COMMENTARY: What More Can Be Done Under ESSA to Support Highly Qualified Teachers
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Teacher concerns transformed into organized protests when, in early 2018, the West Virginia teacher’s strike made headlines, lasting over 2 weeks. Local education activists and teacher advocates forced the state legislature to address many of their concerns through the statewide strike. Afterwards, teachers returned to their classrooms with a 5 percent pay raise.
read moreCOMMENTARY: For Black Children, Attending School Is an Act of Racial Justice
In the 2015-16 school year, Black boys made up 8 percent of public school enrollment, but they were 25 percent of the boys suspended out of school. Black girls were 8 percent of enrollment, but 14 percent of the girls suspended out of school. While Black children are overrepresented in practices that exclude or remove students from school, White children are underrepresented. Such data are clear evidence that racism and bias often drive exclusionary practices. To ignore this is to preserve the status quo.
read moreCOMMENTARY: A Dream Deferred — Is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Just Another Elusive Dream?
Parents must get engaged to hold legislators and educators accountable for their ESSA State Plans. Parents must also hold themselves accountable in prioritizing the education of our children. Research shows that just one year with a bad teacher can put a child three years behind. Now, think about what happens after years of neglect and lack of advocacy.
read moreEquity v. Equality
ESSA gives power back to the states to control education policy. Now, members of the community must hold their school leaders and elected officials accountable to implement system-wide and school-specific measures that ensure equity in our schools.
read moreCOMMENTARY: Black Students in Youngstown City School District Targeted for Failure by State
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “We are trying to make the community aware of this disparity which is why we are presenting it, said George Freeman, NAACP President. “It took a while to ferret out the details.”
read moreCongresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s Statement on Kamilah Campbell’s SAT Score Challenge
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “As a mother and a former educator, I was extremely disappointed to learn that Kamilah Campbell’s SAT score is being challenged after she showed marked improvement in the second exam. It is my understanding that the first test that she took was a practice round for which she had not prepared. Before taking the second test, however, she spent a significant amount of time studying and took an SAT prep course. Her hard work and diligence paid off and she increased her score by about 300 points…
read moreCivics Education Must Put Racial Equity First
Civics education is popular again. As our democracy itself sits on a historic precipice, people from around the country are calling for a national renewal of civics education.
read moreK-12 Funding in Spotlight as Bitter Rivals Do Battle for Wis. Governor’s Seat
Last fall, Wisconsin’s Republican Gov. Scott Walker used Southern Door High School’s newly installed 3D printing lab in this small town near Green Bay as a backdrop to propose a $639 million increase in public school funding.
read moreNew Money and Energy to Help Schools Connect With Families
It’s indisputable that most students perform better academically when they have parents or adults to help with homework and to be advocates with teachers and principals.
read moreEDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT: Rebecca Francis
Francis has visited over 25 high-performing schools across the nation to learn what it takes to make award-winning, high-quality public charter schools. She believes charter schools offer an alternative option to parents and students who are not satisfied with the options available to them.
read moreThe Teachers’ Unions Have a Charter School Dilemma
The Chicago teachers’ strike has been largely cast in the media as a major symbolic win for teachers’ unions and a warning sign for charter schools and their supporters.
read moreDREDF Rejects Attempt by Trump Administration to Reverse Progress on School Safety
On December 18, the Trump Administration’s Federal Commission on School Safety released its recommendation to remove 2014 guidance issued by the Education Department and the Department of Justice to eliminate disparities in school discipline. This guidance came about after a comprehensive review and study and talking extensively to all stakeholders seeking to interrupt the disgraceful and disproportionate suspension of students of color and disabled students from school.
read moreAre standardized tests helping or hurting students?
For decades, standardized tests have played a key role in the U.S. education system.
read moreOn ‘Teachers Pay Teachers,’ Some Sellers Are Profiting From Stolen Work
Julie Reulbach doesn’t sell resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, an online marketplace where educators can make money on their lesson plans and classroom materials. Even so, she often sees her work for sale there.
read moreDefend and Transform Oakland’s Public Schools
The Post Salon co-sponsored a community dialogue on schools Sunday, Dec. 9. along with Oakland Public Education Network (OPEN), Educators for Democratic Schools, the New McClymonds Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee of Parents and Education.
read moreExperts Tie Student Success to Bridging Education and Workforce
THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES — Better integration of education at all levels, eliminating the distinction between higher education and career preparation and more cooperation among local, state and federal policymakers can remove barriers and better prepare a workforce that increasingly includes individuals who don’t fit the traditional profile of college students.
read moreFour Things to Watch For in the Trump School Safety Report
A federal panel led by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos that’s charged with making policy recommendations on school shootings in the wake of the massacre at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School last Valentine’s Day promised to have its report out by the end of the year.
read moreCCSD Accredited, So Will Johnny Learn To Read
THE CHRONICLE — A few weeks ago when I heard Charleston County School District for the first time had received accreditation I thought, “What the what?”
read moreESSA: A Roadmap for Achieving Equity in Education
State education chiefs and their in-state partners at teaching and research institutions plus educators on the front lines have a real chance to make a difference for black students and other minorities. But do they have the courage to make the necessary changes?
read moreHow Zip Codes Relate to Achievement Gaps
NNPA NEWSWIRE — There are several factors that contribute to success in adulthood. However, routinely we find that early childhood education and the empowerment of excellent teachers plays a pivotal role.
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