AGP Executive Report

K-12 Funding & Costs: Barrow County (GA) school leaders approved 2026-27 lunch price hikes—elementary/middle up 75 cents and high schools up 50 cents—while keeping free/reduced lunch and free breakfast for eligible students. Federal Education Policy: The U.S. Department of Education is facing fresh legal and political pressure over special education grant changes, with state and education advocates challenging the cuts. School Board & Culture Wars: Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King testified under subpoena at a contentious House hearing focused on race, transgender student policies, religion, and sex education. Student Outcomes: Texas districts are seeing mixed college-readiness results in new STAAR-based reporting, including Medina ISD where 77% of students were not on track in 2024-25. Digital Access & Privacy: A Texas law requiring app marketplaces to verify users’ ages is headed toward Supreme Court review after a federal appeals court let it take effect. Higher Ed & Athletics: SEC leaders met with senators about the Protect College Sports Act, aiming to shape NCAA rules on compensation, eligibility, transfers, and mega-conference mergers. Accessibility in Sports: A creator taught World Cup basics in American Sign Language to help make the tournament more inclusive for deaf and hard-of-hearing fans. Climate: NOAA reports May 2026 as the second-warmest May on record, with high odds that 2026 will land among the four warmest years.

Federal Courts & Immigration: A multistate win for employers and universities: a U.S. judge vacated the Trump administration’s unlawful $100,000 H-1B “tax” on new skilled-worker petitions, easing hiring pressure in fields that include teachers and researchers. Student Learning Gains: New federal NAEP results show younger students (9-year-olds) are trending upward in reading and math after years of declines, with improvements seen even among lower-performing kids. After-School Funding Fight: ACT Now Illinois sued the U.S. Department of Education after grant cuts that it says disrupted services for about 19,000 students, including tutoring, meals, and mental/physical health supports. School Board & Immigration Enforcement: A Waukegan, Illinois school board fired a DACA recipient employee after a delayed renewal, drawing attention to how school staffing can collide with federal immigration rules. State Education Politics: Kansas’ GOP majority on the state Board of Education is in play as five Republican incumbents are stepping aside for 2026 primaries. Public Health & Schools: Washington state’s measles cases are rising amid high non-medical exemption rates, raising alarms for school vaccination coverage. Local School Budgets: Pennsylvania’s Tyrone Area School Board approved a 2026-27 budget with a 4.9% millage increase despite a district deficit.

K-12 Readiness Snapshot (Texas): New STAAR-based analyses from multiple districts show huge shares of students not “on track for college” in 2024-25—Brazosport ISD (83%), Anahuac ISD (91%), El Paso Leadership Academy (93%), and others—highlighting persistent academic readiness gaps. Healthcare & Equity (AI in clinics): A Johns Hopkins/Wilmer Eye Institute study found an FDA-approved AI screening tool increased diabetic eye exam referrals for African American patients, pointing to one way AI could help close care gaps. Higher Ed & Aid Delivery: Flywire partnered with Scholarship America to digitize scholarship disbursements across nearly 1,000 colleges, reducing reliance on tens of thousands of paper checks. Policy Watch (Immigration & visas): A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as unlawful, a ruling with major implications for universities and healthcare staffing. Early Childhood Expansion: KLA Schools is preparing a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool in Houston for infants through pre-K, with limited “Founding Family” enrollment. Sports & Schools: Mark Cuban donated to USA Football to support the U.S. women’s flag football team as the sport heads toward Olympic debut in 2028.

Teacher Training & Reading: A new National Council on Teacher Quality report finds teacher prep programs have improved on “science of reading,” but hundreds still teach outdated methods and many don’t adequately support English learners, struggling readers, or students with disabilities. Civil Rights Oversight: The U.S. Department of Education opened a probe into Colorado’s Cherry Creek School District over claims of racially discriminatory programming, including clubs, academic support, teacher training, and a parent committee. Screen-Time Backlash: Sweden is set to ban mobile phones in schools next fall, citing declining reading and writing skills and joining a growing push to roll back classroom screens. H-1B Immigration Policy: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee as an unauthorized tax, a major win for employers and universities relying on foreign talent. Higher Ed Demographics: Arkansas college enrollment data shows minority freshman numbers rising after the 2023 affirmative action ban, with experts debating what’s driving the shift. Student Safety & Community: Atlanta leaders and partners are expanding anti-trafficking training ahead of the World Cup, targeting frontline workers who may spot abuse. Sports & Student Pathways: Miles Russell and Vaughn Harber qualified for the U.S. Open, highlighting how student-athletes keep earning major-championship opportunities. Public Health & Environment: A study links pesticide exposure to health effects across generations, raising new questions about U.S. regulation gaps.

