Education Across the States

A plain-English, section-by-section walkthrough of California Title 5 sections 3000-3020 — in practice section 3001's definitions (subsections a through v) covering access, nonpublic certification and contracts, qualified personnel, language, instructional day, health services, and specified placement — and how each definition changes daily work for California educators.

Sources:

- California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Division 1, Chapter 3, sections 3000-3100 — via California Department of Education, Special Education Policies page (links the official chapter text): https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/policy.asp

- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5, section 3001, Definitions (full text, subsections a-v, authority Education Code section 56100): https://www.casemine.com/regulation/us/642126983a8e192984b19afc

- California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (browsable mirror — search Title 5, Division 1, Chapter 3, section 3001): https://regulations.justia.com/states/california/title-5/

- California Department of Education, Special Education - CalEdFacts (850,995 individuals served in 2023-24; specially designed instruction at no cost to parents): https://www.cde.ca.gov/Sp/se/sr/cefspeced.asp

- Disability Rights California, Special Education Rights and Responsibilities manual, Chapter 3, section 3.1 (state eligibility aligned with 34 CFR 300.8; state criteria cannot be more restrictive than federal): https://serr.disabilityrightsca.org/serr-manual/chapter-3-information-on-eligibility-criteria/3-1-who-is-eligible-for-special-education-under-federal-and-state-law/

- To verify without a stable URL: search 'California Code of Regulations Title 5 section 3001 definitions' and open the Office of Administrative Law / Westlaw California Regulations result; search 'Education Code 56020 56035 definitions' on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov for the Part 30 definitions this section incorporates; search '34 CFR 300.4 300.45 definitions' on ecfr.gov for the federal definitions.

AI Generated

Michigan teachers are back in class as students for science of reading training as third-grade proficiency sits at thirty-eight percent, plus the five Wayne County school money votes beyond Dearborn and three hundred sixty MI HEARTSafe schools.

Sources:

- Chalkbeat Detroit / Detroit Free Press, Michigan teachers lean into science of reading training as scores fall (Oct 26, 2026): https://www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2026/10/26/michigan-teachers-embrace-science-of-reading-training-as-scores-fall/

- Governor's office announcement via Michigan Business Network, Over 8,000 Michigan Educators Completing Intensive Science of Reading Training (Oct 13, 2026): https://michiganbusinessnetwork.com/governor-whitmer-celebrates-over-8000-michigan-educators-completing-intensive-science-of-reading-training/ — Public Act 26 of 2026, FY27 literacy investment over $500 million, 8,019 LETRS completers, 4,371 participating as of Oct 1, 2026

- Detroit Free Press, 6 Wayne County school districts ask voters to approve funding (Oct 26, 2026): https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2026/10/26/voters-to-decide-on-funding-for-6-wayne-county-school-districts/92397855007/

- Battle Creek Enquirer, Michigan honors 360 schools for cardiac emergency readiness (Oct 27, 2026): https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2026/10/27/michigan-michigan-heartsafe-designation-awarded-to-360-schools-for-cardiac-readiness/92438968007/ — search Battle Creek Enquirer site for MI HEARTSafe 360 schools if link unavailable

AI Generated

A special grand jury's October 14 superseding indictment narrows the case against East Baton Rouge Superintendent LaMont Cole from five counts to three, with arraignment set for January 19, 2027 — what the original August case alleged, how Cole and his lawyers have answered, and the dual-signature contract safeguard his board adopted while he remains in the job.

