WV: County school officials tell lawmakers staffing, special education costs outpace state formula

by kids1stadvocac | Jun 16, 2026 | State

WV News School finance officials from across West Virginia told lawmakers Monday that the state’s school funding formula is not fundamentally broken but no longer reflects current realities facing county school systems, particularly rising special education costs,...

PA: Rising special education costs hit PA school districts as federal funding fails to keep pace

by kids1stadvocac | Jun 9, 2026 | State

fox43.com As school districts across Pennsylvania finalize their budgets, many are facing difficult financial decisions tied to the rising cost of special education services. Educators and school leaders say growing enrollment, increasingly complex student needs,...

TX: Another Houston-area school district is consolidating special education programs for the upcoming school year

by kids1stadvocac | Jun 9, 2026 | State

Houston Public Media As Houston ISD faces a federal civil rights investigation over its plans to consolidate special education services, another large district in the region is making similar changes to how it serves students with disabilities. Cy-Fair ISD, the...

WV: Coalition urges immediate pause on West Virginia school closures

by kids1stadvocac | Jun 9, 2026 | State

WCHS-TV School closures and consolidations have impacted many areas in West Virginia, with nearly 20 schools currently at risk of closing their doors. Together for Public Schools West Virginia is a coalition that is now urging state lawmakers to put an immediate pause...

TX: From school closures to staff cuts, Texas admins will detail budget woes to lawmakers

by kids1stadvocac | Jun 2, 2026 | State

Houston Public Media The influx of nearly $8.5 billion to Texas schools last year did not stop many from cutting programs, eliminating staffing and closing campuses.  On Monday, school leaders from across the state will detail the financial challenges still...