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Congressman Courtney Highlights Revitalization of Skills Training in Eastern Connecticut High Schools

Congressman Courtney Highlights Revitalization of Skills Training in Eastern Connecticut High Schools

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) recently celebrated the revitalization of skills training in eastern Connecticut high schools during an appearance on Eyewitness News Extra. He noted a significant shift in high school curriculums, with comprehensive high schools, not just trade schools, now installing welding labs, plasma tables, and other equipment. This initiative aims to provide a substantial number of students with the opportunity to acquire practical skills that were previously neglected for an extended period. Courtney emphasized that this shift is helping young adults and children view career paths differently, moving away from the sole expectation of attending college. He highlighted the success of programs like the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI), which has graduated over 6,400 trainees into jobs at more than 670 employers over the past decade, leading to 33% faster regional employment growth in eastern Connecticut compared to the rest of the state.

Boulder Valley School District Approves Closure of Four Schools Amid Declining Enrollment

Boulder Valley School District Approves Closure of Four Schools Amid Declining Enrollment

The Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) board has voted 5-2 to close four schools and implement significant changes to several others, effective for the 2027-28 school year. This decision is a direct response to declining student enrollment, a trend observed in the district since the 2018-19 school year, with projections indicating a further decrease of 1,706 students by 2030. The closures include Mesa Elementary, Douglass Elementary, Flatirons Elementary, and Birch Elementary. Additionally, High Peaks Elementary will move into Douglass Elementary's current building, Community Montessori will take over High Peaks' building, and its current building will close. Eldorado PK-8 School will transition to an elementary school, and Monarch PK-8 School will become a middle school. The district estimates these changes will save $3.5 million to $4 million annually, though facility adjustments and moving costs are projected to be between $12.5 million and $15 million. The decision has been met with significant comm...

Vermont State Board of Education Chair Resigns Amidst Education Transformation Efforts

Vermont State Board of Education Chair Resigns Amidst Education Transformation Efforts

Jennifer Deck Samuelson, Chair of the Vermont State Board of Education, has abruptly resigned from her position, citing personal reasons and the increasing demands of the role. Her resignation comes after four years as chair and six years on the board, with her term originally set to expire in February 2028. Samuelson indicated that the current year is particularly busy due to the state's push for an education transformation plan, which includes crafting a framework for evaluating school-district merger proposals and finalizing statewide high-school graduation requirements. She expressed pride in the board's accomplishments during her tenure, such as updating rules for independent schools and education quality standards. Board vice chair Tammy Kolbe will serve as acting chair until a special election is held in October, with another election for chair and vice chair mandated for March. The board also faces the task of filling Samuelson's vacant seat, with the Senate's Committee on Committees responsible fo...

National Governors Association Addresses Higher Education and Workforce Readiness Policies

National Governors Association Addresses Higher Education and Workforce Readiness Policies

The National Governors Association (NGA) is actively focusing on higher education policy and workforce readiness initiatives. Through various programs and networks, the NGA aims to strengthen state policy and advance coordinated approaches to support learners from early childhood through postsecondary education and into the workforce. Key initiatives include the Governors Education Policy Advisors (GEPA) Network, which facilitates collaboration among advisors working across K-12, higher education, and children and families’ policy. The NGA also supports projects like the 'Bridging Pathways Policy Academy' and the 'Workforce Pell Readiness Academy.' The latter specifically addresses the recent expansion of federal Pell Grant eligibility to include high-quality, short-term workforce programs, aiming to help states strengthen their education-to-employment pipelines and respond to regional economic needs. Governors' leadership is deemed critical for ensuring thoughtful coordination, strong governance, and a cl...

Flossmoor School District 161 Approves 2026-27 School Improvement Plans Focusing on Academics and Safety

Flossmoor School District 161 Approves 2026-27 School Improvement Plans Focusing on Academics and Safety

The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education has approved school improvement plans for all five of its schools for the 2026-27 academic year. These plans, developed after building leadership teams reviewed student performance and survey data in June, establish specific goals for academic achievement, school safety, and student climate. The schools covered include Flossmoor Hills, Serena Hills, Heather Hill, Western Avenue elementary schools, and Parker Junior High School. Each school has set targets in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and school culture and climate. Data sources used for these plans include the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, preliminary Illinois Assessment of Readiness results, Studer Experience Survey data, aimswebPlus, and NWEA MAP results. Several schools, such as Serena Hills and Parker Junior High, aim to improve their overall safety ratings from 'weak' to 'strong' through initiatives like Student Safety Squads, restorative 'Peace Circles,' and enhanced supervision.

