Education Across the States

An honest deep dive into Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida — the seventh-largest district in the United States — covering its 2021 brush with a state financial takeover and the recovery since, a first district A grade in over a decade alongside stubborn proficiency gaps, the voter-approved teacher-pay millage and its 2029 expiration cliff, three school closures set for 2027-28, the state-driven library book removals, twenty-two Schools of Hope charter co-location applications, and the November 3, 2026 referendum asking voters whether the superintendent should be elected.

Sources:

- NCES district profile (enrollment, staffing, FY2022-23 finance): https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=1&Zip=33601&Miles=5&ID2=1200870

- Tampa Bay Times/Beacon, fall 2026 enrollment dip: https://www.tampabaybeacons.com/2026/09/02/hillsborough-school-enrollment-down-despite-early-prediction-for-gains/

- Tampa Bay Times, March 2025 mid-year funding cut: https://tbt-tbt-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/news/education/2025/04/23/hillsborough-county-schools-facing-18-million-budget-gap/

- Citizen Portal, FY26 millage and $4.407B budget adoption (Sept 9, 2025): https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6009508/Florida/School-Districts/Hillsborough/Hillsborough-school-board-adopts-202526-millage-rates-and-4407-billion-budget-citing-added-voted-mill

- Tampa Bay Times via Pineapple Report, 2021 state financial-crisis letter: https://pineapplereport.com/state-says-hillsborough-schools-in-financial-crisis-warns-district-to-act/

- FLDOE district grade release coverage, July 2026 (B to A): https://www.tampabaybeacons.com/2026/07/07/tampa-bay-school-districts-log-best-results-in-state-grading-history/

- allk12 analysis of FLDOE data (spring 2025 FAST proficiency; 65% of points): https://allk12.com/blog/best-school-districts-in-florida-ranked

- HCPS announcement, record 90.9% graduation rate (Jan 13, 2026): https://files.constantcontact.com/f528c3f4801/034acb95-25ec-423d-a1ed-99aedf8247b1.pdf?rdr=true

- FLDOE LEA Annual Performance Report, Hillsborough (IDEA indicators, June 1, 2026): https://origin.fldoe.org/file/7672/Hillsborough2026.pdf

- HCPS Charter Schools Office fact sheet (Sept 2025): https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5557/Hcps/03c85cca-bd96-47c2-bcbd-ef9ba857ff27/HCPS_Charter_Schools_Fact_Sheet_2025.pdf?disposition=inline

- HCTA 2026-2029 instructional ratification packet (compensation, millage MOU): https://hillsboroughcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Instructional-Ratification-Packet-2026-2027.pdf

- HMH/PR Newswire, Read 180 outcomes-based results: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hillsborough-county-public-school-students-make-major-literacy-gains-302879176.html

- K12 Dive / PEN America, 2025 book removals and state letters: https://www.k12dive.com/news/school-district-book-bans-rose-further-in-2025-26/832280/

- Publishers Weekly, Florida districts removing books under state pressure: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/98375-florida-public-schools-remove-library-books-fearing-state-reprisal.html

- ABC Action News (Tampa Bay 28), Schools of Hope board pushback: https://www.tampabay28.com/news/region-hillsborough/hillsborough-county-school-board-to-push-back-against-newly-expanded-schools-of-hope-rules

- Hillsborough Education Foundation, Schools of Hope explainer: https://educationfoundation.com/call-for-collaborative-solutions-to-protect-students-with-schools-of-hope-rules/

- Tampa Bay Times, April 2026 closure votes (Graham, Madison, Pizzo, Sulphur Springs): https://tampabaytimes-tampa-bay-times.cdn.zephr.com/news/education/2026/04/08/hillsborough-schools-closing-pizzo-sulphur-springs-k-8-graham-madison/

- Tampa Bay Times, four charter schools close (Aug 2026): https://tampabaytimes-tampa-bay-times.cdn.zephr.com/news/education/2026/08/05/4-hillsborough-charter-schools-close-amid-financial-enrollment-challenges/

- Tampa Bay Beacon, HB 4027 signed, superintendent on the ballot: https://www.tampabaybeacons.com/2026/06/17/hillsborough-schools-superintendents-job-will-go-on-the-ballot-this-fall/

- Tampa Bay Beacon, board resolution against elected superintendent (Oct 2026): https://www.tampabaybeacons.com/2026/10/11/hillsborough-school-board-condemns-referendum-on-elected-superintendent/

- Van Ayres employment contract (BoardDocs): https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/sdhc/Board.nsf/files/CX5QNA6A1713/$file/Superintendent Contract.Van Ayres.pdf

To verify any figure without a stable link: search the Florida Department of Education's EdStats and school-grade archives for 'Hillsborough,' the HCPS Charter Schools Office fact sheet, and Tampa Bay Times education coverage by school name.

