Policy & Legal: Page 77

  • A young student has their back to the camera and is wearing headphones and sitting at a desk. A computer is on the desk.
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    How schools can extend internet to families for less than the cost of hotspots

    A new analysis finds working with a private cellular company costs up to 10 times more than if a school creates and shares its own wireless network.

    By • Aug. 25, 2022
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    Uvalde heightens schools’ interest in physical security

    Experts have seen demand for measures like cameras and secure vestibules resurface in the aftermath of the May massacre.

    By • Aug. 25, 2022
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Calkins’ revised literacy curricula in limbo amid state law concerns

    Debate over discussion of race and gender in classrooms is delaying the new resources, which notably feature a deeper embrace of phonics.

    By Lauren Barack • Aug. 24, 2022
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    Minnesota automatically enrolls 90K new students for free school meals

    A USDA pilot program is allowing eight states to directly certify students on Medicaid to receive free meals this school year.

    By • Aug. 24, 2022
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    Courtney Hale via Getty Images
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    Homeless student funding expanded during the pandemic. Will it be sustained?

    Until a historic funding influx from ARP, only 1 in 4 districts received dedicated homeless student funding. That number should be higher, advocates say.

    By • Aug. 24, 2022
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    Judge puts the brakes on Florida’s Stop WOKE Act

    The law contains terms so vague that employers and other parties could not determine what speech it prohibits, plaintiffs alleged.

    By Ryan Golden , • Aug. 23, 2022
  • An Arizona teacher holds up a sign in front of the State Capitol during a #REDforED rally on April 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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    Ralph Fresno via Getty Images
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    Education union activity ramps up ahead of new school year

    Several K-12 locals are striking or suing districts over issues ranging from fair pay to school communication policies.

    By • Aug. 23, 2022
  • A female teacher of color reads to young students in a classroom.
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    Ed Department announces $8M grant competition to increase teacher diversity

    The Hawkins grants will fund applicants who plan to incorporate evidence-driven practices into their teacher preparation programs.

    By • Aug. 22, 2022
  • A young student wearing a face mask writes with a pen while working in a classroom.
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    Loosened teacher qualifications remain a key concern in shortage discussions

    Teacher shortage solutions walk a fine line between creativity and hiring unqualified teachers, panelists said in a Johns Hopkins University webinar.

    By • Aug. 19, 2022
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    Finance experts: School district budgets ‘headed for a wild ride’

    Four “atypical financial shocks” are likely to hit many school systems around the 2024-25 school year.

    By • Aug. 19, 2022
  • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands in front of police officers.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    ACLU-backed lawsuit challenges Florida’s Stop WOKE Act

    Lawyers are gearing up to litigate the law’s fallout for K-12 schools after challenging its higher ed components.

    By • Aug. 19, 2022
  • Young child looks out of window from a yellow school bus, which has the words Head Start printed on the side.
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    Mario Villafuerte via Getty Images
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    National Head Start Association says COVID-19 rule disruptive to programs

    The organization argues that conflicting mandates are creating barriers for children to access the federal early education programs.

    By • Updated Aug. 19, 2022
  • A teacher sits alone at her desk in an empty classroom as she prepares for students to return to its nigh-forgotten desks following COVID-19 closures.
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    George Frey via Getty Images
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    Proposed curriculum censorship bills increased 250% in 2022

    PEN America found 137 bills were proposed in 2022 to restrict classroom discussions on race, gender and LGBTQ identities, which mostly targeted K-12.

    By • Aug. 17, 2022
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    Tucson schools plans to contract 5 teaching positions as ‘last resort’ for shortages

    The district’s governing board approved a plan to use $385,000 in ESSER funding to contract certified general education teachers to fill high-need roles.

    By • Aug. 17, 2022
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    North Dakota invests in online ed prep to train rural teachers

    The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is dedicating $2 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds for scholarships to help aspiring educators.

    By • Aug. 17, 2022
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    Report: Despite high completion, FAFSA ‘remains confusing’ for students and families

    Three-quarters of those surveyed didn’t know the FAFSA application window starts in October, suggesting the need for building awareness.   

    By • Aug. 16, 2022
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Support for arming teachers remains steady in wake of mass shootings

    The percentage of the general public and public school parents supporting armed teachers has not significantly increased in the past few years.

    By • Aug. 15, 2022
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Network helping states explore registered teacher apprenticeships

    A National Center for Grow Your Own initiative is connecting states interested in using an apprenticeship model to combat teacher shortages.

    By • Aug. 15, 2022
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    State ed leaders: More data needed to understand teacher shortages

    The state superintendents for Indiana and Nevada say workforce data can help remove barriers and improve recruitment and retention.

    By • Aug. 15, 2022
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    Districts face mask litigation despite drop in requirements

    Lawsuits in states like Montana and Iowa come despite a significant decrease in districts requiring masks since the start of the 2021-22 school year.

    By • Aug. 12, 2022
  • LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho speaks at a city council meeting in May.
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    Retrieved from LA City Clerk.
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    Los Angeles prohibits homeless encampments near schools

    The controversy mirrors many that have cropped up around the nation over school safety concerns versus rights of people facing homelessness.

    By • Aug. 12, 2022
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    CDC eases quarantine, test-to-stay guidance for schools

    Additionally, the agency now only recommends masking in communities with high levels of COVID-19 spread.

    By • Aug. 12, 2022
  • A person walks down a school hallway lined with lockers as another person sitting in a classroom can be seen through a window.
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    Jon Cherry via Getty Images
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    Educators report rampant political harassment in last school year

    The RAND Corp. found 37% of teachers said they faced harassment over COVID-19 safety measures or teachings on race, racism or bias.

    By • Aug. 11, 2022
  • An empty hallway at a Manhattan public school.
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    Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
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    Number of districts receiving homeless student funding balloons sixfold

    A SchoolHouse Connection report shows pandemic aid led to a 611% overall increase in the number of districts receiving dedicated funding.

    By • Aug. 10, 2022
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    Karen Ducey via Getty Images
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    New Jersey schools must have threat assessment teams under new state law

    Other states and districts are also looking to improve school threat assessment procedures in efforts to prevent violence by students.

    By • Aug. 10, 2022