Become more informed in minutes....

A group of eight states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop significant cuts to teacher training programs. These programs are essential for addressing teacher shortages in STEM fields and supporting students with disabilities or those learning English. Attorneys general from California, Massachusetts and New Jersey are co-leading the lawsuit, the second to be filed against the cuts, which has been joined by Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin. They argue that the cuts, which add up to more than $600 million, threaten the quality of education and could lead to increased reliance on underqualified educators. The lawsuit also claims that the administration's actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and disrupt the training of teachers necessary for diverse student populations. The two grants at issue are the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development, established by Congress in 2008 and 2011, respectively, to recruit and train educators to work in high-need rural and urban school districts. The coalition of states is seeking a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Massachusetts, to block the funding cuts.

 

Courthouse News Service

The Denver Post

Los Angeles Times

Reuters

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with FlexPoint®. This comprehensive guide will help you:

• Design a custom blended learning plan tailored to your school's or district's unique needs.
  
• Balance in-person and digital teaching for an optimized learning journey.
  
• Dive into various blended learning classroom models.
  
• Create an effective learning environment for diverse student requirements, fostering engagement and growth.

Expand your educational insights with the knowledge offered by FlexPoint. For more details, download this comprehensive digital guide today.

Download the Guide

 

As Los Angeles teachers welcomed students back in January, they were unprepared for the devastating climate-fueled wildfires that soon followed, damaging 12 schools and affecting over 600,000 students. The situation highlights the urgent need for California's schools to adopt climate-resilient infrastructure, advocates claim. Los Angeles USD is taking proactive steps by investing in fire-resistant materials and modern HVAC systems, supported by a $9bn bond approved by voters. However, experts warn that a district-by-district approach is insufficient; comprehensive state planning and funding are essential to ensure all schools are equipped to handle climate challenges.

 

EdSource

A recent executive order by President Donald Trump designated English as the official language of the United States, raising concerns among educators regarding its impact on English learners. Conor Williams, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, said: “There is no legal reason for any program to change their approach to teaching bilingual education.” Experts warn that the order could limit translation services and shift focus towards English-only instruction, potentially undermining multilingual education. Despite these challenges, key federal laws, such those derived from 1974's Lau v. Nichols Supreme Court ruling, remain unchanged, mandating support for English learners. Kathleen Leos, former director of the federal office of English language acquisition, emphasized that this situation serves as a “wake-up call” for states to invest in effective multilingual programs. 

 

Education Week News

The Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees has voted to eliminate 60 staff positions, raising concerns among faculty and students at Aptos High School about the potential impact on educational programs. Many rallied to protest these cuts, fearing they could lead to the loss of vital departments such as visual and performing arts and career technical education. As one teacher stated, the cuts "would gut departments" and threaten the seven-period bell schedule. The deadline for pink slip notifications is set for March 15, intensifying the urgency of the situation.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Saugus USD and the Saugus Teachers Association are negotiating universal dismissal times and potential reductions in the school day for transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten. Superintendent Colleen Hawkins noted that the STA requested formal negotiations in spring 2023, and feedback from parents indicated a preference for universal dismissal. However, teachers expressed concerns about extending the school day for younger students, citing behavioral challenges. Hawkins stated, “After gathering and exchanging research regarding the length of the instructional day, a formal proposal was developed.” The proposal suggests changing instructional minutes for TK and kindergarten to 200 minutes daily, aligning with California Education Code requirements. A parent expressed concerns about transparency in the process, emphasizing the need for parental involvement.

 

Signalscv.com

More than 100 community leaders and educators gathered for the inaugural State of the Schools event organized by El Rancho USD on February 27. Superintendent Marco A. Villegas emphasized the importance of collaboration, commenting: “We are one city, one district one community preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist.” The district, which serves 6,912 students, celebrated achievements such as a 96.8% graduation rate at El Rancho High School and partnerships with local colleges. Students like James Curiel, who will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, credited their teachers for encouraging personal growth and support. The event highlighted the community's commitment to education and the future of its students.

 

SGV Tribune

The Montalvo School in Ventura recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Dual Language Immersion Program, attracting around 500 attendees, including students, alumni, parents, and staff. The event featured music, food, and presentations focused on biliteracy, showcasing bilingual essays and student art. This milestone highlights the program's impact on the community and its commitment to fostering language skills among students.

 

Ventura County Star

Approximately 128,000 students in California are participating in Say Something Week, an initiative by the Sandy Hook Promise aimed at educating students about recognizing warning signs of violence. The program encourages students to become "upstanders," actively preventing violence rather than remaining passive bystanders. Schools involved have access to various resources, including planning guides and engaging activities. Mountain View Elementary highlighted the importance of communication, stating, “One key tool is to feel comfortable talking to our staff to report warning signs.” The Sandy Hook Promise emphasizes that when both youth and adults learn to identify warning signs and collaborate with trusted adults, they can create safer school environments and prevent tragedies. “These simple, and vital, steps are proven to save lives,” the organization stated.

 

EdSource

The Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees has unanimously decided to close Pacific Coast Charter School, paving the way for its transformation into an independent study program. This decision reflects the district's commitment to adapt educational offerings to better serve students. The transition aims to provide a more flexible learning environment for students in the district.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The U.S. State Department is implementing an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven initiative called "Catch and Revoke" to revoke visas of foreign students identified as supporters of Palestinian Hamas militants. This program will utilize AI to analyze social media accounts of tens of thousands of student visa holders. According to Axios, officials are investigating reports of protests against Israel's policies and lawsuits from Jewish students alleging antisemitism involving foreign nationals.

 

U.S. News