AGP Executive Report

Superintendent Review: Old Rochester School Committee publicly evaluated Superintendent Michael Nelson, with most goals met or exceeded and feedback praising a supportive culture for educators, families, and students. Higher Ed Accreditation: JK Lakshmipat University in Jaipur secured Data Science Council of America (DASCA) accreditation to strengthen experiential Data Science & AI education and industry-linked learning. Cybersecurity Partnership: Stony Brook University’s Ethos Lab teamed with RevBits to build cybersecurity labs and curriculum using simulated threat environments. Outdoor Learning PD: Wild Classrooms, run by University of Illinois Extension and Ag in the Classroom, opens June 15–18 for K-6 teachers to bring hands-on science outdoors. School Leadership Moves: Waterloo’s district named Danielle Hakeman as Hoover Middle School principal starting July 1. School Funding for Literacy: Sudbury’s Westmount Avenue Public School received a $10,000 library grant from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation. Facilities Planning: A school board formed a new facilities plan committee to map maintenance and needs over the next five years. International Campuses in India: India’s education ministry approved new campus Letters of Approval for the University of Bristol, University of York, and UNSW. Local Education Governance: Wausau shifted oversight of the school crossing guard program to the police department to manage rising costs.

AI in Schools: A new K-12 report argues schools should stop treating AI as a single technical problem and instead rethink how it changes teaching, assessment, and the teacher’s role. School Safety & Violence: A Texas teen’s murder trial over a stabbing at a school track meet heads to jury deliberations, with prosecutors calling it “murder plain and simple.” School Access & Policy: Sweden moves to ban mobile phones in schools as reading and learning concerns grow. Digital Learning Infrastructure: Illinois launches a first-ever statewide digital library resource program, giving residents free access to e-books, journals, and research databases. Education Funding After Disasters: FEMA awards $60.5M to rebuild a flood-damaged high school in Jasper-Troupsburg, including hazard mitigation. Student Health: Sri Lanka’s dengue drive finds nearly one-third of inspected schools with mosquito-breeding conditions. Partnerships & Tech Training: Noetix Robotics and Kidswant form a strategic partnership to deploy humanoid robots in parent-child settings. Higher Ed & Research: Pakistan and China inaugurate a joint research centre at Shenyang University of Chemical Technology.

Classroom Tech Limits: Hamilton County School Board is weighing new rules to cut middle-school screen time, shifting from a 1:1 device model toward a more balanced approach. Reading vs Screens (Global): Sweden will ban mobile phones in schools next academic year, joining a wider push to reduce screen use as literacy concerns rise. Teacher Prep for Reading: A new National Council on Teacher Quality report finds only about half of teacher preparation programs use science-backed methods for teaching reading, with many still relying on outdated practices. Special Education Outcomes: Michigan’s IDEA 2026 reporting shows improvement in special education graduation rates and literacy indicators across districts in the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona ESD. School Funding Pressure: Philadelphia’s budget deficit fallout is already hitting hiring and staffing, with students and staff facing the consequences of a political deadlock. Student Innovation & Career Pathways: A Penn student won Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia for an educational gaming startup teaching empathy; meanwhile, Angelina College secured a $15,000 grant to launch an electrical lineworker training pathway. Student Safety & Discipline: Tacoma’s Foss High stabbing case sees bail lowered to $250 as the legal process continues.

Earthquake Response in the Philippines: After a 7.8-magnitude quake hit Mindanao, DepEd mobilized engineers and suspended classes in affected areas while reporting 8,642 schools impacted and damage to classrooms ranging from minor to destroyed. School Safety & Security: The Philippine National Police said security plans for the 2026–2027 school year are in place for more than 26 million students, with extra measures in quake-hit regions. Local Education Funding & Access (Qatar): Qatar’s education ministry expanded fee exemptions for non-Qatari students in government schools to include holders of Qatari travel documents and permanent residency cards. Skills-First Reform (Bangladesh): Bangladesh plans to make technical and vocational education compulsory from Grade Six and introduce new curriculum subjects, including Sports and Culture in Class IV and “Learning with Happiness” in Class VI. Student Support (Philippines): San Juan City will distribute 13,000 tablets to K-12 public students, alongside free internet, smart TVs, and school supplies. Higher Education Recognition (US): Galen College of Nursing became the first nursing college to earn the ANCC Well-Being Excellence credential. Education & Community (US): A Kansas City-area suburb is investigating a reported incident on a school bus involving juveniles, with details withheld while the case is reviewed.

