Education Across the States

Sioux Falls presents its final enrollment count today — the number that sets state funding — plus a sixth straight year above the national ACT average, today's dual enrollment webinar, free public-university applications through November 30, and Rapid City's new visitor check-in.

Sources:

- Early enrollment count shows fewer Sioux Falls students than last year (Argus Leader, Sept. 15, 2026): https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/education/2026/09/15/sioux-falls-school-district-sees-enrollment-decline-across-grades-report/91774382007/

- South Dakota's Average ACT Composite Score Again Surpasses the National Average (South Dakota Department of Education, Oct. 14, 2026): https://doe.sd.gov/newshub/archive/HotTopics.aspx

- South Dakota ACT Scores Top National Average for Sixth Straight Year (KOTA Radio, Oct. 15, 2026): https://www.kotaradio.com/2026/10/15/south-dakota-act-scores-top-national-average-for-sixth-straight-year-rapid-city-s-d-south-dakotas-class-of-2026-once-again-outperformed-the-nation-on-the-act-continuing-a-six-year-streak-of-sc/

- Professional Learning Series — Dual Enrollment & Fast Track Admission, Oct. 26, 2026 (Our Dakota Dreams): https://ourdakotadreams.com/educators-overview/educator-webinars/

- Free Application Period for South Dakota Public Universities Now Through November (Rapid City Post, Oct. 9, 2026): https://rapidcitypost.com/free-application-period-for-south-dakota-public-universities-now-through-november/

- Rapid City Schools Launch New Visitor Screening System (KOTA Radio, Oct. 19, 2026): https://www.kotaradio.com/2026/10/19/rapid-city-schools-launch-new-visitor-screening-system-2/

AI Generated

Ohio chronic absenteeism fell to 23.9% in 2025-26, the lowest since before the pandemic, but remains far above pre-pandemic levels and the state's goal of cutting it in half.

Sources:

- Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Ohio School Report Cards released September 15, 2026, and DEW report-card release summary (chronic absenteeism 23.9%, down from 25.1%, equal to 3.7 million additional hours of learning; Ohio Statewide Attendance Dashboard launched summer 2026): education.ohio.gov

- Columbus Dispatch / Cincinnati Enquirer, September 28, 2026, 'Ohio chronic absenteeism lags well behind state goal. Can it be fixed?': https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/education/2026/09/28/ohio-student-chronic-absenteeism-remains-well-above-pre-covid-levels/91935176007/

- Ohio Capital Journal via The 74, October 2026, 'Ohio's Chronic Absenteeism Rate is Dropping, but Still Above Pre-Pandemic Rates' (district highs, Columbus 53.8%, Stay in the Game Attendance Network): https://www.the74million.org/article/ohios-chronic-absenteeism-rate-is-dropping-but-is-still-above-pre-pandemic-rates/

- Fordham Institute Ohio, 'Three ways Ohio can tackle its persistent chronic absenteeism problem' (report-card accountability proposal): fordhaminstitute.org — search: Fordham Ohio chronic absenteeism three ways

AI Generated

New Mexico's chronic absenteeism rate is falling — PED reports 38% in 2022-23 down to 28% in 2025-26 — yet an independent tracker still ranks the state highest in the nation, and students with disabilities and Native American students are absent at far higher rates, sometimes for therapies their own education plans require.

Sources:

- New Mexico Public Education Department, FY28 budget proposal news release (Sept. 24, 2026; chronic absenteeism 38% in 2022-23 to 28% in 2025-26): search EIN Presswire for 'PED proposes budget focused on student achievement, support'

- FutureEd, Tracking State Trends in Chronic Absenteeism, updated Oct. 20, 2026 (New Mexico 31.25% in 2025-26, highest among 22 reporting states): https://www.future-ed.org/tracking-state-trends-in-chronic-absenteeism/

- Legislative Education Study Committee, Bill Analysis for SB105, Attendance for Success & Excused Absences (57th Legislature, 2nd Session, 2026): https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/LESCAnalysis/SB0105.PDF

- Senate Bill 105 text (2026), amending the Attendance for Success Act, Section 22-12A NMSA 1978: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/bills/senate/SB0105.HTML

- Public Education Department, Bill Analysis for SB105 (Jan. 26, 2026; 2024-25 chronic absenteeism: students with disabilities 34.8%, Native American students 37.3%, statewide 29.7%): https://www.nmlegis.gov/sessions/26%20Regular/AgencyAnalysis/SB0105_924.pdf

- Las Cruces Public Schools midyear strategic-plan board report (chronic absenteeism 24% at 80th-day count, down from ~33%): search Citizen Portal for 'District reports midyear gains on literacy and math; board hears updates on attendance and school supports'

AI Generated

Montclair's board adopted one of New Jersey's most restrictive generative AI policies on October 14, 2026 — banned in pre-kindergarten through grade eight, teacher-authorized only in high school — while the state's own guidance stays advisory and its AI grant funds ten districts to do the opposite kind of exploring.

