Circuit Court stated that Wood's First Amendment rights were not infringed upon, as her speech in the classroom is considered government speech. Judge Kevin C. Newsom emphasized: “When a public school teacher addresses her students... she is unquestionably acting ‘pursuant to her official duties.'” The dissenting opinion from Judge Adalberto Jordan argued that the law represents an attempt at “speech orthodoxy” and that personal pronouns are significant markers of identity. Wood may seek a rehearing or appeal to the Supreme Court.

 

Education Week News

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has issued an executive order mandating a statewide ban on cellphone use during school hours, effective January 1, 2026. This policy requires all 197 public school districts to develop regulations prohibiting phone use throughout the school day, including during lunch and passing periods. Kotek said:, “I stand up for the promise of every student in every corner of the state,” highlighting the need for uniformity in device policies. While some districts have already implemented similar bans, concerns remain regarding enforcement and the potential impact on students' communication needs. Teachers generally support the ban, believing it will enhance classroom focus and emotional health. However, skepticism exists among school boards and parents, who worry about emergency communication. The debate continues, with plans for future legislative discussions on the issue.

 

The Oregonian

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is facing criticism over its changes to special education staffing amid a $734 million deficit. The Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73 held protests against potential cuts to educators and support staff for students with disabilities. District officials assert that the adjustments aim to rectify staffing imbalances, with Mike Sitkowski, the district's chief budget officer, commenting: “The changes that we're making are unequivocally unrelated to any budgetary pressures.” Despite this, labor leaders express concerns about the impact on students who benefit from consistent support. The number of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) has risen nearly 8% in five years, while special education teacher positions increased by 26%. CPS plans to add more case managers and clinicians, but the overall number of special education classroom assistants may decrease. Joshua Long, head of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services, emphasized the need for equitable staffing to avoid systemic vacancies.

 

Chalkbeat

Colorado schools are facing a significant funding crisis as the Trump administration withholds nearly $7bn in federal education funds, impacting programs for multilingual learners, teacher training, and after-school activities. Kate Bartlett, the Lake County superintendent, expressed her concern, stating: “The idea of not fully serving my kids and families absolutely wrenches my heart.” The Colorado Department of Education estimates a shortfall of about $70m for the 2025-26 school year, which could lead to cuts in essential programs. Melissa Gibson, executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives, called the withholding “unconscionable,” highlighting the painful decisions that school districts will have to make. The delay in funding threatens the educational support for vulnerable students and could have broader implications for families and the economy.

 

Chalkbeat

Despite receiving over $2.3bn in pandemic relief funds, Wisconsin students have not returned to pre-pandemic achievement levels, according to a report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. The funds, allocated from spring 2020 to fall 2024, aimed to help students adapt to virtual learning and recover from academic setbacks. Sara Shaw, Policy Forum deputy research director, commented: "As much as everyone wants the pandemic to be over, we have a lot of evidence that it is not over in terms of its lingering effects on students' well-being and on their academic achievement." The report highlighted that chronic absenteeism has increased, with rates rising from 13% in 2019 to 18% in 2024. Additionally, the achievement gap between Black and White students has widened, exacerbating existing inequities. "What we found after the pandemic's peak is that the amount by which age groups had increased in their absenteeism was higher for the younger grades," Shaw said. "That, at its worst, could mean that these youngest learners are having their habits shift the most in a way that could continue to define their entire school trajectory."

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP) in Rhode Island recently celebrated a significant achievement, with its fleet of electric school buses surpassing 100,000 miles since launching last winter. The 24 electric vehicles have collectively prevented approximately 157,198 kgs of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, equivalent to removing around 33 passenger vehicles from the road for a year. Beth Dowd, director of operations at BVP, expressed pride in this milestone, commenting: “We are deeply committed to the well-being of all of our scholars and our entire community, and these numbers are showing us that this effort will make a significant impact over time.” Wayne Skinner, senior vice president of fleet & procurement for Durham School Services, emphasized the importance of recognizing such milestones to advocate for EV funding assistance programs.

 

School Bus Fleet

Surveillance footage has allegedly shown Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents urinating in the parking lot of Ruben Salazar High School in Pico Rivera, California, on June 17th. El Rancho USD has called for a federal investigation into this "deeply disturbing" behavior, which occurred near a preschool playground and an elementary school where summer classes were ongoing. The district's letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons expressed concerns about the agents' judgment and the rights of the community, stating:“Any reasonable person, of any profession, entering Salazar where the ICE agents were urinating would clearly recognize the surroundings to be those of a school where minors are taught." L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn also demanded an investigation, criticizing the agents for their actions on school grounds. The district is seeking a report on the incident and the identities of those involved.

