Education Across the States

The Blue Ribbon Commission was ordered to cut $250 million per biennium from Minnesota special education aid while maintaining FAPE — and unanimously told the Legislature not to do it. This deep dive walks through the charge, the enrollment and cross-subsidy numbers, each of the four savings recommendations in dollars (ADSIS, FIN 728 transportation, charter tuition aid, and Hold Harmless), the automatic default cut that follows if the Legislature does nothing, Saint Paul's $9 million-a-year exposure and its separate English learner vote due by October 30, Fridley's updated audit scrutiny, and the Permanent School Fund amendment on the November 3 ballot where a blank counts as a no.

Sources:

- Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education, Recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature, September 2026, prepared by Wilder Research for the Minnesota Department of Education: https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2026/mandated/261551.pdf

- Laws of Minnesota 2025, 1st Special Session, chapter 10, article 7, sections 7-8 (Commission charge and contingent cross-subsidy reduction), as reproduced in S.F. 4021 (2026): https://legiscan.com/MN/text/SF4021/id/3380121/Minnesota-2025-SF4021-Introduced.pdf

- Minn. Stat. 125A.76, subdivision 2e, special education cross-subsidy aid factor (44 percent FY2024-2026, 50 percent FY2027 and later)

- Saint Paul Public Schools, Superintendent Stacie Stanley letter to Governor Walz and Education Finance Chairs Kresha and Youakim, September 10, 2026, in the Commission report appendix (SPPS impact: $7.9 million FIN 728 and $1.5 million ADSIS annually from FY2029)

- Saint Paul Public Schools, Superintendent update, Immigration's Impact on Our Schools, October 12, 2026: https://www.spps.org/news-details/~board/superintendent-update/post/immigrations-impact-on-our-schools

- Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, SPPS delays vote on reducing English Learner positions to align with loss of 542 students, October 21, 2026: https://www.monitorsaintpaul.com/stories/spps-delays-vote-on-reducing-english-learner-positions-to-align-with-loss-of-542-students,181810

- FOX 9, St. Paul Public Schools board delays vote on midyear teacher cuts, October 2026: https://fox9.com/news/st-paul-public-schools-board-delays-vote-midyear-teacher-cuts

- Citizen Portal, Board hears district-level impact if state pursues $250M special-education cuts, Fridley Public Schools, October 21, 2026: https://citizenportal.ai/articles/11369092/minnesota/school-boards/fridley-public-school-district/board-hears-district-level-impact-if-state-pursues-250m-special-education-cuts

- MinneapoliMedia, Fridley Schools Face Additional State Financial Review as Overdue Audit Delays Recovery Plan, October 27, 2026 (reporting the Minnesota Reformer's account of MDE's October 20 letter and outside auditor): https://minneapolimedia.town.news/g/coon-rapids-mn/n/394461/minneapolimedia-news-fridley-schools-face-additional-state-financial

- Minnesota's Special Education Cuts: What the Blue Ribbon Commission Was Asked to Do, and What the Default Cut Means, October 2026 (analysis of the default cross-subsidy mechanism, per-pupil estimates, and Skeen v. State, 505 N.W.2d 299 (Minn. 1993) and Cruz-Guzman v. State, 916 N.W.2d 1 (Minn. 2018)): http://jvonkorff.blogspot.com/2026/10/minnesotas-special-education-cuts-what.html

- Governor's Office, Governor Walz Announces $20 Million to Build Minnesota's Special Education Workforce (Special Education Pipeline grants, 25 awardees, 150 joint recipients): https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-620868

- League of Women Voters of Minnesota, 2026 Proposed Constitutional Amendment – What You Need to Know (Permanent School Fund ballot language; blank ballot counts as a no): https://www.lwvmn.org/2026-constitutional-amendment/

- Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196, 2026 Constitutional Amendment (current distribution about $68 per pupil; proposed 4.5 percent of three-year rolling average, estimated about $101 per pupil): https://www.district196.org/about/elections-and-referendums/2026-constitutional-amendment

- Permanent School Fund Amendment FAQs: https://www.mnpsfamendment.org/faqs

- Association of Metropolitan School Districts, Connections, October 2026 (Blue Ribbon Commission final report summary, report released October 1): https://www.amsd.org/shared-files/14808/?Connections-October-2026.pdf

AI Generated

Six days before the vote, a full breakdown of Question 2 on New Hampshire's November 3 ballot: what HB 1300's school levy cap and SAU central-office cap actually do, the district math from Londonderry, Farmington, Concord, Bedford and Derry, both cases in on-record voices, why special education costs sit at the center of the cap, and why the polling math changes when blank ballots are excluded.