Sources:

- Montclair Public Schools, Policy 2365 – Acceptable Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (adopted on second reading October 14, 2026; first reading September 16, 2026), via Montclair Public Schools Policy Guide at montclairps.org — search the district policy guide for '2365'

- Formative Spaces, October 21, 2026 — Montclair Board Bars Generative AI Use in PreK–8, Limits High School to Teacher-Authorized Work: https://www.formativespaces.com/newsroom/nj-montclair-ai-grade-band-policy

- New Jersey Department of Education, AI Resources / Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Education Grant (AI Vanguard districts): https://www.nj.gov/education/innovation/ai/grants/

- New Jersey Department of Education, June 12, 2024 broadcast — Resources to Help Schools Use Artificial Intelligence for Teaching and Learning (advisory resources), via nj.gov/education

- South Orange & Maplewood School District, Policy 2365 – Acceptable Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (adopted July 24, 2025), via somsd.schoolboard.net

- New Jersey School Boards Association, April 28, 2025 — NJSBA Releases Model Policy on Using Artificial Intelligence in Schools, via njsba.org

- New Jersey Legislature, A5184/S4469 — requires boards of education to adopt a policy on use of artificial intelligence; requires DOE to establish a model policy (pending, not enacted), via pub.njleg.state.nj.us

AI Generated

Clark County trustees may open a rewrite of Regulation 5127 graduation requirements on October 29, FuturEdge Academy in North Las Vegas will close at the end of 2026-27 after the State Public Charter School Authority terminated its charter, and the Commission on School Funding finds Nevada cannot yet follow funding to the school level.

Sources:

- CCSD Insider, Legislative Alerts: Graduation Rules, Funding, and 2027 Bills (Oct 25, 2026), summarizing the CCSD Oct 29, 2026 Board agenda item 5.02 and Reference 5.02 proposed Regulation 5127 text, and Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau Document 34318 (Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education recommendations, Aug 18, 2026): https://ccsdinsider.com/articles/ccsd-legislative-watch-oct25-2026-graduation-funding-bills

- FuturEdge Academy Announces Closure Following Nevada State Public Charter School Authority Decision, Academies of Math and Science via GlobeNewswire, Oct 23, 2026: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/10/23/3387621/0/en/futuredge-academy-announces-closure-following-nevada-state-public-charter-school-authority-decision.html — family contact named in the announcement: Brandi Adams, [email protected]; CCSD board written comments: [email protected]

- FuturEdge Academy elementary and middle school profiles (enrollment, demographics, proficiency; source data NCES / Nevada Department of Education), Public School Review: https://www.publicschoolreview.com/futuredge-academy-elementary-school-profile and https://www.publicschoolreview.com/futuredge-academy-middle-school-profile

- W4NEWS, Nevada school-funding report exposes uneven public data before October 23 review, covering the Oct 23, 2026 Commission on School Funding agenda item 6 and the WestEd use-of-funds / academic-return presentation: https://w4news.org/nevada-school-funding-use-of-funds-roi-report-data-gaps-october-23-2026/

AI Generated

Missouri approved three recovery high schools to open this fall in Cape Girardeau, Kansas City, and St. Louis, the Blind Task Force has eight vacancies including two student seats, Kansas City educators get a second grant round through January 15, and the Public Placement Fund and early childhood special education reports are due October 31 with no extensions.

