RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers are considering whether every public school in the Commonwealth should be required to have a full-time licensed nurse, as education and health officials warn that thousands of students continue attending schools without guaranteed access to a medical professional. Just under 10 percent of Virginia public schools operate without a licensed nurse, according to state data cited in a new report examining school health services. Current Virginia

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Students across Montgomery County returned to classrooms Tuesday as Maryland’s largest school system opened the 2026–27 academic year with a renewed focus on mathematics, literacy, specialty programs and changes aimed at preparing students for life after graduation. Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor said the district plans to build on academic progress from the previous year while moving more elements of its “Future Ready”

WASHINGTON — D.C. Public Schools are putting student attendance near the top of the agenda as classrooms reopen for the 2026–27 academic year, with school leaders acknowledging that chronic absenteeism continues to present a serious challenge. Interim DCPS Chancellor Kim Jackson said the school system is continuing efforts aimed at reducing truancy and keeping students consistently engaged in the classroom as the District begins another school year. The issue extends far beyo