Sources:

- What is Question 2? New Hampshire's school district tax cap proposal explained (Seacoast Online / Portsmouth Herald, Oct. 27, 2026): https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/10/27/question-2-guide-new-hampshire-school-district-tax-cap-proposal/92219963007/

- What this Means: HB 1300 (Reaching Higher NH): https://www.reachinghighernh.org/content-item/552/what-this-means-hb-1300

- NH school leaders predict budget cuts under tax cap ballot question (NHPR via Manchester Ink Link): https://nashua.inklink.news/nh-school-leaders-predict-budget-cuts-under-tax-cap-ballot-question/

- Why NH's school tax cap vote could be closer than it seems (Boston Globe NH / New England News Press, Oct. 27, 2026): https://newenglandnewspress.com/why-nhs-school-tax-cap-vote-could-be-closer-than-it-seems/

- Protect Public Schools: Vote NO on Question 2 (NEA-NH, Oct. 8, 2026): https://neanh.org/advocating-change/new-from-nea-nh/protect-public-schools-vote-no-question-2

- Question 2 and Farmington Schools: NH HB 1300 tax cap analysis: https://hb1300.com/

- District Outlines Potential Effects of Proposed Tax Cap (Londonderry Times): https://londonderrytimes.net/district-outlines-potential-effects-of-proposed-tax-cap/

- A Guardrail, Not a Cut: How Question 2 on Tax Cap Brings NH Closer to the National Norm (Eric Pauer, Hollis Brookline News, Oct. 19, 2026): https://hollisbrooklinenews.org/a-guardrail-not-a-cut-how-question-on-tax-cap-brings-nh-closer-to-the-national-norm-p13092-300.htm

- Board warned HB 1300 could force multimillion-dollar cuts, citing rising special-education costs (Concord, Citizen Portal, Oct. 15, 2026): https://citizenportal.ai/articles/11219577/new-hampshire/school-districts/concord-school-district/board-warned-hb-1300-could-force-multimillion-dollar-cuts-citing-rising-special-education-costs-and-45-positions-already-cut

- New Hampshire House Republicans cite UNH poll showing support for school property tax cap (Granite State Times, Sept. 29, 2026): https://granitestatetimes.com/new-hampshire-house-republicans-cite-poll-showing-support-for-school-property-tax-cap

- New Hampshire Revised Statutes 126-U:8, annual restraint and seclusion report: https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/new-hampshire/nh-statutes/new_hampshire_revised_statutes_126-u_8

AI Generated

Mississippi's first forced charter closure: the authorizer board's own statement, the hearing record, the clean audit, and the December 31 deadline now facing 124 Canton elementary students — including what federal law requires for students with IEPs and Section 504 plans in a midyear move.

Sources:

- Clarion Ledger, Canton charter school faces closure after charter contract revoked (Oct. 27, 2026; carries the MCSAB press statement): https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/madison/2026/10/27/canton-charter-school-to-close-after-contract-revoked/92458228007/

- SR1 CPSA statement, Mississippi Votes to Close Its Top-Performing Charter School (Oct. 26, 2026; school's account, audit figures, hearing-officer summary, on-record quotes): https://www.sr1cpsa.org/post/mississippi-votes-to-close-its-top-performing-charter-school

- Mississippi Code Section 37-28-33, Renewal, nonrenewal or revocation of charter (revocation grounds and process; resolution and 10-day report): https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-37/chapter-28/section-37-28-33/

- Mississippi School Boards Association, 2026 Superintendent Search: Canton Public School District (enrollment 3,021, 10 schools, per-pupil expenditure): https://myemail.constantcontact.com/2026-Superintendent-Search--Canton-Public-School-District.html?soid=1134196935385&aid=9PlJc6ecNRE

- To verify the IDEA transfer rule discussed: search 34 CFR 300.323 transfer students comparable services IEP

- To verify the accountability context: search Mississippi Department of Education 2025-26 accountability grades October 15 2026 charter schools

- Mississippi Department of Education: https://www.mdek12.org

AI Generated

Missouri closed twelve of its thirty-four state schools for students with extensive support needs by June 2026, and this fall is the first semester at twenty-two locations — a full accounting of the vote, the verified reasons, the eighty-five percent of parents who said the closed schools worked best, the least restrictive environment case, and the replacement grant and cooperative promise that has no published funding line yet.

