Education Across the States

Wisconsin's third-Friday September 2026 count puts 80,047 students — 9.6 percent of publicly funded students — in independent charter and parental choice schools, up 317 percent in twenty years, while Appleton's final budget, passed October 26, shows voucher use falling locally and a levy rising on a voter-approved referendum.

Sources:

- Badger Institute, 'Parents increasingly want kids in independent charter and parental choice schools — but face obstacles' (Mandate chapter, October 2026), reporting the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction third-Friday September 2026 count: 835,147 publicly funded students, 755,100 district-run, 80,047 in independent charter and parental choice programs, program-by-program breakdowns, and per-pupil funding comparisons: https://www.badgerinstitute.org/parents-increasingly-want-kids-in-independent-charter-and-parental-choice-schools-but-face-obstacles-mandate26/

- Appleton Post-Crescent (Rebecca Loroff), 'Enrollment down, tax levy up after 2026 Appleton school budget passes' (October 28, 2026): https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/education/2026/10/28/appleton-schools-hike-taxes-amid-enrollment-drop/92442822007/

- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Licensing Notifications page — Educator Misconduct complaint and referral allegation categories posted October 26, 2026: https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/notifications

- To verify the Green Bay budget vote outcome: search the Green Bay Press-Gazette and gbaps.org for the October 26, 2026 board budget and levy vote; no published outcome was verifiable as of October 28, 2026.

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Memphis's elected board signs a $16.3 million custodial contract while a judge keeps the state takeover paused for at least two more weeks, Knox County puts small-school closures on the table, the TISA Review Committee votes on its 2026 funding report today, and three candidates for governor say they would defund vouchers. Sources: Chalkbeat Tennessee, Oct 28, 2026, Memphis school board rehires custodial company flagged in state forensic audit (https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/10/28/memphis-school-board-rehires-custodial-company-flagged-in-state-forensic-audit/); The Commercial Appeal, Oct 28, 2026, Shelby County Commission votes 4-8 to stay in the takeover lawsuit (https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/education/2026/10/28/memphis-schools-takeover-lawsuit-shelby-county/92384961007/); reporting Oct 27, 2026 on Chancellor Jenkins's pause clarification — search Daily Memphian / Memphis news for 'MSCS takeover paused two weeks Jenkins October 27'; WVLT, Oct 28, 2026, Knox County Schools eyes small school closures and budget cuts (https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/10/28/knox-county-schools-looks-closures-job-cuts-reduce-costs/); Tennessee State Board of Education TISA Review Committee meeting agenda, Oct 28, 2026, 9:30-11:00 AM CT — search tn.gov State Board meetings for TISA Review Committee October 28 2026; Tennessee Comptroller OREA, TISA first-year implementation report, Appendix M on the TISA review committee and the November 1 annual report (TCA 49-3-113); MTSU Sidelines, Oct 28, 2026, gubernatorial forum on vouchers and HOPE (https://mtsusidelines.com/2026/10/28/we-need-to-adjust-gubernatorial-candidates-demand-defund-of-state-voucher-program/).

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A new Moore School of Business and South Carolina Department of Education report prices the state's Drive to 75 proficiency goal at up to $207.9 billion in economic activity over 35 years — what the numbers mean, how they were modeled, and what would have to be true for them to become real.

Sources:

- SCDE, USC Moore School of Business Release Landmark Report Linking Student Achievement and Economic Growth (SCDE news release, October 27, 2026): https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/news-releases/scde-usc-moore-school-of-business-release-landmark-report-linking-student-achievement-and-economic-growth/

- The Economic Impact of Improving Student Performance in South Carolina, Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, USC Moore School of Business (summary linked from the SCDE release at https://ed.sc.gov/data/research-agenda/sde-eis-summary-results-2026/)

- Education Freedom Tax Credit Study Committee Meeting notice (SCDE, October 28, 2026; meeting October 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.): https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/news-releases/education-freedom-tax-credit-study-committee-meeting/

- 2026 South Carolina School Report Cards coverage (SCDE / South Carolina Daily Gazette via Greenville Business Magazine, October 13, 2026) for current reading and math proficiency context

AI Generated

A TEA rule that took effect October 25, 2026 (19 TAC Section 105.1011) now bars charter holders with unacceptable academic or below-satisfactory financial ratings in the two preceding school years from state facilities aid — the new HB 2 formula, the exact rating thresholds, the Not Rated and disaster protections, and the annual real-estate certification, with the first test at TEA's settle-up determination.

