July 25, 2025

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Charter Enrollment Climbs as Districts Decline

Charter schools in San Diego County have seen enrollment soar by 41% since 2014—adding 26,000 students—while district-run schools have shed 12%, or 53,000 learners, over the same period.

Families cite flexible schedules, virtual options, and personalized support for students with disabilities as key draws. Fully online charters, notably Cabrillo Point Academy and Pacific Coast Academy, account for nearly half of the charter growth. As funding follows students—over $10,000 per pupil via California’s Local Control Funding Formula—traditional public schools face tighter budgets and staffing cuts.

Missouri Overhauls School Funding Formula

Missouri has launched its first comprehensive review of its school funding formula in 20 years as Gov. Mike Kehoe’s Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force begins deliberations. Meeting next on Aug. 13, the group must deliver recommendations to the governor and legislature by Dec. 1, 2026. District leaders from Greenfield to Forsyth are cautiously optimistic, emphasizing the need to protect small and rural schools that rely on state dollars for roughly 80% of their operating revenue.

Key Issues:

Attendance vs. enrollment weighting shifts (50% membership by 2029-30)

Hold-harmless protections for small districts

Adequacy target update to $7,145 per pupil

Local effort and regional cost adjustments

Superintendents warn that any formula changes, including expanded support for charter and virtual schools, must balance equity, sustainability and local flexibility to ensure every Missouri student receives adequate resources.

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K-12 Districts Advance AI Policies Amid Clarity Concerns

Across three states, K-12 districts are racing to formalize classroom AI use while wrestling with policy gaps.

In Richmond, Indiana, the school board approved an AI policy for a second reading with a 5–1 vote, drawing criticism over its broad language and undefined violations that could trigger suspensions or expulsions. Meanwhile in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, administrators presented an AI “living document” focused on academic integrity and teacher permissions, with a second reading slated for late August. In Coldwater, Michigan’s Branch ISD, special education leaders won board approval to let staff deploy FERPA-compliant AI tools for case management and report writing.

Key tensions include balancing student innovation and privacy, defining enforceable infractions, and training educators on responsible AI adoption.

K-12 Schools Expand Cellphone Bans

A growing wave of cellphone and smart-device bans is sweeping K–12 schools as districts and states aim to curb distractions and enhance student focus.

• Bartlesville, Oklahoma, enacted a district-wide policy under SB 139 that prohibits all personal electronics—from smartwatches to Bluetooth water bottles—from the first bell to the last, with narrow exceptions for emergencies, health needs and IEP/504 plans.
• Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky has imposed a complete ban—including in halls and cafeterias—providing schools latitude on enforcement tools like locking pouches and backpack storage.
• In Vermont, a new law signed by Gov. Phil Scott will require statewide phone and personal‐device prohibitions from arrival to dismissal beginning in 2026-27, adding restrictions on teachers’ use of social media in coursework.

Connecticut Launchs $300M Endowment to Fund Free Child Care

HARTFORD, Conn. — Governor Ned Lamont and Treasurer Erick Russell unveiled a $300 million Early Childhood Endowment on Trinity College’s playground this week, aiming to grow it into $1 billion by mid-2027. The fund will underwrite free care for children six weeks to five years old in families earning under $100,000, while capping fees at 7% of income for higher earners.

Key features:

Charter Schools Surge 41% Since 2014 as District Enrollment Drops 12%