Sources:

- Missouri DESE, State Board of Education Approves to Reorganize Locations of Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (Aug 12, 2025): https://dese.mo.gov/communications/state-board-education-approves-reorganize-locations-missouri-schools-severely-disabled

- Missouri DESE, Recommendations Presented to the State Board of Education to Reimagine the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled: https://Dese.mo.gov/communications/news-releases/Recommendations%20Presented%20to%20the%20State%20Board%20of%20Education%20to%20Reimagine%20the%20Missouri%20Schools%20for%20the%20Severely%20Disabled%20

- Missouri DESE, MSSD Consolidations Info Page (family summary, Dec 2025): https://oembed-dese.mo.gov/sites/dese/files/media/pdf/2025/12/MSSD%20Consolidations%20Info%20Page.pdf

- Missouri Independent via St. Joseph Post, Missouri State Board of Education votes to close 12 schools for disabled students (Annelise Hanshaw): https://stjosephpost.com/posts/3a321cab-af2e-465a-87b8-cdd379097bc5

- Missouri DESE, Office of Special Education News and Updates (Oct 31, 2026 Public Placement Fund, ECSE Final Expenditure Report, and MOSIS personnel deadlines; Nov 3, 2026 finance webinar): https://oembed-dese.mo.gov/special-education/listserv-news-and-updates

- Missouri DESE, State Board of Education Selects Lisa Sireno as Interim Commissioner of Education (Oct 21, 2026): https://dese.mo.gov/state-board-education-selects-lisa-sireno-interim-commissioner-education

- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq. (FAPE and least restrictive environment)

- Understood.org, IEP basics and measurable goals explainers (plain-language explanation only, not legal authority)

AI Generated

Governor Gretchen Whitmer must decide by January 1, 2027 whether Michigan opts in to the new federal scholarship tax credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 25F — and this deep dive works through the October 22, 2026 five-governor letter to the Treasury Department, Attorney General Dana Nessel's constitutional concerns, how the credit and its scholarship granting organizations would actually work, Michigan's numbers, the cases for and against opting in, and the special education fine print: what a scholarship means for a student who stays in public school with an IEP versus a student who uses it to enroll in a private school, where federal law gives parentally placed students no individual right to the services an IEP guarantees.

Sources:

- Chalkbeat Detroit, 'Whitmer and other Dem governors seek clarity about federal tax credit program' (October 27, 2026): https://www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2026/10/27/michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer-raises-questions-about-tax-credit-program/

- Chalkbeat Detroit / Detroit Free Press, 'Michigan weighs federal scholarship tax credit: what to know about effect on public schools' (October 13, 2026): https://www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2026/10/13/michigan-weighs-federal-scholarship-tax-credit-program-schools/

- Citizens Research Council of Michigan, 'Will She or Won't She? Michigan Awaits Governor Whitmer's Decision on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit' (October 14, 2026, updated October 26, 2026): https://crcmich.org/will-she-or-wont-she-michigan-awaits-governor-whitmers-decision-on-the-federal-scholarship-tax-credit

- WCMU Public Media, 'Education advocates say Michigan should not opt in to federal tax credit for scholarship donations' (September 10, 2026): https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-09-10/education-advocates-say-michigan-should-not-opt-in-to-federal-tax-credit-for-scholarship-donations

- Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan), 'U.S. Education Secretary McMahon urges Whitmer to join federal scholarship program' (March 27, 2026): https://www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2026/03/27/michigan-education-secretary-linda-mcmahon-promotes-federal-tax-scholarship/

- Detroit Free Press, 'Opting Michigan into Trump education tax credit top priority for James' (September 2, 2026): https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/02/john-james-vows-to-opt-into-education-tax-credit-if-elected-governor/91576221007/

- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, 'Questions and Answers on Serving Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents in Private Schools' (34 CFR 300.137 — no individual right to services for parentally placed students): https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/qa-parentally-placed-private-schools-12-2020.pdf

- Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint (federal IDEA funding covers approximately 12 to 13 percent of costs versus the intended 40 percent): https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/michigan-special-education-finance-reform-blueprint.pdf

- To verify the proposed federal rules: search regulations.gov for docket REG-117199-25 (Section 25F proposed regulations, published October 2026; comments due December 1, 2026), and search the IRS site for 'Federal Scholarship Tax Credit' and 'Form 15714' for the state advance election.