Sources:

- Missouri DESE, Missouri State Board of Education Approves Recovery High Schools Pilot Program: https://dese.mo.gov/communications/news-releases/Missouri%20State%20Board%20of%20Education%20Approves%20Recovery%20High%20Schools%20Pilot%20Program%20

- Vivo Missouri, Recovery High Schools in Missouri (model description and 2x sustain-recovery claim): https://www.vivomo.org/

- Missouri Charter Public School Commission, Vivo St. Louis Prospectus (Missouri Statute 167.850, fall 2026 opening): https://mcpsc.mo.gov/sites/g/files/zuston526/files/media/pdf/2025/05/SubmittedLOI-Prospectus_VivoSTL_25Apr2025.pdf

- Cape Girardeau Public Schools, Recovery High School Secondary Teacher posting, February 2026 — search postjobfree.com for 'Recovery High School Cape Girardeau'

- Missouri DESE, Office of Special Education News and Updates (Blind Task Force vacancies, October 9, 2026; FY 2027 Public Placement Fund, September 25, 2026; ECSE Final Expenditure Report; MOSIS October personnel files due October 31): https://oembed-dese.mo.gov/special-education/listserv-news-and-updates

- Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation, Educator Grant application portal (window October 1, 2026–January 15, 2027; first cutoff October 25, 2026; second cutoff January 15, 2027): https://apply.kcpsef.org/

AI Generated

Eight days before Kansas voters replace half the State Board of Education and choose the governor and legislature who must write the next school finance formula, a look at what the board can and cannot do, the funding task force fight over paraprofessionals, and a new federal apprenticeship pipeline for 361 special education vacancies.

Sources:

- KSDE news release, Oct 1, 2026, Kansas receives $4.51 million to expand special education teacher apprenticeships: https://www.ksde.gov/news-center/news-releases/2026/10/01/kansas-receives--4.51-million-to-expand-special-education-teacher-apprenticeships

- Kansas Reflector (Baya Burgess), School Task Force Wrangles Over Data, via KCN Online: https://www.kcnonline.com/wp/2026/06/04/school-task-force-wrangles-over-data/

- Johnson County Post, Oct 8, 2026, Olathe mom Amy Diediker makes case for Kansas State Board of Ed (District 3 Q&A): https://johnsoncountypost.com/2026/10/08/amy-diediker-kansas-state-board-interview-298076/

- Johnson County Post, Aug 5, 2026, Race for JoCo seat on Kansas State Board of Ed set for November: https://johnsoncountypost.com/2026/08/05/district-3-state-boe-293342/

- Education Week, EdWeek's Guide to the 2026 Elections — Kansas section (governor, state board, federal tax-credit scholarship veto override): https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/edweeks-guide-to-the-2026-elections-where-education-is-on-the-ballot

- Topeka Capital-Journal, June 2, 2026, Kansas State Board of Education incumbents aren't seeking reelection (five open seats) — search cjonline.com for that exact headline

- Topeka Capital-Journal, Aug 3, 2026, How K-12 school funding is a political issue in Kansas 2026 elections ($6B K-12, $4.9B general fund, ~$408M projected deficit): https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/08/03/why-k-12-school-funding-is-a-political-issue-in-kansas-2026-elections/90261001007/

- Kansas Legislative Research Department, Briefing Book 2026: Kansas School Finance System Overview (KSEEA expires July 1, 2027; task force report due Jan 11, 2027): https://klrd.gov/2026/03/02/briefing-book-2026-kansas-school-finance-system-overview/

- Ballotpedia News, Jan 23, 2026, These 2026 state elections will shape K-12 education policy (Kansas board 7R-3D, five seats up): https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/01/23/these-2026-state-elections-will-shape-k-12-education-policy/

AI Generated

Iowa chronic absenteeism fell from 21.6 percent to 15.8 percent in one year, a record Advanced Placement year in Des Moines, and nearly one billion dollars in local bonds on the November third ballot.

Sources:

- K-12 Dive (October 2, 2026), Progress to reduce chronic absenteeism slows nationwide — Iowa 21.6 percent in 2023-24 to 15.8 percent in 2024-25, national 22.6 percent in 2025, 50 percent Challenge averages 5.7 percent vs 3.2 percent: https://www.k12dive.com/news/progress-to-reduce-chronic-absenteeism-slows-nationwide/832029/

- The 74 (June 22, 2026), Iowa Declared War on Chronic Absenteeism. Now It's Gaining Some Ground — Senate File 2435 thresholds at 10, 15 and 20 percent, three-year 9.8 point Iowa decrease vs 5.9 nationwide, Des Moines 45.4 to 21.2 percent, Davenport 42.5 to 33.2 percent, Cedar Rapids 38.6 to 27.8 percent, 80 Des Moines referrals: https://www.the74million.org/article/iowa-declared-war-on-chronic-absenteeism-now-its-gaining-some-ground/

- Des Moines Public Schools (October 22, 2026), DMPS Students Reach Record Levels of AP Participation and Achievement — 3,993 students in AP as of October 1, 61 percent scored 3 or higher in spring 2026, up about 11 points in two years, 34 courses, five dollar reduced fee: https://www.dmschools.org/2026/10/dmps-students-reach-record-levels-of-ap-participation-and-achievement/

- ITR Local (October 21, 2026), Nearly 1 Billion Dollars in Local Bonds on Iowa's November Ballot — search itrlocal.org for that title for the district-by-district table including Hinton 8.6 million dollars, Fairfield 24.85 million dollars and Emmetsburg 25 million dollars; the live page may show a verification screen.