Sources:

- Texas Education Agency, proposed repeal and new 19 TAC Section 105.1011, Additional State Aid for Open-Enrollment Charter School Facilities (background: HB 2 amended Texas Education Code Section 12.106(d) repealing the 60 million dollar cap and setting the lesser-of formula with the basic allotment multiplied by 0.06; Section 12.106(e) two-year ineligibility; Section 12.106(e-2) annual real-estate certification; rule text defining unacceptable as an overall score below 60 / an F / a qualifying D and below-satisfactory financial as a score below 70 or substandard achievement): https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/commissioner-rules-tac/coe-proposed/26-04-105-1011.pdf

- The Texas Dispatch, New Texas Rule Withholds Charter School Facilities Aid From Schools With Failing Ratings, October 26, 2026 (rule effective October 25, adopted rule published in the October 23 Texas Register, filed October 5, Not Rated revision after Texas Public Charter Schools Association comment, updated-estimate flexibility, unnamed administrator fairness comment, no charter named as losing aid): https://thetexasdispatch.com/tea-rule-charter-school-facilities-aid-failing-ratings-oct-25/

- House Bill 2, 89th Texas Legislature (2025), bill text and analyses via Texas Capitol / LegiScan (Texas Education Code Section 12.106(e-1) first-two-years and treatment-facility exceptions): search capitol.texas.gov for HB 2 89R Section 12.106

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Oregon names the recipients of its 35 million dollar annual State Summer Learning Grants for 2026-28, Roseburg's board could vote tonight on closing Fir Grove Elementary, and Salem-Keizer defends excluding academic performance from its six-school closure plan ahead of a December 8 vote. Sources: Governor's Office (Oregon Newsroom), 'Governor Kotek Announces Summer Learning Grants to Strengthen Literacy,' Oct 28, 2026, apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom — recipients of the 2026-28 State Summer Learning Grants, 35 million dollar annual investment established by House Bill 2007 (2025), ODE administration, competitive process, monitoring and performance-contingent funding, programming spring 2026 through September 2028, and the linked 'State Summer Learning Grant Awards 2026-28' recipient list. The Roseburg Receiver, 'Roseburg School Board To Consider Fir Grove Elementary Closure Wednesday Night,' Oct 28, 2026, theroseburgreceiver.com — Oct 28 meeting agenda and action item, Aligning to Thrive report (Sept 2026), enrollment, facility, savings, and reassignment figures. KYKN 1430, 'Salem-Keizer school closure proposal raises questions about equity and academic performance,' Oct 27, 2026, kykn.com, and KYKN Newsmakers At Noon, Oct 27, 2026 — six-school proposal, performance-criteria debate, boundary and staffing estimates, Cummings Elementary traffic challenge and advocate transport-cost analysis, Dec 8, 2026 vote date.

AI Generated

Pennsylvania's new law, House Bill 2474, makes hazing and aggravated hazing reportable to ChildLine by every mandated reporter starting January 20, 2027, closing the gap the Cheltenham grand jury exposed, and adds AI-generated sexual abuse material to the same duty.

Sources:

- PA House Democratic Caucus news release, Rep. Nikki Rivera, October 21, 2026, 'Rivera legislation protecting children from online victimization and hazing heads to the governor's desk' (House Bill 2474 text, ChildLine reporting duty, Lancaster 2023 and Bucks 2025 deepfake cases, 90-day effective date): https://www.pahouse.com/Rivera/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=145802

- FOX 29 Philadelphia, 'Pennsylvania passes anti-hazing law after Cheltenham High School football abuse case' (unanimous passage October 21, signed October 22, effective January 20; Haywood quote): https://fox29.com/news/pennsylvania-passes-anti-hazing-law-after-cheltenham-high-school-football-abuse-case

