An Oklahoma board approved the nation’s first religious charter school, agreeing to publicly fund a school where Catholic teachings will be incorporated into lessons throughout the day — and testing the constitutional bounds of taxpayer funding for religious education.

Republican state lawmakers around the country have voted in recent months to create or expand programs that provide public funds to families for their children’s private education.


Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 9 signed legislation to prohibit automatic payroll deductions for dues and place other restrictions on public employee unions. The new law, which takes effect on July 1, also requires unions to pay for annual financial audits and to maintain a membership of at least 60% of eligible employees or risk decertification.


Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation to repeal the state’s right-to-work law, making it the first state in nearly 60 years to roll back a law that allows workers to not pay union dues or fees.

Sparking anger and dismay among Houston educators and parents, Texas officials have announced a state takeover of the city’s public school district, the eighth-largest in the country.

Following a three-day strike that shut down the Los Angeles school system, the second largest in the nation, the union representing more than 30,000 teacher’s aides, bus drivers, school cafeteria workers, custodians and other support staff reached a tentative agreement with the district that includes wage hikes, a professional development fund and expanded health care benefits.