Education Across the States

East Greenwich High School fell from five stars to two in Rhode Island's latest report card — capped first by low achievement and growth for students with disabilities, then brought down by a five-point fall in English language proficiency — and the case exposes the twenty-student threshold that leaves small vulnerable groups out of the star rating in most years.

Sources

- East Greenwich News, October 14, 2026, 'EGHS Drops From 5 Stars to 2 in State Report Card' (the staged drop, students with disabilities subgroup cap at four stars, English language proficiency 86.8 percent to 81.8 percent, Diploma Plus decline, Cranston West and Cumberland declines, Barrington at four stars, Classical High School volatility, October 13 School Committee response, October 27 meeting for fuller plans): https://eastgreenwichnews.com/eghs-drops-from-5-stars-to-2-in-state-report-card/

- East Greenwich News, opinion, October 15, 2026, '2 Things Can Be True — What Our School Ratings Are Really Telling Us' by a former School Committee member (the twenty-student counting rule, ten-to-nineteen published but not counted, under ten not reported, empty subgroup boxes in most years, the 2018-19 flag, the district's All Means All promise) — cited in the episode as argument, not reporting: https://eastgreenwichnews.com/opinion-2-things-can-be-true-what-our-school-ratings-are-really-telling-us/

- Rhode Island Department of Education press release, October 9, 2026, '2026 Rhode Island School Assessment and Accountability Results Show Gains in Math, Steadiness in Reading, and Continued Progress in Closing Achievement Gaps' (fifty-six percent of schools at three stars or more, sixty-six percent of elementary schools, accountability indicators, first joint release of assessment and accountability results): https://ride.ri.gov/press-releases/2026-rhode-island-school-assessment-and-accountability-results-show-gains-math-steadiness-reading-and-continued-progress-closing — full ratings are on RIDE's Report Card Portal, reportcard.ride.ri.gov, linked from that release.

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North Carolina has adopted new math standards that end the required Math Three course and let students choose two of their four math credits, while a nearly four million dollar federal Skills for the Future grant starting this month will let six thousand students earn a Future-Ready Transcript proving durable skills alongside their grades.

Sources:

- The Daily Tar Heel, N.C. State Board of Education alters math requirements, gives students more choices (2026): https://dailytarheel.com/484711/city-state/city-north-carolina-new-math-standards/

- EdNC, State Board discusses legislative priorities, increasing teacher pay (Oct. 2, 2026; Board adopted the proposed 2026 K-12 Mathematics Standard Course of Study, implementation beginning 2028-29): https://www.ednc.org/10-2-2026-state-board-discusses-legislative-agenda-updates-on-cms-epp-accountability-and-more/

- NC Department of Public Instruction, NCDPI Awarded Nearly $4 Million to Help Students Show the Skills That Matter After Graduation (Sep. 14, 2026; $3,990,756 award, October 2026 through September 2029, pilot and cohort figures): https://www.dpi.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/09/14/ncdpi-awarded-nearly-4-million-help-students-show-skills-matter-after-graduation

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New York will pay aspiring teachers to learn the job in high-need schools under a new eight point four million dollar federal grant, with a first-of-its-kind principal apprenticeship pilot, while the free state university application window for seniors closes November second.

Sources:

- New York State Education Department, New York State Education Department Awarded $8.4 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen New York's Educator Workforce (Oct. 2026): https://www.nysed.gov/news/2026/new-york-state-education-department-awarded-84-million-federal-grant-strengthen-new-yorks

- NYSED Personnel Shortage Projects (Bilingual Special Education / BSE Project): https://www.nysed.gov/special-education/personnel-shortage-projects

- NYSUT, NYSUT releases ready solutions to strengthen the educator workforce (teacher preparation enrollment down 42 percent since 2009): https://www.nysut.org/news/2026/january/teacher-prep-report

- New York State Assembly bill memorandum A03668 (state officials estimate up to 180,000 teachers needed in the next decade): https://assembly.ny.gov/leg/?bn=A03668&term=&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Votes=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y