AI Generated

An honest good, bad, and ugly deep dive into Tulsa Public Schools — Oklahoma's largest district — covering its enrollment collapse from eighty five thousand students to about thirty two thousand, a structural budget shortfall and forty eight million dollar fund balance floor, the two thousand twenty five forensic audit and the bond program criminal case, three years of state test growth from a fourteen percent proficiency base, the October two thousand twenty six accreditation warning, and the six to one board vote to close or consolidate seventeen campuses for two thousand twenty seven to twenty eight.

Sources:

- Oklahoma Voice, Tulsa school closures part of a statewide picture of enrollment decline (Sept. 29, 2026): https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/09/29/tulsa-school-closures-part-of-statewide-picture-of-enrollment-decline/

- The 74, Oklahoma School Closures Part of Statewide Picture of Enrollment Decline: https://www.the74million.org/article/tulsa-school-closures-part-of-statewide-picture-of-enrollment-decline/

- American School and University, Tulsa Public Schools approves closure of 17 schools amid 12 million dollar budget shortfall (Oct. 23, 2026): https://www.asumag.com/facility-planning/news/55414049/tulsa-public-schools-approves-closure-of-17-schools-amid-12-million-budget-shortfall

- Tulsa Flyer, TPS adds campus to consolidation list as Zarrow moves to Hoover (Oct. 29, 2026): https://tulsaflyer.org/2026/10/29/schools-families/post/tulsa-public-schools-zarrow-hoover/

- Tulsa Flyer, Upcoming budget for Tulsa Public Schools expects shortfall (June 2, 2026): https://tulsaflyer.org/2026/06/02/schools-families/post/tps-budget-shortfall/

- Tulsa Flyer, The clock is ticking for TPS to cut 12 million dollars (July 28, 2026): https://tulsaflyer.org/2026/07/28/schools-families/post/the-clock-is-ticking-for-tps-to-cut-12m/

- Tulsa Flyer, Changes in Tulsa Public Schools Demographics Since 2015 (Oct. 14, 2025): https://tulsaflyer.org/2025/10/14/schools-families/post/changes-in-tps-demographics-since-2015/

- Tulsa Flyer, Tulsa Public Schools sets new records for graduation readiness (Apr. 7, 2026): https://tulsaflyer.org/2026/04/07/schools-families/post/tulsa-public-schools-records-graduation-readiness/

- Tulsa Public Schools, Spring OSTP test results show increased proficiency rates: https://www.tulsaschools.org/about/news/news-item/~board/district-news/post/tulsa-public-schools-spring-ostp-test-results-show-increased-proficiency-rates

- Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsans vote to pass all four propositions in Strong Schools, Strong Tulsa bond proposal (April 2026): https://www.tulsaschools.org/about/news/news-item/~board/district-news/post/tulsans-vote-to-pass-all-four-propositions-in-strong-schools-strong-tulsa-bond-proposal

- The 74, New Accreditation Rule Downgrades Dozens of Oklahoma Districts for Academics (Oct. 2026): https://www.the74million.org/article/new-accreditation-rule-downgrades-dozens-of-oklahoma-districts-for-academics/

- Oklahoma Voice, State audit finds culture of poor financial transparency at Tulsa Public Schools (Feb. 26, 2025): https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/02/26/state-audit-finds-culture-of-poor-financial-transparency-at-tulsa-public-schools/

- Oklahoma Voice, Former Tulsa schools official, construction contractors charged with stealing school bond money (June 4, 2026): https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/06/04/former-tulsa-schools-official-construction-contractors-charged-with-stealing-school-bond-money/

- News 9, Audit of Tulsa Public Schools reveals multi-million dollar scheme (second audit part): https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-news/tulsa-public-schools-audit-millions-scheme

- Governor of Oklahoma, Governor Stitt Comments on Findings from Tulsa Public Schools Audit (Feb. 26, 2025): https://oklahoma.gov/governor/newsroom/newsroom/2025/governor-stitt-comments-on-findings-from-tulsa-public-schools-au.html

- Oklahoma Voice, Tulsa school board selects Ebony Johnson as district's permanent superintendent (Dec. 11, 2023): https://oklahomavoice.com/2023/12/11/tulsa-school-board-selects-ebony-johnson-as-districts-permanent-superintendent/

- Oklahoma Voice, Tulsa Public Schools' accreditation affirmed again as district reaches calmer waters (Sept. 26, 2024): https://oklahomavoice.com/2024/09/26/tulsa-public-schools-accreditation-affirmed-again-as-district-reaches-calmer-waters/

- City of Tulsa, Indicator 15: School report card score by income: https://cityoftulsa.org/media/30824/indicator_15.pdf

- To verify figures without a stable URL: search the Oklahoma State Department of Education Oklahoma School Report Cards site (Oklaschools.com) for Tulsa Public Schools for report card, graduation, and enrollment data; search the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector site for the February 26, 2025 Tulsa Public Schools investigative audit report; and search Tulsa Public Schools at tulsaschools.org for the fiscal year 2026-27 preliminary budget, the 2021 and 2026 bond pages, and board meeting agendas for October 19 and October 29, 2026.

