AGP Executive Report

Federal Education Policy: The U.S. Department of Education approved Vermont’s “Returning Education to the States” waiver, letting the state consolidate over $4M in federal funds through 2029 to better target classroom priorities. Student Health & Equity: A new analysis finds nearly 1.2M kids under 6 are uninsured—up sharply since 2022—raising concerns for early learning and brain development as Medicaid cuts loom. Local School Governance: The Lynden School Board is set to consider updates to its cell phone policy and options for recording meetings, alongside Running Start and College in the High School. College Readiness Data: Reports from Texas districts like Hidalgo ISD show most students are not on college track based on STAAR/TEA measures, highlighting persistent achievement gaps. STEM & Youth Learning: Fulbright Scholar Rachel Salas will research youth robotics in South Africa, building on her work coaching First Lego League teams. School Safety & Sports: Ohio’s OHSAA officially recognizes girls’ flag football starting 2026-27, expanding opportunities for girls in athletics. Campus Accountability: A former Emmanuel College admissions director was sentenced to 12 years for attempted sex trafficking and cyberstalking of minors.

Student Aid Update: The U.S. Department of Education will cut federal student loan interest by 1 full percentage point for borrowers who sign up for auto pay, running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Equity in Focus: WalletHub ranks New York among the worst states for racial disparities in education, pointing to ongoing gaps in funding and access despite decades-old desegregation rules. Federal Oversight: The Department of Education is opening investigations into Maryland’s education agency and three school districts over alleged Title IX violations, adding pressure to districts’ gender-identity and policy practices. Local School Workforce: Youngstown City Schools bus drivers are raising healthcare concerns after the district approved a transportation outsourcing contract starting 2026-27. K-12 Curriculum Debate: UC Santa Cruz is rolling out K-12 history materials that ask students to compare the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to the KKK, fueling controversy over “anti-racist” classroom approaches. Student Recognition: A Bryant High School student won a national Congressional Art Competition honor, with her work headed to display in the U.S. Capitol.

Title IX Enforcement: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened investigations in Maryland over alleged Title IX violations tied to boys competing on girls’ teams and access to girls’ locker rooms, restrooms, and overnight facilities. Teacher Accountability & Safety: In New York’s Cazenovia Central School District, board member Travis Longo resigned after arrest and allegations of sexually explicit communications with a child, as community members pressed for accountability. State Education Governance: Oregon lawmakers voted against Gov. Tina Kotek’s nominees to the Quality Education Commission, arguing the process and commission role need major reform. Student Outcomes & Equity: A new look at Texas districts found large shares of students not on college track, including Littlefield ISD (88% not on track) based on STAAR readiness measures. Teacher Pay Pressure: In Maryland, teachers are taking summer and extra jobs as inflation erodes recent salary gains. Health Education in Schools (Global): The Philippines’ Department of Education and Jhpiego launched a teacher resource on HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention to boost uptake.

Prison Education Tech: California Community Colleges is expanding its prison education program by distributing about 30,000 laptops over three years, shifting students from mailed paper work to online classes and sparking debate over whether in-person teaching still builds the strongest skills and confidence. Public Health in Schools: The Philippines’ Department of Education and Jhpiego launched “Guro Laban sa Cervical Cancer,” arming teachers with HPV vaccination and prevention info to help improve vaccine uptake. School Choice Oversight: Pennsylvania House advanced a bill to increase transparency and reporting for the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit school choice program, with changes aimed at targeting low-income students and underperforming schools. Local District Comms: Columbiana School District is moving toward a single communications app to reduce “platform overload” for families and centralize updates. Charter Expansion: Iowa approved Hamburg Charter High School’s expansion from 9-12 to 7-12 over three years, with early middle-school curriculum planning tied to career strands. Health Alert: Whooping cough cases are rising nationally, with California among the hardest hit and infant deaths tied to incomplete vaccination. Campus History: University of Idaho’s historic Moscow campus district nomination advanced toward the National Register, potentially preserving more than a century of educational architecture and landscape.