- Glenside Local, October 2026, 'Sen. Haywood's bill to add hazing to state mandatory reporting guidelines has been passed' (Baker amendment route, September 10, 2026 Haywood memo, October 27 Cheltenham High School press conference): https://glensidelocal.com/sen-haywoods-bill-to-add-hazing-to-state-mandatory-reporting-guidelines-has-been-passed-cheltenham-high-school-to-host-press-conference-on-oct-27/

- Glenside Local, October 21, 2026, summary of Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on Cheltenham trainings and policy review (Leigh Dalton review of 25+ policies, Mission Kids trainings, locker-room spot checks, student advisory sessions starting October 28) — search Glenside Local for 'Cheltenham students, staff are undergoing a variety of trainings'

- MontCo Today / CBS News reporting on the Montgomery County grand jury (August 15 and September 3, 2025 assaults, coaches' internal handling, charges) — search 'Cheltenham Hazing Could Lead to Stronger Student-Protection' on montco.today

- FOX 29 Philadelphia, 'Penn Wood High School reinstates several fall sports after athletic investigation' (William Penn School District October 19, 2026 athletics update; football remains suspended; Grand River Solutions) — search fox29.com for 'Penn Wood High School reinstates several fall sports'

AI Generated

Oklahoma lost a net 199 child care programs from January through September 2026 — 311 closures against 112 openings — as a bipartisan interim study heard that early educators earning 11 to 14 dollars an hour, attendance-based reimbursement, and subsidy rates below the true cost of care are shrinking the system families and employers depend on.

Sources — News 9 / KWTV (Oct 8, 2026), "Oklahoma Lawmakers Explore Solutions to Child Care Crisis": https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-government-and-politics/oklahoma-lawmakers-explore-solutions-to-child-care-crisis ; Oklahoma Senate press release, "Lawmakers Bring Childcare Providers, Experts Together for Interim Study": https://oksenate.gov/press-releases/lawmakers-bring-childcare-providers-experts-together-interim-study ; Oklahoma Business Voice (Oct 14, 2026), "Oklahoma employers make the case for sharing child care costs" — search okbusinessvoice.com child care tag for the Oct 14, 2026 article; Oklahoma State Election Board (Oct 23, 2026), "Early Voting Begins Wednesday for November General Election": https://oklahoma.gov/elections/newsroom/2026/october/early-voting-begins-wednesday-for-november-general-election.html

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Watertown weighs building its own scholarship granting organization for the federal scholarship tax credit while Brookings weighs a partner, the state report card is scheduled for release Friday, October 30, and Sioux Falls families have until November 6 to weigh in on the $105 million bond survey.

Sources:

- EFTC Credit, 'South Dakota opens its §25F SGO application: a Department of Education form, due before December 15' (Oct 2026, with Oct 27, 2026 update citing KXLG reporting on the Watertown School Board special meeting of Oct 26, 2026): https://eftccredit.com/news/south-dakota-opens-25f-sgo-application-department-of-education-december-15-october-2026

- Citizen Portal, 'Superintendent urges study of federal scholarship tax-credit program; board directs talks with SGO partner' (Brookings School District, Oct 14, 2026): https://citizenportal.ai/articles/11028086/south-dakota/school-districts/brookings-school-district-05-1/superintendent-urges-study-of-federal-scholarship-taxcredit-program-board-directs-talks-with-sgo-partner

- South Dakota Department of Education, 2025-26 Accountability Technical Manual (Public Report Card Release scheduled Oct 30, 2026): https://doe.sd.gov/reportcard/documents/26-Accountability-TM.pdf

- Citizen Portal, 'Education secretary says state accountability data delayed; highlights reading, math gaps and reforms' (Oct 13, 2026): https://citizenportal.ai/articles/11306443/south-dakota/legislative/committees/interim/education-secretary-says-state-accountability-data-delayed-highlights-reading-math-gaps-and-reforms