Philippines School Opening Disrupted by Quake: A magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Mindanao as classes began June 8, affecting about 3.24 million learners and 128,861 education workers across five regions, with schools suspending classes while facilities are inspected. New Academic Calendar Rollout: The Department of Education launched reforms for SY 2026–2027, including a three-term calendar, updated lesson and assessment standards, and strengthened senior high curriculum, as about 26 million students returned to school. U.S. Transfer Access Boost: UCLA will pilot an Associate Degree for Transfer pathway this fall, giving qualifying community college students priority consideration for admission. U.S. Anti-Cheating Debate: A letter urges educators to use all tools, including AI, to tackle cheating, while another piece highlights the need for better student discussion skills. Kenya Higher-Ed Misconduct Allegations: A University of Nairobi senior lecturer faces public accusations of inappropriate conduct targeting female students. Solar Study Support in Zambia: Solar lights are being installed in 11 Rumphi primary schools to extend evening study time for Standard 8 learners. International Pathways: Five Kenyan universities are set to join a Kenya–Romania EU education programme offering EU-accredited master’s routes and mobility.

College Admissions & Testing: India’s CUET 2026 wrapped up after extensions for technical glitches, with 15.68 lakh candidates taking the exam across 19 days, after some students were forced to return home due to a May 30 computer-based test issue. School Safety & Incidents: A man was arrested after test-firing a musket outside Massapequa High School during SAT administration; police charged him with endangering a child. Education Policy & Funding: Virginia districts are pushing for a local sales-tax option to fund school construction and maintenance as aging facilities strain rural schools. International Education Models: Qatar Foundation launched its “Rasekh” accreditation framework to align international schooling with local Arabic language and cultural context, starting with a first cohort of partner schools. Student Support & Wellbeing: In Oyo State, Nigeria’s Air Force deployed surveillance aircraft to help track abducted teachers and pupils, with officials citing intelligence support for rescue efforts. Environment in Schools: UBA Foundation kicked off World Environment Day tree planting at Lagos schools, aiming to build climate action habits in students. Enrollment Snapshots (US): New York school reports show shifting demographics, including multiracial enrollment changes at Sauquoit Valley Elementary and Asian/Pacific Islander counts at multiple NYC schools.

School Security (Philippines): The Philippine National Police says it has mobilized 55,000+ personnel under Oplan Balik-Eskwela to secure public school openings for about 28 million students, including campus patrols, traffic support, and police assistance desks. School Readiness (Philippines): DepEd launched Project Handa to track classroom and learner readiness for the June 8 start, using school-level data to target resources where gaps are biggest. Exam Pressure (India): Ongoing NEET/CUET/CBSE controversies over leaks, result issues, and glitches are fueling anxiety for families, with educators warning uncertainty is worsening stress. Digital Devices Backlash (US): Some U.S. districts are reversing “one device for every student” plans as parents and teachers push for reduced screen time and more paper-based learning. Policy & Governance (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka’s education ministry is running public consultations, including an online survey, to shape a National Higher Education Policy Framework. Teacher/Student Support (UK): Glasgow is mandating systematic synthetic phonics so every pupil leaves primary able to read. Safety & Accountability (India): A student’s alleged drowning at a residential school in Sangli has triggered a police probe and suspension of the headmaster amid family allegations. School Discipline (Trinidad & Tobago): The teachers’ union warns proposed parental responsibility legislation could expand duties for educators unless implementation is carefully handled.

Policy & Access: Philippines education reform group E-Net Philippines urged stronger support for out-of-school youth, last-mile learners and overworked teachers as DepEd rolls out a new three-term 2026-27 calendar starting June 8. Sports Pathways: In Metro Manila, the Junior Foundation of the Philippines expanded its “Fairways to the Future” golf program by adding a college division, aiming to link grassroots training with scholarship opportunities. Student Safety: Florida’s new law requires first-time high school athletes to get an ECG heart screening before playing, effective July 1, 2026. School Community & Wellbeing: Oxford’s Wood Farm Primary earned the School Games Gold Mark for inclusive sport and mental health benefits, backed by Oxford United in the Community. Local School News: Lodi Unified broke ground on Samuel M. Gantner Elementary to ease overcrowding; Taylor County reported 312 kindergarten students in 2024-25. Protest & Accountability: India’s Cockroach Janta Party staged a youth-led protest demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over exam irregularities.

