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A growing consensus among education experts suggests that effective professional development (PD) for teachers isn’t about how many hours are spent in training, but how well those sessions are designed, supported, and integrated into daily practice. While some reports suggest 20–50 hours of PD per year, practitioners argue that ongoing support, relevance to classroom realities, and space to apply and reflect on new skills matter far more. Educators and experts highlighted key challenges, including limited time, mandated one-off trainings with little follow-up, and PD that lacks continuity or relevance. Instead, they advocate for sustained, job-embedded learning with coaching, peer collaboration, and a clear connection to student and teacher outcomes. To better measure impact, experts urge schools to move beyond attendance numbers and instead assess instructional changes and student progress. 

 

Government Technology

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board members have decided against renewing a custodial contract with ABM Industries, leaving approximately thirty-five schools without cleaning services starting January 1. During a private discussion, five board members voted against the contract, while Board Chair Natalie McKinney and member Amber Huett-Garcia supported it, and Stephanie Love abstained. The current contract expires on December 31, and no further meetings are scheduled before the winter break. Concerns regarding ABM Industries stem from past complaints, although district leaders noted the company was selected based on a rigorous evaluation process. MSCS currently divides custodial services among four vendors, with new contracts expected to be developed in May or June. The district has outsourced cleaning services since 2013 to reduce costs following the merger of the Memphis City and Shelby County school systems.

 

The Daily Memphian

The Columbus City Schools (CCS) board is scheduled to vote on December 16 regarding the demolition of four recently closed buildings: Broadleigh Elementary, Buckeye Middle School, the McGuffey Road facility housing Columbus Alternative High School, and Moler Elementary. Board President Michael Cole said that the decision is driven by the costs associated with maintaining unused buildings, emphasizing the need to prevent community blight: "At the end of the day, if that's not a building that's going to be used, we have to give the authority to demolish the building so it does not contribute to community or neighborhood blight." The closures are part of a broader plan approved in December 2024, which also includes the potential closure of West Broad Elementary and the Downtown board office building.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Utah has repealed a collective bargaining ban that restricted labor unions from negotiating on behalf of public employees, including teachers and firefighters. Gov. Spencer Cox approved the repeal, which experts deemed one of the most restrictive labor laws in the nation. The original policy, passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in February, aimed to facilitate direct communication between employers and employees. However, significant pushback from union members led to the repeal during a special session. State Rep. Jordan Teuscher, the original House sponsor, said: "The repeal allows us to step back, to lower the temperature and to create space for a clearer and more constructive conversation."

 

Education Week News

Wisconsin schools are now required to promptly notify parents or guardians if their child is an alleged victim of a sexual offense at school, following a bill signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers on December 9. The legislation establishes a timeline for notification: schools must inform parents by 5 p.m. the same day if a report is received during school hours, or by noon the next calendar day if received after hours. Representative David Steffen, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized its necessity, commenting: "This new law creates at least a minimum condition that parents be aware of how the district handles employee misconduct." The law aims to enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring that parents are informed about their children's safety and well-being in educational environments.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

The New York State Board of Regents has outlined its budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, requesting an additional $1.1bn to enhance educational support. Key proposals include increased funding for the Foundation Aid formula, which is essential for addressing the needs of students experiencing homelessness and those learning English as a new language. The board aims for an additional $283.3m to better serve these populations, as New York City reported a record high of approximately 154,000 homeless students last year. Additionally, the Regents are advocating for $10.9m to expand early college programs and $5m for the P-Teach initiative to combat the teacher shortage. Regent Shino Tanikawa emphasized the moral implications of the budget, adding: "If people say [a] budget is a moral document, I think that's what we have here." The proposals reflect a commitment to equity and inclusion in education.

 

Chalkbeat

The Prescott School District in southeastern Washington state is at risk of being dissolved by the state after mismanagement turned a $2m surplus in 2021 into $1m in debt by 2025. If the district, home to 219 students, cannot raise the money by the end of March, state officials will shut it down for the 2026–27 school year. A community-led fundraising campaign, including auctions, dinners, and a planned gala, has raised $77,000 so far. Volunteers are also seeking approval for a local tax and considering the sale of district-owned teacher housing to help close the gap. The district's financial troubles stem from a lack of oversight and repeated turnover in financial staff, with a remote business manager providing inaccurate reports for years. While no charges have been filed, the fallout has left the diverse and rural farming community scrambling to preserve its only school, described by many as the town’s heart.