Higher Ed & Research: The University of Hawaiʻi is getting more than $12M in federal NIH funding to build a first-of-its-kind AI data center for cancer research, aiming to improve detection and analysis across Hawaii and the Pacific. Student Support & Mental Health: Nazareth University is using a U.S. Department of Education grant to expand school-based mental health by funding up to 10 graduate school psychology stipends through a 16-district consortium. Healthcare Workforce & Safety: A South Florida nursing school owner pleaded guilty for selling nearly 3,000 fraudulent nursing diplomas, letting untrained people pass board exams and enter the workforce. K-12 Curriculum Fight: Texas education leaders are set to approve new reading and social studies standards that critics say overemphasize Christian themes and “American exceptionalism.” Policy & Access: A new analysis warns nearly 1.2M children under 6 were uninsured in 2024, with coverage losses since 2022—raising concerns as Medicaid cuts loom. Local Education & Community: Nazareth’s grant and Teach PA’s “Jewish tax” security costs highlight how schools are adapting to staffing, safety, and access pressures.

Summer Meals Access: Loudoun County Public Schools is again offering free summer breakfasts and lunches to kids 18 and younger through July 31, with USDA Summer Food Service Program sites including Sterling Library and multiple schools. Food Supply & Schools: In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency is among the first recipients of the Good Food for Michigan Project, aiming to connect local farmers with schools, hospitals, and senior meal programs to serve more fresh Michigan-grown food. Reforestation Pipeline: The J.W. Toumey Nursery in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula—one of the last remaining U.S. Forest Service nurseries in the Eastern Region—grows seedlings shipped nationwide for reforestation. College & Campus Labor: University of Michigan graduate student workers’ union extended its contract after the prior agreement expired May 1, with no plans to strike while negotiations continue. Local School Safety/Policy: The U.S. Department of Education opened Title IX investigations into multiple districts, including Buncombe County Schools over restroom policies. Student Outcomes & Rankings: New Jersey placed seven schools in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities list, led by Princeton and Rutgers. Workforce Training: Iowa launched AMP’D Iowa, a $4.7M grant program to fund employer-led advanced manufacturing training.

Student Hunger Relief: With school out, Bucks County families are turning to USDA’s 2026 Summer Meals Site Finder, which lists about 40 free breakfast/lunch locations for kids 18 and younger, after local food insecurity data showed tens of thousands of residents—including thousands of children—struggle to eat. Higher Ed Affordability: The U.S. Education Department announced a temporary 1% federal student-loan interest rate reduction for eligible Direct Loan borrowers who meet specific steps like enrolling in auto-pay (and sometimes consolidating). Graduation Controversies: Across multiple states, graduation ceremonies have sparked national attention after students were cut off or interrupted during speeches, turning local disputes into viral moments. K-12 Outcomes in Texas: Texas STAAR results show improvement across subjects, while new reporting highlights how many students in several districts still aren’t on track for college readiness. Local Enrollment Snapshots (NY): New York district data continues to track shifting student demographics, including changes in Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, multiracial, and American Indian/Alaska Native enrollment at specific schools. Freedom to Speak in College: England’s new university freedom-of-speech complaints system faces criticism for excluding students from the process. People-to-People Exchanges: U.S.-China relations coverage spotlights calls to make youth exchange programs longer-lasting and deeper, starting in high school and continuing through college.

School Meals Funding: A North Carolina explainer breaks down how school nutrition programs work like “restaurants” inside districts, relying heavily on federal reimbursements while food and labor costs rise faster than funding. Student Safety & Health: Douglas County (Kansas) launches free private-well water testing to check nitrates and bacteria like coliform/E. coli. Higher Ed Emergency Response: The University of Utah told students to shelter in place as a wildfire near Red Butte Canyon grew to about 200 acres. Tech & Campus Logistics: Notre Dame is winding down its campus food-delivery robots, shifting the company’s focus toward grocery delivery partnerships. Refugee Support & Language Access: World Refugee Day coverage highlights how translation and interpretation gaps block refugees from education and work. Policy & Youth Tech: A UK education-policy debate pushes for curfews on late-night “doomscrolling” for teens. Immigration Impact on Families: Commentary spotlights how detention and deportation can separate children from parents, with education and stability at stake. Community Celebrations: Juneteenth events in San Diego connect families through history, music, and local learning.

