School Bus Diesel Costs Force Districts Into Budget Crisis
#Education #FuelCostsSchool districts face rising diesel costs, up nearly $2 per gallon, straining budgets nationwide. Many consolidate routes, stagger bell times, or add electric buses to save money, while tapping reserves risks future financial stability. read more
Fired Principal Who Helped Homeless Student Has No Regrets
#Education #HomelessnessOhio principal Rob Burnside lost his job for letting homeless student Landerius Hayes attend school, even adopting him. Burnside says he has no regrets, prioritizing the student's life over his position. read more
No. 2 Pencil Endures as American Icon
#Education #AmericanHistoryThe No. 2 pencil, though not American-invented, became iconic through US innovation like yellow paint and attached erasers. It symbolizes school days and standardized tests, and remains relevant as schools return to handwritten exams in the AI era. read more
LA schools ban screens as new year begins
#Education #ScreenTimeLos Angeles Unified School launches sweeping screen-time limits, banning devices for youngest students and restricting older kids. Teachers face rapid rollout with minimal guidance, while district monitors data to refine policy, aiming to balance technology use with healthier learning environments. read more
Georgia school closed after venomous snake found on campus
#Education #WildlifeA Georgia school district closed after venomous snakes, squirrels, and raccoons were found on campus. Students returned Monday but are off all week for an environmental safety assessment, with no bites reported. read more
New York school pauses AI robot teacher amid privacy concerns
#Education #AIEthicsA rural New York school district paused plans for a $60,000 AI humanoid robot teacher "Sally" after concerns over the maker's ties to sex doll companies and student data privacy issues. read more
Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey film excites English teachers
#TheOdyssey #EducationTeachers find Homer's *The Odyssey* challenging to teach due to its ancient origins. Christopher Nolan's new film adaptation excites educators, offering a modern tool to engage students and aid multilingual learners with visual context. read more
Young students show gains but older ones stagnate
#Education #StudentAchievementNew test scores show 9-year-olds improved in reading and math after declines, offering optimism. However, 13-year-olds stagnated, with reading pleasure at historic lows and math gains erased. Future testing is paused until 2033. read more
Kennedy urges schools to cut screen time
#Education #ScreenTimeHealth Secretary RFK Jr. urges schools to limit screen time, ban cellphones, and use physical textbooks, citing addiction risks. This contradicts President Trump’s push for AI in classrooms, highlighting a split in administration education policy. read more
Hackers demand ransom after Canvas platform breach
#CyberAttack #EducationHackers from ShinyHunters breached Instructure's Canvas system, used by millions in US schools and colleges. They demand ransom by May 12 or will release stolen data. Nearly 9,000 schools may be affected, with billions of private records accessed. read more
Louisiana school district eliminates all homework
#Education #HomeworkDebateA Louisiana school district eliminated homework due to parent complaints, AI concerns, and equity issues. Research shows mixed effects: some studies find benefits, others minimal impact. Educators now focus on quality, purposeful assignments over mandatory homework. read more
California Jewish student sues school over antisemitic harassment
#Antisemitism #EducationA Jewish student sues her California school for failing to stop antisemitic harassment after October 7, causing panic attacks and grade drops. The suit demands staff training and academy reform. read more
Protest Against Trump’s Anti-DEI Memo Outside Department of Education
#Education #TrumpAdministrationCommunity members protested budget cuts in front of the Department of Education in Washington DC. The Trump administration threatens to withhold funding from schools with DEI programs, requiring compliance with anti-diversity policies within 10 days. read more
Education Secretary discusses plan to reorganize Department of Education
#Education #USPoliticsLinda McMahon promises to cooperate with Congress as the Trump administration plans to dismantle the Department of Education and transfer programs to other departments. The move may face challenges due to existing legislation and concerns over program efficiency. read more
US Colleges Warned Over Antisemitism Threats, Face Funding Consequences
#Education #AntisemitismThe Department of Education warned 60 colleges in the US to protect Jewish students on campuses or face financial repercussions after the Trump administration revoked $400 million from Columbia University for alleged failure to combat antisemitism. read more
Immigrant Education Threatened by Anti-Immigrant Policies in Oklahoma
#Immigration #EducationErica Watkins, state director of Defense of Democracy in Tulsa, was photographed in Oklahoma City on 28 January 2025. The hardline anti-immigrant policies threatening the right to education are causing a chilling effect among immigrant families, prompting fear and keeping children out of schools. read more
"High Dissatisfaction: Americans Unhappy With Public Education System"
#USPolitics #EducationA recent Gallup poll reveals that 73% of Americans are dissatisfied with public education, highlighting a divide between Republicans and Democrats. President Donald Trump considers abolishing the Department of Education, emphasizing inefficiency and ideological concerns in the curriculum. read more
Schools Safeguarding Undocumented Students Amid Immigration Uncertainty
#USpolitics #educationSchools in the U.S. are preparing for potential deportations of undocumented students under the Trump administration. As nearly 750,000 school-aged children are believed to be in the country illegally, districts are training staff and implementing policies to protect these students. read more
New York Teacher Faces Backlash for Questioning Students' Race
#Racism #EducationA white teacher at Eldred Junior Senior High School in New York questioned two Black students about their race in front of classmates. The district superintendent defended the teacher, arguing she couldn't be racist because she belongs to the LGBTQ community. read more
Texas Approves Bible Curriculum "Bluebonnet Learning" for Elementary Schools
#Texas #EducationTexas board of education in 2024 approved "Bluebonnet Learning" Bible-based curriculum for elementary schools, offering $60 per student incentive for participation. Outraged parents and groups criticize the move, citing concerns about violating religious freedom and constitutional rights of non-Christian students. read more
Controversial figure pushes for Bibles in US school classrooms
#USPolitics #EducationRyan Walters, a potential pick for US Education Secretary under Trump, suggests a national mandate to include Bibles in school classrooms, emphasizing the importance of teaching American exceptionalism and the role of faith. He supports Trump's plan to close the Department of Education. read more
Trailblazing President Tetlow: Navigating Challenges in Higher Education
#Education #FordhamUniversityTania Tetlow, a trailblazer at Fordham University, has broken barriers by becoming the first layperson and woman president of two Jesuit schools. Thriving amidst tough times for college leaders, she navigates complex challenges and controversies with empathy. read more
Former Students Recall Governor Tim Walz's Impact at DNC
#Education #TeacherMemoriesFormer students of Governor Tim Walz shared their fond memories of him as a teacher at the Democratic National Convention, where he addressed the crowd. Students reminisced about his support for LGBTQ+ students and turning sketches into high school theater sets. read more