- Argus Leader, 'SFSD seeks community input on $105M bond proposal via online survey' (Oct 22, 2026; survey open through Nov 6): https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/education/2026/10/22/sfsd-seeks-community-input-on-105m-bond-proposal-via-online-survey/92369307007/

- South Dakota State University News, 'Ness School to become Ness College at South Dakota State' (Oct 27, 2026): https://www.sdstate.edu/news/2026/10/ness-school-become-ness-south-dakota-state

- Our Dakota Dreams, Free College Application Period (Oct 1 - Nov 30, 2026): https://ourdakotadreams.com/exploring-colleges/free-college-application-period/

AI Generated

All 51 of Ohio's educational service centers earned the High-Performing ESC designation for the eleventh straight year, reporting 35.87 percent savings and more than 107.13 million dollars saved on five measured services — plus a 25,000 dollar Chillicothe preschool program whose early occupational therapy work its staff say cut later evaluation referrals. Sources: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, FY27 High-Performing ESC Application FAQs (education.ohio.gov, Educational Service Centers ESC Funding pages — search 'FY27 High-Performing ESC Application FAQs'); Trumbull County ESC release, reported by Business Journal Daily, October 28, 2026, 'Trumbull ESC Recognized as High-Performing Educational Service Center'; Ohio Valley Educational Service Center announcement, October 22, 2026 (ovesc.org news); Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve announcement, reported by Lake County Times, October 24, 2026; ESC of Eastern Ohio release (FY2025 comparison figures, 38.48 percent and 108.9 million dollars); Ohio Educational Service Centers Association presentation to the Ohio Senate Education Committee, April 14, 2026 (Ohio legislature search-prod.lis.state.oh.us submission, 'Educational Service Centers'); South Ohio News, October 28, 2026, Chillicothe school board report on the 25,000 dollar preschool fine motor skills grant (search southohionews.com for 'Chillicothe school board hears update on 25,000 preschool fine motor skills grant').

AI Generated

Nebraska earned the top federal IDEA determination, Meets Requirements for Part B and Part C, while its education department's hypothetical budget-cut list concentrates on special education, vocational rehabilitation, and services for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired — this deep dive explains both documents, the prior $18 million reimbursement cut, the finance commission's stability plan, and the November 3 bond votes.

Sources:

- Nebraska Department of Education, "Nebraska Receives Highest IDEA Determination from U.S. Department of Education," June 23, 2026 — https://www.education.ne.gov/?ndepdf=1&pdfnonce=501d105bd2&id=131766&type=pressrelease

- U.S. Department of Education, OSEP, 2026 SPP/APR and State Determination Letters, Part B and Part C — Nebraska — https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/2026-spp-apr-and-state-determination-letters-part-b-nebraska/ne-b-spp-apr-ffy24/

- Nebraska Department of Education, 2026 State of the State (special education) — https://www.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-State-of-the-State.pdf

- Nebraska Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council draft minutes, Aug. 14, 2026 — https://www.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ECICC-8.14.26-draft-minutes.pdf

- Nebraska Public Media, "Special education, services for Nebraskans with disabilities targeted in hypothetical education department cuts" — https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/special-education-services-for-nebraskans-with-disabilities-targeted-in-hypothetical-education-department-cuts/

- Nebraska Association of School Boards, 2026 Legislative Session Wrap (LB 1071 budget; special education reduction) — https://nasbonline.enviseams.com/docs/librariesprovider6/default-document-library/2026-legislative-wrap-up.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=1944d724_1

- School Financing Review Commission, Annual Report due November 1, 2026 (adopted Oct. 20, 2026) — https://www.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/SFRC-Report-due-November-1-2026_10.5.2026-DRAFT.pdf

- Nebraska Department of Education, School Financing Review Commission page — https://www.education.ne.gov/commissioner/school-financing-review-commission/

- Gordon-Rushville Public Schools, bond information and tax impact (Nov. 3, 2026 election) — https://www.grmustangs.org/o/grms/article/3148627 and https://www.grmustangs.org/o/grms/article/3197857

- Gering Public Schools, Notice of School Bond Election, Nov. 3, 2026 ($29,750,000) — https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Documents/DownloadPDF/375845?org=gering

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