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Grand Island Public Schools Launches Community Academy for Deeper District Understanding

Grand Island Public Schools Launches Community Academy for Deeper District Understanding

Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) has initiated a new community academy, a free five-month program designed to offer community members a comprehensive insight into the school district's operations and needs. Running from January to May 2027, the program will involve monthly evening sessions held at various district buildings. Each session is structured to include a facility tour, a discussion led by a school or district leader, and a hands-on activity. Key topics to be covered include school meals, classroom curriculum, budgets and bonds, and school safety. Superintendent Matt Fisher expressed hopes for the program to become an annual event, aiming for a group of approximately 15 participants each year to foster a deeper understanding of the district.

Iowa City Community School District Initiates Superintendent Search, Seeks Community Input

Iowa City Community School District Initiates Superintendent Search, Seeks Community Input

The Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) has officially commenced its search for a new superintendent. The district is collaborating with Grundmeyer Leader Services to manage the search process. A key component of this process involves gathering feedback from various stakeholders, including families, staff, students, and community members. This feedback will be collected through an online survey and a series of focus groups. The online survey, which is open from November 13-29, 2026, allows participants to anonymously share their perspectives on the desired personal and professional qualities for the next superintendent. Additionally, Grundmeyer Leader Services will conduct stakeholder focus groups on December 2, 2026, to gather further insights. The results of the survey will be presented to the Board of Education at its meeting on December 8, 2026. The application period for candidates is scheduled from November 12, 2026, to January 17, 2027, with finalist interviews planned for March 1, 2027.

Ferndale High School Teachers Secure Compensation After Classroom Flooding Incident

Ferndale High School Teachers Secure Compensation After Classroom Flooding Incident

Teachers at Ferndale High School in a Detroit suburb successfully advocated for compensation after multiple classrooms were flooded due to the school's dilapidated building. On the eve of professional development week, seven classrooms were found with industrial fans and dehumidifiers, rendering them unsuitable for preparation. Despite an email from the principal stating the classrooms were 'ready for our return,' teachers discovered the spaces were far from functional. This led to a collective action where six teachers marched to the principal's office to demand either paid time for classroom setup or an exemption from professional development sessions. Initially met with a dismissive response, including the principal filming them for TikTok, the teachers' unified front ultimately resulted in the approval of three hours of paid time for classroom setup. This incident highlights ongoing issues with the school's infrastructure, which has experienced three floods in the past nine months, including one where ...

Alabama Public Schools Report Overall Improvement in 2025-26 State Report Card

Alabama Public Schools Report Overall Improvement in 2025-26 State Report Card

Alabama's public K-12 schools have shown a slight improvement in their 2025-26 state report card, with the Alabama Department of Education receiving an overall score of 88, a one-point increase from the previous academic year. A significant aspect of this improvement is the rise in academic achievement, which went from 67 in the 2024-25 school year to 69.20 in the 2025-26 school year. Alabama State School Superintendent Eric Mackey expressed pride in this being the highest score ever recorded on the state report card, particularly highlighting the gains in academic achievement. The report card evaluates various metrics including academic achievement, academic growth, graduation rate, progress in English learner proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and college and career readiness. English language proficiency also saw an increase, moving from 45.65 to 49.92. Additionally, the graduation rate improved from 91.56 to 92.77, and college career readiness rose from 87.88 to 90.70. Chronic absenteeism decreased from...

Forest Glen Middle School Community Rallies Against Potential Closure Ahead of December 15 Vote

Forest Glen Middle School Community Rallies Against Potential Closure Ahead of December 15 Vote

The community surrounding Forest Glen Middle School is actively rallying against its potential closure, as the Broward County School Board is scheduled to vote on December 15 regarding the closure of 10 additional schools. Supporters of Forest Glen Middle School emphasize its A-rated status and argue that the neighborhood campus should receive more support rather than face closure. The impending vote has galvanized parents, students, and local residents who are advocating for the school's continued operation, highlighting its importance to the community and its academic achievements. This situation reflects a broader debate within the school district about resource allocation, school performance, and the impact of closures on local communities.

