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Columbia Public Schools Outlines Inclement Weather Procedures for Cancellations and Delays

Columbia Public Schools Outlines Inclement Weather Procedures for Cancellations and Delays

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) has detailed its protocols for school cancellations and delayed starts due to inclement weather. The district aims to make decisions regarding school closures or a two-hour delayed start by 6 a.m., or earlier if possible, after assessing road conditions. Notifications will be disseminated through local radio and television stations, the district's parent messaging system, the district's website, and CPS-TV. In cases of early dismissals, which are typically avoided due to difficulties in contacting parents, the district may permit them under appropriate circumstances, with information also shared via local media and the parent messaging system. Parents retain the final authority to decide on their child's attendance if they deem weather or road conditions too severe, in which case absences will be excused.

Seattle Public Schools Implement New Screen Time Restrictions for Youngest Students

Seattle Public Schools Implement New Screen Time Restrictions for Youngest Students

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has announced a new district-wide policy to curb screen time for its youngest students. Starting in January, kindergarten through second-grade students will no longer be assigned individual iPads and will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes of screen time per day in class. Superintendent Ben Shuldiner stated that there is no reason for kindergarteners to have iPads daily. Technology use in classrooms will be held to a 'high bar,' meaning only activities specifically part of the academic curriculum will be allowed, with some days having no screen time at all. Mike Starosky, assistant superintendent of academics, emphasized that technology should foster creativity and collaboration while protecting essential learning away from screens. This policy aims to correct an overreliance on technology that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, as research suggests apps are less effective for reading and math than physical materials.

Bloomington Public Schools Receives $250,000 Grant to Boost Teacher Diversity and Retention

Bloomington Public Schools Receives $250,000 Grant to Boost Teacher Diversity and Retention

Bloomington Public Schools (BPS) has been awarded a $250,000 Teacher Mentorship and Retention grant from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). The primary goal of this grant is to enhance support for new teachers, with a specific focus on recruiting and retaining a teaching workforce that more accurately reflects the diverse student population within Bloomington. Currently, 58% of the district's students are students of color or American Indian, while only 6% of licensed staff members belong to these groups. The grant funds will be utilized to provide mentoring for early-career educators of color during their first three years in the classroom. Additionally, BPS's Office of Educational Equity plans to expand culturally responsive professional learning initiatives and conduct 'stay interviews' to better understand factors that contribute to teacher satisfaction and long-term careers in the district. This grant is part of a larger $41 million statewide MDE initiative aimed at investing in Minnesota's ...

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.

Alabama Commission on Screen-Based Instruction Hears Recommendations on Classroom Screen Usage

Alabama Commission on Screen-Based Instruction Hears Recommendations on Classroom Screen Usage

An Alabama state commission, established by Governor Kay Ivey in July, recently convened to hear recommendations regarding the optimal use of screens in classrooms. The Commission on Screen-Based Instruction received presentations from White Board Advisors, a Washington D.C.-based consulting firm, and the Screen Use Impact on Teachers subcommittee. A survey conducted by the subcommittee among 61 K-12 teachers revealed that 67% utilize screens for assignments or practice, and 54% use devices for testing purposes. Chris Jenks, a committee member and technology director for Tuscaloosa City Schools, noted that Alabama has maintained or advanced achievement levels, with many assessments delivered via screens. The commission was formed after Governor Ivey signed HB 78, which sets screen usage limits for children up to five years old in licensed childcare facilities. An earlier bill, HB 584, which aimed to place screen time limits on all public K-12 students, did not pass the Senate.

Higher Education Institutions Urged to Prioritize Interculturalism for International Students

Higher Education Institutions Urged to Prioritize Interculturalism for International Students

A recent discussion highlighted that higher education institutions often focus on 'internationalization' by preparing international students for their host country, but neglect 'interculturalism' by failing to adequately prepare their own institutions and communities for these students. This imbalance places a disproportionate burden of adaptation on international students. While the economic benefits of international students are significant, contributing billions to the economy, this economic lens often overshadows the personal experiences of these students, including instances of racism, discrimination, and the constant need to adapt to unfamiliar cultural expectations. Research indicates that a notable percentage of minoritized students experience or witness discrimination, suggesting that positive experiences do not negate the existence of negative ones. The argument that international students exist to educate others about different cultures is also problematic, as it risks normalizing harm and expec...

San Mateo-Foster City School District Education Services Department Supports High-Quality Educational Programs

San Mateo-Foster City School District Education Services Department Supports High-Quality Educational Programs

The Education Services department of the San Mateo-Foster City School District (SMFCSD) is dedicated to providing a high-quality educational program for all students. This department collaborates with other district departments, including Student Services, Technology Services, Human Resources, and Business Services, to coordinate support for SMFCSD schools. Their work is guided by the district's Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles. Key responsibilities include offering program support to schools, organizing professional development for district and site personnel, facilitating site improvement planning, and managing state/federal and local assessments. Additionally, the department oversees the selection and distribution of instructional materials and the implementation of various district initiatives. As California continues to adopt new content standards such as Common Core State (CCSS), Next Generation Science (NGSS), and English Language Development (ELD), the department continuously updates instruc...