AI Generated

Chronic absenteeism is the trend underneath every other trend in southern New Hampshire: how New Hampshire counts the students who miss ten percent or more of the year, how the state rate climbed from about thirteen percent before the pandemic to nearly thirty four percent at the peak, what Manchester, Salem, and Londonderry are each doing about it in the fall of twenty twenty six, and what the newest national research says actually works.

Sources:

- Manchester Ink Link, January 24, 2026 — Manchester's 2024-25 chronic absenteeism data (just over 30% district-wide; high schools 37%, middle schools 27%, elementary 21%), the 25% goal, and the "movable middle" strategy: https://manchester.inklink.news/officials-say-movable-middle-provides-key-to-chronically-absent-third-of-manchester-students/

- Manchester Ink Link, October 22, 2026 — Board of Mayor and Aldermen approves the Office of Youth Services pilot (January 2027 through June 2028) with the Manchester School District: https://manchester.inklink.news/bma-approves-mayor-ruais-proposal-to-enhance-office-of-youth-services-role/

- U.S. Department of Education, ED Data Express — New Hampshire chronically absent students: 33.9% in 2021-22 (55,972 of 164,951) and 24.8% in 2022-23 (40,488 of 163,303). Verify: go to eddataexpress.ed.gov, Data Download Tool, select state New Hampshire, data group "Percent students chronically absent" (814PCT), population Chronically Absent Students.

- Education Recovery Scorecard (Harvard CEPR / Stanford) — New Hampshire chronic absenteeism about 13% in 2019 and about 24% in 2023; math about half a grade level and reading more than a third of a grade level below 2019. Verify: educationrecoveryscorecard.org, States, New Hampshire.

- American Enterprise Institute, Return to Learn Tracker — Nat Malkus, "From Attendance Crisis to Chronic Condition? Tracking Post-Pandemic Chronic Absenteeism into 2025" (national rate about 28% in 2022, 23.5% in 2024, improvement under one point in 2025; grade-level data showing post-pandemic cohorts equally elevated): https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/from-attendance-crisis-to-chronic-condition-tracking-post-pandemic-chronic-absenteeism-into-2025/

- American Enterprise Institute, October 19, 2026 — "New Hope on Student Absenteeism" (21 states with 2026 data all improved; early-reporter caveat): https://www.aei.org/domestic-policy/education/new-hope-on-student-absenteeism/

- K-12 Dive, July 23, 2026 — NWEA analysis: districts with persistently high chronic absenteeism about 50% further from math recovery; AEI on the goal of cutting 2022 rates in half (18 states adopted): https://www.k12dive.com/news/chronic-absenteeisms-impact-on-academic-recovery/825926/

- FutureEd and Attendance Works, October 2026 — Attendance Playbook, third edition (more than 30 strategies; Mathematica review of 150+ studies; connectedness strongest): https://www.future-ed.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026AttendancePlaybook.pdf

- Education Week, October 2026 — "Want to Improve Attendance? Start With Relationships" (Everyone Graduates Center / Partnership for Student Success principal surveys): https://www.edweek.org/leadership/want-to-improve-attendance-start-with-relationships/2026/10

- National Center for Education Evaluation, REL Appalachia, June 2026 — "Strengthening Attendance Using Multi-Tiered Family Engagement Strategies" (four root-cause categories): https://nces.ed.gov/sites/default/files/rel-appalachia/document/2026/07/RELAP_6-2-21_Chronic-Absenteeism_Infographic_06262026_Acc.pdf

- Attendance Works and Johns Hopkins Everyone Graduates Center, June 2, 2026 — school-level chronic absence analysis, 2024-25 data from 31 states (extreme-level schools down from 41% in 2021-22 to 23% in 2024-25): https://www.attendanceworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Attendance-Works-JHU-data-blog-PR-final-060126.pdf

- Attendance Works, June 2024 — "Stemming the Surge in Chronic Absence: What States Can Do" (state policy review; New Hampshire among the states adopting the 10% definition). Verify: search attendanceworks.org for "Stemming the Surge in Chronic Absence".

- Londonderry School District — Superintendent Dan Black, Fall 2026 Superintendent Video Newsletter Part 2, Absences (about 93% daily attendance; goal 97%, six absences or fewer), October 15, 2026, as republished by TownUnderground: https://townunderground.com/?p=13191

- Salem, New Hampshire School Board, January report — Salem High School 981 fewer absence days and about 1,620 fewer tardies in the first 18 weeks year over year; Woodbury School 367 fewer absences; five parent-excused absences per year, then third-party documentation. Verify: search citizenportal.ai for "Salem School officials report fewer absences and tardies after new attendance" and the Salem School District board minutes for January.