- EdHubNY oral testimony, February 2026 (more than one in five teachers in high-poverty schools teaching outside certification; one third of workforce retirement-eligible within five years): Search: site:nysenate.gov EdHubNY oral testimony February 2026 educator workforce

- New York College Application Initiative 2026 (130+ colleges waiving fees; SUNY waiver Oct. 19-Nov. 2; CUNY through Nov. 16; last year 300,000+ applications saving $15M+): Search: New York College Application Initiative 2026 waives fees 130 schools Hochul

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One in three Massachusetts special education teachers leaves the classroom each year while students with disabilities have risen to twenty one percent of enrollment, and new state data put chronic absenteeism at seventeen point one percent — progress from the pandemic peak, with the widest gaps still falling on the students who need continuity most.

Sources:

- The Boston Globe, 'Really hitting our schools hard' — special education teacher turnover (one in three), students with disabilities eighteen percent in 2020 to twenty one percent this year, Bridgewater example, Elizabeth Bettini / Special Education Workforce Research Collaborative: Search: site:bostonglobe.com Massachusetts special education teachers leaving one in three

- Brookings, States face different special education staffing challenges that require targeted responses (SPARC research — movement into general education in Massachusetts, highest turnover in towns): https://www.brookings.edu/articles/states-face-different-special-education-staffing-challenges-that-require-targeted-responses/

- K-12 Dive, Special educator shortages demand tailored solutions, study says: https://www.k12dive.com/news/special-education-attrition-brookings-targeted-solutions/805609/

- Massachusetts DESE Student Attendance 2025-26, state profile (chronic absenteeism seventeen point one percent overall; students with disabilities twenty four point eight percent; low income and Hispanic or Latino twenty seven point three percent): Search: site:profiles.doe.mass.edu Student Attendance 2025-26 Massachusetts 00000000

- Mass.gov, Massachusetts Releases 2026 MCAS Results (chronic absenteeism declined to seventeen point one percent in 2025-26 from twenty two point two percent in 2022-23; ten thousand dollar grants to one hundred seventy five districts): https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-releases-2026-mcas-results-highlighting-areas-of-progress-and-new-supports-for-students

- The Enterprise, Brockton charter school beat attendance averages, October 26, 2026 (Foxborough Regional Charter ten point four percent; New Heights Charter Brockton fifteen percent): https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/news/education/2026/10/26/massachusetts-charter-schools-chronic-absenteeism-rates-foxborough-brockton/92270032007/

- Everett Independent, Pioneer Charter School of Science Reports Low Chronic Absenteeism Rate, October 14, 2026 (five point three percent): Search: site:everettindependent.com Pioneer Charter chronic absenteeism 2026

- BESE Board Documents, October 2026, regular meeting October 27, 2026 in Williamsburg (Item 3 graduation standards foundational coursework and postsecondary planning; commissioner evaluation vote; charter audit waiver): https://www.doe.mass.edu/bese/docs/fy2027/2026-10/

- Government Technology, Mass. Schools to Teach Students About Social Media Safety, October 14, 2026 (Safe, Healthy and Responsible Digital Life Grant, one point seven five million dollars, applications due November 9): https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/mass-schools-to-teach-students-about-social-media-safety

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Arizona is testing two earn-while-you-learn routes into special education teaching at once — a five million dollar federal apprenticeship expansion and a new three-year degree at Arizona State University.

Sources:

- Arizona Department of Education, Updates, October 8, 2026 — ADE Awarded $5 Million Grant to Expand Special Education Teacher Apprenticeships: https://cms.azed.gov/categories-post/updates

- AZ Free News, September 25, 2026 — Arizona Secures $5 Million Grant To Expand Special Education Teacher Apprenticeships (apprentice counts, retention, program structure): https://azfreenews.com/2026/09/arizona-secures-5-million-grant-to-expand-special-education-teacher-apprenticeships/

- Higher Ed Dive, October 8, 2026 — Can 3-year degrees boost the teacher pipeline? (ASU three-year elementary and special education degrees, Learning Policy Institute loan data, AACTE enrollment data): https://www.highereddive.com/news/can-3-year-degrees-boost-the-teacher-pipeline/832113/

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Vermont's preliminary 2025-2026 statewide assessment results show proficiency rising in nearly every grade and subject — math up in all grades, fourth-grade reading on a three-year climb — while proficiency gaps for historically marginalized students, already 30 to 38 points, widened again.