Student Aid Update: The U.S. Department of Education is boosting the autopay student-loan interest-rate discount to a full 1 percentage point starting July 1, but borrowers must enroll by Sept. 30, 2026 to lock in the enhanced deal through June 30, 2028. Federal Education Overhaul: The Department of Education announced it will outsource special education administration to HHS and shift civil-rights enforcement from the Education Department to the DOJ. School Choice & Immigration: Iowa denied an education savings account to a family with legal residency because the mother is on a non-permanent visa, even though the ESA law requires only state residency. College Readiness Pressure (Texas): New analyses of STAAR results show very high shares of students not on track for college across multiple districts, including Cuero ISD (82%), Arlington Classics Academy (67%), Shallowater ISD (73%), and Harmony Science Academy in El Paso (74%). Vaccine Safety Debate: RFK Jr. questioned a Wayne State professor’s removal of a vaccine-related paper, demanding a fuller explanation from the journal. Teacher Pipeline: Kentucky reports a teacher shortage with thousands of vacancies, while Eastern Kentucky University highlights efforts to train new educators.

Career Pathways in Action: In central Kentucky, former teacher Kristi Wright is now a school and community liaison for McDonald’s operator Burrell Family Restaurants, helping employees map first jobs or part-time work into college and career steps. Student Well-Being: New research finds elementary bullying is more likely in classrooms that are frequently disrupted or chaotic, even after accounting for students’ backgrounds. Parent Rights vs. School Policy: A federal appeals court blocked California from enforcing its “gender secrecy” law requiring schools not to tell parents about students’ gender transitions. Student Loan Relief: The U.S. Department of Education announced a student loan interest rate reduction for borrowers, including an auto-pay perk. Community Learning & History: Libraries and local groups are rolling out America 250 programming, including a 250-years exhibit and events tied to the Declaration of Independence. Higher Ed & Rankings: Two Northern California universities landed on U.S. News “Best Global” lists, highlighting research-focused global reputation. Campus Sports: Merrimack College launched a “Roadshow” featuring coaches to boost community engagement.

Federal Civil Rights: The U.S. Department of Education has opened Title IX investigations into three Michigan districts over transgender athlete locker-room and team participation policies, including claims about girls’ volleyball and shared locker rooms. College Access: A University of Michigan study says Michigan’s Tuition Incentive Program is boosting enrollment for low-income students by making tuition and fees more affordable, with researchers urging better outreach so eligible students don’t miss it. Student Loans: The Education Department will cut federal student loan interest rates by 1 percentage point for borrowers who enroll in auto pay starting July 1, 2026, as a temporary incentive. State Courts: Wisconsin’s Supreme Court struck down the state’s minority college grant program, ending a need-based aid program tied to race definitions. Tech in Schools: Oklahoma’s cellphone-free law is already being tested as Woodward Middle School officials say students are using apps like Xender to bypass restrictions. Local Education History: Garden Grove’s renamed Rosita Elementary honors the Palomino family, plaintiffs in Mendez v. Westminster, tying local commemoration to a major civil-rights school desegregation milestone.

College & Career Pathways: A new push in K-12 career and technical education is moving beyond “college prep” toward broader, skills-first pathways—aiming to give students practical experience whether or not they go straight to a 2- or 4-year degree. College Sports Policy: The Protect College Sports Act cleared the Senate Commerce Committee 19-9 and heads to the full Senate, setting rules around athlete NIL compensation and protections for women’s and Olympic sports—while the Big Ten and SEC signal they want changes. Native Education & Museum Accountability: Sen. Brian Schatz urged 15 museums and universities to speed up repatriation of Native ancestral remains and cultural items under NAGPRA. School Finance & Operations: A Vermillion school board approved a $300,000 transfer to cover general fund shortfalls tied to revenue loss and prior ESSER spending. Student Learning & Enrichment: Nebraska’s show choir camp brought 200+ students together for a week of intensive training and a public performance. Health Agency Leadership: A report warns U.S. health oversight is in a critical condition, citing leadership gaps at major federal agencies like CDC, FDA, and parts of NIH.