- Manchester School District, Committee on Student Conduct, February 2025 — truancy communication steps at 5, 10, and 15 unexcused days, DCYF referral at 20, medical-verification practice at about 20 excused absences, pre-K attendance data accuracy warning. Verify: search citizenportal.ai for "Manchester district January attendance dipped amid illnesses".

- Manchester School District, October 2025 — fall attendance snapshot (92.3% attending 80-100% of days; goal 95% by June 30) and Project AWARE (five-year, $7.6 million federal grant; 2023 YRBS help-seeking data). Verify: search citizenportal.ai for "Manchester district data most students have zero office referrals" and "Manchester updates Project AWARE".

- New Hampshire iNHDEX, 2025-2026 specifications — districts submit excused and unexcused absences and suspensions; data used to calculate chronic absenteeism and attendance rate at district and school level: https://inhdex.getalma.com/public/2025-2026/651c86d3e571430515eaeeae

- RSA 189:35-a, Truancy Defined — ten half days of unexcused absence in a school year constitute habitual truancy: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2022/title-xv/title-189/section-189-35-a/

- RSA 189:34 — school board truancy policy duties (definition of excused absence, intervention process, designated employee per school). Verify: search law.justia.com for "New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 189:34".

- RSA 193-E:3 — annual district reporting indicators, including attendance rates, disaggregated by subgroup including pupils with disabilities: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/title-xv/chapter-193-e/section-193-e-3/

- HB 1573 (2026), Chapter 307, signed July 10, 2026 — schools must excuse up to two absences per year for civic engagement and career and technical education activities, with parental notice; extended learning opportunity route for ongoing participation: https://Legiscan.com/NH/text/HB1573/2026

- Attendance Works and Healthy Schools Campaign — early-grade chronic absence research (at least 10% of kindergartners and first graders miss a month or more). Verify: search edweek.org for "Early Patterns of Chronic Absenteeism Threaten Academic Success".

AI Generated

An honest good, bad, and ugly deep dive into the Clark County School District — the fifth-largest district in the United States — covering its steep enrollment decline, the fall 2026 budget crisis and state emergency funding bridge, the 2024 budget failure and corrective action, audits, academic results, special education, staffing, rezoning, and a school-by-school walk of its campuses. Sources: CCSD Board recap, Dec 11, 2025: https://newsroom.ccsd.net/ccsd-board-of-school-trustees-meeting-recap-dec-11-2025/ | CCSD Board recap, Jan 22, 2026 (86.6% graduation rate, Class of 2025): https://newsroom.ccsd.net/ccsd-board-of-school-trustees-meeting-recap-january-22-2026/ | CCSD NSPF ratings, Sep 15, 2026: https://www.ccsd.net/about/newsroom/new-details/~board/ccsd-newsroom/post/73-percent-of-ccsd-schools-maintain-or-improve-nspf-ratings | CCSD Superintendent's Honor Roll, Oct 12, 2026: https://www.ccsd.net/about/newsroom/new-details/~board/ccsd-newsroom/post/2026-ccsd-superintendents-honor-roll-announced | CCSD Gibson Consulting efficiency study, Jun 4, 2026: https://www.ccsd.net/about/newsroom/new-details/~board/ccsd-newsroom/post/report-operational-efficiencies-could-save-ccsd-tens-of-millions-a-year | CCSD 2025-26 School Budgets Fall Revision FAQ: https://newsroom.ccsd.net/2025-26-school-budgets-fall-2025-revision-faq/ | Emergency funding regulation, Nevada Independent via LC Central, Oct 1, 2026: https://lccentral.com/2026/10/01/lombardo-approves-emergency-funding-for-districts-struggling-with-enrollment-dips/ | NAEP 2024 Clark County reading (USAFacts): https://usafacts.org/answers/what-percentage-of-students-in-the-us-are-proficient-in-reading/school-district/clark-county-school-district/ | NAEP 2024 Clark County math (USAFacts): https://usafacts.org/answers/what-percentage-of-students-in-the-us-are-proficient-in-math/school-district/clark-county-school-district/ | C.W. v. Nevada Department of Education, 2:2024cv01800, Order Sep 18, 2025 (allegations as pleaded; procedural only): https://Law.Justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/nevada/nvdce/2:2024cv01800/170817/105/ | CCSD Policies and Regulations (Regulation 5127 Notice of Intent, Oct 29, 2026; final action Dec 10, 2026): https://www.ccsd.net/about/school-board/policies-and-regulations | Verify any individual school: go to nevadareportcard.nv.gov, select District: Clark, then the school, and open its Nevada School Performance Framework report. Verify legislative audits: search the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau Audit Division site for LA26-13 and the LA26 series (Clark, Washoe, SPCSA). Verify the FY25 audit findings: search for the CCSD FY2025 audited financial report and Eide Bailly board presentation. Verify enrollment: CCSD Popular Annual Financial Report, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, and CCSD fall 2026 budget notices.