 

The 74 (Online)

School districts across the U.S. are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) detection tools, despite evidence indicating their unreliability. Ailsa Ostovitz, a junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Maryland, faced accusations of using AI for her assignments, which she vehemently denied. "It's mentally exhausting because it's like I know this is my work," Ostovitz said. The Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) clarified that the district does not fund the AI detection software, advising educators against reliance on such tools due to documented inaccuracies. Mike Perkins, a researcher on academic integrity at British University Vietnam, emphasized: "It's now fairly well established in the academic integrity field that these tools are not fit for purpose." Despite these concerns, districts continue to allocate significant funds for these technologies, raising questions about their effectiveness and the potential for misidentifying student work.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

According to a report by the Illinois Department of Public Health, nearly 23% of Illinois high school students reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. Additionally, approximately 12% of these students admitted to binge drinking—defined as consuming four to five drinks in a short period. This first-time report, released on Monday, underscores the concerning trend of alcohol use among adolescents in the state. Subhash Pandey, a psychiatry professor and director of the Alcohol Research Center at University of Illinois Chicago, said teenage drinking is a serious concern not just in Illinois, but across the nation, adding: “This is a very critical window for brain development and maturation and if someone is exposing the brain to (alcohol) it has consequences on brain development."

 

Chicago Tribune

California's transitional kindergarten (TK) program has led to the closure of 167 community-based preschools in Los Angeles County, according to research from U.C. Berkeley. The study highlights that while TK enrollment has increased from 26,500 to 39,500 children, this growth has not compensated for the loss of 12,000 child-care slots for younger children. Bruce Fuller, a UC Berkeley professor emeritus, said: "TK seemed like a sparkling idea with very few negatives," but the downsides were not adequately considered. The program's expansion has inadvertently created competition with local preschools, which struggle to adapt to the needs of younger children. Many preschools face challenges in transitioning to infant and toddler care due to regulatory hurdles and staffing issues. "It's a classic public policy case where the policy designers in government have a simple idea about implementation, but in fact, it unfolds in a much messier way," Fuller concludes. 

 

The Sacramento Bee

Representatives from Alabama’s independent schools presented a series of proposed reforms to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), aiming to address longstanding concerns over fairness and representation. The proposals, delivered in a virtual meeting to the Central Board of Control, focused on five key issues: the enrollment multiplier, competitive balance formula, interpretation of the CHOOSE Act, scheduling restrictions, and lack of governance representation. Currently, private schools face a 1.35 enrollment multiplier and a playoff-based reclassification system that does not apply to public schools. The group proposed either eliminating the multiplier or applying it to all out-of-zone students. They also called for more flexible postseason rules, including limiting elevation to one class above actual size and creating a review board for punitive cases.

 

Tuscaloosa News

U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Shomari Figures (D-AL) have expressed concerns regarding the cancellation of two student publications at the University of Alabama. In a letter to University President Peter Mohler, they requested the reinstatement of the magazines, Alice and Nineteen-Fifty-Six, and a meeting to discuss their concerns. The representatives stated: "This decision undermines the significant progress made by the university over the last six decades towards fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for all students." The magazines, which focused on women's issues and Black culture, were canceled due to a memo from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, labeling them as "unlawful proxies" for discrimination. Following the cancellation, the alumni group Masthead raised over $25,000 to print the magazines independently. The university has not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.

 

Al.com

A survey by Quebec’s Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) union found that 90% of teachers have experienced some form of violence at work. Eighty-one percent reported being a victim of psychological or verbal abuse, 63% reported physical violence, and nearly 11% reported sexual violence. The union is urging Education Minister Sonia LeBel to urgently address what it calls a systemic issue, particularly acute in early childhood education where injuries from preschoolers are common. “We are here to teach, not to be beaten up,” Catherine Renaud, a FAE vice-president told a news conference on Monday. “Like any other worker, we have the right to work without being subjected to acts of violence.”

 

The Globe and Mail