Policy & Regulation: Page 4
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Schools shifted chronic absenteeism strategies amid closures
While chronic absenteeism was an ongoing issue prior to COVID-19, school building closures only compounded the need to reach underserved students.
By Shawna De La Rosa • July 31, 2020 -
Funds tied to reopening 'frustrating' educators, likely to be challenged
Amid White House threats to withhold funding if school buildings don't reopen, Senate Republicans and some states also want to tie funding to students and teachers physically in classrooms.
By Naaz Modan • July 31, 2020 -
Roeder, Phil. (2020). "Special Delivery" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
'Safety strikes' threat raises pressure on superintendents making reopening calls
Superintendents are concerned for teachers, but the executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association said there's "not much" they can do if forced to reopen schools.
By Naaz Modan • July 29, 2020 -
Ed Dept official: Don't expect testing waivers this year
Some states are already requesting waivers so instruction time can be spent on social-emotional support and catching up on missed curriculum.
By Shawna De La Rosa • July 27, 2020 -
Permission granted by Steve Wright
GAO report: Two-thirds of nation's schools lag on accessibility
Schools cited a lack of outreach, funding, assistance and guidance on the Americans With Disabilities Act as barriers to compliance.
By Naaz Modan • July 27, 2020 -
fizkes via Getty Images
Report: 16.9M students still lack home internet access
New data from Future Ready Schools highlights the extent to which the homework gap hinders students, calling for Congress to invest $6.8 billion.
By Roger Riddell • July 23, 2020 -
Retrieved from Pexels.
NASBE policy update finds trends in reopening plans
Engagement with key stakeholders, tiered approaches and priority for equity are among commonalities across states, the association reports.
By Roger Riddell • July 22, 2020 -
Roger Riddell/Screenshot/K-12 Dive
Infectious disease experts identify coronavirus safety measures for reopening schools
In National PTA webinar, one doctor said states need to see "significant reductions, a downward trend for at least a few weeks" before safe reopening can occur.
By Roger Riddell • July 21, 2020 -
Permission granted by Oakland Unified School District
Refreshing staff on FERPA essential as districts implement COVID-19 screening
Discouraging gossip and clarifying the ins and outs of who can receive what information is critical to remain compliant with student privacy law, experts say.
By Shawna De La Rosa • July 20, 2020 -
"Medical disposable masks on wooden background" by Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker is licensed under CC BY 2.0
More robust coronavirus guidelines needed to protect high-risk educators
Specific recommendations for protecting teachers and staff from COVID-19 during in-person instruction have been slow to emerge.
By Katie Navarra • Updated July 16, 2020 -
The image by Ted Eytan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
COVID-19 language in waivers for extracurriculars heighten reopening safety concerns
Questions of liability and safety hang heavy over schools amid pressure from the federal government and some states for in-person learning and activities.
By Naaz Modan • July 16, 2020 -
valentinrussanov via Getty Images
NWEA: Rethink online assessments, student growth in wake of COVID-19
The nonprofit assessment provider suggests leaders invest in aligning with hybrid and distance learning, adjusting to ensure equity and transparency.
By Naaz Modan • July 15, 2020 -
Black Michigan student sent to juvenile detention for failure to complete online coursework
A judge ruled the 15-year-old was in violation of her probation on previous charges, but experts say they've seen no similar cases and have raised concerns of systemic bias.
By Roger Riddell • July 15, 2020 -
Permission granted by City School District of New Rochelle
Parents, teachers challenge school reopening decisions
Districts face mounting White House pressure to return to face-to-face learning, but there is pushback in certain areas against even partial reopenings.
By Naaz Modan • July 13, 2020 -
Retrieved from House Committee on Appropriations on February 27, 2020
Watchdog report challenges Trump administration school safety recommendations
A report from the Government Accountability Office finds most school-targeted shootings take place in higher-income, low-minority areas.
By Naaz Modan • July 13, 2020 -
Courtesy of Novavax, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Will schools mandate COVID-19 vaccine or face liability?
Nearly all states offer nonmedical exemptions to vaccination mandates, and those will likely stay in place even if districts require coronavirus inoculation.
By Naaz Modan • July 10, 2020 -
Trump threatens to withhold funds if schools don't reopen
Congress and state leaders counter that the president lacks the legal authority to withhold funding for federal education programs or force a reopening.
By Roger Riddell • July 9, 2020 -
Contradicting health guidance, White House pressures schools to reopen
National school leaders say the administration is ignoring thoughts on reopening and lacks details on how districts could cover extra expenses.
By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020 -
Retrieved from White House.
Pitting mental health against safety, national leaders point to SEL in school reopening debate
Schools' ability to provide mental health support is taking center stage as some say it's not immediately feasible, while others say there's a middle ground.
By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020 -
fizkes via Getty Images
Survey: Students relatively positive on distance learning, but obstacles remain
A YouthTruth survey of 20,000 students finds Black and Latinx students report more obstacles to learning, and female and nonbinary students experience more mental health struggles.
By Roger Riddell • July 7, 2020 -
'Notable' June job gains don't include public education employment
An increase of 70,000 local public education jobs was partially offset by 25,000 job losses in state government education. Private ed gained 93,000 jobs.
By Naaz Modan • July 6, 2020 -
Screenshot of virtual Senate HELP hearing, June 17, 2020
Will climbing coronavirus cases derail school reopenings?
In a Senate committee hearing, lawmakers and health experts said while reopening schools is important, increasing COVID cases are cause for concern.
By Naaz Modan • July 1, 2020 -
Permission granted by Institute for Justice
Despite Espinoza decision's 'seismic shock' to public schools, context may vary by state
Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling allows states to enact choice programs that include religious options, but it may not fully clear the path for them due to the specifics of state constitutions.
By Linda Jacobson • June 30, 2020 -
Supreme Court: Public money can be used for religious education
Writing for the majority in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, Chief Justice John Roberts said no "historic and substantial" tradition supports disqualifying religious schools from government aid.
By Linda Jacobson • June 30, 2020 -
States move toward waiving standardized tests for 2020-21
Some state and local superintendents and legislators are expressing a need for testing waivers — a potentially long-term change for high-stakes assessments.
By Naaz Modan • June 29, 2020
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