Sources:

- Louisiana First News (John Walton), 'Superseding indictment issued against EBR Schools Superintendent Lamont Cole,' posted October 26, 2026 — the October 14 filing, the three counts, the Jacksons' charges, and the January 19, 2027 arraignment date: https://www.louisianafirstnews.com/news/lamont-cole-superseding-indictment/

- WAFB 9News I-TEAM, 'Superintendent of EBR Schools indicted in sweeping corruption probe,' August 5, 2026 — the original true bill and Cole's Metro Council background: https://gray-wafb-prod.gtv-cdn.com/2026/08/05/i-team-superintendent-ebr-schools-indicted-sweeping-corruption-probe/

- WAFB 9News I-TEAM, ''Just took care of us': Arrest warrant details alleged bribery scheme involving EBR Schools superintendent,' August 6, 2026 — the affidavit allegations, the forty thousand dollars, the nearly six hundred thousand dollars in contracts, and the November 1, 2021 to February 29, 2024 conduct window: https://gray-wafb-prod.gtv-cdn.com/2026/08/06/just-took-care-us-arrest-warrant-details-alleged-bribery-scheme-involving-ebr-schools-superintendent/

- WAFB 9News I-TEAM, 'Lamont Cole breaks silence on bribery indictment,' August 25, 2026 — Cole's denial and his account of the cited text message: https://gray-wafb-prod.gtv-cdn.com/2026/08/25/i-team-lamont-cole-breaks-silence-bribery-indictment/

- WAFB 9News I-TEAM, 'EBR Superintendent Lamont Cole asks to have indictment thrown out,' August 21, 2026 — the motion to quash and the Attorney General authority argument: https://gray-wafb-prod.gtv-cdn.com/2026/08/21/i-team-ebr-superintendent-lamont-cole-asks-have-indictment-thrown-out/

- WBRZ, 'EBR School Board votes to require contracts now be signed by both superintendent, deputy superintendent' — the unanimous dual-signature policy through July 2027, monthly compliance reports, and the extended contract audit with a final report due at the November 2026 board meeting: https://d3nqdp0e3r32g8.cloudfront.net/news/ebr-school-board-votes-to-require-contracts-now-be-signed-by-both-superintendent-deputy-superintendent

- East Baton Rouge Parish School System, 'EBR Schools Celebrates Employees for Decades of Service,' October 2026 — Cole addressing employees on October 9, 2026: https://ebrschools.org/2026/10/20/ebr-schools-celebrates-employees-for-decades-of-service-including-22-with-50-or-more-years/

- East Baton Rouge enrollment (about 39,320, NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25) — verify by searching the NCES CCD school district search for 'East Baton Rouge Parish School System.'

AI Generated

On November 3, Jefferson County voters will elect all five members of a school board that Senate Bill 4 shrank from seven seats to five — with a contested new map, two ballot names whose votes will not count, and a shrinking enrollment waiting for whoever wins.

Sources:

- Louisville Courier Journal, 'Amid concerns about new districts, can JCPS school board change maps?' (October 6, 2026): https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/jcps/2026/10/06/jcps-school-board-district-maps-louisville-naacp/91559651007/

- Louisville Courier Journal, 'See how JCPS' student population is changing amid enrollment decline' (October 21, 2026, October 1 enrollment snapshot): https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/jcps/2026/10/21/jcps-enrollment-decline-breakdown-maps-charts/92231779007/

- The Louisville Focal, 'Five JCPS board seats are on Nov. 3 ballot; 15 candidates joined voter forums' (October 20, 2026): https://focalnews.org/louisville-ky/politics/five-jcps-board-seats-are-on-nov-3-ballot-15-candidates-joined-voter-forums

- Kentucky Acts Chapter 154 (2026 Regular Session), the enacted version of Senate Bill 4 — verify by searching apps.legislature.ky.gov for '2026 Acts Chapter 154' or opening the Legislative Research Commission acts index for the 2026 Regular Session; sections 17 and 18 cover term endings, staggered first terms, and temporary assignments.

- Jefferson County Clerk 2026 Candidate Filings packet (revised October 2, 2026) and sample-ballot tool — verify by searching jeffersoncountyclerk.org for '2026 Candidate Filings' and 'Where Do I Vote / Sample Ballot'; District 3 removal and District 5 withdrawal as reported by Louisville Public Media on September 21, 2026 — search lpm.org for the September 21, 2026 JCPS board ballot ruling.

- KRS 160.290 (board general control and management) — verify at apps.legislature.ky.gov by searching the statute number.

