The Oakland Ed Week in Review 10/14/2024-10/20/2024 

It’s time for the Oakland Ed Week in Review!  

We’re back with our roundup of education news from around The Town, the Bay Area, state, and nation for your weekend reading. This is a Dirk favorite and one of the last blogs he published for Great School Voices.  

Here’s what’s been going on: 

Here in Oakland |  16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland are now casting their first votes for school board elections, marking a significant moment in youth civic engagement. Around 900 students have registered, thanks to community efforts, and this move could reshape education policies. In related Oakland news, the Oakland Unified School District continues to address water quality issues across campuses.

In the Greater Bay Area |  San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) faces mounting challenges following the resignation of Superintendent Matt Wayne amidst a chaotic school closure process and budget crisis. Mayor London Breed has criticized the district’s school closure plan, calling for a pause until the issues are better managed. Meanwhile, Berkeley students are voting in school board elections for the first time, marking a historic milestone for youth civic engagement. Other local stories include debates over privacy concerns, facility upgrades, and controversies on gender identity education.

Throughout the State of California |  LAUSD’s overhaul of the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) has sparked debate after a conservative group’s legal action prompted the district to remove race as a selection factor, widening the program’s scope to include non-Black students. This shift raises concerns about potentially diluting support for Black students, who continue to face the lowest academic achievement rates despite initial positive results. Meanwhile, other significant developments include struggles over transgender policies in the Chino Valley Unified district and school bond measures in Contra Costa County aimed at improving facilities.

Across the Nation |  Schools in hurricane-ravaged regions struggle with closures as officials work on reopening plans, while voters express a preference for focusing on core subjects in education. The 2024 presidential candidates have largely avoided K-12 issues, though Trump and Harris have potential education secretaries in mind. Legislative debates continue on immigrant children’s rights to education and addressing teacher shortages remains a priority. Additionally, charter school closures and private school choice are receiving attention amid a national conversation on educational options. Standardized test scores decline, and programs addressing teacher diversity, English learners, and neurodiverse students are highlighted for their impact.

City & State Roundup |  In Massachusetts, Veritas Prep Charter School is equipping students with essential college readiness skills, while Wisconsin reports growing school choice enrollment. In Oklahoma, parents and teachers are suing to block a classroom Bible mandate as a grand jury criticizes the state’s mishandling of COVID-19 relief funds. Chicago celebrates record-high graduation rates and enrollment, though grapples with a scandal involving former CPS official Camie Pratt. In Florida, over 50% of school audits revealed compliance issues, and a Miami-Dade board member violated district policy with campaign emails. Minnesota bans a police officer from teaching after he reenacted George Floyd’s murder in class. In New York City, preschool workers secured a pay increase, while a $17M contract to digitize the SHSAT is under review amid concerns about equity. Finally, Connecticut launches a DEI student leadership program, and Tennessee steps up its literacy efforts.

What did we miss?  Hit us up in the comments below: 

OAKLAND

‘How does it feel to be a part of history?’ Oakland teens cast their first votes

What’s happening: Oakland’s 16- and 17-year-olds cast their first ballots for the school board elections, marking a significant milestone in youth civic engagement after years of advocacy. Over 3,500 students are eligible to vote, with around 900 registered, thanks to efforts by the Oakland youth vote coalition and various community organizations.

Why it matters: This initiative empowers Oakland’s youth, giving them a direct voice in local school board decisions, potentially reshaping future education policies.

What’s next: Students will host a forum to engage with school board candidates about the issues they care about, such as school facilities and budget decisions.

Notable quote: “To my fellow youth voters, I just have one question: How does it feel to be a part of history?” – Maximus Simmons | Student Director, Oakland School Board.

By Ashley McBride | Oaklandside

Oakland lowered the voting age for school board elections. Here’s a guide for teen voters

What’s happening: For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds in Oakland can vote in school board elections, following the approval of Measure QQ in 2020.  Voter registration and election resources are available to help young voters navigate the process, with school board races in districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 on the ballot. The deadline to register to vote is October 21, with Election Day on November 5, 2024.

