Higher Ed Policy & Access: ICE issued a new memo tightening CPT rules, after universities paused programs—now CPT must be integral to the curriculum and, in practice, treated as mandatory for students in the same course, raising new compliance pressure for colleges and students. AI in Education: Elon University released a student guide to AI, arguing students should shape guidance through dialogue rather than top-down policies, while an NSF-backed effort brings AI techniques to elementary students via “AI Insect Detectives.” Teacher Workforce & Support: Texas named six finalists for the 2027 Teacher of the Year, including Bangs’ Caleb Gamblin, highlighting hands-on, critical-thinking instruction. Student Learning & Well-Being: Georgia Tech’s childcare center added child-friendly compost/recycling/landfill bins so preschoolers practice sustainability daily. Funding & Program Design: Missouri opened applications for a Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship to reduce costs and expand early college credit. Research & Skills Pipelines: NSF announced major quantum institutes funding, including Princeton-led work on manufacturable quantum processors with education and workforce training built in. School Food: Canada’s school food program rollout returns lunch burdens to policy and systems, emphasizing better governance and data as funding expands. Governance & Accountability: Papua New Guinea’s parliament unanimously passed the PAU Bill 2026 to modernize the legal framework for the private university, strengthening governance and autonomy.