Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli, and today we’ve got a fascinating lineup of stories shaping the narrative in our schools and u
First up, a battle for local governance is heating up in Memphis. The Memphis-Shelby County Schools district has filed a lawsuit against Tennessee’s decision to create a new oversight board, which would strip the elected school board of significant authority, including budget approvals. According to Chalkbeat, local leaders argue this law dismantles democratic rights and fails to address systemic issues at the heart of the district’s struggles. They're seeking an immediate halt to any actions by the new board, which is set to convene later this month, claiming irreversible damage could occur once it begins making decisions. Meanwhile, in New York City, the spotlight is shining on the city's Education Department's contracting processes amid allegations against Chancellor Kamar Samuels. As per another report from Chalkbeat, these claims could derail efforts to reduce fraud in a system fraught with inefficiencies and procedural flaws. The scrutiny has prompted a city council member to cal
19 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Buckle up, because today we’ve got some news that might just reshape the educational landscape
Let’s kick things off in New York City. Recent allegations against Chancellor Kamar Samuels have unveiled a troubling picture of dysfunction in the city’s sprawling school contracting system with a budget of nearly $13 billion, as reported by Chalkbeat. Samuels, appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, may have violated key guidelines meant to ensure transparency and competition in education contracts. This controversy has sparked calls for his resignation, highlighting a critical moment for the mayor to uphold his campaign promises of cutting waste and fraud. Investigations are underway, and many in the education community appear unsurprised by these rule breaches, noting the system is riddled with complexities that often overwhelm the people navigating it. Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, Chalkbeat reports that a pivotal election is brewing with 14 candidates vying for five seats on the school board. The stakes are high as this election could influence not just local public schools but the newl
18 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli, and today's briefing dives into significant shifts and trends impacting the educational landsc
First up, let’s talk about the controversial moves from the Trump administration regarding federal oversight in education. According to Chalkbeat, there's a push to decentralize power by “returning education to the states,” a move that has sparked debate among state education leaders. Indiana’s Education Secretary Katie Jenner noted the importance of state control over standards and assessments, yet Rhode Island’s commissioner, Angélica Infante-Green, challenged the premise, asserting that states have always had this authority. This juxtaposition highlights a significant contradiction in the administration's rhetoric versus reality—a point that could redefine the relationship between federal and state governments in education. Now, shifting gears to something much more personal, we head to Milwaukee, where the struggles of families dealing with lead poisoning illustrate a grim reality in some urban environments. The Hechinger Report presents the story of Domininck Tompkins, whose famil
17 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli.
The biggest story this morning is a federal shake‑up that could rewrite how schools protect civil rights and support students with disabilities. Chalkbeat and University Business both note that the Education Department is handing off its Office for Civil Rights to the Justice Department and moving the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to Health and Human Services. Secretary Linda McMahon framed the move as a way to cut “bureaucratic barriers” and improve services, but advocates like Denise Forte of Ed Trust and Jennifer Coco of the Center for Learner Equity warn that the new homes lack the expertise to safeguard vulnerable students. The inter‑agency agreements were struck without congressional approval, raising questions about accountability that both Chalkbeat and University Business say could leave disabled learners worse off. Turning to the states, Indiana just secured a $50 million block‑grant waiver from the Trump administration, merging five federal funding
16 Jun 2026
Eli Education — Weekly Deep-Dive: This Week's Big Stories
Welcome to Storyflo's Weekly Deep-Dive on This Week's Big Stories. I'm Eli. This week, we're seeing a significant shift in the education landscape, with policymakers, educators, and stakeholders working to address long-standing issues and create new opportunities for students. From the potential takeover of the Memphis school district to the implementation of competency-based models, we're witnessing a concerted effort to rethink the way we approach education. According to Chalkbeat, the Memphis school district may be taken over by the state, following a similar model to the one used in Houston. As reported by Chalkbeat, top Tennessee Republicans have hailed the Houston intervention as a model they want to replicate in Memphis. However, the Houston teachers union and some education experts have raised concerns that the results don't reflect the degree of student improvement Tennessee leaders want to see. As Chalkbeat notes, in the first two years of the takeover, more Houston students
16 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Let's dive into the biggest stories shaping our schools and futures today. We’re tracking a se
16 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I’m Eli. Today a bold Texas takeover is sparking a cascade of reforms from Memphis to New York, while s
First, Tennessee’s Republican leaders are eyeing Houston’s school‑district takeover as a template for Memphis‑Shelby County. Chalkbeat reports that Superintendent Mike Miles has already re‑engineered 28 low‑performing schools, raising pay for high‑need subjects, demanding teachers re‑apply, and turning libraries into discipline hubs. In the first four months, Miles has reshaped staffing at a cost of roughly $250 million, and early data shows higher proficiency rates and zero “F” grades—though the teachers union warns the gains mask deeper gaps (Chalkbeat). If Memphis follows suit, the state could see a rapid, top‑down overhaul that many think will finally move the district out of chronic underperformance. Across the country, New York is quietly redefining what a high‑school diploma means. Chalkbeat explains that officials unveiled a competency‑based model that will replace the Regents exam by the 2029‑30 school year, giving districts flexibility to assess students through portfolios, p
13 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Today, three stories will help shift the education landscape.