AI Generated

Indiana's fifth literacy coaching cohort kicks off in four cities this week, pairing each school's coach with its principal — plus a new federally funded pipeline for principals, and a November sixth deadline to comment on how Indiana's new school grades line up with federal law. Sources - AIM Institute, 'AIM Institute Selected to Lead Indiana's Statewide Literacy Cadre 5 Coaching Training' (kickoff schedule October 26-30, 2026; 75 schools; eight regional specialists): https://institute.aimpa.org/who-we-are/institute-news/story/~board/institute-news/post/idoeliteracycadre5 - Chalkbeat Indiana, '2026 Indiana reading scores rise to above pre-pandemic levels,' August 11, 2026 (IREAD 88.7 percent, fifth consecutive increase, 95 percent goal for 2027): https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2026/08/11/iread-pass-rates-surpass-pre-covid-literacy-levels/ - Indiana Capital Chronicle, 'Indiana literacy rates improve for fifth straight year,' August 11, 2026: https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/08/11/indiana-literacy-rates-improve-for-fifth-straight-year/ - Indiana Department of Education, 'Transforming K-12 Education in Indiana' (September 2026; Literacy Cadre 41 schools in 2022 to nearly 770 served through Cohort 5; cadre schools up 2.3 percentage points in 2026, nearly four times non-cadre schools). To verify: in.gov/doe -> About -> Secretary Jenner documents -> search 'Transforming K-12 Education in Indiana.' - Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), University of Indianapolis, 'CELL Receives Federal Funding for 3.87 Million Dollar Indiana School Leadership Project,' October 2026 (SEED program; 30 current and 24 aspiring principals; through September 2029): https://cell.uindy.edu/news/2026/10/cell-receives-federal-funding-for-3.87-million-indiana-school-leadership-project - Indiana Department of Education, State and Federal Grants and Programs page (ESEA State Plan amendment; public comment October 2 through November 6, 2026): https://www.in.gov/doe/grants/

AI Generated

Governor Pritzker has not decided whether to opt Illinois into the federal scholarship tax credit launching January 1, 2027 — a dollar-for-dollar credit of up to 1,700 dollars per taxpayer for donations to scholarship organizations — and the advance election is due to the IRS by January 1, while teachers unions, private school advocates, and public school groups argue over who would actually benefit.

Sources:

- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker undecided on federal tax-credit scholarships (Chalkbeat Chicago, Oct 13, 2026): https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/10/13/illinois-advocates-split-on-pritzker-federal-education-tax-credit-decision/

- Education Freedom Tax Credit in Illinois: No decision yet (EFTC Credit, tracking U.S. Treasury temporary regulations released Oct 1, 2026; advance election Form 15714 due Jan 1, 2027, SGO list due Feb 15, 2027): https://eftccredit.com/states/illinois

- Catholic Conference of Illinois, New rules clear the way for Governor Pritzker to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program in Illinois (Oct 2, 2026): https://www.ilcatholic.org/new-rules-clear-the-way-for-governor-pritzker-to-opt-in-to-the-federal-scholarship-tax-credit-program-in-illinois/

- Stand for Children Illinois, Flipping the Script: Making Scholarships Work for Public School Kids (Sep 10, 2026): https://stand.org/illinois/our-stories/flipping-the-script-making-scholarships-work-for-public-school-kids/

- Illinois Policy, Will Pritzker opt Illinois into the Education Freedom Tax Credit? (billboard near Indiana border; four neighboring states opted in): search illinoispolicy.org for 'Education Freedom Tax Credit Illinois'

AI Generated

Act 264 created a temporary, independent commission to recommend one comprehensive package of Hawaii public school consolidations, realignments, or closures — and its final report, due by October 1, 2028, becomes final and binding the moment it is filed, with implementation required by October 1, 2029.