Sources:

- Vermont Agency of Education, Press Release: Vermont Agency of Education Releases 2025-2026 Statewide Assessment Results: https://education.vermont.gov/press-release/vermont-agency-education-releases-2025-2026-statewide-assessment-results

- Vermont Agency of Education, Fact Sheet: 2025-2026 Statewide Assessment Results (issued September 10, 2026; grade-by-grade proficiency tables, equity comparisons for historically marginalized vs. non-marginalized students, and three-year proficiency trends): https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-fact-sheet-aoe-releases-25-26-assessment-results.pdf

- Vermont Agency of Education, 2026-2027 Strategic Plan Implementation Plan (Read Vermont and Count on Vermont quarterly milestones): https://education.vermont.gov/about/strategic-plan/implementation

- Hardwick Gazette, Fifth grade test scores above average in small schools (October 6, 2026; local coverage of the same preliminary results): search hardwickgazette.org for the October 6, 2026 article title

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Montana's public charter school application window opens today and closes Friday at 5 p.m. — how the Board of Public Education decides, what applicants must prove under state law, and what the first charter results show — plus the push for dedicated school-safety funding and a statewide Safe Schools Center.

Sources

- Montana Board of Public Education, Public Charter School Reporting and Compliance Calendar, 2026-2027 School Year (official PDF, bpe.mt.gov): new applicant submission October 26-30, 2026, deadline October 30 at 5:00 p.m. MDT; January 14-15, 2027 approval/denial under 20-6-804, MCA

- Montana Code Annotated 20-6-804, Board of Public Education responsibilities (official statute text, archive.legmt.gov)

- Montana Board of Public Education, Public Charter Resources and Public Charter School Application introduction (bpe.mt.gov): Title 20, Chapter 6, Part 8, MCA authorizer role, charter definition, lottery and personalized/proficiency-based learning requirements

- Board of Public Education annual charter report to the Education Interim Committee, as reported by Citizen Portal: 22 operating public charter schools, 2024-25 assessment comparison, reengagement missions

- Citizen Portal, October 23, 2026, 'Missoula educators urge dedicated school-safety funding, back bill to fund UM center' (citizenportal.ai)

- Education Interim Committee provisional bill draft PD 0007 (June 11, 2026, docs.legmt.gov): Montana Safe Schools Center proposal, amending 20-1-401, 20-1-402, 20-1-404, and 20-1-407, MCA

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York rewrites its school closure plan — one elementary school instead of two, decided by voters over six years — while the school sports and facilities initiative that fell 532 signatures short of the November ballot heads to the U.S. Supreme Court on a signature-process question.

Sources:

- Portsmouth Herald / Seacoast Online, 'York schools pivot from two-building closure to one — Coastal Ridge now targeted' (Oct 26, 2026): https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2026/10/26/york-schools-shift-reorganization-plan-now-eyeing-coastal-ridge-closure/92377100007/

- Seacoast Online, 'York's $88 million school plan stalled — now officials plan to try again' (July 9, 2026; Harriman 11.4 percent enrollment projection and Coastal Ridge maintenance figure): https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2026/07/09/yorks-88-million-school-plan-stalled-now-officials-plan-to-try-again/90839928007/

- Public School Review, Coastal Ridge Elementary School profile (enrollment, staffing, proficiency, demographics; sourcing NCES and Maine DOE): https://www.publicschoolreview.com/coastal-ridge-elementary-school-profile

- Petition for a Writ of Certiorari, No. 26-490, U.S. Supreme Court (filed Oct 8, 2026): https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/26/26-490/428988/20261008170634902_26-%20Petition.pdf

- Seacoast Online, 'Maine Supreme Court affirms decision to keep transgender sports initiative off ballot' (July 13, 2026): https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2026/07/13/maine-supreme-court-affirms-decision-to-invalidate-trans-sports-ballot-question/90899145007/

