News from September 2025
AFT urges members nationwide to join boycott against retailer over rollback on DEI commitments
On Labor Day in Chicago, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) announced its participation in a nationwide boycott against Target.
North Dakota launches first-in-nation 'lead teacher' apprenticeship program
North Dakota has become the first state to receive approval for a "lead teacher" apprenticeship program, according to State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler.
Second Lady Usha Vance visits Cherokee Classical Academy as part of focus on charter education
Second Lady Usha Vance visited Cherokee Classical Academy (CCA) in Cherokee County, Georgia last week.
Governor Shapiro highlights reduction in emergency waitlist for adult ID/A services
Governor Josh Shapiro and Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, are set to join advocates and leaders in Washington County to discuss recent progress in reducing the emergency waitlist for adults with...
Rising costs force U.S. teachers deeper into debt buying classroom supplies
Second grade teacher Demetria Richardson, who works in Richmond, Virginia, has resorted to using a dedicated credit card for classroom expenses.
Shapiro Administration expands ID/A services and reduces waitlist across Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro and Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), announced significant progress in expanding services for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A).
Pennsylvania officials urge college students to consider renters insurance for fall semester
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Department of Human Services are partnering with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology to remind college students in Pennsylvania about the importance of...
Colorado names first two finalists for 2026 teacher of the year award
Julie Naski Roman of Denver Public Schools and Kendall Van Valkenburg of Eagle County School District have been named as two of the eight finalists for Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.
Shapiro administration urges college students to get renters’ insurance as semester begins
As students across Pennsylvania return to college campuses, state officials are urging them to consider renters' insurance and take advantage of available resources.
House committee proposes $60M increase for Charter Schools Program
The House Appropriations Committee has approved a funding increase for the Charter Schools Program (CSP) in its fiscal year 2026 bill, raising the allocation to $500 million.
Rhode Island launches new attendance guidance after three years of falling absenteeism
Governor Dan McKee and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green have launched the 2025-26 Attendance Matters RI campaign, marking a third consecutive year of declining chronic absenteeism rates in Rhode Island schools.
South Carolina reports student progress on early literacy as national context shows declines
South Carolina students have shown continued improvement in reading and math according to the latest SC READY assessment results.
Governor Shapiro highlights increased funding for career and technical education programs
Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Carrie Rowe participated in a roundtable discussion at Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical High School in Philadelphia.
North Dakota high schoolers invited to apply for U.S. Senate Youth Program
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler has called on North Dakota high school juniors and seniors to consider applying for the 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program, which provides a $10,000 college scholarship.
Mindy Green and Stephen Paulson named finalists for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year
Representatives from the Colorado Department of Education visited classrooms in Ovid and Greeley to announce that Mindy Green of Revere Elementary School and Stephen Paulson of Greeley Central High School are among the eight finalists for the 2026...
Colorado Department of Education releases preliminary school and district performance frameworks
The Colorado Department of Education has released preliminary 2025 school and district performance frameworks, using data from the 2024-25 academic year.
Alexandra Snabon-Jun named 2026 Nevada State Teacher of the Year
Alexandra Snabon-Jun has been named the 2026 Nevada State Teacher of the Year in a ceremony held on Wednesday.
Complaint filed against SIUC for racial and sex-based discrimination in scholarships
On April 9, 2025, Defending Education (DE) filed a complaint against Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) with allegations of racial and sex-based discrimination in scholarships and other financial benefits.
Defending Education files complaint against University of Wisconsin over racial discrimination claims
The organization Defending Education has filed a complaint against the University of Wisconsin-Madison, alleging racial discrimination in violation of federal laws.
Defending Education files racial discrimination complaint against UC Berkeley
On April 9, 2025, Defending Education (DE), an organization opposing racial discrimination in schools, lodged a complaint against the University of California, Berkeley, citing alleged racial discrimination linked to a scholarship program.