Sources

- Hawaii State Legislature, House Bill 2344, Thirty-Third Legislature, 2026, Conference Draft 1 (enacted as Act 264, Session Laws of Hawaii, 2026) — findings (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education graduate-decline projection; enrollment near 1961 levels with about 20 percent more schools), commission composition (seven voting members plus the comptroller and superintendent of education as nonvoting members), eligibility and exclusions, statutory criteria including specific consideration for students receiving special education services, the 100-day preliminary-report notice rule, county hearings, final report by October 1, 2028 becoming final and binding on filing with no further approval required, implementation by October 1, 2029, commission ending June 30, 2029, charter schools excluded, 150,000 dollars appropriated for fiscal year 2026-27, effective July 31, 2026: https://capitolwebsite.azurewebsites.net/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2344_CD1_.PDF

- Hawaii State Board of Education, Report of the Superintendent, September 10, 2026, Section B: Act 264 (Session Laws of Hawaii, 2026) — School Consolidation, Realignment, or Closure (department summary of the commission, its criteria, and its timeline, presented to the Board of Education): https://boe.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/gbm%5Fsuptreport%5F20260910.pdf

- Honolulu Civil Beat, Hawaii Schools Continue To Lose Students, fall 2026 (department-school enrollment of 147,656, below 150,000 for the first time in at least a decade) — search civilbeat.org for 'Hawaii schools continue to lose students'; enrollment figures also in the Hawaii State Department of Education Official Enrollment Count for 2026-27 at hawaiipublicschools.org.

AI Generated

Newly released text messages show Florida's education commissioner invoked the governor's wishes and proposed an October 14 reopening for Santa Rosa County after Hurricane Isaias, while the district held to October 19 — what the record establishes, and what it does not. Plus: one week out, 29 of Florida's 67 districts have a one-mill school tax question on the November 3 ballot, sharing it with a statewide property-tax cut that does not apply to schools.

Sources:

- Pensacola News Journal, 'Did DeSantis order Santa Rosa schools to reopen? Here's what text records show' (October 27, 2026; Mack-Barber texts and emails obtained by public records request; FDOE and governor's office responses; Oct. 19 reopening attendance figures): https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/santa-rosa/2026/10/27/texts-reveal-what-desantis-wanted-as-santa-rosa-schools-strove-to-reopen-after-isias/92377610007/

- School Transportation News, 'Hurricane Isaias Impacts School Bus Routes, School Openings' (landfall near Destin, Category 2, 116 mph Santa Rosa Sound gusts, all 36 Santa Rosa schools affected, board vote to remain closed until Oct. 19): https://stnonline.com/news/hurricane-isaias-impacts-school-bus-routes-school-openings/

- Santa Rosa County, Hurricane Isaias Update (School Board unanimous vote to remain closed through Oct. 16, resume Oct. 19): http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/m/newsflash/Archive/Item/2213?arcId=2882

- The Florida Trib, 'School tax proposals will share ballot with Amendment 3, prompting fears about voter confusion' (October 7, 2026, updated October 21, 2026; Duval 21 million and 88 percent to salaries, Polk first-time levy, Bernier voter-confusion remarks): https://floridatrib.org/2026/10/07/school-tax-proposals-will-share-ballot-with-amendment-3-prompting-fears-about-voter-confusion/

- WFSU Public Media count of 29 Florida districts with a one-mill levy on the November 3, 2026 ballot, as summarized at Formative Spaces: https://www.formativespaces.com/newsroom/fl-districts-voter-tax-levies-2026

- Broward County Public Schools, 2026 Referendum page (renewal, approximately 58 million annually, 73 million in compensation supplements, 393 school safety personnel, 224+ mental health professionals): https://www.browardschools.com/school-board/referendum-2026

- School District of Palm Beach County, 2026 School Referendum page (official ballot language, 50/25/25 allocation, ,000 average teacher supplement, 900+ positions, independent citizens oversight, July 1, 2027-June 30, 2031): https://www.palmbeachschools.org/about-us/2026-school-referendum

- Orange County Public Schools, You Decide — One-Mill Continuation (November 3, 2026 referendum, July 1, 2027-June 30, 2031, early voting October 19-November 1): https://www.ocps.net/you-decide-one-mill

AI Generated

Georgia's class of 2026 averaged 20.9 on the ACT, down half a point, yet beat the national average for the tenth straight year — on a composite that no longer includes science, while the SAT rose on wider participation, and with no official district-level ACT table from the state this year.