- Bangor Daily News via Piscataquis Observer, 'Maine judge upholds decision to keep transgender sports question off 2026 ballot' (June 11, 2026): https://observer-me.com/2026/06/11/news/maine-judge-upholds-decision-to-keep-transgender-sports-question-off-2026-ballot/

- Maine Beacon, 'Bellows rules on illegal signature gathering, drops anti-trans initiative from ballot' (May 2026): https://mainebeacon.com/bellows-rules-on-illegal-signature-gathering-drops-anti-trans-initiative-from-ballot/

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Mississippi set a record for qualifying Advanced Placement scores in 2025-26 while participation jumped and the qualifying rate dipped, the new Student Advisory Council held its first in-person meeting, and the Ed-Flex public comment period closes today.

Sources:

- Mississippi Department of Education, 2026 Communications index (Advanced Placement release for 2025-26: 13,233 students, 18,934 exams, 10,305 qualifying exams, 54.4%): https://mdek12.org/communications/2026/

- Mississippi Department of Education news release, September 30, 2025, 'Mississippi students achieve record high qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams in 2024-25' (11,393 students, 16,145 exams, 9,155 qualifying, 56.7%; statewide AP credit policy, SBE core-area requirement, low-income fee funding) — search mdek12.org for that exact title

- Mississippi Department of Education news release, September 25, 2026, 'MDE announces 2026-27 State Superintendent Student Advisory Council': https://mdek12.org/communications/2026/09/25/mde-announces-2026-27-state-superintendent-student-advisory-council/

- Mississippi Department of Education, Student Advisory Council page and October 14, 2026 first in-person meeting summary (115+ members, seven research topics) — search mdek12.org for 'Student Advisory Council'

- Mississippi Department of Education, Ed-Flex application draft (public comment September 24 through October 26, 2026): https://mdek12.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/09/MS-Ed-Flex-Waiver-9.24.26-Draft-Copy.pdf

- U.S. Department of Education, Returning Education to the States waiver approval letter for Mississippi, September 24, 2026: https://www.ed.gov/media/document/mississippi-returning-education-states-waiver-approval-letter-114636.pdf

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Minnesota has opted out of the new federal scholarship tax credit for 2027 — its taxpayers can still donate, but its students cannot receive — while a twenty-eight member task force begins rethinking statewide testing and a state electric school bus grant round runs through December thirty-first.

Sources:

- NPR (via KTTZ), Can the new federal voucher program help public schools? Democrats are torn, October 20, 2026: https://radio.kttz.org/2026-10-20/can-the-new-federal-voucher-program-help-public-schools-democrats-are-torn

- Center of the American Experiment, Love it or hate it, the federal tax credit is law and the stakes for Minnesota are huge: https://www.americanexperiment.org/love-it-or-hate-it-the-federal-tax-credit-is-law-and-the-stakes-for-minnesota-are-huge/

- Center of the American Experiment, Federal rules help clear the cobwebs on new scholarship tax credit: https://www.americanexperiment.org/federal-rules-help-clear-the-cobwebs-on-new-scholarship-tax-credit-and-include-good-news/

- Minnesota Department of Education, MDE Convenes Task Force to Review Statewide Standardized Tests, Recommend Modernization: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDE/bulletins/42c53d7

- Minnesota Department of Education, Statewide Testing: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/test/

- Center of the American Experiment, Most Minnesota students miss grade-level mark in reading, math (spring 2026 MCA results): https://www.americanexperiment.org/most-minnesota-students-miss-grade-level-mark-in-reading-math/

- Minnesota Department of Commerce, Electric School Buses Grant Equipment: https://mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumer/energy-programs/esb-grant-equipment.jsp

- Minnesota Department of Commerce, Electric School Buses Grant Planning and Technical Assistance: https://mn.gov/commerce/energy/consumer/energy-programs/esb-grant-planning.jsp

- FOX 9, Minnesota nearing 400 solar-powered schools, 23 electric school buses purchased, October 24, 2026: https://fox9.com/news/minnesota-nearing-400-solar-powered-schools-electric-school-bus-oct-24-2026

- For the testing task force recommendation timeline (March 2027): Search: site:fox9.com Minnesota test scores task force March 2027

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