AI Generated

An honest good, bad, and ugly deep dive into Great Falls Public Schools — Montana's second largest district — covering its two-district structure, halved enrollment, below-average proficiency, reserve-funded $2.5 million shortfall, Calumet tax appeals, delivered $98.8 million bond, CORE grow-your-own teacher charter, special education record, and career and technical education strength.

Sources

- NCES Common Core of Data, Great Falls Elementary District (2024-25 enrollment, staffing, FY2022-23 finance): https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=1&State=30&County=Cascade+County&ID2=3013040

- NCES Common Core of Data, Great Falls High School District (2024-25 enrollment, demographics, finance): https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=3013050&details=

- Great Falls Public Schools, Budget Planning page (shortfall, enrollment funding share, inflation cap, reserve use): https://gfps.k12.mt.us/departments/business-services-and-operations/business-office-and-finance/budget-planning

- Great Falls School District 1 & A, Financial Statements, June 30, 2025 (Eide Bailly audit): https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1773681311/gfpsk12mtus/r9vktnrtfiogyriidfsm/03-16-2026_GFPS_GreatFallsSchoolDistrict2025FinalFinancialStatements11.pdf

- Great Falls Public Schools, Meet the Superintendent: https://gfps.k12.mt.us/our-district/superintendent-messages/meet-the-superintendent

- CORE School first-year account, CMR Rustler (Feb. 19, 2026): https://rustlernews.com/features/2026/02/19/one-year-in-the-books-core-elementary-school/

- University of Providence closure announcement (Oct. 27, 2026): https://www.uprovidence.edu/about/news/university-of-providence-announces-closure-at-the-conclusion-of-the-2026-2027-academic-year/

- Great Falls 2027-28 budget meeting calendar: https://1075thepeak.com/ixp/1107/p/great-falls-public-schools-budget-meetings/

- Associated Press / Claims Journal, $595,000 settlement in North Middle School special education abuse case (2013): https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/west/2013/11/15/240041.htm

- Military OneSource, Malmstrom Air Force Base education: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/malmstrom-air-force-base/education/education

- Montana Office of Public Instruction, ESSA Report Card: https://opi.mt.gov/Leadership/Academic-Success/Every-Student-Succeeds-Act-ESSA/Report-Card

Verification steps for items without a stable URL: For high school proficiency and graduation figures, search the National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data for Great Falls H S district ID 3013050 and Great Falls Elem district ID 3013040. For the August 17, 2026 board budget adoption, classified raise, insurance change, and Foundation scholarship report, search Great Falls Public Schools board agendas for August 17, 2026. For Calumet protested taxes and taxable value revisions, search Cascade County and Great Falls Tribune reporting on Calumet Montana Refining tax appeals.

AI Generated

Connecticut computer science enrollment has fallen for a third straight year — about three thousand fewer students than in twenty twenty-two to twenty twenty-three, with the steepest losses in coding and robotics — just as a new state law makes computer science, including artificial intelligence, required instruction in every public school. Sources: CSDE computer science enrollment reporting via Government Technology, 'Is AI Leading to Declining Enrollment in Computer Science?' (October 15, 2026) — https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/is-ai-leading-to-declining-enrollment-in-computer-science ; Government Technology, 'What Connecticut's New AI Law Means for K-12 and Higher Ed' (June 8, 2026) — https://www.govtech.com/education/what-connecticuts-new-ai-law-means-for-k-12-and-higher-ed ; National Student Clearinghouse Research Center preliminary fall 2026 enrollment release (October 29, 2026) — https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/total-higher-ed-enrollment-holds-steady-in-preliminary-fall-enrollment-trends-report-302922782.html ; Education Week coverage of the Code.org State of Computer Science Education report — https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/one-change-that-can-get-more-girls-students-of-color-taking-computer-science/2024/10 ; CSDE shortage areas page — https://portal.ct.gov/sde/talent_office/talent-office-home-page/shortage-areas . To verify: search the Connecticut State Department of Education site at portal.ct.gov/sde for 'computer science enrollment' and for the 2026-27 shortage area memorandum; search nscresearchcenter.org for the Preliminary Fall Enrollment Trends report and its January 2027 final edition.

AI Generated

Massachusetts has replaced encouragement with a deadline on early reading: a full account of the new Student Literacy Act, Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2026, the falling and stagnant MCAS reading results behind it, the proposed 603 CMR 58.00 regulations, and what districts and families must do before the fall 2027 implementation deadline.