What’s next: Notable quote: “This is the moment we fought for and a major step towards amplifying youth voices in our community.” – Katie Liang | Senior, Oakland High School.

Resources: The Oaklandside offers information about all of this year’s school board elections here. 

By Jacob Simas, Alejandra Armstrong | Oaklandside

 In related coverage:

In other Oakland News:   

  • A Castlemont graduate helps young people get answers to their questions about gun violence By Ashley McBride | The Oaklandside |  As a leader in Youth Alive, Jalesha Fitzpatrick educates young people about cycles of violence, poverty, and abuse.
  • OUSD Updates the Progress on Fixing Water Quality Issues in Schools By OUSD Newsroom |  The district is currently working on a comprehensive plan that includes replacing outdated plumbing systems, installing water filtration devices, and regularly testing water quality.

THE BAY AREA

Top SF Schools Official Resigns; Board Halts School Closures

What’s happening:  SFUSD Superintendent Matt Wayne resigned following a chaotic school closure rollout and escalating budget crisis, prompting the district to halt its school closure process. Wayne’s resignation comes after numerous leadership failures, including a poorly handled school closure list, mismanagement of special education funding, and increasing concerns from both parents and elected officials.

Impact:  Wayne’s departure adds further instability to a district already under state oversight and facing a $113 million budget shortfall that must be addressed by mid-December.

What’s next:  Maria Su, appointed as interim superintendent, will assess the situation, with school closures paused as the district focuses on balancing its budget to avoid a state takeover.

Notable quote: “The school merger and closure process has been chaotic. We’ve heard that from families, educators, and staff.” — Matt Alexander, Board of Education President

By Katie DeBenedetti | KQED News

 In related coverage:

  • SFUSD Superintendent Wayne reportedly resigns, amid school closure turmoil By Sunni Khalid | KALW  |  The SFUSDl Board met  in an emergency session to decide the fate of Superintendent Matt Wayne, who will reportedly resign after two years in office.

Breed pushes back on school closure plan, calling it ‘chaotic’ approach to fixing budget

What’s happening:  San Francisco Mayor London Breed criticized the SFUSD’s plan to close or merge 13 schools, calling it a disorganized approach to addressing budget deficits.  Breed expressed concerns after hearing from parents and teachers about the lack of clear communication and poor management of the closure process.

What’s next:  SFUSD will hold town hall meetings on October 24 and November 6 to discuss the plan, with a final decision expected in December.

Notable quote:  “I have lost confidence in the superintendent’s ability to manage the current process… this plan will not benefit students in the long-term.” – Mayor London Breed

By Dan McMenamin | Bay City News via Local News Matters

 In related coverage:

  • Mayor Breed Demands Halt to SF School Closures, Citing Chaos and Confusion By Katie DeBenedetti | KQED News | In a statement posted on social media platform X, Breed said, “It is time to immediately stop the school closure process.”
  • S.F. Mayor Breed slams SFUSD superintendent and calls on him to halt closures By Jill Tucker | San Francisco Chronicle| Breed stopped just short of calling for Superintendent Matt Wayne’s resignation, but said she has “lost confidence” in his ability to manage the closures.

Historic milestone: Berkeley high schoolers voting for school board election for first time

What’s happening:  Berkeley High School students have been actively engaged in educating their peers on the process and the significance of this historic moment, with many students expressing excitement about participating in the election.

What’s next:  As the first group of high school voters casts their ballots, efforts to further expand youth voting initiatives may grow, both locally and nationally.