- To verify the constitutional provision: search the Michigan Legislature site, legislature.mi.gov, for 'Michigan Constitution Article VIII Section 2' and read the 1970 text barring public support for nonpublic schools.

AI Generated

Kentucky's 2025-26 report card, released October 15, 2026, shows reading at recent highs, graduation at 94.1 percent, and mathematics flat — while the federal targeted-support list nearly doubled, driven in region after region by the performance of students with disabilities.

Sources:

- KDE releases 2025-2026 assessment and accountability data, Kentucky Teacher (Kentucky Department of Education), October 15, 2026: https://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/10/kde-releases-2025-2026-assessment-and-accountability-data/

- KDE 2025-2026 Assessment and Accountability Datasets (Open House data files, including the CSI, TSI and ATSI school list): https://education.ky.gov:443/Open-House/data/Pages/Assessment_Accountability_Datasets_2025-2026.aspx

- Kentucky students show reading growth, lag in math in 2026 assessments, Louisville Courier Journal, October 15, 2026: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2026/10/15/kentucky-school-test-score-results-2026/92105591007/

- How JCPS students performed on 2026 state assessments, Louisville Courier Journal, October 15, 2026: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/jcps/2026/10/15/jcps-state-test-score-results-2026/92105580007/

- Most JCPS students still fall short in reading, math despite small gains in new state report card, WDRB/WAVE, October 15, 2026: https://www.wdrbwave.com/2026/10/15/most-jcps-students-still-fall-short-reading-math-despite-small-gains-new-state-report-card/

- New Kentucky school ratings put JCPS near bottom, Oldham County among highest-performing districts, WDRB/WAVE, October 22, 2026: https://www.wdrbwave.com/2026/10/22/new-kentucky-school-ratings-put-jcps-near-bottom-oldham-county-among-highest-performing-districts/

- 15 NKY schools flagged for poor performance, LINK nky, October 22, 2026: https://linknky.com/news/education/2026/10/22/northern-kentucky-schools-report-cards-2026/

- K-12 Accountability Statement from Brigitte Blom, Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, October 2026: https://prichardcommittee.org/k-12-accountability-statement-from-brigitte-blom/

- 2026 SPP/APR and State Determination Letters, Part B — Kentucky (OSEP determination: Meets Requirements, 95 percent), U.S. Department of Education: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/KY-B-SPP-APR-FFY24.pdf

- To verify any school or district figure: go to the Kentucky School Report Card Dashboard (reportcard.kyschools.us), select the 2025-2026 school year, search the school or district by name, and compare the reading, mathematics, graduation, postsecondary readiness, and federal classification (CSI, TSI, ATSI) figures against the values stated in this episode.

AI Generated

A citizens assembly proposes that Connecticut carry the full cost of special education, index school aid to inflation, and pay for property tax relief with tolls and a high-income surcharge — plus Bridgeport's expanded thirty-five million dollar school funding package and the November sixth CHET Dream Big deadline.

Sources:

- CT Mirror (Keith M. Phaneuf), October 26, 2026, 'Citizens group wants tolls, tax on rich to finance property tax relief' — full text read via The Bristol Edition republication: https://bristoledition.org/2026/10/27/across-connecticut-anxiety-fuels-data-center-backlash-2/

- Connecticut Citizens' Assembly on Property Taxes (assembly site and October 26, 2026 final report announcement): https://ct-citizens-assembly.org/

- City of Bridgeport, October 27, 2026, 'Mayor Ganim and Council Leaders Announce Plan to Further Increase Local Funding to Bridgeport Public Schools': http://www.bridgeportct.gov/news/mayor-ganim-and-council-leaders-announce-plan-further-increase-local-funding-bridgeport-public-schools

- Office of the State Treasurer (Erick Russell), October 26, 2026 press release, 'The Deadline to Enter the CHET Dream Big! Competition Is November 6' — search EIN Presswire for the release title; entry details at www.chetdreambig.com

AI Generated

Two months into New Jersey's statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban, students and educators report more focused classrooms and a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll finds eighty-three percent public support, while the disability and health exceptions written into state guidance remain in force — plus Newark's enrollment window for next year is now open.

