Test scores have plunged, but voters aren't making schools a top political issue | Link to article

A new analysis finds that the steepest decline in student test scores in modern American history has barely registered as a political issue. Despite widespread media coverage and alarming data, only 2% of voters rank education as the country's top concern, and most politicians across both parties have moved away from standards and accountability as campaign themes. The piece raises a pointed question for school board members and education leaders: if communities don't demand better outcomes, who will?

A Great University Undermines Its Mission | Link to article

Six years after the University of California system dropped SAT and ACT requirements, faculty across multiple campuses are sounding the alarm: incoming students are arriving less prepared than ever, with some unable to complete pre-calculus or write a basic sentence. More than 2,000 professors have signed letters urging a reversal of the policy, and even the university president who championed it in 2020 now says the experiment needs to be reconsidered.

Gates Foundation Bets on Credentials, AI to Reach Students Before 2045 Sunset | Link to article

The Gates Foundation released an updated five-year strategy focused on math achievement, college completion, and the expanded use of AI in instruction and advising. Among its priorities: getting more students through Algebra 1 by ninth grade, reducing freshman dropout rates in STEM courses, and deploying AI tools to help college counselors track students through the enrollment process.

Long-Term NAEP Shows Growth for 9-Year-Olds, More Disappointment for Teens | Link to article
The latest results from the Nation's Report Card show a split picture: 9-year-olds have recovered to pre-pandemic reading levels, driven largely by gains among the lowest-performing students. Meanwhile, 13-year-olds showed no improvement, with average reading scores at their lowest point since 1971.

Girls' Test Scores Have Fallen Faster Than Boys'. No One Knows Exactly Why. | Link to article
Federal exam data spanning decades shows that girls' academic scores have declined more sharply than boys' and have been slower to recover, a trend appearing across multiple subjects and age groups. Researchers have not yet reached a consensus on the cause, but say understanding this gap is essential to addressing the broader national learning decline.

Texas High Schoolers Show Gains Across All Subjects on STAAR Tests | Link to article
Texas students made improvements in every subject tested on the state's end-of-course exams this spring, including algebra, biology, and English, with gains also recorded among English language learners, students with disabilities, and children from low-income families. Educators attribute the progress to focused instruction and continued recovery efforts following pandemic-related learning disruptions.

Kids Are in a 'Reading Recession' as Test Scores Continue to Decline | Link to article

A new analysis from researchers at Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth found that reading scores have been declining since 2013 in most U.S. school districts, with students still nearly half a grade level below pre-pandemic levels. States that adopted phonics-based instruction and invested in teacher training showed the most meaningful recovery.

Did School Cellphone Bans Work? New Study Finds Mixed Results | Link to article

The largest study of its kind found that strict cellphone bans significantly reduced device use in schools and improved teachers' ability to focus on instruction, though test scores did not show immediate gains. Researchers caution against abandoning the policy too soon, noting that student well-being improved over time.

Nearly One-Third of Teachers Still Use 'Discredited' Reading Methods | Link to article

A new Fordham Institute report surveying more than 1,200 K-3 teachers found that about 30% continue to rely on reading approaches inconsistent with the science of reading, with the gap even wider in high-poverty schools. Researchers point to inconsistent teacher training and mixed messages during preparation programs as key barriers to broader adoption.

The Graduation Gap: When Students Earn a High School Diploma But Still Can't Do Math | Link to article

A national analysis finds that high school graduation rates across the U.S. are at record highs, but mask a troubling reality: in many states, the gap between students who graduate and students who are proficient in math reaches 50 percentage points. The study calls for greater attention to foundational skills in early grades and more honesty about what a diploma actually certifies.

Many Parents Value Grades Over Test Scores, Missing Signals to Intervene | Link to article

A survey of more than 2,000 parents found that most prioritize report card grades over standardized test results when assessing how their children are doing in school. With grade inflation rising and test scores declining, researchers warn that many families may be missing critical signals that their children need additional academic support.

Inside 5 Rural Texas Districts That Together Set Students on Path to the Future | Link to article

Five rural districts in south Texas built a collaborative network offering specialized academies in nursing, welding, teaching, robotics and technology, with college credits included. The model reversed enrollment declines, dramatically increased the share of students earning dual credit, and is now recognized as a national reference for expanding opportunity in under-resourced communities.

Does special education work? | Link to article

A recent study examining data from multiple states finds that access to special education services is associated with significant and sustained improvements in student academic outcomes. The research highlights measurable gains in math and reading performance after students begin receiving services, while also raising questions about how to further improve effectiveness.

The 10-Year Test for Durable Schools | Link to article
This article examines how schools and districts can sustain strong performance over time despite leadership changes, staff turnover, and shifting priorities. It highlights factors such as consistent instructional systems, strong school culture, and stable governance as key elements that support long-term success.

An Overlooked Factor of the ‘Southern Surge’: Investments in Early Childhood | Link to article
This article examines the role of early childhood education investments in states that have shown improvements in literacy outcomes. It highlights how expanded access to pre-K, alignment between early learning and K–3 systems, and support for educators have been part of broader efforts to improve student achievement.

Texas’ social studies shakeup creates divide over whose histories to teach, and how | Link to article

Texas is revising its social studies curriculum through State Board of Education discussions on which historical perspectives to include, with updated standards expected for a summer vote and classroom implementation beginning in the 2030–31 school year.

Fort Worth ISD loses appeal of state takeover, prompting a trustee’s resignation |Link to article
A state administrative court upheld Texas’ takeover of Fort Worth ISD due to persistent academic performance concerns, allowing new leadership to be appointed while daily classroom instruction is expected to continue during the transition.

Five States Praised for Aligning High School and College Math | Link to article
A report highlights efforts in five states to better align high school and college mathematics pathways, showing progress in reducing remedial course placement and improving student readiness for postsecondary study.

Top teachers’ performance drops in high-poverty schools, showing school context is key | Link to article

New research finds that highly effective teachers who move to high-poverty schools often see their performance decline, highlighting how school context, resources, and collaboration influence teaching effectiveness.

How Mississippi Transformed Its Schools From Worst to Best | Link to article

Mississippi surged from 49th to top 10 on national fourth-grade reading tests since 2013 by deploying literacy coaches, enforcing science-of-reading methods, and using progress-based school grades in low-performing elementary schools despite high poverty.

College Enrollment Hits 10-Year High | Link to article
U.S. college enrollment reached 19.4 million students, the highest in a decade across undergraduate and graduate programs, reversing prior declines amid stabilizing trends.​

SAT Surges in Popularity Over ACT | Link to article
SAT participation rose 45% higher than ACT for the class of 2025 as colleges reinstate requirements, prompting ACT format changes to adapt to market shifts.