Boise State University Announces Grant Opportunity for Arts Education Projects

Boise State University Announces Grant Opportunity for Arts Education Projects

Boise State University's Office of Sponsored Programs has issued a Limited Submission Notice for the Idaho Commission on the Arts: Arts Education Annual Projects FY27 grant opportunity. This annual grant aims to support activities that integrate effective practices in education and the arts, thereby enriching teaching and learning experiences for K-12 students. The grant offers up to $10,000, with a requirement for a 1:1 match through cash or in-kind donations. Funds can cover up to 50% of projected expenses, and the final award amount is contingent on panel scores and available funding. Universities are limited to one quarterly grant application per fiscal year. Interested parties must complete a Notice of Interest form by October 9, 2026, at 4 PM, as only proposals approved by the Division of Research and Economic Development will be submitted to the program.

In Anchorage, crowded classrooms are straining kids and teachers

In Anchorage, crowded classrooms are straining kids and teachers

Anchorage West High sophomore Mae Agnew Bemben has found her classes significantly larger this year

Willis High School Implements Metal Detectors and Bag Searches Following Second Gun Discovery

Willis High School Implements Metal Detectors and Bag Searches Following Second Gun Discovery

Willis High School in Willis, Texas, will implement new security measures, including mandatory metal detector screenings for all students and backpack searches, starting Tuesday, September 22, 2026. This decision follows the discovery of a second gun on campus this school year on Monday, September 21. School administrators found a loaded gun in a student's backpack, leading to the student's custody and a campus hold. This incident is the latest in a series of four 'gun-related' events within five weeks, though the district confirmed only two involved actual firearms. Parents, including Jennifer Granton, expressed significant safety concerns and initiated a petition for metal detectors, questioning why such measures were not already in place given their use at school sporting events.

C.R. Neal Academy Receives Zoning Approval for Nation's First HBCU-Authorized Charter School in Columbia, SC

C.R. Neal Academy Receives Zoning Approval for Nation's First HBCU-Authorized Charter School in Columbia, SC

C.R. Neal Academy in Columbia, South Carolina, has secured a significant regulatory approval from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals. This approval grants a special exception for the establishment of the charter school across two zoning districts, RM-1 and RSF-3. The project involves combining 26 separate parcels into a single 7.83-acre site on Atlas Road. Developers plan to demolish an existing 3,240-square-foot community center to construct a new 41,000-square-foot facility. The school is set to open in phases, beginning in fall 2027 with an initial enrollment of 260 students across sixth to ninth grades. Within four years, the academy aims to reach its full capacity of approximately 910 students, covering all middle and high school grade levels. C.R. Neal Academy is notable as the first public charter school in the United States authorized by a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), with Voorhees University serving as its authorizer. Student enrollment applications are scheduled to open on Wed...

Rick Davis Returns to Lead Sheridan High School and Middle School as Principal

Rick Davis Returns to Lead Sheridan High School and Middle School as Principal

Rick Davis, an alumnus of Sheridan High School (SHS), has returned to his hometown to serve as the principal for both Sheridan High School and Sheridan Middle School. Davis graduated from SHS in 1988 and subsequently built a career in education. After earning his bachelor's degree from Butler University and a master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, he spent 12 years teaching biology, genetics, and anatomy and physiology at Western School Corporation. He then served as assistant principal for two years and principal for 11 years at Western High School before accepting the opportunity to return to Sheridan. His return is part of a broader trend within Sheridan Community Schools (SCS), where over 22 percent of employees are also alumni, including Sheridan Elementary School Principal Valerie Roberts.

J. Cole's Dreamville Ventures Launches Art Program for Student Healing and Creative Development

J. Cole's Dreamville Ventures Launches Art Program for Student Healing and Creative Development

J. Cole's Dreamville Ventures team recently initiated an art program for high school students in Fayetteville, North Carolina. This three-day art session, held during the U.S. leg of J. Cole's 'The Fall Off' tour, aimed to help students process their experiences through creative expression. The program began at the Cumberland County detention center with 11 students and later expanded to include 30 students from 10 Sandhills schools at Fayetteville State University. Cumberland County Judge Toni King collaborated with J. Cole's creative director to develop the initiative, focusing on the mental health aspect of art. Students were taught about art, dimensions, and how to adapt their work for social media and album covers, using their personal experiences as inspiration. Mental health providers were also present to support the students.

Orange County Public Schools Face Potential Closures Amid Declining Enrollment

Orange County Public Schools Face Potential Closures Amid Declining Enrollment

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) are confronting the possibility of closing additional campuses due to a significant drop in student enrollment. The district currently has approximately 8,000 fewer students compared to last spring, resulting in 45 campuses operating at or below 65% capacity. Nearly 40 elementary schools are now below the enrollment levels deemed financially sustainable. While no closures are planned for the current school year, School Board member Angie Gallo indicated that future closures would need to be considered. OCPS attributes this decline to several factors, including lower birth rates, a slowdown in home sales, federal immigration enforcement, and the expansion of state school vouchers. This year, about 34,000 Orange County students are utilizing state-funded vouchers. The enrollment decreases are affecting even previously booming areas like Horizon West and Lake Nona, complicating the situation for a district that has historically experienced rapid growth.