Topic
Follow the latest student wellbeing developments across US K-12 education. Mental health, counselling, nutrition and student support.
Last updated: October 5, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 7 student wellbeing stories over the last 30 days, across 6 states and 6 organizations. The most active states are Texas, Georgia and Illinois.
Gettysburg Area School District has received more than $490,000 in state safety and mental health grants since Gov. Josh Shapiro took office, using some funds to hire social workers.
McClure Health Science HS café team receives award for excellence in school nutrition
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.
Sudie Williams TAG in Dallas Independent School District, Texas, has high student attendance, with engaging school days credited for helping bring students to campus.
Maryland’s top education official reported that the share of students who are chronically absent has fallen over four years, in an announcement from the state education department.
Illinois schools will use updated USDA income thresholds to determine student meal benefits for 2026-27. The criteria apply to free and reduced-price breakfast, lunch and after-school snacks.
Dallas Independent School District in Texas has announced a set of themes for each week of its observance of Attendance Awareness Month during the 2026 calendar year.
The Maryland State Department of Education announced updated income eligibility guidelines for school meals provided at no cost or at a reduced price in Maryland.
September 02, 2026 In this issue, read about how FCPS values your voice, important safety reminders, and attendance resources for families.
Colorado education officials, the Denver Broncos Foundation and Attendance Works started a cohort serving 53 schools, offering training and resources to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.
Connecticut students posted gains in math, science and English language arts in 2025–26. Chronic absenteeism fell to 16.4%, down from 23.7% in 2021–22.
Colorado's chronic absenteeism rate fell to 27.5% in 2025-26, its lowest level in four years. State education data show attendance rose slightly to 91.5%, up from 91.4% a year earlier.
The Illinois State Board of Education released a planning resource to help districts prepare to offer annual mental health screenings for grades 3-12 starting in 2027-28. Parents may opt their children out.
Pennsylvania’s program has placed 42 school psychology interns in 22 schools this year. Eligible interns in high-need districts may receive stipends, Praxis fee waivers and additional training.
Massachusetts Governor Healey is working with Project Bread to offer meals at no cost to children attending child care settings and afterschool programs.
Colorado education officials announced $23.8 million in two noncompetitive grants to help schools buy locally grown ingredients, prepare meals from scratch and raise pay for nutrition workers.
Don’t forget to join us for our Child Nutrition Services Job Fair this Saturday, July 18
Massachusetts Gov. Healey increased school funding to help retain teachers, paraprofessionals and mental health counselors, supporting staffing in the state's schools.
Governor
Governor
Chronic absenteeism declined in Maryland, Connecticut and Colorado, with Maryland reporting a four-year decline. Connecticut’s rate fell to 16.4% in 2025–26 from 23.7% in 2021–22, while Colorado’s fell to 27.5%, its lowest level in four years, as attendance edged up to 91.5% from 91.4% a year earlier. Colorado education officials also partnered with the Denver Broncos Foundation and Attendance Works to launch a 53-school network offering training and resources to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.
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.
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.
Early childhood education is part of leadership changes and broader education policy efforts in Massachusetts, Florida and New York City. Massachusetts appointed universal preschool leaders to its Foundation Budget Review Commission, issued PROTECT Act guidance for schools and child care providers, and partnered with Project Bread to provide free meals in child care and afterschool programs. New York City is expanding pre-K special education and appointed a new deputy chancellor for early childhood education. Florida’s approach to responsible AI use in education includes voluntary prekindergarten alongside K-12 schools and colleges.
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.
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.
Based on: With Shapiro Administration Investments in Student Mental Health, Highly Qualified Social Workers Are Supporting Gettysburg Area School District Students
Based on: Exciting school days drive top-tier attendance at Sudie Williams TAG
Based on: Dallas ISD unveils weekly themes for 2026 Attendance Awareness Month
Based on: CDE and the Denver Broncos Foundation launch Denver Broncos Attendance Network
Based on: Illinois Issues Guidance to Support Universal Mental Health Screening Implementation
Based on: Shapiro Administration Provides $8 Million to Increase the Number of School Psychologists in High-Need Areas