College Sports Policy: The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act cleared the Senate Commerce Committee 19-9, setting up a possible full Senate vote soon; it would create a federal framework for athlete pay limits, transfers, and eligibility, with Big Ten and SEC leaders warning they want revisions. Workforce & Career Training: The Pell Grant expansion for short-term job training is set to start July 1, 2026, aiming to fund fast programs in fields like nursing, trucking, welding, and HVAC. K-12 Career Pathways: A new push in CTE is moving beyond “college-only” tracks, emphasizing hands-on skills and broader career exploration. School Meals & Nutrition: The School Nutrition Foundation announced 2026 equipment grant recipients as USDA updates school nutrition standards to align with the 2025-2030 dietary guidelines. Local Education News: Scholarships in Indiana and welding equipment donations in Michigan highlight ongoing community support for student career readiness. Equity & Enrollment: New York enrollment reports show shifting student demographics at specific schools, including declines in some groups. Sports & Students: Women referees make World Cup history, and a U.S. Army drone team visited SkillsUSA 2026 to spark interest in unmanned aviation careers.

Federal Education Policy: Indiana won a Trump-era “Returning Education to the States” waiver that merges five federal K-12 funding streams into a block grant worth about $50 million over four years, a move supporters call flexibility and critics say could weaken accountability. Civil Rights & Special Education: Parents of students with disabilities warn Education Department changes that shift civil rights enforcement to DOJ and special education oversight to HHS could stall long-stalled bullying and discrimination complaints. Workforce & Child Labor: Michigan House Bill 5727 would eliminate the state’s youth work permit system, raising alarms from advocates who say it would weaken protections amid a national child labor crisis. School Safety: Nevada’s “School Zone Bill” doubles fines for violations in school zones starting July 1, aiming to reduce crashes that hit students. Student Well-Being: With 40% of teens reporting sadness or hopelessness, psychologists point to grandparents as an overlooked support. Higher Ed & Rankings: Murray State University earned national recognition in Colleges of Distinction’s Best Colleges 2026 rankings.

Federal Education Overhaul: The U.S. Department of Education continues dismantling itself, shifting special education and civil-rights oversight to other agencies, raising alarms for families and districts. College Readiness Gap: Texas districts report steep “not on college track” shares—Columbus ISD (83% in 2024-25) and Evant ISD (91%)—based on STAAR-linked readiness measures. School Desegregation Court Fight: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill says federal oversight of Bossier Parish schools should end after decades of compliance, asking a judge to dissolve remaining injunctions. Workforce Pathways: South Dakota highlights wind-energy job pipelines through technical colleges and employer partnerships, pointing to high-demand training routes. Student/School Data Watch: New York enrollment snapshots show shifting demographics at individual schools, including Hispanic enrollment changes at School 3 and rising Black enrollment at Powells Lane School. Campus Recognition: Oklahoma’s Stonewall Public Schools earns a Breakthrough School Award for measurable student progress. Education in the News Cycle: Ad Council’s “Spilling the Tea” series brings Gen Z-friendly history content to social media creators ahead of America’s 250th.

Special Education & Civil Rights Shake-Up: The U.S. Department of Education announced new interagency agreements shifting key responsibilities for students with disabilities and civil rights enforcement to HHS and DOJ, drawing sharp backlash from Sen. Patty Murray, who calls it an “illegal” move that abandons kids. Transgender Bathroom Access: A federal judge in Idaho barred full enforcement of the state’s transgender restroom law while a lawsuit proceeds, allowing single-stall options aligned with gender identity and limiting enforcement elsewhere. Workforce Pipeline: In Michigan, DSISD building trades students finished a new home through the Build U.P. partnership, pairing hands-on construction skills with real community housing impact. College Readiness Gaps in Texas: New STAAR-based reporting shows extremely high “not on track” rates in small districts like Nordheim and Woodson, with most students missing college readiness benchmarks. Campus Safety Tech: Thornton Township High School District 205 is deploying ZeroEyes AI gun detection as part of a layered security approach. World Cup & Daily Life: Coverage highlights how international fans are using social media to spotlight everyday American experiences during the 2026 World Cup.