Sources:

- Massachusetts Releases 2026 MCAS Results (Mass.gov / DESE, Sept. 22, 2026): https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-releases-2026-mcas-results-highlighting-areas-of-progress-and-new-supports-for-students

- DESE MCAS achievement levels, spring 2026, statewide (verify: profiles.doe.mass.edu, MCAS, Achievement Level, orgcode 00000000, data updated Sept. 22, 2026): https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/mcas/achievement_level.aspx?linkid=32&orgcode=00000000&orgtypecode=0&

- Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Early Literacy Tutoring Application and BOOST Pilot (Mass.gov, June 4, 2026): https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-launches-early-literacy-tutoring-application-and-boost-pilot-for-next-school-year

- Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training through Literacy Launch Institutes (Mass.gov, Feb. 26, 2026): https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-expands-early-literacy-training-for-educators-through-additional-literacy-launch-institutes

- Massachusetts Legislature enacts early literacy bill / Chapter 113 signing summary (Sen. Jason Lewis, June 30, 2026): https://senatorjasonlewis.com/2026/06/30/early-literacy/

- Early Literacy Fact Sheet, S.2924 (Senate, Jan. 28, 2026; 42% grade 3 ELA 2025, 45% / 31% screening figures, 118 districts / 81,000 students, $35M Literacy Launch): https://senatorjasonlewis.com/2026/01/28/early-literacy-fact-sheet/

- Senate Ways and Means advances literacy legislation (Mass. Legislature press room, Jan. 22, 2026): https://malegislature.gov/PressRoom/Detail?pressReleaseId=314

- October 2026 BESE public policy report: 603 CMR 58.00 sent to public comment through Dec. 28, 2026, list unpublished, free curriculum expected January (MASC): https://www.masc.org/public-policy-reports-october-2026-board-of-elementary-and-secondary-education/

- BESE October 2026 board documents, Student Literacy Act regulatory action (DESE): https://www.doe.mass.edu/bese/docs/fy2027/2026-10/#regular

- EdTrust in Massachusetts statement on 2026 MCAS results (Sept. 25, 2026; 40% grades 3-8 ELA, 14 districts): https://edtrust.org/press-room/statement-2026-mcas-test-results/

- EdTrust in Massachusetts statement on 2025 MCAS results (group gaps, 13 districts): https://edtrust.org/press-room/edtrust-in-massachusetts-statement-on-the-latest-massachusetts-comprehensive-assessment-system-mcas-results/

- Verify the law: search mass.gov and malegislature.gov for "Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2026" and "An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy"; verify the FY26 Literacy Launch reporting date in the Governor's FY26 budget, item 15962437, at budget.digital.mass.gov.

AI Generated

Rhode Island enrolls 9,728 fewer students than in 2020 while multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students all grew — Alex and Jordan trace how that enrollment decline drives FY27 budget cuts statewide and whether regional shared-service hubs are the answer.

Sources:

- RIDE, Rhode Island Assessment and Accountability Results 2026 (enrollment 143,557 in 2020 to 133,829 in 2026; demographics): https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/2026-10/RI2026-Assessment-and-Accountability.pdf

- Providence Journal, Are regional 'hubs' the answer to RI's declining school enrollments? (Oct 16, 2026; shared services commission, Oct 15 meeting, Nov 5 next meeting): https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/education/2026/10/16/are-regional-educational-hubs-the-answer-to-rhode-island-declining-public-school-enrollments/92271240007/

- Providence Journal, How are RI students performing? What the 2026 RICAS results show (Oct 9, 2026): https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/education/2026/10/09/how-rhode-island-2026-student-test-scores-compare-with-other-new-england-states/92154575007/

- Providence Focal, Rhode Island districts cut staff and seek savings as school costs climb (Oct 21, 2026; Cranston, Warwick, East Providence, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence FY27 budgets): https://focalnews.org/providence-ri/local/rhode-island-districts-cut-staff-and-seek-savings-as-school-costs-climb

- RIDE, Multilingual Learners State Funding Formula Aid Guidance, effective FY27 (MLL factor, reporting, Sept 1 deadlines): https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/2026-08/MLL%20State%20Formula%20Aid%20Guidance%20Document%20-%20effective%20as%20of%20FY27.pdf

- Rhode Island KIDS COUNT testimony on Senate Bill 2555, Senate Finance Committee, May 19, 2026 (20,886 MLLs, 16%, +103% since 2014-15, 106 languages, dual language access): https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/SenateComDocs/2026%20Finance/S2555%20Rhode%20Island%20KIDS%20COUNT.pdf

- Ocean State Media, Over 15% of Rhode Island kids live in poverty (May 5, 2026; KIDS COUNT 2026 Factbook, 16.3% child poverty): https://www.oceanstatemedia.org/health/2026-05-05/over-15-of-rhode-island-kids-live-in-poverty-and-advocates-say-housing-costs-are-making-it-worse

- Education Resource Strategies, Enrollment Decline in New England (Fall 2026; birth rates, migration): https://www.erstrategies.org/tap/enrollment-decline-new-england/

- Providence Business News, Rhode Island Foundation panel urges RI to rewrite school funding formula, boost state share (Blue Ribbon Commission, 38% state share, 58% proposal): https://pbn.com/rhode-island-foundation-panel-urges-r-i-to-rewrite-school-funding-formula-boost-state-share/

- RIDE Enrollment Forecast Report (Nov 2025; stabilization, less than 2% decline through 2035): verify by searching ride.ri.gov for "Rhode Island Enrollment Forecast Report" — the report PDF is linked from RIDE's enrollment / data pages; check the Executive Summary for the 2019-20 to 2024-25 enrollment change and the through-2035 projection.

