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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

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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 as Lau v. Nichols, 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

A public hearing was held to discuss HB342, a bill mandating that school districts grant academic credit for religious instruction outside of class. Rep. Susan DuBose emphasized that the bill aims to ensure parental choice regarding religious education, stating, “The goal of this bill is clear, to guarantee that the choice of whether to participate in religious release time belongs to the parent.” The bill allows students to attend religious classes without missing core curriculum but raises concerns about governmental overreach. Derek Stemen, Vice President of LifeWise Academy, supports the bill, arguing for parental choice, while Scott Suttle, President of the St. Clair County Board of Education, opposes it, claiming it lacks grassroots support. The committee plans to vote on the legislation next week.

 

Al.com

The Georgia House has overwhelmingly approved a school safety bill, HB 268, with a vote of 159-13, aimed at preventing future school shootings like the tragic incident in September that resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two students at Apalachee High School. House Speaker Jon Burns emphasized the bill's goal to foster a supportive environment for students facing mental health challenges, stating, “I believe this legislation will usher a new culture in our school systems.” The bill proposes a statewide database to track student behavior and mental health, which has raised concerns about privacy and potential discrimination. Additionally, it mandates quicker record transfers and the establishment of behavioral threat management teams in schools. While the bill has garnered support, some lawmakers argue it does not adequately address gun control issues. The measure now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

 

U.S. News

Utah has become the first state to enact legislation mandating app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors downloading apps. The bill, which is awaiting Gov. Spencer Cox's signature, has sparked a debate between Meta, Apple, and Google regarding responsibility for age verification. Meta said:  “Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child's age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy-preserving way.” Critics, including Apple, argue that this requirement could compromise user privacy and safety, as it may necessitate sensitive information from all users. The law aims to simplify age verification, linking minor accounts to their parents and requiring approval for app downloads with in-app purchases. If signed, the law will take effect on May 7. Similar proposals are being considered in at least eight other states.

 

US News and World Report

Wisconsin K-12 schools are increasingly relying on tax referendums to fund essential security upgrades, as regular budgets and available grants fall short. Superintendent Sam Russ of the Sparta Area School District noted, "Nowadays, with safety and security, it's, ‘This is the entrance where everybody goes in; this is the checkpoint." With fears of mass shootings driving the demand for modern security measures, over half of the 54 districts with capital referendums planned to enhance their entryways in fall 2024. The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools emphasizes that "highly publicized shootings" have led to a reassessment of risk management in schools. However, experts like Sarah Burd-Sharps from Everytown for Gun Safety warn against solely focusing on physical upgrades, advocating for preventative measures to address the root causes of violence. As districts navigate funding challenges, the pressure to ensure student safety continues to grow.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Cummins has introduced two new engines, the B6.7 Octane and B7.2 diesel, at the NTEA Work Truck Week in Indianapolis, aimed at powering school buses and other medium-duty vehicles. The B6.7 Octane, which runs on standard 87-octane gasoline, offers 200 to 300 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque, boasting up to 10% better fuel economy than other gasoline engines. It is EPA 2027 certified and has undergone two million real-world testing miles. The B7.2 diesel engine, set for full production in 2027, features a higher displacement of 7.2 liters, providing 240 to 340 horsepower and 650 to 1,000 lb-ft of torque. It includes advanced digital technologies for performance enhancement and maintenance monitoring. The engines are designed to ensure vehicles are "ready for the future without sacrificing performance or durability," Cummins explained.

 

School Bus Fleet

Early release days can be challenging for schools, but Vergennes Union Elementary School in Vermont has found a solution through Project Wild. Assistant Principal Beth Bearor highlights how this program transforms these half days into opportunities for outdoor learning and community building, even during the cold winter months. "These days present an opportunity to get kids outside, to build school community, and to incorporate multiple subjects in a single lesson," she explains. This innovative approach not only addresses scheduling disruptions but also enhances the educational experience for students.

 

Education Week News

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 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. Kanishka Singh reported this development from Washington, highlighting the controversial nature of the AI-assisted reviews.

 

U.S. News

The Manitoba government in Canada has proposed a trio of sweeping bills that would make significant changes to how schools operate. The measures would eliminate a little-known requirement for students to sing "God Save The King" every school day; would allow for an Indigenous language to be the language of instruction in a school when authorized by a school board, and also to ensure students are educated about treaties and the contributions of Indigenous people; and to require all public schools to offer a free daily nutrition program consisting of meals or snacks.

 

CBC News

Walter Gonsoulin, the superintendent of Jefferson County, has made history by becoming Alabama's first recipient of the National Superintendent of the Year award at The School Superintendents Association's national conference in New Orleans. Gonsoulin, who has led the district since 2020, emphasized the importance of equitable resources for public schools, stating, “Learning cannot occur where there is no light.” His initiatives include expanding magnet programs and improving career tech offerings, aiming to provide students with opportunities to earn college degrees alongside their high school diplomas. With over 30 years of experience in education, Gonsoulin is committed to ensuring that public schools remain a vital choice for students in Alabama. As part of the award, a $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student at his alma mater.

 

Al.com