Notable quote:  “If you’ve got kids voting early, they’re much more likely to participate in elections down the road. So it’s a long game.” – Nina Goldman, Berkeley Youth Equity Partnership

By Tony Hicks | Bay City News via Local News Matters

In other Bay Area News:   

  • Privacy concerns raised over policy requiring California high school students to scan a QR code before using the bathroom By Alexcia Negrete | East Bay Times | The policy was introduced to monitor students’ whereabouts and prevent misuse of restroom privileges, but students and some parents argue it infringes on their privacy and personal rights.
  • Los Gatos voters to decide on bond measure for elementary, middle schools By Isha Trivedi | Bay Area News | Approval would unlock $163 million for school facilities upgrades.
  • The Chronicle answers readers’ questions on SFUSD school closures By Jill Tucker | San Francisco Chronicle | Details on the school closure process.
  • SFUSD school lunches: Here’s the $225 million plan to move past mystery meat and soggy pizza By Jill Tucker | San Francisco Chronicle |  The ultimate goal, district officials say, is to build more assembly kitchens like the new one at Marina Middle School as well as a central kitchen, where school meals would be made from scratch.
  • Debate over gender identity instruction sparks controversy in Bay Area school district By Molly Gibbs | Mercury News Group |  LGBTQ+ issues have ensnared a handful of Bay Area school districts as they navigate the balance between academic freedom, parental rights and inclusivity in school.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

LAUSD Black Student Success Program Upended, Targeted by Conservatives

What’s happening:  LAUSD is overhauling its $120-million Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) due to legal pressure from a conservative group, eliminating race as a criterion for selecting students. The program aimed to address long-standing racial inequities but will now expand to include non-Black students with similar academic needs, raising concerns among its supporters.

Impact:  The program’s changes could dilute the targeted support for Black students, who continue to have the lowest achievement rates in LAUSD, despite the program’s early positive results.

What’s next: LAUSD will focus on cutting its budget by $110 million to avoid a state takeover while maintaining resources for students needing academic assistance, regardless of race.

Notable quote: “Our solution is one that preserves the funding, the concentration of attention and resources on the same students and same schools.” – Alberto Carvalho,  Superintendent, LAUSD

By Howard Blume | Los Angeles Times.

In other California News…

  • How California can transform math education for English learners  By Crystal Gonzales and Martha Hernandez | Ed Source |  Next year, our State Board of Education will release its first math adoption list of state-approved curricula since 2014 — recommending math instructional materials that state education leaders believe align with California’s revised math framework.
  • More schools than ever are serving vegan meals in California. Here’s how they did it By Frida Garza | The Hechinger Report |  Credit environmentally conscious students — and a handful of state funding programs

City & County Roundup:

  • LA Housing Crisis Hits LAUSD as Number of Homeless Students Continues to Grow By Katie VanArnam | The74 |  LAUSD’s homeless student population grew by 26% increase last academic year
  • Santa Clara County education board appoints new leader amid turmoil By Vicente Vera | San Jose Spotlight | The county Board of Education voted 6-1 to appoint Charles Hinman Wednesday to temporarily replace ousted superintendent Mary Ann Dewan.
    • In Related Coverage:
      • Abrupt Firing of South Bay’s Top School Official Spurs an Escalating War of Words By Katie DeBenedetti | KQED News
      • Santa Clara County board appoints interim superintendent despite community outrage By Molly Gibbs | Mercury News Group | The board voted Wednesday evening to appoint Charles Hinman as the interim superintendent
      • Santa Clara County’s top educator loses legal bid to get job back By Vicente Vera | San Jose Spotlight
      • New investigations shed light on firing of Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools By Molly Gibb | Mercury News Group | Two recent investigative reports have surfaced with some additional details that point to a battle between board members and the superintendent, several allegations of wrongdoing by board member Grace Mah and widespread fears over retaliation.  
  • California school district adopts new policy on transgender students By Erin Allday | San Francisco Chronicle |  The Chino Valley Unified school district that adopted a controversial parental notification policy last year requiring educators to report transgender students to their parents passed a new policy Thursday night — in response to a state ban against such policies — that opponents say will still forcibly out children and potentially put them at risk.
  • 4 Contra Costa County school districts seek voter approval to fund facilities, programs By Tony Hicks | Bay City News via Local News Matters |  Districts are seeking voter-approved funding for facilities and programs on Election Day.  Measure O asks Martinez Unified School District residents to authorize $90 million in bonds.
  • Silicon Valley school fight over LGBTQ+ curriculum has ‘big implications’ By Annalise Freimarck | San Jose Spotlight | Community members and teachers in the Cupertino Union School District disagree about LGBTQ+ materials in transitional kindergarten classrooms
  • Tensions escalate between West Valley high school superintendent, community members By Isha Trivedi | Mercury News Group |  Parents, teachers say Sanderson has engaged in a ‘top-down’ approach to leadership.
  • Activist Who Lost Union’s Support Runs for LA School Board District 1 By Daniella Lake | LA School Report |  Longtime community activist and education advocate Kahllid Al-Alim is running to represent South Central LA and Mid-City as Los Angeles Unified School Board member for District 1.