US Education Calendar Shift: DepEd Western Visayas says all 2,841 public schools are ready for the June 8, 2026 start of the new three-term school year, with an “opening block” focused on diagnostic assessments. Courtroom Rights in Higher Ed: The Iowa Supreme Court blocked the University of Iowa from redirecting a scholarship meant for Black students in physical sciences, sending the case back for district court guidance on honoring the donor’s intent. School Accountability & Safety: PSNI plans a “bespoke action plan” for schools to boost Catholic representation in police recruitment, rolling out in September. Admissions Update: Delhi University extended CSAS PG registration for 2026-27 to June 9, with correction edits scheduled for June 10–11. Student Life & Learning: LCBI High School stages “Mary Poppins” June 18–21; Binghamton High School hosts its first-ever science fair using a pilot project in place of a Regents exam. Community & Wellbeing: Derby Cathedral School will receive four refurbished bikes via a local cycle-repair partnership aimed at tackling inequality. Environment Day in Schools: St Aloysius PU College and other groups mark World Environment Day with youth-led sustainability activities.

Higher Education Reform: Bangladesh’s National University is training 12,000 college teachers in ICT and making ICT courses compulsory at the undergraduate level to better match skills to the labor market. Teacher Pay & Funding Politics: In Louisiana’s DeSoto Parish, the school board approved a 6.8% across-the-board pay increase for staff, as the governor pushes to redirect state education funds into teacher and support stipends. Civics in High School: The U.S. Department of Education announced Mario Lopez will host the “Presidential 1776 Award” national finals, spotlighting top high school students’ knowledge of the Constitution and U.S. history. School Safety & Violence: A California graduation shooting in Fairfield killed an 18-year-old student and injured three others; ceremonies continued the next day as police searched for the suspect. Learning Support for Disabled Students: A UK op-ed argues learning support failures still leave disabled children waiting months for assessments, with schools forced to cover gaps. Teacher Labor Action (Spain): Catalan teachers mobilized again for a strike over education labor and salary conditions, including major protests in Barcelona. Scholarships & Student Opportunities: Multiple local scholarship wins highlighted, including healthcare-focused awards for Franklin County seniors and science/innovation recognition for student teams.

Private School Pressure: UK reporting says private schools have lost about 30,000 pupils since VAT on fees began in Jan 2025, with closures cited in places like Wiltshire and the wider south west. Immigration & Universities: The UK Home Office says universities could lose their licence to recruit internationally if student visa refusals exceed 5% (up from 10%) and if enrolment/completion rates fall below tighter targets. School Closures & Consolidation: Solihull’s Ruckleigh School plans to close at term end, while Mississippi lawmakers debate K-12 consolidation options that could mean fewer schools and even “one-room schoolhouse” returns. Safety & Disruption: Nigeria’s Chibok-style school abductions continue, with 39 pupils and seven teachers reportedly kidnapped in Oyo state; separately, a NTSB probe is underway after a school bus crash in Gloucester County. Learning & Support: Hong Kong’s ESF expands a “through-train” model linking kindergartens to primary schools for guaranteed progression; Vermont Land Trust honors students with $500 Land Steward Awards. Funding & Policy: Indiana considers a new school funding referendum as an expiring 2018 measure approaches.

School Transport Safety: The Philippines’ LTFRB warned school transport operators to stop overcrowding and ensure students wear seatbelts as classes open June 8, with enforcement teams monitoring throughout the school year. Education Budget: Bangladesh’s education minister said the 2026-27 education budget will be set at 2% of GDP, with a promise to gradually raise funding toward 5% later. Higher Ed Leadership: Algoma University named Dr. Kofi Campbell as president and vice-chancellor effective Sept. 1, 2026, after a months-long search. Funding for Students: Malaysia’s Johor IMAJ initiative provided RM200 to help higher-education students, easing reliance on loans. School Meals Access: New Brunswick will roll out a pay-what-you-can lunch program this fall, with subsidies for families who can’t afford it. School Safety & Discipline: A New Zealand case alleges a special needs assistant resigned after parents objected to her Palestinian keffiyeh; in the U.S., a teacher was arrested on a misdemeanor child assault charge. Teacher Workforce Pressure: New Zealand teacher groups say schools are increasingly relying on overseas-trained teachers amid shortages.