Education & Workforce: The U.S. Department of Education named 10 states as semifinalists for its Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge, aiming to build “Talent Marketplaces” that link skills, training, and jobs. K-12 Outcomes: Texas districts are reporting very low “on track for college” rates based on STAAR-linked analyses, including Clarksville ISD (94% not on track in 2024-25) and New Waverly ISD (79% not on track). Higher Ed Access: St. Cloud State University is moving its Twin Cities graduate programs to North Hennepin Community College’s Brooklyn Park campus, with courses continuing in evening/hybrid formats. Student Well-Being: New research finds more outdoor play in preschool years is tied to fewer mental health symptoms through age 8. Campus & Community: Notre Dame de Namur University President Beth Martin met Pope Leo XIV with Catholic higher-education leaders, emphasizing faith-and-reason formation. Policy Watch: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered public colleges to keep tuition flat for the coming year. Scholarship Loss: Gordon S. Wood, influential Brown University historian, died at 92.

Civics in the spotlight: UCLA’s UCDC program is sending students into Washington, D.C. for politics and policy classes plus Capitol internships, with students navigating protests and shifting federal funding during appropriations season. Higher-ed requirements: Iowa approved a budget-bill change that would require public university students to take American history and U.S. government courses to graduate, framed by supporters as a fix for “indoctrination” and by critics as a mandate for specific viewpoints. Immigration and college access: Florida’s proposed rule would require proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status for community college applicants, a move immigrant advocates say could block undocumented students from higher education. School leadership controversy: Kirkwood School District’s board president faced backlash after a private Facebook post referencing “8647,” sparking debate over whether it signaled political violence. Community service data: A Michigan-based nonprofit released a live, 50-state community service impact report tied to court-ordered probation requirements, publishing participant counts and completed hours in near real time. Health and safety: A Medicare Fraud Prevention Week campaign urged beneficiaries to watch for suspicious charges and unsolicited calls, and to report suspected scams through state Senior Medicare Patrol programs.

Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue major rulings on gun rights, transgender athletes, and other culture-war flashpoints, with decisions expected before the end of June. Texas College-Readiness Crisis: New analyses of STAAR results show extremely low “on track for college” rates across multiple Texas districts, including Cleveland ISD (95% not on track), Benjamin ISD (95%), Terlingua CSD (98%), and others. Religion in Schools: Texas education leaders are poised to vote on revised social studies standards and a required reading list that would add more Christianity-related content in classrooms. Student Support & Access: At the University of San Diego School of Law, students run a free immigration legal clinic, giving low-income clients help while training future lawyers. Data Centers & Learning’s Future: A UN University report warns data centers’ electricity use—and their water and pollution impacts—could double in four years as AI demand grows. Enrollment Snapshots: New York district enrollment reports highlight shifting demographics, including large shares of Black students at Marva J. Daniel Futures Preparatory School and rising Asian and Pacific Islander enrollment at several schools.

Digital Device Backlash: Schools are rethinking one-to-one tech after years of laptop and app rollouts, with Los Angeles Unified moving to limit devices starting in fall—parents and teachers say screens are distracting and pushing out pen-and-paper learning. Health & Safety: A U.S. doctor treated for Ebola in Germany has been discharged after testing negative, as public health officials warn the outbreak in Congo could grow if control efforts lag. Policy & Funding: A federal judge blocked Trump administration attempts to attach new conditions to USDA funding, adding pressure to how federal dollars are tied to compliance rules. Higher Ed Governance: University boards advanced plans for new buildings and faculty searches, including a data science and entrepreneurship facility and updates on enrollment and workforce. Student Life & Equity: Multiple local school enrollment reports highlight shifting demographics, while education committees reviewed faculty tenure processes and graduate application declines. Community & Events: Portland’s big parade returned in a hybrid format despite rain, and local high school baseball regionals set up semi-state matchups.