ACROSS THE NATION

In Helene-battered towns, many schools are still closed. What that means for recovery.

What’s happening: Hurricane Helene has devastated several towns, leaving many schools closed due to severe damage to infrastructure.  Recovery efforts are slowed by widespread power outages, damaged homes, and inaccessible roads.

What’s next:  Local officials are working on temporary solutions to reopen schools while long-term rebuilding continues.

Notable quote:  “Schools are central to recovery because they help restore normalcy.” – Jim Copeland | North Carolina Superintendent

By Allyson Chiu and Nicolás Rivero | Washington Post

In Related Coverage: 

  • Many schools are still closed weeks after Hurricane Helene. Teachers worry about long-term impact By Jocelyn Gecker, Moriah Balingit & Michael Melia | Associated Press |  Tens of thousands of students in the Southeast are dealing with school disruptions after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc. 
  • Rebuilding after Helene and Milton: Educators share experiences from previous disasters By Wellington Soares | Chalkbeat News |  Schools in areas hit by recent hurricanes are struggling to reopen, with many still closed as communities recover from the devastation. Mental health challenges among students, alongside physical damage, are key issues being addressed by educators.

ELECTION & EDUCATION 2024

  • What do voters say will fix the country’s schools? ‘Focus on core subject areas’ By Brendan Clarey | Chalkboard News | A renewed focus on math, science, reading and social studies is the best way to improve education in the U.S., a plurality of voters say, according to a. new poll.
  • Why Trump and Harris Have Barely Talked About Schools This Election By Libby Stanford | Ed Week |  The 2024 presidential election is less than three weeks away, and one issue has been notably absent from debates, policy platforms, and stump speeches: K-12 education.
  • Who Could Be Donald Trump’s Next Education Secretary?  By Alyson Klein | Ed Week |  Article speculates on who Trump might select as his next Education Secretary if re-elected in 2024. It explores potential candidates with backgrounds in education reform and conservative policy, such as those with ties to school choice, homeschooling, and efforts to limit federal control over education.
  • Who Could Be Kamala Harris’ Education Secretary? By Alyson Klein | Ed Week |  Article explores potential candidates for Kamala Harris’s Secretary of Education if she were to win the 2024 election. It highlights her likely focus on equity and inclusion in education, as well as possible candidates with backgrounds in public education, civil rights advocacy, and progressive education reforms.
  • Finally, This Election Season, Child Hunger is on the Table By Billy Shore | The74 |  With food prices unusually high, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must come together and support an anti-hunger agenda.
  • GOP Groups Funnel Millions into State Races to Defeat Critics of Education Savings Accounts. Their Target: Republicans By Greg Toppo | The74 |  Supporters say the cash is necessary to offset the ‘humongously large coffers’ of teachers unions. But is it fueling a Democratic backlash?