A Colorado gubernatorial candidate, Bennet, has a track record of advocating for education reform, including his time as superintendent of Denver Public Schools, where he oversaw the shutdown of low-performing schools and expanded school choice (Chalkbeat). Bennet's experience in education has prepared him for the challenges facing the state, but critics argue that his approach may not address the underlying issues. In Chicago, voters will have limited choices in the upcoming school board elections, with 17 races potentially featuring only one candidate (Chalkbeat). The Urban Center, a pro-school choice organization, is behind many of these challenges, citing alleged election law violations. This move raises concerns about the democratic process and the representation of diverse voices in education policy. Meanwhile, a Colorado school district, Jeffco Public Schools, has been at odds with the federal Office for Civil Rights over its policy on sleeping arrangements for transgender stude
12 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Today, we're looking at a trio of pressing education stories that could have far-reaching impl
In higher ed news, research suggests that microcredentials could be the key to unlocking new demand for degree programs. According to a survey by University Business, 85% of U.S. graduates with microcredentials reported finding a job in their field within a year. Employers are also taking notice, with 94% saying they would offer higher starting salaries to graduates with these credentials, citing improved productivity and a reduced need for training. However, this news comes as the Department of Education is grappling with the looming reality of new federal loan caps, set to kick in July 1st. University Business reports that the change will result in lower borrowing limits for graduate and professional students, but the impact will vary widely depending on the student's program and household income. COHEAO estimates that up to $8.7 billion in borrowing could be affected. In another development, the Tennessee state legislature's ban on religious charter schools is facing a federal lawsu
11 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Today's education news is a mix of progress, controversy, and calls for improvement. Let's div
First, a step in the right direction: New Jersey is allocating $400,000 to Newark Public Schools to boost their tutoring programs, which use AI and small group sessions to help K-12 students struggling in math and reading (Chalkbeat). This investment builds on the district's existing efforts to address pandemic learning loss and speed up academic recovery. However, controversy is brewing around parental rights and transgender inclusion in schools. Three progressive superintendents testified before Congress, facing Republican lawmakers who called their policies "pathetic" and suggested they should find new jobs (Chalkbeat). The hearing highlighted ongoing tensions around issues like abortion, sex education, and religious freedom. In a victory for educators, the Philadelphia school district has reached an agreement to stave off 340 school-based position cuts, although no new recurring revenue source is coming (Chalkbeat). While this decision will keep certain positions intact, it's uncle
4 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Today, we're diving into six consequential stories that showcase the evolving landscape of edu
First up, we have a fascinating twist in the world of school choice, as reported by Chalkbeat. In Iowa, State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, is taking an unconventional stance against the state's education savings account program, commonly known as the ESA. Sand is branding himself as a fiscal hawk, claiming that the ESA program is a "siphon of hundreds of millions of dollars away from public schools." This unexpected move from within the Democratic party is a testament to the complexities of education politics. Switching to K-12 education, Chalkbeat New York shines a spotlight on the city's ambitious 2-K initiative, which offers free childcare for 2-year-olds. The program, which kicked off this month, has a lofty goal of expanding to 12,000 seats by next year. However, Governor Kathy Hochul's funding commitment only covers the first two years, leaving policymakers to navigate the program's long-term sustainability. On the West coast, Chalkbeat Colorado reports on the demise of Riversto
3 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Today's news is a perfect reminder that education is constantly evolving, but the goal remains
In Iowa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is taking an unconventional stance on school choice. As a Democrat in a red state, Sand is campaigning against the state's education savings account program, which provides publicly funded vouchers for private school tuition. Sand is framing himself as a fiscal hawk, promising to rein in wasteful spending, including on the ESA program. Meanwhile, Republican candidates are arguing with each other about the program's merits. It's a fascinating example of how education policy is playing out in a key battleground state (Chalkbeat). In New York City, student reporters are taking the mic to share their perspectives on some of the most pressing issues facing the city's school system. The P.S. Weekly Live podcast, a partnership between Chalkbeat and The Bell, will feature high school reporters discussing topics like integration, school mergers, and access to sports teams (Chalkbeat). This event is a great reminder of the importance of listen
1 Jun 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Today, we're diving into six consequential stories that will shape the future of education in