- RI General Assembly H8266 (2026) and S2555 / H8270 / S2821 / S2826 texts and testimony: verify by searching rilegislature.gov BillText26 and Senate Finance Committee documents for the bill number.

AI Generated

An honest good/bad/ugly deep dive into Albuquerque Public Schools — 65,919 students, a $2.35 billion budget, real reading gains, a middle-school math stall, one in four students in special education, and a right-sizing decision due in spring 2027.

Sources:

- APS At A Glance (enrollment, demographics, schools, staffing, graduation): https://www.aps.edu/about-us/aps-at-a-glance

- APS Right-Sizing page and community dialogue announcement: https://www.aps.edu/right-sizing and https://www.aps.edu/news/news-from-2026-2027/facing-enrollment-shifts-aps-begins-community-dialogue-on-right-sizing

- APS Board Approves Budget (FY26 $2.25B): https://www.aps.edu/news/news-from-2024-2025/aps-board-approves-budget

- Albuquerque Journal, APS approves $2.35B budget: https://abqjournal-nm.newsmemory.com/?publink=2ca455bac_13520c0

- APS, Literacy Gains Mark Bright Spot in APS Assessment Data (July 15, 2026): https://www.aps.edu/news/news-from-2026-2027/literacy-gains-mark-bright-spot-in-aps-assessment-data

- New Mexico Kids CAN, 2024-25 statewide assessment release: https://nmkidscan.org/news/data-release-over-40-of-new-mexico-students-now-reading-at-grade-level/

- APS, Attendance Efforts Show Progress Across APS: https://www.aps.edu/news/news-from-2026-2027/attendance-efforts-show-progress-across-aps

- NCES district data for Albuquerque Public Schools (per-pupil current expenditures): https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&ID2=3500060&DistrictID=3500060&details=4

- New Mexico Supreme Court ruling on the Padilla report (Los Alamos Reporter, May 29, 2026): https://losalamosreporter.com/2026/05/29/supreme-court-ruling-clarifies-scope-of-exceptions-in-public-records-law/

- City Desk ABQ, APS Board approves campus shakeup (Taft/Coronado, Dec. 2024): https://citydesk.org/2024/12/19/aps-board-approves-campus-shakeup-2/

- The Paper (ABQ News), parents raise concerns about APS recording children's voices using AI (Aug. 2026): https://abq.news/2026/08/parents-are-demanding-an-immediate-pause-on-classroom-ai-voice-recording-software/

- KANW, Academies of Albuquerque career expo (Oct. 29, 2026): https://www.kanw.org/2026-10-29/expanding-career-connected-learning-model-aims-to-boost-graduation-rates-and-inspire-new-mexicos-future-workforce

- City Desk ABQ, firearms seized at APS campuses (Aug. 2025): https://citydesk.org/2025/08/20/two-guns-found-at-west-mesa-high-school-as-aps-grapples-with-campus-weapons/

To verify anything without a stable URL: search aps.edu for 'APS Board Goal monitoring report Goal 2 October 2025' and 'APS Goal 3 August 19 2026'; search the New Mexico Public Education Department site for the 2024-25 statewide assessment release; and search 'Yazzie Martinez remedial action plan objections February 2026' for the plaintiffs' filing.

AI Generated

An honest good, bad, and ugly deep dive on Broward County Public Schools, Florida's second-largest district: an A-rated system with a historic 91.4 percent graduation rate that lost 12,343 students in one year, closed six schools, eliminated 1,000 positions, faces a state investigation of its $115 million laptop procurement, and asks voters on November 3, 2026 to renew the one-mill tax that funds its teacher pay supplements.