US law entitles immigrant children to an education. Some conservatives say that should change

What’s happening:  Republican leaders and school districts are pushing policies that challenge the landmark Plyler v. Doe ruling, which guarantees a public education to children regardless of their immigration status.  Conservative states like Oklahoma and Texas have begun initiatives that could lead to legal battles over whether undocumented immigrant children should retain their right to public education.

Impact:  If challenged successfully, this could mark a significant shift in U.S. education and immigration policy, potentially denying thousands of immigrant children access to public schooling.

Notable quote:  “Previously fringe policies are becoming mainstream.” — Tom K. Wong, Director | U.S. Immigration Policy Center at UC San Diego.

By Michael Casey & Jocelyn Gecker | Associated Press

74% of schools had trouble filling teacher vacancies this school year

What’s happening:  Nearly three-quarters of public schools reported difficulty filling teaching vacancies before the 2024-25 school year.  Despite ongoing challenges, some improvements were seen in non-teaching roles, with fewer schools reporting salary and benefits concerns.

What’s next: Additional data on staffing sentiment will be available in December.

Notable quote: “The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare teachers’ discontent with aspects of their jobs, including a lack of support for their safety and value as professionals and an increasingly disrespectful and demanding workplace culture — and exacerbated teacher shortages nationwide,”  — Government Accountability Office.

By Naaz Modan | K-12 Dive

In Related Coverage: 

  • Schools Have Fewer Teacher Vacancies This Year. But Hiring Is Still Not Easy  By Libby Stanford | Ed Week |  One-fifth of vacant teacher positions remained unfilled at the start of this school year, according to new federal data.

In other National News…

  • ACT, SAT scores decline year over year By Kara Arundel | K-12 Dive | The class of 2024’s average scores were lower compared to peers from the previous graduating class, but participation in school day testing was stronger.
  • Black male teachers are a rarity in preschools. This pioneering program wants to change that By Moriah Balingit | Associated Press |  The Leading Men Fellowship trains young Black and Latino men to become early literacy instructors in preschool classrooms.  The program aims to address both the shortage of early educators and the underrepresentation of Black and Latino male teachers.
  • You Need to Understand Culturally Responsive Teaching Before You Can Do It  By Larry Ferlazzo | Ed Week |  Educators are encouraged to develop a deep understanding of culturally responsive teaching by exploring diverse perspectives, identities, and experiences. 
  • How Are English Learners Doing? The Answers Right Now Are Broad and Incomplete By Leslie Villegas | The74 |  Current data doesn’t account for issues with testing, diversity and chronic absenteeism, among other challenges for this key group of kids.
  • 2 Districts Overhauled How They Teach English Learners. Here’s How By Ileana Najarro | Ed Week |  Years ago, the Beaverton school district in Oregon participated in a study to determine the right models for improving English learners’ academic achievement.  The results, which came out in 2019, pointed to two promising models.
  • A Guide to Bringing Neurodiverse Learners Into the Fold By Olina Banerji  Ed Week |  Educators are adopting new strategies to include neurodiverse students, such as those with ADHD, autism, or learning differences, more effectively in general education classrooms.  These approaches include personalized supports and a shift in mindset to recognize neurodiversity as a strength.
  • How a school for students with autism elevated its professional development By  Kara Arundel | K-12 Dive |  Delaware’s Sussex Consortium teachers are now sharing their instructional best practices with educators at traditional schools.
  • How to ensure Native Americans are accurately represented in curriculum  By Lauren Barack | K-12 Dive |  Schools can look to tribal organizations and nonprofits representing Indigenous people for resources to improve curricula.
  • The False Promise of Device-Based Education By Amy Tyson | Substack | A reevaluation of screens in schools.
  • Education Choice Can Help Students and Families Affected by Declining Public School Enrollment By Martin Lueken | Real Clear Education |  Article argues that school choice, which allows families to select the best educational setting for their children, can mitigate the challenges that come with enrollment drops, such as overcrowded classrooms and limited resources.
  • More than 25% of charters shutter within 5 years By Naaz Modan | K-12 Dive |  A study reveals that 25% of charter schools close within five years, with a higher failure rate as they operate longer, especially due to enrollment and management challenges.  Supporters argue that charters provide quality choices and the sector’s ability to shut down low-performing schools is a strength, not a weakness.
  • 3 takeaways on the growth of private school choice By Kara Arundel | K-12 Dive |  FutureEd looks at eight states where 569,000 students are participating in these programs at a cost to taxpayers of $4 billion in 2023-24.
  • Court: Transgender instruction without warning violates parents’ rights By Brendan Clarey | Chalkboard News |  A federal court has ruled that a Pennsylvania first-grade teacher violated the rights of parents by teaching them about transgender identity during instruction related to Transgender Awareness Day.
  • Will the Supreme Court take on race-conscious admissions policies in K-12? By Naaz Modan | K-12 Dive |  Justices are weighing whether to hear a case on a temporary policy in Boston less than a year after they rejected a similar case out of Virginia.
  • U.S. Department of Education Announces Successful First Beta Test for 2025-26 FAFSA By Hannah Vinueza McClellan | Education NC |  An update on the 2025-26 FAFSA process.
  • Once a Hedgehog, Now a Fox | Ten lessons from six decades in the struggle to improve schools By Chester E. Finn, Jr. | Education Next |  Finn shares insights on how his perspectives have evolved over time, moving from a singular focus (“hedgehog”) to a more multifaceted approach (“fox”). The lessons cover areas such as school choice, education standards, testing, and governance, highlighting the complexities and challenges of improving education.