Sources

- Georgia Department of Education press release, "Georgia Students Beat National Average on ACT for Tenth Year in a Row," October 2026 (composite 20.9 vs. national 19.2; class of 2025 composite 21.4; subject scores English 19.9, Math 20.5, Reading 21.8, Science 21.2; science optional and excluded from the composite for tests taken beginning September 2025; GaDOE did not receive a school- and district-level score report from ACT), GaDOE press releases at gadoe.org; full text reprinted at lagrangeceo.com, "Georgia Students Beat National Average on ACT for Tenth Year in a Row," October 2026.

- Capitol Beat News Service, "ACT scores decrease," October 2026: https://capitol-beat.org/2026/10/act-scores-decrease/ (year-over-year comparison caveat; SAT mean 1031, up two points, math up four, reading and writing down one).

- Georgia Department of Education SAT release for the class of 2026, reported by Capitol Beat / Georgia CEO, October 2026 (mean 1031; evidence-based reading and writing 525; math 506; 59 percent of the class took the SAT, up from 55 percent): search Golden Isles CEO for "Georgia's Public School Class of 2026 Scored Higher on SAT."

- Marietta City Schools, "Marietta ACT Scores Climb as State and National Averages Fall," October 2026 (composite 22.4; science 23.7; reading 24.1; graduation rate 95.1 percent; SAT 1092): marietta-city.org district news.

- Cobb County School District achievement release and East Cobb News, "Wheeler leads Cobb school district in 2026 ACT scores," October 2026 (Cobb composite 23.0; Wheeler 28.0; perfect 36s; ACT declined to provide statewide school-level scores, per a GaDOE spokeswoman): eastcobbnews.com.

- Forsyth County Schools results as reported by North Atlanta Star, "Forsyth County Sets Record SAT Average in 2026," October 2026 (ACT composite 24.9; SAT mean 1195): northatlantastar.com.

AI Generated

Milford sets a goal of returning Ross Elementary students to classrooms next week and reopens Mispillion today, the complete Delaware School Success Framework results are due today but had not posted by this morning, and all five New Castle County districts lock in higher school tax rates driven mainly by the tuition tax.

Sources

- Delaware Online / The News Journal, "District hopes to return Ross Elementary students to classrooms," October 26, 2026 (superintendent's return goal and planned October 27 plan announcement, Mispillion reopening October 27, meal hubs with the Food Bank of Delaware, insurance meeting, fire marshal cause timeline, polling place moved to Mispillion Elementary, 311 Lovers Lane): https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2026/10/26/after-ross-elementary-fire-students-may-return-to-classrooms-next-week/92452466007/

- Delaware Online / The News Journal, "How much are Delaware school taxes going up? Find your district," October 27, 2026 (final residential and nonresidential rates, average homeowner impacts, and revenue totals for Colonial, Appoquinimink, Christina, Red Clay, and Brandywine): https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/education/2026/10/27/how-are-your-school-taxes-changing-search-new-castle-county-districts/92402027007/

- Delaware Online / The News Journal, "How your school taxes are changing in northern Delaware," October 26, 2026 (revenue-neutral reset rule, tuition tax definition and audit status, county about 81 percent through 2025 appeals and beginning about 1,500 appeals from 2026, delayed bills expected in November with December 31 due dates): https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/education/2026/10/26/heres-how-your-school-taxes-are-increasing-in-northern-delaware/92370601007/

- Delaware Department of Education / State of Delaware News, "Delaware sees continued progress in graduation and English language growth," September 29, 2026 (School Quality and Student Success measures October 20, complete DSSF results scheduled October 27, delayed from October 15 for data validation): https://news.delaware.gov/2026/09/29/delaware-sees-continued-progress-in-graduation-and-english-language-growth/

- New Castle County, Tax Information and Forms (FY27 tax bills due December 31, 2026, bills mailed in November, tax bill estimator): https://www.newcastlede.gov/232/Tax-Information-Forms — search New Castle County Delaware tax information forms

AI Generated