The US Department of Education announced that it would automatically reprocess all Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms that contained tax errors, with 15% to 20% of this year's 6.9 million submitted forms likely to be impacted by the decision. The release of the new FAFSA form has been beset with errors and glitches, with colleges unable to rely on accurate data to disburse aid, holding up commitment and financial aid deadlines for the 2024-25 school year.

As federal stimulus funds for tutoring dwindle, states like Louisiana, as well as the District of Columbia, are allocating annual budgets to sustain high-impact tutoring programs. With Louisiana earmarking $30 million annually and Washington's $4.8 million allocation, educators are seeking to embed tutoring as a permanent service to support student outcomes.

Dozens of civil rights and education groups, including GLSEN and the NAACP Legal Defense, are calling on the US Department of Education to prohibit the use of federal funds for AI and big data surveillance technologies in K-12 schools. Warning about the potential violations of students' civil rights, the groups say there is a need for thorough evaluation and technical guidance on the issues involved to ensure student safety and privacy.

In a bid for accountability, legislation proposed in Louisiana would require school boards to grade superintendents on K-3 students' math and English scores. The data would comprise a third of the appraisal, according to the bill, and the state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education members would help create the standards, state Rep. John Wyble says.

The West Virginia State Board of Education heard from several education officials at its recent meeting on efforts to address discipline in elementary schools, with Jim Brown, executive director of the West Virginia School Board Association, telling the board that a proposal that failed to advance through the state legislature did not provide sufficient support for addressing underlying mental health issues. The board also reviewed public comment on a proposed policy that would make financial literacy, which is currently taught as part of civics courses, its own separate course.

A study in Tennessee illustrates the inconsistency of teacher shortages, revealing disparities between districts and subjects, particularly in math, foreign languages and special education, researchers say. Targeted financial incentives have shown mixed results in addressing shortages, with examples from Hawaii and Dallas suggesting nuanced challenges and potential unintended consequences, according to researchers.

Annual Conference 2024 is heading to Louisville, Ky., this October! Help us tailor it to your needs. Take this short survey to share your preferences and ideas about topics and policies most relevant to you. All responses are due by May 6 and will inform the NASBE Conference Planning Committee's ongoing work.

As the final obligation deadline for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) approaches, states and school districts face a looming "fiscal cliff" that will impact the sustainability of important pandemic recovery efforts. Join NASBE, CCSSO, and Edunomics Lab later today, Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm ET, for a webinar discussion about the emerging risks for students when districts face large deficits and ways state leaders can help districts navigate significant budgets shifts and leverage recurring federal funding to sustain high-impact investments.