Topic
Follow the latest research developments across US K-12 education. Studies, reports, evaluations and data releases.
Last updated: October 5, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 6 research stories over the last 30 days, across 4 states and 6 organizations. The most active states are National, Georgia and Illinois.
Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia announced the release of a survey focused on developing the school district's budget for the 2028 fiscal year.
Clark County School District offers fire science programs at three high schools, where students use professional equipment and study fire protection and prevention to prepare for firefighting careers.
CoSN published a guide by Jesse Davis and a companion toolkit to help K-12 district leaders adopt and sustain new technologies, using a framework focused on five outcomes for managing change.
Drawing on two years of work with five state boards, NASBE’s report identifies policies to support changes in high schools, including revised diplomas, competency-based learning and local accountability.
AASA surveyed 429 district leaders in 43 states; 67% cited federal funding as a challenge for meal programs, and 40% said they used other budget funds to cover meal costs last year.
High school students from across Illinois will meet with state education officials in 2026-27 to research school issues and recommend policies and initiatives affecting students.
Feedback Wanted! Take the Student Screen Time Survey August 31- September 11
EES Student Wellness Screener + Superintendent’s Listening & Learning Tour Student Survey
Missouri education officials presented preliminary 2025-26 assessment results showing modest gains in English language arts, math, science and government across grade-level and high school exams.
A new NASBE analysis identifies principal preparation, mentoring and regulatory flexibility as state policy tools to support high schools offering student-centered pathways to college and careers.
A new NASBE report outlines five questions for state boards seeking fuller student participation. Twenty-four states have student members serving in voting or nonvoting roles.
A Renaissance-sponsored report from Tyton Partners surveyed more than 2,000 educators and parents, finding that fragmented systems and limited teacher time hinder efforts to improve student outcomes.
Connecticut’s free, six-week program will prepare aspiring paraeducators for a required assessment, cover exam and study costs, and connect successful participants with hiring districts.
Governor
Author
School funding developments include increased state allocations in Illinois and continued federal career and technical education funding at current levels. Illinois’s fiscal 2027 evidence-based funding grew by $350 million to $9.3 billion, with every district receiving more than last year, while a federal stopgap measure extended Perkins V funding through December 11. Kansas received an $8.4 million federal grant to strengthen its educator pipeline. In Massachusetts, Gov. Healey appointed western Massachusetts K–12 education and universal preschool leaders to the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
State and district education leaders are making appointments and involving teachers and students in governance: Florida named a new education commissioner, New York City appointed an early childhood deputy chancellor, Missouri added its first active classroom teacher to the state board, and Illinois selected a student advisory council. Technology policies differ across jurisdictions, with New York City announcing a generative AI moratorium while Illinois issued nonbinding AI guidance and Connecticut recommended bell-to-bell limits on personal devices without a statewide mandate. Illinois increased school funding and awarded teacher recruitment and retention grants, while New York City expanded pre-K special education and Mississippi began implementing statewide math and adolescent literacy initiatives for 2026–27. Maryland reported a four-year decline in chronic absenteeism.
States are expanding career pathways and hands-on learning through grants, new facilities and work placements, including apprenticeships and work-based learning in Florida, paid AI internships in Massachusetts and a manufacturing lab at Mililani High School in Hawaii. Pennsylvania awarded $3.5 million to broaden career pathways, while Mississippi launched a statewide initiative connecting classroom lessons with college and careers for the 2026–27 school year. Rhode Island and Maryland are working with Advance CTE to expand pathway access with student participation in program and policy design. At the federal level, a stopgap spending measure maintained Perkins V career and technical education funding at current levels through December 11.
Connecticut and Missouri reported 2025–26 assessment gains across multiple subjects, while Colorado reported gains in elementary math and literacy but declining middle school English language arts scores and persistent achievement gaps. Mississippi reported higher science performance, steady English language arts results and a slight decline in math proficiency. Connecticut’s chronic absenteeism fell to 16.4%, down from 23.7% in 2021–22. Kansas received federal approval to pilot assessments administered throughout the school year.
Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Mississippi announced updated income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price school meals, with Illinois and Pennsylvania specifying coverage for the 2026–27 period. Massachusetts is partnering with Project Bread to provide free meals in child care settings and afterschool programs. Colorado is expanding Healthy School Meals for All through $23.8 million in grants for local food purchases, scratch cooking and higher nutrition staff wages.
Illinois, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts are taking steps to expand school mental health screening and support staffing. Illinois has issued guidance to help districts prepare for annual mental health screenings in grades 3–12 starting in 2027–28, with parents able to opt their children out. Pennsylvania’s $8 million program has placed 42 school psychology interns in 22 schools this year and offers eligible interns support in high-need districts. Massachusetts has increased school funding to help retain teachers, paraprofessionals and mental health counselors.
Based on: CoSN Releases 2026 Blaschke Report on Change Management for Education Technology
Based on: EES Student Wellness Screener + Superintendent’s Listening & Learning Tour Student Survey
Based on: Governor Lamont Announces Registration Open for Connecticut's New Paraeducator Preparation Academy
