Education Across the States

Nine days before Election Day, South Dakota's governor's race is an argument about school funding, property taxes, and whether teachers stay — plus the state education chief's preschool skepticism, a record crowd of future teachers in Madison, and a university presidency opening in Vermillion.

Sources:

- South Dakota Governor Voter Guide: Rhoden and Ahlers (The Digital Free Press, Oct. 25, 2026; based on the Sept. 28, 2026 SDPB debate as reported by South Dakota Searchlight): https://www.thedigitalfreepress.com/post/south-dakota-governor-voter-guide-rhoden-ahlers-property-taxes-education

- Department of Education report highlights standardization, preschool funding (SDPB, Oct. 13, 2026): https://www.sdpb.org/education/2026-10-13/department-of-education-report-highlights-standardization-preschool-funding

- Students discover the impact of teaching at DSU Educators Rising Learning Expo (Dakota State University, Oct. 8, 2026): https://dsu.edu/news/2026/10/educators-rising-2026-recap.html

- USD president Sheila Gestring announces retirement (SDPB, Oct. 14, 2026): https://www.sdpb.org/education/2026-10-14/usd-president-sheila-gestring-announces-retirement

- Education secretary says state accountability data delayed (Citizen Portal, 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

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Teacher vacancies in South Carolina fell by a third, from one thousand forty-three to seven hundred six — but the state's own critical need list shows the remaining shortage concentrated in middle school and special education, plus a cybersecurity notice districts are still waiting on.

Sources:

- CERRA educator supply and demand report via WIS News 10 reporting summarized by Palmetto Promise Institute, 'Alternative certification program aims to help fill South Carolina teacher vacancies': https://palmettopromise.org/alternative-certification-program-aims-to-help-fill-south-carolina-teacher-vacancies/

- South Carolina Department of Education, Identification of Critical Need Subject Areas for 2026-27: https://ed.sc.gov/educators/recruitment-and-recognition/critical-need-areas/26-27-sub/

- South Carolina Department of Education situational awareness notice on the Frontline Education cybersecurity incident (reported Oct 2, 2026), via WYFF News 4 / LA Post: https://www.lapost.com/content/information-released-about-cybersecurity-incident-involving-south-carolina-schools

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Pennsylvania still has not decided whether to opt in to the new federal scholarship tax credit — a one thousand seven hundred dollar credit that launches January first — even though the state's advance election is due January first and the governor has promised an announcement in the next few weeks.

Sources:

- Chalkbeat Philadelphia, October 15, 2026, 'Shapiro faces mounting pressure to opt Pennsylvania into federal education tax credits' (31 states in; debate quotes; 17-organization opposition letter; Williams and Keisha Jordan comments): https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2026/10/15/shapiro-facing-pressure-to-opt-in-to-trump-education-tax-credit-program/

- Chalkbeat / Spotlight PA, October 2, 2026, Pennsylvania governor's race education voter guide (EITC/OSTC combined cap 680 million dollars, up from 465 million in 2022; Garrity would raise EITC cap by 60 million dollars): https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2026/10/02/pennsylvania-governors-race-josh-shapiro-stacy-garrity-education-voter-guide/

- Erie Times-News / USA Today Network, September 4, 2026, 'Why Shapiro hasn't decided on a new federal scholarship program' (program uses, 300 percent of area median income, EdChoice 368,000 dollar Pennsylvania ceiling, cross-state giving): https://www.goerie.com/story/news/education/2026/09/04/pennsylvania-federal-scholarship-program-decision/91567471007/

- U.S. Treasury / IRS proposed and temporary regulations, October 1, 2026, as reported in the October 1, 2026 Newsfile release 'Treasury Guidance Provides New Clarity for Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit' (1,700 dollar credit, 3,400 dollars married joint, advance election on or before January 1, 2027, SGO list by February 15, 2027) — search: Treasury IRS Education Freedom Tax Credit temporary regulations October 1 2026 advance election January 1 2027

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Silver Rail Elementary enters a second week with no classes and no return date — restoration is underway, supports run on dated windows, and the district is precise about what security actually looks like now — while Oregon's statewide test scores rise for a second straight year.

