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Recent Editions
Education Slice
National
Initiatives such as the Affordable Connectivity Program that brought internet access to rural students are set to expire this month. However, despite governmental efforts to connect school districts and students during the pandemic, the gains were temporary, leaving many lacking access to high-speed internet. The 74 surveyed students in grades 8-11 from 18 rural Michigan schools before and after the pandemic, tracking changes in their digital access, educational outcomes and well-being, finding that one-third still lack high-speed broadband internet at home. A major challenge in bridging the access divide is pinpointing underserved areas. Accurate maps are crucial to direct billions of dollars in funding from programs such as the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, also known as BEAD, and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund toward truly underserved communities. As part of the process to receive BEAD funding, each state must identify unserved and underserved homes. Maps must be finalized and grants must be made to states before large-scale infrastructure improvements will commence. While some programs are now coming online, such as the Michigan MOON-Light project, which increases the bandwidth on Michigan’s education network that is being made available to local service providers, other major improvements will not be realized for several years to come.
Full IssueEducation Slice
California
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new nutrition standards for school meals, including a gradual limit on added sugars. The rules, which were revised based on public comments and listening sessions, aim to address challenges in school breakfasts and reduce sugar intake. Starting in 2025, a limit on added sugars will apply to cereals, yogurt, and milk, expanding to an overall limit of less than 10% of total calories in a week's meals by 2027. Sodium levels in breakfasts and lunches will also be reduced by 10% and 15% respectively by 2027. Schools can continue to serve flavored milks as long as they comply with sugar limits. The new rules align with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. "We are thrilled to see the USDA has followed the recommendations from a 2022 citizen petition from the American Heart Association (AHA) and other public health groups to include an added sugars standard in this final rule," commented AHA chief executive Nancy Brown, who added: “Although we are disappointed that the whole grain standard does not fully align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the sodium standard does not require more significant reductions, we understand recent legislation limited USDA’s ability to go further.”
Full IssueEducation Slice
Texas
The Biden administration has unveiled a new labor rule that extends mandatory overtime pay to an estimated 4m salaried workers, going further than the previous Obama-era rule. From July 1, employers will be required to pay overtime premiums to workers who earn the equivalent of an annual salary of $43,888 when they work more than 40 hours in a week. The total will increased to $58,656 on January 1 2025. “The Department of Labor is ensuring that lower-paid salaried workers receive their hard-earned pay or get much-deserved time back with their families,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “This rule establishes clear, predictable guidance for employers on how to pay employees for overtime hours and provides more economic security to the millions of people working long hours without overtime pay.” The salary threshold will increase over time, reaching $58,656 by 2025. The new rule is expected to face legal challenges.
Full IssueEducation Slice
Florida
The head of the Florida Department of Education, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., has announced that the state will oppose the federal government's expanded interpretation of Title IX, which includes protections based on gender identity. At the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Diaz urged superintendents and school districts to refrain from implementing any changes related to this new interpretation. Florida is aligning with other states like Louisiana and Oklahoma in contesting these federal regulations.
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