- Kirkwood Communiqué via Eagle Voice, Community to vote on 88 million dollar bond — search eaglevoice.com for that title for Kirkwood Community College's 88 million dollar November third referendum across 18 counties.

AI Generated

Florida's six-district pilot banned phones for the full high school day — the Department of Education's report and model policy, due December 1, could make that the statewide default, disability exceptions and all. Plus: the Division of Blind Services closes its 85th anniversary tour in Fort Myers.

Sources:

- CS/CS/CS/HB 1105 (2025) bill summary, Florida Senate (student wireless device restrictions, six-district pilot, DOE report and model policy due December 1, 2026): https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2025/html/3707 — also via Marion County Public Schools summary: https://www.marionschools.net/parents__students__and_community/community/florida_house_bill_1105

- Cellphone ban led to improved learning, attendance in Florida district (K-12 Dive, May 12, 2026, summarizing Education Next paper): https://www.k12dive.com/news/cellphone-ban-Florida-school-district-discipline-learning-attendance/819875/

- Bill banning cellphone use in school advances (Orlando Sentinel, Orange County reported 31% decrease in fighting and 21% decrease in serious misconduct): https://edition.pagesuite.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=decc0006-1332-4955-b010-5bfe36349f93

- Brevard Public Schools wireless communications device policy modifications (health monitoring documented through an IEP, Section 504 plan, or health plan; emergency access; front-office parent contact): https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4493/Bps/12202759-3422-43f6-855c-6a552706498d/Press-Release_Cell-phone-policy.pdf?disposition=inline

- Florida Division of Blind Services Celebrates 85 Years of Impact (Florida Department of Education via PR Newswire, October 1, 2026): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/florida-division-of-blind-services-celebrates-85-years-of-impact-and-a-future-beyond-limits-302896593.html

- Florida Division of Blind Services main page (founded 1941, services, Braille and Talking Book Library): http://dbs.fldoe.org/

AI Generated

Connecticut's statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban died in the Senate last spring, so the state is pursuing the same result through State Board guidance adopted August 5, 2026 — plus a purposeful screen time standard for the technology schools hand out themselves.

Sources

- Connecticut State Department of Education press release, August 5, 2026, 'Connecticut Releases Updated Position Statement and Guidance on the Use of Personal and Purposeful Technology in Schools' (bell-to-bell recommendation, grade-band guidance, disability and health care exceptions, Lamont direction to update the 2024 guidance): https://portal.ct.gov/sde/press-room/press-releases/2026/use-of-personal-and-purposeful-technology-in-schools — the guidance document itself, 'Personal and Purposeful Technology Use in Connecticut Schools,' is linked from that release.

- CT Mirror, Theo Peck-Suzuki, August 5, 2026, 'CT adopts new cellphone and screen time guidance for schools' (70/71/31 percent adoption figures via the guidance, 57 percent educator disruption survey figure, Meriden off-and-away policy, student board member Shepard Fisher, North Carolina grade-band source), republished by The Bristol Edition: https://bristoledition.org/2026/08/06/ct-adopts-new-cellphone-and-screen-time-guidance-for-schools/

- CT Mirror, Theo Peck-Suzuki, April 27, 2026, 'CT school cellphone ban passes House with bipartisan support' (House Bill 5035 House vote 117-31, district storage discretion, plan exceptions, local-control and enforcement debate, staff amendment failed 24-123), republished by The Bristol Edition: https://bristoledition.org/2026/04/28/ct-school-cellphone-ban-passes-house-with-bipartisan-support/

- New Haven Register via Government Technology, August 5, 2026, 'Conn. Board of Ed Urges Restrictions on Phones, Screen Time' (special meeting adoption, CSDE survey October 2024-February 2025 with nearly 100 districts reporting policies effective): https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/conn-board-of-ed-urges-restrictions-on-phones-screen-time

AI Generated