📬 School Vouchers, K–12 Funding and Perfect Attendance

🏛️ FEDERAL POLICY & FUNDING

📌 School Voucher Program Advances in Senate

A nationwide voucher proposal, the Universal School Choice Act, is moving through the Senate as part of the 2025 federal budget. Sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, the $10B plan would fund private school scholarships through tax-credit-funded Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs).

• Who qualifies: Families earning up to 300% of the area median income.

• Impact: Could redirect federal funding away from public schools, affecting per-pupil allocations and long-term planning.

• Status: Passed House, currently in Senate reconciliation process.

• EdWeek Summary →

Administrator Takeaway: Prepare for potential enrollment shifts and funding volatility. Engage your board and community now with contingency planning.

🏫 STATE & DISTRICT-LEVEL HIGHLIGHTS

🧾 California Budget Update Supports K–12 Investment

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May budget revision includes increases for community schools, expanded student supports, and professional development. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond praised the focus on equity.

• CA DOE News Release →

📈 Sacramento-Area Schools Outperform in UC Admissions

An analysis shows multiple Sacramento-area high schools send students to top UC campuses at disproportionately high rates — a sign of strong prep programs and district strategy alignment.

• SacBee Report →

🌐 TRENDS & STRATEGIC INSIGHTS

📚 2025 State of the State Themes

A new NGA analysis finds most governors emphasized:

• Increased K–12 funding

• Workforce pipeline integration

• Student mental health supports

• NGA Policy Tracker →

🔐 Digital Citizenship as a Core Curriculum Area

Schools are formalizing digital responsibility programs to combat screen addiction, cyberbullying, and misinformation.

• EdTech Magazine Feature →

📱 SOCIAL MEDIA & STUDENT LIFE

📉 Greenwich Teens Cut Back on Screen Time

Survey results from a local prevention council show students self-monitoring screen usage, sparking renewed curriculum discussions on healthy device habits.

• Greenwich Time →

⚠️ Dangerous TikTok Trend: “Chromebook Challenge”

Students inserting objects into school-issued Chromebooks are causing internal damage and electrical hazards. Districts are issuing safety bulletins and initiating investigations.

• Wikipedia Overview →

🎓 STUDENT RECOGNITION

🏅 Perfect Attendance Since Kindergarten

Two students — in Berthoud, CO and Wilson, NC — graduated with perfect K–12 attendance, earning valedictorian honors and media coverage for their consistency.

• 9News →

• ABC11 →

🚌 INFRASTRUCTURE & INNOVATION

⚡ Electric School Bus Adoption Requires More Than Funding

Transportation leaders warn that districts need robust data systems and resilient infrastructure — not just grants — to make electric fleets viable long-term.

• School Transportation News →

✅ ADMINISTRATOR ACTION STEPS

• Monitor: Senate voucher bill & state budget allocations.

• Engage: With your board on contingency plans around enrollment & funding.

• Review: Your district’s digital wellness programs and device policies.

• Recognize: Student achievement stories to boost morale and community support.