City and State Roundup:

  • A Massachusetts charter school prepares students for college success By Kara Arundel | K-12 Dive |  Veritas Prep Charter School provides students with companion courses to help them navigate college expectations like time management and self-advocacy.
  • 4 more states move to restrict curriculum in 2024 By Naaz Modan | K-12 Dive |  Though nearly half of states have such laws or policies on the books, the number of proposals declined compared to past years.
  • Minnesota school district bans officer from teaching after he reenacted George Floyd’s murder By Steve Karnoski | Associated Press |  Besides the reenactment of the actions that led to the death of George Floyd, students also complained that the substitute teacher “repeatedly made racially harmful comments,” “told sexist jokes,” “spoke in disturbing detail about dead bodies he had seen,” said “cops would be the best criminals” because “they know how to get away with stuff,” and “stated that police brutality isn’t real.”
  • ‘Deeply Troubled:’ Grand jury slams Oklahoma’s COVID-19 relief handling By Brendan Clarey | Chalkboard News |  Oklahoma grand jury found that nonprofit advocacy organizations were charged with managing millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds, which they distributed to families in the state without accountability or fairness.
  • Oklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official’s classroom Bible mandate By Sean Murphy | Associated Press |  The lawsuit filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court also asks the court to stop Republican State Superintendent Ryan Walters from spending $3 million to purchase Bibles 
  • Lawsuit asks Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn classroom Bible mandate By Naaz Modan | K-12 Dive |  The case follows another heard by the court earlier this year over the state’s funding of a religious charter school.
  • Report: Half of Florida school district audits find material weaknesses By Steve Wilson | The Center Square  |  According to a recent report by the Florida Auditor General’s Office, 50.7% of audits of school districts found problems with internal controls, noncompliance with state law, rules or regulations or other issues.
  • Miami-Dade school board member targets teachers with campaign ads, in violation of policy By Clara-Sophia Day | Miami Herald |  Mary Blanco, a DeSantis appointee to Miami-Dade’s school board, violated district policy by using the school’s email system for her political campaign, which explicitly forbids such activity even if emails are sent from an external account.
  • CPS announces record-breaking graduation rate By Ikram Mohamed |Chicago Tribune |  Over 84% of students graduate CPS in four years and nearly 87% graduate in five. 
  • CPS marks second consecutive year of increased enrollment and ‘exponential progress’ in staffing By Sarah Macaraeg | Chicago Tribune |  CPS has enrolled more than 325,300 students this school year, officials announced.
  • Former student protections chief Camie Pratt abused her position By Sarah Macaraeg | Chicago Tribune |  According to OIG report criticizing CPS’ handling of Lincoln Park scandal
  • Connecticut school district forges on with ‘DEI Jr. Change Agents’ program By Austin Gergens | Chalkboard News |  Connecticut’s Middletown School District unveiled its latest initiative in mid-September
  • Wisconsin school choice enrollment grows By Benjamin Yount | Chalkboard News |  School Choice Wisconsin said the latest enrollment numbers from the state’s Department of Public Instruction show school choice enrollment is growing.
