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A nationally-representative survey released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics found that 74% of public schools said they had a difficult time filling one or more vacant teaching positions before beginning the 2024-25 school year. The School Pulse Panel survey of 1,392 schools found that a “lack of qualified candidates” and “too few candidates” applying for open positions remained the most common challenges public schools said they faced in filling vacant positions. The trickiest positions to fill were in general elementary teaching, special education, and English language arts. Last year’s data showed improving sentiment among public schools about their staffing levels. Less than half, or 45%, said they felt their school was understaffed — down from 53% feeling understaffed entering the 2022-23 academic year. 

 

K-12 Dive

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Many school buildings in California are in poor condition, suffering from issues like leaky roofs and moldy walls. This year, school districts and community colleges are proposing a historic $50bn in construction bonds on local ballots, alongside a $10bn statewide bond. Daryl Camp, Superintendent of San Lorenzo Unified School District, emphasizes the importance of these bonds, asking: "What’s at stake? What do voters need to know about school bonds?" The funding aims to address the urgent needs of schools and improve learning environments for students.

 

EdSource

The No Child Left Behind Act aimed to hold schools accountable for educating all children, revealing significant achievement gaps, particularly for Black students. Los Angeles USD's Black Student Achievement Plan, designed to support Black students with additional resources, faced a federal civil rights complaint from Parents Defending Education, labeling it as racist. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action, LAUSD opted to broaden the program's scope, ultimately reducing support for Black students, who represent 7% of the population. John Affeldt, managing attorney at Public Advocates, emphasized that “race-conscious remedies” are constitutionally permissible to address past discrimination.

 

Los Angeles Times

At Edison High School in Huntingdon Beach, new bathroom pass guidelines have sparked student concerns about privacy and tracking. Principal Daniel Morris explained that the system, which requires students to scan a QR code when leaving the classroom, aims to ensure safety during emergencies. However, students argue that this monitoring violates their privacy rights, with one claiming: “I think it’s really restrictive for students who are at school longer than eight hours.” An online petition has garnered nearly 450 signatures, calling for a reevaluation of the policy, particularly for students with menstrual needs. Morris reassured that frequent restroom use would not lead to punishment, emphasizing the need for communication between students, parents, and school officials.

 

East Bay

Mercury News

On Tuesday evening, Santa Clarita hosted a drug prevention meeting for parents at Hart High School, featuring a resource fair and a presentation from the Santa Clarita Valley Counseling Center. Local organizations focused on drug prevention and mental health set up tables in the school's cafeteria. The presentation was delivered in Spanish, with English translations available. Christina Noriega, a counselor at Hart High School, engaged with parents during the event, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in combating drug issues.

 

Signalscv.com

Two high school students from Hingham High School in Massachusetts are embroiled in a federal lawsuit regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in a history project about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's civil rights activism. The lawsuit, filed by one student's parents, claims that their son was unfairly punished for using AI for research, which they argue was not clearly outlined in the school's academic integrity guidelines. The student's attorney, Peter Farrell, said: “AI is not plagiarism,” emphasizing the need for clear regulations on AI use in education. The student, who has a perfect ACT score, received a failing grade on the project, which affected his overall GPA and barred him from the National Honor Society, despite other students with infractions being inducted. The case highlights the ongoing debate about AI's role in academic settings and the lack of existing regulations.

 

The Fresno Bee

Yan Carlos Mejia, an English as a New Language teacher at Castle Hill Middle School in the Bronx, recently traveled to Peru through a Fund for Teachers fellowship. Mejia, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic, aims to connect with his multilingual students by incorporating relatable stories into his lessons. He stated: “How can you relate to or understand a character or story if you have no prior knowledge?” This summer, he visited several Latin American countries to gather culturally relevant teaching materials. With over 16% of New York City students being English Language Learners, Mejia emphasizes the importance of recognizing their existing knowledge. He believes that teachers should provide access to grade-level content while students acquire English skills. Mejia's innovative approach includes using visuals from his travels to engage students and foster a supportive classroom environment.

 

Chalkbeat

In Paula Merrigan’s transitional kindergarten class, strong teacher-student bonds are fostered through warmth and affection. Merrigan emphasizes the importance of emotional connections, stating: “It is so important for every child to feel that their teacher truly cares about them.” This nurturing environment is crucial for young learners, as it can significantly impact their academic success. Experts like Hedy Chang from Attendance Works highlight that early schooling experiences shape children's social and academic futures. Small gestures, such as welcome notes from classmates, can make a significant difference in easing anxiety for new students. Merrigan believes that when children feel cared for, they are more motivated to learn and engage. The emotional component of education is increasingly vital, especially in the wake of the pandemic, as many children face mental health challenges. As Deborah Stipek from Stanford University notes: “There is a lot of research on the importance of teacher sensitivity to young children.”

 

EdSource

Robert Maranto, Chair of Leadership at the University of Arkansas, argues that education schools, long criticized for outdated methods and poor preparation of teachers, could see a revitalization led by red states. As policymakers and parents push for new educational models, particularly in conservative areas, traditional education schools must reform or face obsolescence. Maranto suggests four key reforms: integrating scientifically-backed fields into teacher preparation, embracing phonics and the "science of reading," improving civics education to emphasize historical understanding, and offering specialized training for teachers in varied pedagogical approaches like Montessori, classical, and "No Excuses" schools. These changes could ensure education schools remain relevant as the education landscape evolves.

 

Education Week News

According to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen smoking has reached an all-time low in the U.S., with a 20% decrease in tobacco use among middle and high school students. The number of students using tobacco products dropped from 2.8m to 2.25m, marking the lowest level since the CDC began tracking in 1999. Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, said: “Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an extraordinary milestone for public health.” The decline is largely attributed to reduced vaping rates, which fell to under 6%. Other tobacco products, including hookahs, also saw decreased usage. The survey included nearly 30,000 students, revealing that while overall tobacco use among high school students dropped to 10%, there was no significant change among middle school students.

 

The Baltimore Sun