Underwater Data Center Fight in Maine: Residents in Eastport are pushing for a temporary moratorium on DeepGreen’s proposed underwater data infrastructure, citing wetlands protections under Maine’s Shoreland Zoning Act and the Clean Water Act, while the developer argues for local cooperation and environmental stewardship. Scholarship-Driven STEM in Canada: An Edmonton high school senior, Josh Kirsch, turned a Grade 6 pandemic project into a nature-tracking app and won a $100,000 scholarship. Forestry Policy Pressure in B.C.: A Canada forest-industry task force urges provinces to reform regulations and improve fiber supply access as exports keep falling. SNAP Rules Blocked by Judge: A federal judge halted Trump administration SNAP funding conditions tied to “gender ideology,” immigration, and limits on women’s sports opportunities, calling them unconstitutional roadblocks. Teacher Shortage Partnership: UT Tyler and Jacksonville ISD launched an online graduate partnership aimed at expanding educational leadership and addressing regional teacher shortages. School Construction in California: Lodi Unified broke ground on Samuel M. Gantner Elementary to ease overcrowding, funded by Measure K and developer fees. Florida Adult Ed Access Proposal: Florida’s proposed rules would restrict immigrant students’ access to adult education and state colleges, drawing criticism over vague citizenship definitions. College Sports Funding Gap: Southern University at New Orleans spent far less on women’s basketball in 2024 than the Louisiana average, highlighting ongoing disparities in athletics budgets.

Student Debt Relief Fight: A new report says millions of borrowers in the SAVE federal student loan plan could be pushed into other repayment options as legal challenges and policy shifts force the program to end, with interest resuming after forbearance. Federal Funding With Conditions Blocked: A judge halted the Trump administration’s attempt to require states to follow immigration, transgender, and other policy demands to keep USDA funding, calling the move a threat to lifeline programs. Medicaid Work Requirement: CMS issued an interim rule starting in 2027 that would require many Medicaid enrollees to complete 80 hours a month of work, education, training, or community service, with major coverage-loss projections. Civics Education Push: The U.S. Department of Education’s “History Rocks!” tour brought civics lessons to Arizona schools ahead of America’s 250th birthday. School Safety & Rights: A U.S. district court filing says Quinnipiac women’s rugby was cut from varsity to club status in a Title IX dispute; separately, a man was arrested at the University of Saskatchewan for alleged voyeurism. Local School Library Fight: In Derry, the school district tabled a vote to close its only public library after community outcry. STEM & Research Wins: UW-Whitewater received $225,000 to build a regionally shared Emergency Operations Center, and two UH Mānoa researchers earned ARCS STEM scholar awards.

Civics in the Classroom: The U.S. Department of Education says TV host Mario Lopez will host the “Presidential 1776 Award” national finals, spotlighting top high school civics students with a live competition on the Constitution and founding history. School Success Spotlights: Middlebury’s school board wrapped up the year with academic and arts wins, including rising SAT performance and strong participation in a college-credits program. Student Life & Pathways: DODEA-Pacific athletes are heading to Division I programs, showing how overseas schools can still feed major college sports. Local Enrollment Snapshots (NY): New York school reports show shifting demographics—Pelham Memorial’s student body is 59.7% white, Glencliff’s multiracial share rose to 8.6%, and Malta Avenue’s Hispanic enrollment fell to 9.3%. Higher Ed & Research Capacity: Howard University’s push toward R1 status is getting support from groups backing expanded HBCU research and clinical trial participation. College Sports Spending: New federal data highlights women’s basketball budgets at schools like Holy Family University and Tulane, underscoring how spending varies widely by program. Policy & Politics in Higher Ed: An opinion piece argues the University of Florida’s DEI messaging during a presidential search signals deeper political alignment.

Federal Civil Rights: DOJ sued UCLA under Title VI, alleging the university was “deliberately indifferent” to antisemitic harassment and an encampment that blocked Jewish and Israeli students from classes. School Policy: Denver Public Schools is moving toward a state-required bell-to-bell cellphone ban after a survey found strong student and staff support. Title IX Funding Threat: The U.S. Department of Education warned JeffCo Public Schools it could lose federal funding over transgender student policies, escalating a long-running compliance fight. Higher Ed Access & Safety: DOJ also opened an investigation into alleged race-based practices at Arizona State University. Student Life & Costs: A new report says international student enrollment fell 17%, exposing how much universities depend on foreign tuition. Workforce Pipeline: A community bank and community college launched an ASCEND 250-style program to connect high school graduates to jobs. STEM Outreach: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ran STEAM events for thousands of students across South Korea schools. Health & Claims: A judge ruled Abbott must defend a class-action alleging PediaSure’s “clinically proven” marketing misled parents about growth. Campus Tech & AI: A new analysis warns AI could disrupt the education-to-jobs path, but not in a guaranteed way.