  • Colorado’s teachers union doesn’t support a text message sent to voters about Amendment 80 By Yesenia Robles | Chalkbeat News |  The amendment would put language about school choice in the state’s constitution.
  • State renews charter for school exiting Achievement School District, overturning Memphis board By Marta W. Aldrich | Chalkbeat News |  Tennessee charter commission members express little confidence in options within Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
  • How Tennessee’s largest school district is stepping up its literacy work By Marta W. Aldrich | Chalkbeat |  Teachers are to begin — and end — every class with a literacy-based activity.
  • What is Proposal S and why is it important to Detroit public schools? By Robyn Vincent | Chalkbeat News  | Proposal S is a millage that would provide additional revenue to pay off long standing debt.
  • Alabama State Superintendent Warns of School Job Losses as Federal COVID Relief Funds Dry Up By Jemma Stephenson | Alabama Reflector |  Job losses might come from the loss of ESSER funds.
  • Report: South Carolina Students Skip A Lot. The Problem Helps Explain Dismal Test Scores By Skaylar Laird | South Carolina Daily Gazette |  1 in 5 SC students were considered chronically absent in 2022-23.
  • Why Church-Based Homeschool Learning Centers Are Gaining Popularity in Massachusetts By Kerry McDonald | The74 |  Massachusetts is one of at least 19 states reporting an increase in 2023-24 homeschooling numbers compared to the prior academic year.
  • Why Church-Based Homeschool Learning Centers Are Gaining Popularity in Massachusetts By Kerry McDonald | The74 |  Massachusetts is one of at least 19 states reporting an increase in 2023-24 homeschooling numbers compared to the prior academic year.
  • Some NYC teachers experiment with AI-powered tools, while Education Department develops guidelines By Julian Shen-Berro | Chalkbeat News |  Teachers in NYC are experimenting with AI tools in classrooms while the Education Department is working to develop official guidelines on their use in schools. 
  • NYC eyes $17 million contract to create computer-based Specialized High School Admissions Test By Julian Shen-Berro | Chalkbeat | New York City is considering a $17 million contract to transition the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) from paper to computer-based format.  Concerns have arisen about equity, particularly around digital access for low-income students and potential challenges for students with disabilities.
  • How the NYC high school admissions process sorts kids by race, poverty, disability By Michael Elsen-Rooney | Data analysis by Kae Petrin | Chalkbeat News |  The way students are sorted in the city’s notoriously ruthless admissions process tends to hurt those from low-income backgrounds, children with disabilities, and others.
  • NYC preschool workers get pay increase, $18 minimum wage under contract agreement By Julian Shen-Berro | Chalkbeat News |  Early childhood advocates have called for higher wages amid stubborn pay disparities between employees at community-run preschools and their Education Department counterparts.
  • A trip to Latin America helped this Bronx teacher transform lessons for his immigrant students By Amy Zimmer | Chalkbeat News |  Yan Carlos Mejia now incorporates materials from his visits to the Frida Kahlo Museum, Machu Picchu, and other stops in Latin America to help his students learn English.

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