Sources:

- Bend-La Pine Schools Silver Rail information hub, October 22 notice and October 23 restoration update (no school October 26–30; no return decision; restoration began October 20): https://www.blschools.org

- Oregon Public Broadcasting, October 23, 2026 interview with the father who intervened, and OPB reporting on the October 21 return at other district schools: https://www.opb.org

- NewsCubby briefing, October 24, 2026, summarizing the Bend Police and district updates and Deschutes County support notice: https://www.newscubby.com/briefings/bend-father-kaylub-giamanco-interview-aftermath-october-24-2026

- That Oregon Life, October 24, 2026, Kindness Matters fundraiser for Silver Rail Elementary PTO (October 24–December 31): https://thatoregonlife.com/2026/10/silver-rail-kindness-matters-fundraiser/

- Newberg Graphic, October 22, 2026, reporting Oregon Department of Education 2025-26 statewide assessment results (math +1.4 points, English language arts +0.8, science +0.6): https://newberggraphic.com/2026/10/22/grade-levels-see-raises-in-english-scores-drops-in-math-science/

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Oklahoma's Education Department asks lawmakers for four point four billion dollars for fiscal twenty twenty-eight, but almost ninety percent of the increase is health insurance, and the superintendent who wrote the request is leaving office in January.

Sources:

- Oklahoma Voice, October 22, 2026, Oklahoma State Department of Education requests 4.4 billion dollar budget: https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/10/22/oklahoma-state-department-of-education-requests-4-4-billion-budget/

- Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, New literacy law brings science-of-reading training to hundreds of Oklahoma teachers (Senate Bill 1778, Strong Readers Act, 449 teachers, 93 percent completion): https://ocpathink.org/post/independent-journalism/new-literacy-law-brings-science-of-reading-training-to-hundreds-of-oklahoma-teachers

- Oklahoma Voice, October 16, 2026, Oklahoma state superintendent candidates seek more unified approach to education (early voting October 28-31, Election Day November 3): https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/10/16/oklahoma-state-superintendent-candidates-seek-more-unified-approach-to-education/

- Early voting hours: Search elections.mytimetovote.com Oklahoma 2026 elections dates and voting deadlines for October 28-31 early voting hours and November 3 deadlines

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Nine days before the November 3 election, North Dakota voters face three school questions with three different bars: Measure 1, which needs a simple majority to impose a sixty percent rule on future constitutional amendments; Fargo's excess mill levy renewal, a grow-or-freeze decision on general fund revenue; and Center-Stanton's building levy, where a forty-eight-year-old coal boiler needs sixty percent — plus a West Fargo annexation petition in Cass County.

Sources:

- North Dakota Secretary of State, Constitutional Measure No. 1 official ballot language (House Concurrent Resolution No. 3003), https://sos.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/elections/measures/ballot-language-2026-general-measure1.pdf

- North Dakota Secretary of State, Ballot Measure Guide Sent to Voters Ahead of November 3 Election (September 21, 2026), https://www.sos.nd.gov/news/ballot-measure-guide-sent-voters-ahead-november-3-election

- North Dakota Monitor, Some Measure 1 backers see it as a roadblock to potential abortion rights initiatives in ND (October 23, 2026), https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/10/23/some-measure-1-backers-see-it-as-a-roadblock-to-potential-abortion-rights-initiatives-in-nd/

- North Dakota Monitor, Advocates make case against measure to raise constitutional amendment threshold (October 21, 2026), https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/10/21/advocates-make-case-against-measure-to-raise-constitutional-amendment-threshold/

- North Dakota Monitor, 60% threshold for changing North Dakota's constitution debated as a protection or a barrier (October 19, 2026), https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/10/19/60-threshold-for-changing-north-dakotas-constitution-debated-as-a-protection-or-a-barrier/