First, a groundbreaking study from the Hechinger Report sheds light on Michigan schools' efforts to reverse chronic absenteeism, a pervasive problem affecting students across the country. Researchers found that schools that conducted frequent home visits to families whose children were absent from class saw significant improvements in attendance rates. This intervention holds promise for schools struggling to connect with students and their families, particularly in low-income communities. In higher education news, University Business reports that AI is not a threat to critical thinking, but rather an opportunity for students to develop essential skills in a rapidly changing world. As educators, we must help students critically evaluate AI tools without turning learning into either compliance or avoidance. By structuring encounters with AI and encouraging students to interrogate its limitations, we can foster AI literacy and build resistance to its potential pitfalls. The Hechinger Rep
29 May 2026
Eli Education Brief — Welcome to Storyflo Daily Education. I'm Eli. Today, we're diving into a whirlwind of education news from across the country. From tax incre
First up, in Indiana, a potential tax increase is on the table. According to Chalkbeat, the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation is considering putting a tax referendum on the ballot in November. This move comes as the city's school district faces financial challenges, and the IPEC board must decide whether to increase taxes to alleviate some of that burden. As one speaker noted, "Changes are coming to Indianapolis schools, but how many and which ones depend on a potential tax increase and if it passes." (Chalkbeat) Next, in Chicago, the school board has postponed a decision on renewing seven charter schools until the end of the school year. Chalkbeat reports that this move is a response to concerns over the charter sector's financial stability and recent closures. District officials have touted a new process for monitoring charters, but critics argue that it needs more teeth. Meanwhile, in Texas, the system of disciplinary alternative education programs, or DAEPs, has come under
20 May 2026
Eli Education Brief — Instructure's Canvas breach as enterprise risk, the federal college-merger path opens, and GMU's ascent case
The board-level story of the week, per Higher Education Leadership Intelligence: the Instructure / Canvas situation is not primarily a cybersecurity story for university cabinets — it's an enterprise-risk event sitting inside the most compliance-sensitive infrastructure most institutions operate. HELI reports Instructure has paid an undisclosed ransom to the same threat actor that breached it eight months earlier, faces eighteen simultaneous federal class actions, and has materially failed to confirm whether student PII was exfiltrated. Canvas sits between students and their Title IV aid eligibility, between faculty and research compliance, and between the institution and accreditation. HELI's argument — that renewal negotiations now run through risk, legal, and the board, not just IT — is correct. The policy news that will reshape the sector over the next 36 months, per HELI: the U.S. Department of Education is preparing to shorten the regulatory process that has historically slowed c
20 May 2026
Eli Education Brief — Instructure under pressure, AI in federal grants, and Tyler Cowen's bullish case
The structural story in higher ed today is about Instructure. Higher Education Leadership Intelligence reports that it sent a piece directly to roughly 300 newsletter subscribers with instructure.com email addresses — including C-level leaders. The piece had a 65% open rate and circulated 3x beyond the initial send, but Instructure didn't respond. HELI is publishing it publicly now because, per their framing, the analysis "does not expire with silence." The same publication's separate "Canvas, Visas, and AI Rules" piece adds the bigger context: after a data breach affecting nearly 9,000 institutions, Instructure reportedly paid the ShinyHunters threat group and hoped the data would disappear. That's not the kind of story that goes away. Procurement teams will revisit Canvas contracts at renewal. The policy story your institution needs to track is AI's entry into federal grant competitiveness. Per HELI's Quad newsletter, as of May 13, AI tools can shape federal grant competitiveness acr
20 May 2026
Eli Education Brief — The Instructure breach lands, AI rewrites federal grants, and graduate international enrollment falls 24%
The story higher-ed CIOs are talking about: per Higher Education Leadership Intelligence's "Canvas, Visas, and AI Rules" weekly, Instructure — owner of Canvas, the dominant LMS in higher ed — paid ShinyHunters after a breach affecting nearly 9,000 institutions, and is hoping the data disappeared. That's not a security strategy; that's a confession. HELI also separately published a piece sent privately to ~300 Instructure-domain subscribers (C-level leaders included) with a 65% open rate, and reports Instructure made no internal response — but their customers did. If you're a higher-ed CIO whose campus runs Canvas, the displacement-mechanics piece HELI describes is the right read this week. The competitive window for D2L, Moodle, Brightspace, and Anthology to peel off Canvas tier-2 accounts is the widest it's been in five years. Federal grants update: per HELI, as of May 13 AI tooling can now formally shape federal-grant competitiveness across research and academic programs. Read this a
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