Iowa City School Board Faces $13.8 Million Budget Cut Decision by March 2027

Iowa City School Board Faces $13.8 Million Budget Cut Decision by March 2027

The Iowa City school board is tasked with making decisions by March 2027 to cut $13.8 million from its budget for the 2027-28 school year. This is part of a larger plan to reduce spending by $32.5 million over the next four years. The Attendance Boundary Committee, a 50-member ad hoc group, is currently developing scenarios for school closures and attendance boundary adjustments. Committee members have expressed concerns about the tight timeline and lack of comprehensive data to make informed decisions. Interim Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer acknowledged the short timeframe but emphasized the need for a decision before spring break to allow for communication and support for staff and families. The district's financial challenges stem from a projected 1% annual increase in per-pupil state aid, a sharp decline in projected enrollment, and past financial mismanagement under previous leadership, which led to a significant cash-strapped situation.

Bridgeport Public Schools Considers State Financial Oversight Amid Budget Challenges

Bridgeport Public Schools Considers State Financial Oversight Amid Budget Challenges

Bridgeport Public Schools is exploring the possibility of seeking state financial oversight to address ongoing budget challenges. This consideration comes after the district faced a significant budget gap of approximately $38 million in its 2024-25 budget and a projected $39 million deficit for the 2025-26 school year, partly due to the expiration of over $150 million in federal pandemic relief funding. State law allows local and regional boards of education to request a fiscal intervention and oversight plan from the state Department of Education, which would then be reviewed by the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB). While this process could potentially unlock additional state funding, it does not guarantee it. School board members, including Rob Traber and Joseph Sokolovic, have expressed reservations, citing unanswered questions about MARB's functionality and concerns about potential limitations on local control without assured financial benefits. The district had previously explored this opt...

On This Day in 1968, the Supreme Court Struck Down an Evolution Ban

On This Day in 1968, the Supreme Court Struck Down an Evolution Ban

The legal battle over teaching evolution in American public schools has a long and contentious history, deeply intertwined with religious and cultu...

Friends Academy Emphasizes Civility as Essential College Readiness Skill

Friends Academy Emphasizes Civility as Essential College Readiness Skill

Friends Academy, a college-preparatory school on Long Island, NY, is actively cultivating civility among its Upper School students, viewing it as a crucial college readiness skill. The school integrates practices of respectful discussion, active listening, and thoughtful engagement with diverse perspectives across its curriculum. This approach is rooted in Quaker pedagogy, utilizing seminar-style, roundtable discussions and the Harkness Method in subjects like History and English. Students are encouraged to bring their own experiences to conversations, weigh competing interpretations, and build evidence-based arguments, while also learning to disagree without personal criticism. The school also incorporates weekly Meeting for Worship, providing moments of silence for reflection and fostering empathy and public speaking skills. These practices extend beyond the classroom through community service requirements, including an Independent Service Project for seniors.

Idaho's Private Education Tax Credit Primarily Benefits Wealthy Families, Report Reveals

Idaho's Private Education Tax Credit Primarily Benefits Wealthy Families, Report Reveals

A new report from the Idaho State Tax Commission indicates that the state's $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit program largely benefits wealthy families whose children were already enrolled in private schools. The report, released for the first time, shows that 12,216 students received a tax credit or advance payment, with 80.7% attending private schools and 19.3% homeschooling. Crucially, 74.7% of these students had never attended a public school. The average adjusted gross income for recipient households is $178,000, significantly higher than Idaho's median household income of $84,234. Additionally, 93.5% of the tax credits covered tuition expenses. The program, established last year through House Bill 93 by GOP members of the Legislature and Governor Brad Little, was initially promoted as a means to help students who couldn't otherwise afford private education options. The Idaho Education Association (IEA) has criticized the program, calling it a 'failed experiment' and noting that nearly two-thirds...

Technology Access Foundation Celebrates 30 Years of Empowering Students of Color in STEM Education

Technology Access Foundation Celebrates 30 Years of Empowering Students of Color in STEM Education

The Technology Access Foundation (TAF), a Seattle-based nonprofit, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of efforts to provide STEM education and career opportunities for students of color. Founded by Trish Millines Dziko, who left Microsoft in 1996, TAF initially focused on teaching computer skills and securing tech internships. A notable moment in its history occurred in 2002 when then-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer publicly offered an internship to Miya McClain, a TAF student, during a luncheon. Over the years, TAF evolved its approach, moving into public education by co-managing a middle and high school in Federal Way, Washington, and coaching teachers to integrate STEM skills into broader curricula. The organization emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership, aiming to equip students for any field, not just technology.

More Indiana high schools are taking learning to the workplace

More Indiana high schools are taking learning to the workplace

Indiana has changed its high school graduation requirements to encourage students to think about their futures