School Governance Clash: Montrose County School District board moved to suspend Superintendent Dr. Carrie Stephenson on paid leave after simmering tensions, with Stephenson filing a formal grievance and asking for investigation and mediation. Judicial Safety Funding: Florida lawmakers approved nearly $1 million to expand judicial threat response, including hiring deputy court marshals as a statewide clearinghouse. Federal Education Fraud: Mississippi officials sentenced two former superintendents in a scheme stealing nearly $400,000 in federal education funds, with restitution ordered. Higher Ed & Tuition: University of Wisconsin regents are set to vote on a 2% tuition hike plus higher segregated fees. Workforce & Training: Mercy Springfield is launching a graduate medical education program in summer 2027 to address physician shortages. AI Education Funding: A new study finds federal AI-related education awards are concentrated in a few states, shaping where students may find the most support. Research Investment: University of Iowa launched a five-year environmental health tracking program (INSIGHT) funded by a $5 million donation.

College Enrollment: The National Student Clearinghouse reports spring enrollment rose again: undergraduate enrollment up 1.3% to 15.5 million, while graduate enrollment was basically flat, signaling steadier demand after earlier fears. College Sports Policy: Sen. Maria Cantwell opened a Senate hearing warning college athletics is “in crisis,” citing cuts to women’s and Olympic programs and arguing the system is drifting toward pay-for-play. Teacher Pay: Florida’s Lee County school board approved incentive pay for teachers in critical subjects, with a large price tag and debate over how much is new money versus shifting compensation. Higher Ed Access (Courts): A federal judge struck down Nebraska’s long-running in-state tuition rule for some undocumented students, saying it conflicts with federal law. Campus/Student Life: UChicago lab schools faced community backlash after stopping the Pride flag tradition, citing the university’s neutrality guidelines. Workforce & Training: Ohio awarded $250,000 to a manufacturers coalition for K-12 and youth outreach tied to welding and machining pipelines. Local Safety: Parents in Brookline, Mass., raised alarms about dangerously hot playground surfaces, urging faster fixes.

College Sports Policy: Nick Saban testified for the bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act,” arguing for tighter rules on transfers and tampering after alleged NIL/portal manipulation cases. Federal Education Politics: The Education Department is backing away from a civil-rights focus on Black students, while protests disrupted a planned Education Secretary stop in Massachusetts. Equity in K-12 Enrollment: New York school enrollment snapshots show shifting demographics, including rising multiracial and Hispanic student shares at multiple schools, alongside very small counts at others. School Meals: Mercer County’s “Myron’s Meal Mobile” bus will keep serving free summer lunches for a sixth straight year. Health Research: The American Heart Association launched a national heart transplant research network to close gaps in outcomes and equity. Tech + Environment: A UN University report warns data centers’ electricity use and water demand will surge as AI expands. Community & Learning: A new Yampa River park in Craig, Colo., is set for a June 26 grand opening, with local schools and families expected to use the trails.

Civil Rights in Schools: The Trump administration is backing away from addressing civil rights for Black students, with critics saying it flips the purpose of civil rights law and threatens school funding and grants. Higher Ed & Academic Freedom: UW–Madison is set to teach future educators “anti-racist behaviors” and “social justice,” drawing First Amendment concerns about whether faculty are being pushed to adopt specific views. College Sports Pay: Senators Cruz and Cantwell unveiled a bill to “restore order” in college athletics compensation, as NIL rules and patchwork state laws keep roiling the system. Student Life & Child Care: Amesbury schools are revisiting a proposal for on-site daycare for district employees and community members at Amesbury Middle School. Campus Recognition: Belmont University released its spring 2026 Dean’s List, with about 49% of undergrads earning the honor. Policy & Representation: Iowa’s primaries set up new matchups, including Christina Bohannan’s Democratic win in Iowa’s 1st District and Josh Turek’s Senate nomination.