Detroit Public Schools Community District Faces Pivotal School Board Election Amid Calls for Accountability

Detroit Public Schools Community District Faces Pivotal School Board Election Amid Calls for Accountability

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is preparing for a significant school board election this fall, with five open seats on the seven-member board. This election is viewed as a critical moment for the district, with many parents and community members advocating for increased urgency in improving early literacy scores, facilities, and administrative transparency. Among the 34 candidates, only two incumbents, Steve Bland Jr. and Bessie Harris, are running. Several candidates are vocal critics of the current district leadership, with some specifically calling for the removal of Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, who has served for nine years. Gwen Moore, a parent of a former DPSCD student, expressed a desire for a new board to 'shake up the district and the parents' and promote accountability. The election follows a period where current board leaders opted not to seek re-election, and two members elected in 2024, Monique Bryant and Ida Short, have become more critical of Vitti's performance. The ...

Sacramento Lawmakers Advance Bill to Reintroduce Race-Based Decisions in K-12 and Higher Education, Setting Up 2028 Ballot Measure

Sacramento Lawmakers Advance Bill to Reintroduce Race-Based Decisions in K-12 and Higher Education, Setting Up 2028 Ballot Measure

California lawmakers in Sacramento have successfully advanced Assembly Constitutional Amendment 7 (ACA 7), authored by Assemblyman Corey Jackson, which seeks to reintroduce race-based considerations in K-12 public schools and certain aspects of higher education. This measure, now certified for the November 7, 2028 ballot, aims to modify Proposition 209, a 1996 constitutional amendment that prohibited discrimination and preferential treatment based on race in public employment, education, and contracting. ACA 7 specifically targets public education, proposing to remove Proposition 209's protections for K-12 schools entirely and for most non-admissions/enrollment decisions in higher education. This means K-12 schools could use race in decisions like gifted and talented program placement, while higher education institutions could consider race for financial aid, scholarships, and internships. The bill passed the Senate on August 27 with a 30-10 vote and the Assembly on August 30 with a 59-19 vote, with both v...

Delaware Department of Education Proposes State Takeover for Struggling School Districts

Delaware Department of Education Proposes State Takeover for Struggling School Districts

The Delaware Department of Education (DOE) has unveiled a draft plan that could lead to the state taking over low-performing school districts. This initiative, presented by Education Secretary Cindy Marten, aims to address consistently low student test scores, with less than half of third through eighth graders proficient in reading and math, and only 18% of 11th graders proficient in math. The proposed framework includes five tiers of intervention, with Tier 5 resulting in receivership, where the DOE would assume operation of the district and appoint new leadership. Marten emphasized that the goal of Tier 5 is not to close schools but to implement a 'public recovery plan' with a state-approved receiver. The local school board would be responsible for making improvements, with authority gradually returned after sustained progress. Additionally, the plan suggests the possibility of holding back third-graders who are significantly behind in reading and writing, a measure Marten described as a last resort aft...

Oklahoma Schools Face Growing Push to Limit Classroom Screen Time

Oklahoma Schools Face Growing Push to Limit Classroom Screen Time

Oklahoma parents, lawmakers, and school districts are actively debating the appropriate use of school-issued technology in classrooms, particularly in the wake of the pandemic-driven expansion of laptops, tablets, and digital lessons. This discussion has led to various responses, including a legislative effort to cap elementary screen time, parent-led campaigns advocating for more traditional pencil-and-paper instruction, and diverse district policies ranging from continued 1-to-1 device programs to the discontinuation of individual Chromebook assignments. Governor Kevin Stitt previously signed House Bill 1276 into law, establishing a permanent statewide ban on student cellphones and personal devices in K-12 public schools, following a successful one-year pilot program under Senate Bill 139. Oklahoma legislative leaders have noted social improvements, such as increased library book checkouts and more face-to-face student interaction, since the initial phone ban.

Nikole Hannah-Jones' Daughter Struggles in Public Schools Chosen for Social Experiment, Sparking Debate on Educational Equity

Nikole Hannah-Jones' Daughter Struggles in Public Schools Chosen for Social Experiment, Sparking Debate on Educational Equity

Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The New York Times' 1619 Project, deliberately enrolled her daughter, Najya, in struggling Brooklyn public schools as a "sacrifice" to advocate for educational equity and challenge systemic racism. This decision, first detailed in a 2016 essay, aimed to improve these schools for all children by increasing parental involvement from families like hers. However, Hannah-Jones recently revealed in a follow-up essay that this choice backfired, with her daughter falling significantly behind her peers. Najya expressed anger and a feeling of being "cheated" out of a better education, leading Hannah-Jones to admit she may have "failed" her child. The schools, PS 307 and Urban Assembly Unison, had low proficiency rates in state standards and a high percentage of students with special needs. Hannah-Jones discovered her daughter's teachers were not grading her work, leading to a false sense of academic proficiency, and that the schools lacked basic supervision and homework assignments.