- Fargo Public Schools, Vote 2026 Overview and FAQs, https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/vote2026/overview

- Center Republican via Central Nordak Publishing, Oliver County voters to decide CSPS' building fund levy increase (October 23, 2026), https://www.centralnordak.com/articles/csps-building-levy/

- Valley News Live / Flag Family Media, West Fargo School Board to consider annexation request (October 23, 2026)

- North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, North Dakota Guide to Annexations, https://www.nd.gov/dpi/sites/www/files/documents/State-School-Board/FINAL%20NDDPI_AnnexationsManual-PROOF3-FINAL%20updated%209.4.24.pdf

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Nine days before Election Day, 131 Ohio school issues are on the November 3 ballot at once — new levies, renewals, and a shift toward earned income taxes in Maumee, Sylvania, Pickerington, Strongsville, and Stow-Munroe Falls, and what a yes or a no actually does in each.

Sources:

- Howard Fleeter's count of 131 school issues on the November 2026 Ohio ballot, reported in Jan Resseger, 'Because Ohio's Legislature Has Abandoned Its Responsibility for Funding Public Schools, Voting for the Local School Levy Is Essential' (Oct. 15, 2026): https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2026/10/15/because-ohios-legislature-has-abandoned-its-responsibility-for-funding-public-schools-voting-for-the-local-school-levy-is-essential/

- The Pennant, 'Five Ohio School Districts With the Most to Lose on Nov. 3' (Maumee, Cincinnati, Sylvania, Pickerington, Strongsville; drawing on Toledo Blade, WVXU, WOSU, WKYC reporting): https://thepennantoh.com/p/five-ohio-school-districts-with-the-most-to-lose-on-nov-3

- Maumee City Schools levy campaign site (1.25% income tax; $1.6M in prior cuts detailed): https://www.formaumeeschools.com/

- Sylvania Schools official levy information (1% earned income tax with 1.7-mill property tax reduction): https://www.sylvania.k12.oh.us/LevyInformation.aspx

- Lucas County official ballot language, Sylvania City School District income tax and property tax reduction (Nov. 3, 2026 general election): https://icare.co.lucas.oh.us/LucasCare/content/Levy_Est_Language/2099_030900_0102.pdf

- Pickerington Local Schools, 'Board Reviews Financial Outlook, Projected Reduction Plan Following May Levy Outcome' (June 2, 2026; ~$3.28M Phase I reductions; FY29 deficit ~$19M): https://www.plsd.us/post-details/~board/all-district-news-post/post/board-reviews-financial-outlook-reduction-plan-following-may-levy-outcome

- Pickerington Local Schools, 'September 14, 2026 Board of Education Meeting Key Points on Projected Reductions' (no midyear CCP/elective cuts; reductions delayed to July 1, 2027): https://www.plsd.us/post-details/~board/all-district-news-post/post/board-of-education-meeting-key-points-on-projected-reductions

- Columbus Dispatch, Fairfield County ballot roundup (Oct. 20, 2026; Pickerington additional 0.75% income tax for 10 years after 1.25% defeated in May): https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/issues/2026/10/20/fairfield-county-ballots-include-issues-school-funding-asks/92261985007/

- Akron Beacon Journal, 'Stow-Munroe Falls to weigh school tax renewal on Nov. 3 ballot' (Oct. 24, 2026; $97 per $100,000, $2.9M already cut, Dec. 31 expiration, Oct. 28 webinar): https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/education/2026/10/24/stow-munroe-city-schools-seeks-property-tax-levy-renewal/92288864007/

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A State Board task force is leaning toward letting North Carolina teachers earn a full license without passing the licensing exam — qualifying instead through student growth or strong principal evaluations — while DPI data shows temporary licenses now supply the largest share of new hires and EVAAS growth scores cover only about half of teachers.