Sources:

- BCPS earns an "A" grade for a third consecutive year, Florida DOE grades released July 1, 2026 (district release): https://www.browardschools.com/about-us/news-room/news-details-page/~board/district-news-news-room-135038/post/bcps-earns-a-grade-from-the-state-for-third-consecutive-year

- BCPS spring 2026 FAST, science and end-of-course gains, 2022-23 through 2025-26 (district release): https://www.browardschools.com/about-us/news-room/news-details-page/~board/district-news-news-room-135038/post/bcps-students-make-impressive-academic-gains-on-state-assessments-and-outperform-the-state-in-most-tested-areas

- BCPS federal graduation rate reaches historic high at 91.4 percent, 2024-25 (district release): https://ramblewoodelem.browardschools.com/p/~board/district-news-news-room-135038/post/bcps-federal-graduation-rate-reaches-historic-high-at-914

- BCPS About Us 2025-26 (enrollment, demographics, ESE 17.2 percent / 40,703, ELL 14.4 percent, free/reduced lunch 69.9 percent, per-pupil expenditures): https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1758833786/browardschoolscom/keyogy1zhsvesmbpteey/AboutUs2025-26Updated92425.pdf

- BCPS About Us, 2026-27 school counts and staffing (233 district schools, 82 charters, 27,848 employees): https://www.browardschools.com/about-us

- BCPS 2026-27 district budget book, second public hearing September 8, 2026 (enrollment projections, five-year outlook): https://browardschools.granicus.com/services/legistar/download/pdf/4339146/2026-2027_District_Budget.pdf

- NCES Common Core of Data, Broward district detail (2024-25 students, teachers, student-teacher ratio 21.72): https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=1200180

- Florida DOE Bureau of Exceptional Education, Broward LEA Annual Performance Report FFY 2024 (IEP graduation 95.35 percent, dropout 2.98 percent, assessment participation and proficiency): http://www.fldoe.org/file/7672/Broward2026.pdf

- BCPS Referendum 2026 page (one-mill renewal, November 3, 2026 ballot, $358 million estimate, current uses): https://www.browardschools.com/school-board/referendum-2026

- Palm Beach Post, October 3, 2026, Broward down 12,343 students to 224,324 (district September 16, 2026 report): https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/education/2026/10/03/broward-county-is-down-12300-students-way-more-than-palm-beach-county/92074588007/

- USA Today, August 26, 2026, ten more schools considered for closure under Redefining Our Schools: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/florida/2026/08/26/broward-florida-district-repurposing-closing-more-schools/91470436007/

- Local 10 News, January 21, 2026, board votes to close six schools, Bair Middle saved: https://wplginc-wplg-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/news/2026/01/21/broward-school-board-to-vote-on-closing-7-schools/

- Coral Springs News / Miami Herald, May 15, 2026, board votes 7-2 to eliminate 1,000 jobs to save $54 million: https://www.coralspringsflnews.com/news/local/article315738082.html

- USA Today, August 13, 2026, Florida Education Association vacancy count (Broward 358 instructional vacancies, August 4, 2026): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/florida/2026/08/13/teacher-vacancies-south-florida-school-districts/91283623007/

- USA Today, October 28, 2026, South Florida teacher-pay referendums on the November 3 ballot (Broward starting pay $51,597; supplements $173 million): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/state/florida/2026/10/28/florida-teacher-salary-pay-wage-election-day-how-vote/92474586007/

- Sun Sentinel via Pineapple Report, October 8, 2026, the fight for students (departing-parent survey incl. inadequate special education services; 2,084 Broward students in Miami-Dade): https://pineapplereport.com/the-fight-for-students-south-florida-public-schools-try-a-new-kind-of-recruitment/

- Sun Sentinel via Pineapple Report, February 1, 2026, Broward inspector general's slow first year and the pulled $115 million laptop item: https://pineapplereport.com/a-year-later-new-broward-schools-watchdog-hasnt-yet-released-findings-of-investigations/

- WLRN via Pineapple Report, May 6, 2026, board directs $254.3 million of referendum to school-based pay, 10 percent to mental health and safety: https://pineapplereport.com/broward-school-board-votes-to-direct-254m-from-nov-3-referendum-to-pay-teachers-key-support-staff/

- Florida Auditor General operational audit 2025-129 executive summary (prior 2022-149 findings closed; ethics training and misconduct-reporting findings): https://browardschools.granicus.com/services/legistar/download/pdf/3229444/Executive_Summary.pdf

- The Friendly Scoop, Broward school closures list, deadlines, and the December vote calendar: https://thefriendlyscoop.com/news/broward-school-closures-list-deadlines

To verify items without a stable public URL: (1) Inspector General laptop-procurement report of September 30, 2026 and the Attorney General's announced investigation — search WLRN and CBS Miami for "Broward inspector general laptop" and "Uthmeier Broward laptops." (2) Chief Auditor referendum-bonus audit and the board's vote to stop administrator bonuses up to $14,000 — search WLRN for "Broward referendum bonuses administrators audit Rhodes." (3) Chief Operations Officer Wanda Paul's December 2025 resignation — search SunSentinel.com for "Broward schools operations chief resign lease construction." (4) Adopted FY2026-27 budget total of $4,663,820,338 — open the School Board's September 8, 2026 second public hearing agenda on the Broward Legistar site and read Resolution 27-115. (5) ESSA federal points index for students with disabilities (36 percent) — open any Broward school's 2025-26 Schoolwide Improvement Plan on Florida CIMS and read the pre-populated district ESSA subgroup summary.

AI Generated