 

Los Angeles Times

California's homeless student population has reached 230,443, marking a 9.3% increase from the previous year. In Kern County, the approach to identifying homeless students has shifted to using terms like “struggling with stable housing,” which has encouraged more families to disclose their situations. Curt Williams, director of homeless and foster youth services, stated, “When you remove that word, it all changes.” This change has led to a 10% rise in identified homeless students in Kern County, totaling 7,200. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, as many homeless students face academic difficulties, with only 16% meeting state math standards. Joseph Bishop, an education professor at UCLA, emphasized the need for continued support, stating, “California is the epicenter of the homeless student crisis, and we need targeted, dedicated support.” The loss of funding from the McKinney-Vento Act poses a significant threat to these students' educational opportunities.

 

US News and World Report

Huntsville City Schools in Alabama is set to open its $40m Central Office and Center for Technology on August 4, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the district's 10-year, $600m capital plan. Superintendent Clarence Sutton expressed excitement, enthusing: “We are thrilled to see our capital plan coming to life. In just one year, we are already seeing tangible progress that's enhancing learning environments and supporting students across our district.” The new facility will consolidate various career tech programs, including welding and culinary arts, under one roof. Other projects nearing completion include the Columbia Innovation Center, which will enhance STEM opportunities, and athletic upgrades at local high schools. Future developments include a new wing at McNair Junior High School and a new JROTC training center at Columbia High School, with plans for a K-8 school in Limestone County that is projected to open in the 2028-29 school year.

 

Al.com

The University of California (UC) has announced a ban on student governments and university entities from boycotting any country, including Israel. This decision follows guidance from the Trump administration, which stated that such boycotts could jeopardize federal research grants. UC President Michael Drake emphasized that “boycotts of companies based on their association with a particular country” violate university policy. While the ban does not extend to student clubs, it could impact recognized professional school governments. The move is part of UC's long-standing opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which has faced accusations of antisemitism. Aditi Hariharan, president of the UC Student Association, expressed concern, stating, “Students already have little influence on how the university works.” The ban comes amid ongoing investigations into antisemitism at UC campuses.

 

Los Angeles Times

Developing countries currently face a $420bn annual gap in the funding needed to achieve gender equality, UN Women estimates; a gap that means programmes and services for women and girls are chronically underfunded. The estimate comes in the midst of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development underway in Sevilla, Spain. “We cannot close gender gaps with budgets that are lacking a gender lens … Gender equality must move from the margins of the budget lines to the heart of public policy,” said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, deputy executive director of UN Women. Recommendations to address this include expanding gender-responsive budgeting which carefully tracks where funding is most needed and supporting programs which target those areas. Currently, three-fourths of countries do not have systems to track the allocation of public funds in relation to gender equality.  Specifically, investment in public care systems, such as child and elder care programmes – is essential to ensuring that women can enter the workforce.

 

UN News

A report written by two French lawmakers and published on Wednesday calls for stricter regulations on the nation's private schools, following allegations of decades-long abuse at the Catholic institution, Notre-Dame de Betharram, now known as Le Beau Rameau. The investigation was prompted by numerous complaints from former pupils, including Didier Vinson, who stated, "Aside from the women serving us food at the canteen, everyone was part of the violence." The report revealed around 250 complaints against 26 alleged perpetrators, with 90 related to sexual abuse. Lawmakers Paul Vannier and Violette Spillebout are advocating for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for abuse against minors and to establish a compensation fund for victims. They emphasized the need for regular inspections and better training for school staff to prevent future incidents.

 

Reuters

In Bowling Green, Kentucky, a unique solution to the challenges of maintaining a 1-to-1 computing environment has emerged: high school students are being enlisted, and paid, to fix Chromebooks. Megan Marcum, the district's digital learning coach, shared insights at the ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference, describing the system as “a pretty well-oiled machine.” The student-run repair team has been operational for a decade, allowing IT staff to focus on more significant projects while providing students with real-world experience. The program not only saves costs by avoiding external repair fees but also ensures faster turnaround times. Students receive class credit and can earn $10 an hour, fostering a career-ready learning environment. Marcum emphasizes the benefits, noting that students take pride in their work, which enhances their confidence and ownership of the program.

 

Education Week News