Sources:

- Carolina Journal, 'State panel considers dropping exam for full teacher license' by David N. Bass, October 25, 2026 — reporting on the Task Force on Educator Licensure and Advancement meeting of October 20, 2026 at NC DPI; full text republished by Sandhills News, October 25, 2026: https://sandhills.news/2026/10/25/nc-considers-student-growth-measures-over-teacher-licensing/

- EdNC, EdNews listing for October 20, 2026 (task force meeting notice, Room 150, NC DPI, 301 N. Wilmington Street, Raleigh): https://www.ednc.org/ednews/10-20-2026/

- Teacher Licensure Modifications bill text (Senate Bill 840 provisions, G.S. 115C-270.15 EVAAS conversion and G.S. 115C-269.15(a) repeal), NC General Assembly: https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewBillDocument/2025/8286/0/S840-PCS45507-DE-1

- Formative Spaces, 'NC budget eliminates Praxis Core for teacher prep, adds EVAAS pathway, eases out-of-state reciprocity,' September 12, 2026 (analysis of the July 2026 budget law): https://www.formativespaces.com/newsroom/nc-praxis-core-elimination-teacher-licensure-overhaul

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A Central Falls special education teacher became the nation's first Milken Educator of the 2026-27 season — this episode looks at the transition program, student-run food truck, and paid parent job-coach model behind the award, and what other Rhode Island districts can learn from them.

Sources:

- Milken Educator Awards, educator profile of Briana Jones (RI '26), Central Falls High School — subjects, 13 years teaching the transition program for ages 18-22, The Taste of Central Falls food truck, parent job coaches as a paid position under Rhode Island state law, credentials and leadership roles: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/briana-jones

- Milken Educator Awards / RIDE press release, October 21, 2026, 'Let the Celebrations Begin! Rhode Island Teacher Is First in the Nation To Be Named a 2026 Milken Educator' — via RIDE Press Releases at ride.ri.gov/press-releases (search: Milken Briana Jones)

- WPRI 12, 'Central Falls teacher wins national education award,' October 21-22, 2026 (only Rhode Island recipient this season; first in Central Falls history) — via wpri.com (search: Central Falls teacher Milken)

- Rhode Island Department of Education, Menu for Success food truck initiative page — just over $2.0 million from the School Building Authority Capital Fund, food trucks and supports for 16 districts; program first launched in Central Falls: https://ride.ri.gov/funding-finance/school-building-authority/menu-success-food-truck-initiative

- Ocean State Media, 'Why not now? Central Falls prepares to reclaim its schools,' August 10, 2026 — 35 years of state control, return to local control July 1, 2026, commission recommendation on the city's rising funding contribution: https://www.oceanstatemedia.org/education-news/2026-08-10/why-not-now-central-falls-prepares-to-reclaim-its-schools

- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1414(d) — IEP transition planning and services beginning not later than age 16

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A new forwardED report finds New York City's highest-need, most segregated schools now spend more per student than its most privileged schools, yet the graduation and test-score gaps between diverse and segregated schools have widened sharply over the last decade.

Sources:

- Kirkland, D. E. (2026). Still Separate and Unequal: A comparison of student outcomes and opportunity in New York City's most and least diverse schools, 2023-24 to 2025-26. forwardED — reported in The Educator's Room, 'NYC Schools Still Separate and Unequal, Report Finds' (Oct. 23, 2026): https://theeducatorsroom.com/nyc-schools-still-separate-and-unequal-report-finds/

- Kirkland, D. E., & Sanzone, J. L. (2017). Separate and Unequal. NYU Metro Center (the study replicated).

- New York City Public Schools InfoHub: demographic snapshot, test results and graduation results (underlying data cited by the report).

- New York State Education Department Report Card and student/educator databases, data.nysed.gov (underlying data cited by the report).

- Chalkbeat New York figures cited by the report: parent-association fundraising disparities (May 15, 2026) and specialized high school admissions data (July 10, 2026).

- IntegrateNYC, Inc. v. State of New York, 2025 NY Slip Op 05870 (N.Y. Oct. 23, 2025).

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