School Choice Push (West Virginia): WV Board of Education President Paul Hardesty urged county districts to treat public schools as one “school choice option,” calling for policy reviews and more parent-friendly pre-K access. Cellphone Rules (Pennsylvania): The state House passed a bill requiring schools to restrict student phone possession and use during the school day, with limited emergency/medical exceptions. College Enrollment Trend (U.S.): The National Student Clearinghouse reported spring enrollment rose 1% overall, with undergraduate growth up 1.3% while graduate enrollment was nearly flat. Workforce Training (Higher Ed): Amazon selected Bossier Parish Community College for its Career Choice program, offering employees a technical Industrial Technician certificate. AI Access in Universities (U.S.): University of Chicago will provide students free enterprise access to Claude ahead of 2026–27, plus new faculty AI committees. School Safety (California): A shooting after a Sem Yeto High School graduation left one dead and three injured; investigations are ongoing. Early Childhood Funding (UK): London’s DfE nursery funding details were released for RJ Mitchell Primary School, with new places planned to open in 2027.

Teacher Workforce Funding: The Philippines’ CHED and Teacher Education Council launched a ₱103M pilot scholarship program to plug shortages in key teaching specializations, starting in AY 2026–2027 with 720 scholars. Private School Oversight: Dubai’s KHDA will restart quality assurance visits to private schools from 2026–27, using a revised framework to assess improvement and provide targeted support. Integrity in Higher Ed: Malaysia’s MACC will roll out “Maccampus” at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu to boost student financial literacy, integrity, and anti-corruption learning. School Safety for Reopening: In Central Luzon, police deployed 3,537 personnel for Oplan Balik-Eskwela 2026 ahead of June 8 classes. Education and Security Crisis: Nigeria’s school kidnappings sparked renewed outrage, with Peter Obi urging abductors to release children. Child Protection Accountability: In Alabama, Dothan police arrested a principal and Title IX coordinator for failing to report alleged child sexual abuse by a math teacher. Ontario Bargaining: Ontario unions served notice to bargain, pushing for smaller class sizes, better special education funding, and higher wages. College Sports Policy: Nick Saban testified in support of the Protect College Sports Act as SEC and Big Ten oppose it. Workforce Skills Pathways: Nexford University launched a B.S. in AI for Business aimed at training “AI translators” for industry needs.

Higher Ed Confidence: A new survey finds fewer people believe university is worth the time and money, citing weaker job prospects and anger over student debt. University Labor Tensions: Glasgow Caledonian University staff and the UCU plan pickets over proposed cuts of up to 100 posts, with unions warning compulsory redundancies could follow. Undergrad Learning Design: Cornell will host a discipline-crossing conference for undergraduate education, supported by an NSF grant, bringing together faculty and researchers from multiple college types. Student Achievement & Recognition: Jersey Shore Middle School inducted new National Junior Honor Society members, while Belmont University released its spring 2026 Dean’s List. School Infrastructure & Access: Daytona State College celebrated a major renovation for nursing simulation labs; Papua New Guinea’s Mandress Primary broke ground on new classrooms, and Rotary delivered 30 desks to Ororo Primary. Policy & Student Life: Pennsylvania’s House advanced a bill to restrict cell phones during the school day. Teaching Shortage: Kyrgyzstan says it will be short of more than 640 teachers by 2025/26, with salary increases planned to help attract staff.

School Infrastructure & Safety: Valencia City Central School in Bukidnon says it still faces chronic classroom shortages and recurring flooding as teachers and volunteers prepare for the 2026-27 opening, while the Philippines’ education leadership also highlighted campus safety upgrades like CCTV and early literacy spaces during Brigada Eskwela visits. Education Policy Reform: Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda pushed education reforms via a June 2 hearing, including rationalizing Schools Division Offices, modernizing Adopt-a-School, and advancing a national K-to-3 literacy framework. Labor & School Operations: CUPE 3730 members in Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools voted to ratify a three-year deal for about 200 education support workers, including wage increases and stronger workplace violence provisions. School Security & Community Response: Illinois principal Aaron Hill resigned amid a felony aggravated battery investigation, and Muscatine Community School District is offering counseling after a deadly shooting that killed seven, including students and employees. Teacher & Student Wellbeing Amid Violence: Nigeria’s NUT staged a solidarity rally demanding the immediate release of abducted teachers and learners in Oyo and beyond. Learning & Student Life: Rigby, Idaho hosted Holocaust survivor Peter Feigl for students and community members, and a student robotics team from Illinois advanced to the World Championship after winning a design award.