Sources:

- Governor's Office press release on the positive impact of New Jersey's school cell phone ban, October 22, 2026 (Cherry Hill High School East roundtable; law signed January 2026, effective 2026-2027; storage options; Rutgers to host the Social Media Research Center): https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/2026/20261022a.shtml

- Rutgers University, More Than 8 in 10 New Jerseyans Support the State's School Cellphone Ban, October 12, 2026 (Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, 1,004 adults, September 24-27, margin of error plus or minus 4.1 points): https://www.rutgers.edu/news/more-8-10-new-jerseyans-support-states-school-cellphone-ban

- Courier-Post, October 26, 2026 report on the Cherry Hill High School East cell phone ban roundtable — search courierpostonline.com for 'cell phone ban Cherry Hill High School East October 2026'

- NJDOE, Release of Updated Guidelines on Student Use of Internet-Enabled Devices, January 28, 2026 broadcast (bell-to-bell scope, storage options, and exceptions for an individualized education program, Section 504 plan, or health plan, translation, caregiving, and emergencies) — search nj.gov/education/broadcasts for 'Guidelines on Student Use of Internet-Enabled Devices'

- Chalkbeat Newark, Newark parents discuss picking schools for their children at district enrollment fair, October 27, 2026: https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2026/10/27/families-learn-about-school-options-at-newark-district-fair/

- Newark Public Schools, Newark Public Schools Continues Unparalleled Student Enrollment Growth (Newark Enrolls timeline: window opened October 24, 2026, closes January 15, 2027; admissions test January 22-23, 2027; match letters March 22, 2027; registration April 9, 2027): https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/press-releases/newark-public-schools-continues-unparalleled-student-enrollment-growth/

AI Generated

Iowa's Senate File 2428 rewrote classroom removal, return, teacher-training, and discipline-data rules for every Iowa public school classroom this fall — and built a special education compliance law inside the discipline law. This deep dive walks the whole statute: the disruption definitions, the grade-level return timelines, the escalation ladder, the oversight review committees, the new read-and-sign and meeting duties for teachers of students with IEPs and Section 504 plans, the unchanged federal floor, and the two-district behavior pilot.

Sources:

- Senate File 2428, enrolled bill, Iowa General Assembly (began as Senate File 2044); House Republican staff analysis, April 29, 2026

- Iowa Code sections 279.65B, 256.9, 256.11, 256.20, 256E.7, and 708.1

- Iowa Department of Education, frequently asked questions on Senate File 2428

- Disability Rights Iowa, family guide to Senate File 2428

- Black Iowa News, family guide to Senate File 2428

AI Generated

New Mexico's accreditation pilot reviewed 830 schools — 252 Approved, 578 Approved with Conditions, none Disapproved — and PED's Sept-Dec support visits are now the test of whether accountability leads to action, with Eagle Peak Career Academy as the redesign example and Silver Consolidated's rise from 88% to roughly 100% test participation as proof that being counted comes first. Sources: New Mexico Public Education Department news release, 'PED connects New Mexico schools with targeted support to improve academic performance,' Sept. 14, 2026 (mailchi.mp/state.nm.us release-17288481; accreditation under 6.19.4 NMAC; NM Vistas ratings at nmvistas.org); SW New Mexico News, 'Silver Consolidated test participation rate climbs to about 100%, official says,' Oct. 28, 2026 (swnewmexiconews.com — search the site for Silver Consolidated test participation); Tri-City Record, 'A new mission takes flight at Eagle Peak Career Academy' (tricityrecordnm.com — search for Eagle Peak Career Academy); Albuquerque Public Schools right-sizing community meeting schedule, aps.edu (Highland High School, Oct. 29, 2026, 6 p.m.); New Mexico Secretary of State 2026 general election dates via NMVote.org (early voting ends Oct. 31, 2026; Election Day Nov. 3, 2026).

AI Generated