MCGRAW HILL NEWS How to Teach with Primary Sources in Social Studies
How (and why) do you use primary sources in social studies instruction? Emily M. Schell, Ed.D., Executive Director of the California Global Education Project at the University of San Diego, details the importance of using primary sources to support agency, inquiry, and culturally sustaining pedagogy in social studies.
Read more. NATIONAL NEWS Senators line up major school funding boost Federal spending for disadvantaged students would double and support for special education programs would also increase significantly in a new U.S. Senate appropriations bill proposed for fiscal 2022. The bill, unveiled by Senate Democrats on Monday, would increase total discretionary aid to the Education Department to $98.4bn, a $24.9bn increase from the current fiscal year. It also boosts spending on school-based mental health professionals, rural education, and improving states’ academic assessments. Among its provisions, Title I aid for disadvantaged students would rise to $33.1bn, an increase of $16.6bn; IDEA grants to states would rise to $15.5bn, an increase of about $2.6bn; $820m would be provided to boost the number of mental health professionals in schools; and state grants to improve the quality of their academic assessments would get $58.8m, an increase of $50m. "Our focus needs to be on ensuring our country can come back better from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and head of the subcommittee that deals with annual education spending, in a statement announcing the legislation.
Education Week
DISTRICTS Leon County School Board members respond to salary loss Leon County School Board members are now working without a paycheck. On Friday, the Florida Board of Education decided to withhold monthly pay of their $37,000 annual salary for every month the state finds Leon County isn't in compliance with state regulations. Meaning, so long as that rule stands, roughly $3,000 monthly before taxes are no longer coming to the board members. "I am concerned not because of my salary, but because of the fiscal and emotional impacts on the district," asserts member DeeDee Rasmussen: "I promise you; I didn't run for this job for a salary." School board member Daryl Jones says the next steps include fighting for federal funding for students. "I’m going to demand that the Governor and the commissioner of education make certain they harvest federal funds to remedy learning loss, respond to juvenile crime, and make schools safe," he says.
Tallahassee News
Lee County schools chosen as PBIS Models Twenty-nine schools in Lee County have been chosen as PBIS Model Schools by the Florida Department of Education PBIS Project. PBIS, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, encompasses research-based strategies used to increase quality of life and decrease problem behavior by teaching new skills and making changes in a person’s environment. The schools are Bayshore Elementary, Bonita Springs Elementary, Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts, Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, Caloosa Elementary, Caloosa Middle School, Cape Elementary, Colonial Elementary, Cypress Lake High School, Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary, Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School, Gulf Elementary, Harns Marsh Middle School, J. Colin English Elementary, Manatee Elementary, Mariner High School, Mirror Lakes Elementary, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Orange River Elementary, Patriot Elementary, Rayma C. Page Elementary, River Hall Elementary, Royal Palm Exceptional Student Center, Sunshine Elementary, Three Oaks Elementary, Three Oaks Middle School, Tortuga Preserve Elementary, Trafalgar Elementary and Trafalgar Middle School.
Lehigh Acres Citizen
Principal of the year named in Polk County Polk County Public Schools has named Horizons Elementary School’s Amy Heiser-Meyers as its 2021-2022 Principal of the year and Floral Avenue Elementary’s Tammy Ruhl as the assistant principal of the year. “Principals and assistant principals face unexpected challenges every day,” comments Superintendent Frederick Heid. “They must think fast to keep their campuses running safely and efficiently. They’re called upon to make important decisions that support the academic, physical, mental, and emotional needs of their students. They also inspire their staff and maintain a positive culture of respect and professionalism. It takes a special person to serve as a school administrator, and this year’s winners are two excellent examples.”
Lakeland Ledger
WORKFORCE Teachers of the Year honored at White House ceremony Dr. Jill Biden hosted the 2020 and 2021 State and National Teachers of the Year at the White House on Monday, in a months-long delayed event to celebrate their talents and commitment to education. The Council of Chief State School Officers State honors Teachers of the Year in all 50 states, with one selected to be National Teacher of the Year, which means taking on a year-long advocacy role, speaking at events across the country to share wisdom and inspire others to join the profession. The 2020 winner was Tabatha Rosproy, a preschool teacher in Kansas who established an early childhood program inside a retirement community and nursing home, while Juliana Urtubey received the 2021 honor. She works as a special education teacher for elementary students in Las Vegas. "With all of my heart and on behalf of millions of American families, thank you for being the heroes we needed," Dr. Biden said. "Never, ever underestimate the power of what you do every day."
Fox 29
LEGAL Parkland families agree settlement with the school district The families of the 17 people killed in the 2018 Florida high school tragedy have agreed a $25m settlement with the Broward County School District in a lawsuit that had accused officials of negligence. Fifty-two families from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland will be part of the settlement, which comes after the school district had won a state Supreme Court ruling that could have capped total damages at $300,000 without approval from the Legislature. Some families still have lawsuits pending against the Broward Sheriff's Office and former Deputy Scot Peterson, the school's armed resource officer, for his failure to enter the building to confront the shooter. They are also suing two security guards who they say didn't respond when the gunman arrived on campus. Nikolas Cruz, who faces either a death sentence or life in prison without parole, will plead guilty Wednesday to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder.
The Miami Herald
NPR / National Public Radio
Orlando Sentinel
SOCIAL & COMMUNITY Students and teachers reflect on Hispanic Heritage Month Chalkbeat speaks to Hispanic and Latino teachers and students around the nation about how they are celebrating their cultures, and how they have negotiated the challenges of the pandemic. Hispanic and Latino populations across the nation have made up a disproportionate number of deaths from COVID-19, and the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities for Hispanic and Latino students, widening education gaps and spurring drops in college enrollment.
Chalkbeat
OTHER National School Boards Association losing its audience The Pennsylvania School Boards Association has severed ties with the National School Boards Association over a letter comparing parents' behavior at school board meetings to "domestic terrorism" or hate crimes. "This misguided approach has made our work and that of many school boards more difficult," a memo from the Pennsylvania group said. "Now is not the time for more politics and posturing, it is time for solutions to the many challenges facing education." The Pennsylvania group argued membership in the national association should provide a sense of "value and support" to the state's organization, but within the past several years, Pennsylvania and several other states, including Florida most recently, have pondered whether or not continued membership offers any significant value.
Washington Examiner
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