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As California's fund to fix crumbling schools dwindles, lawmakers are negotiating a ballot measure for the state's largest school construction bond in decades. However, some school superintendents argue that the money will not be enough to address all the maintenance issues and the inequities in the system. Two bills are being considered, one raising $14bn for K-12 schools and community colleges, and the other raising $15.5bn for universities. The bill without the university systems has an advantage, as it has garnered less opposition. The California Taxpayers Association opposes the bill that would increase borrowing limits for school districts, leading to higher property taxes. Experts recommend that any statewide bond should provide significant aid for rural, small, and low-income districts. The condition of school buildings affects student achievement, and students in well-maintained schools perform better on standardized tests. The lack of a permanent funding stream for school facilities in California has resulted in inequities between districts. Superintendents in smaller districts struggle to manage large projects and need more assistance from the state.

 

The Bakersfield

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The U.S. Department of Education has updated guidance for a federal program that encourages innovative and high-quality assessment design practices. In an effort to improve student assessments, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has written to state education leaders, state assessment directors, and state Title I directors to stress that the department is eliminating the cap on the number of states that can participate in the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA), which is a program that allows states to pilot new assessment approaches. The letter notes that student assessment results may differ between existing state assessments and assessments developed under the IADA. The guidance is broadly intended to provide every state with "running room" to pilot assessment innovation. The department hopes testing changes will inform instruction, interventions, professional development, and resource planning in addition to bolstering grade-level mastery three years after the pandemic began impacting learning.

 

K12 Dive

Oakland Promise, Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified, and National University have been awarded five-year Full Service Community Schools grants by the U.S. Department of Education. These grants, totaling $74m, aim to support school districts, nonprofits, and other organizations in expanding community schools. Oakland Promise received a capacity building and development grant of $401,345, while National University and Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified were each awarded $3m multi-local agency grants to implement and sustain community schools. The grants will support comprehensive approaches such as nutrition assistance, mental health services, early childhood education, and access to high-quality afterschool summer learning and enrichment programs, all of which are crucial for students' academic success.

 

EdSource

Valencia High School's Medical Science Academy has partnered with UCLA Health to host a blood drive, providing students with real-life training and hands-on skills in healthcare. The program, MSA, aims to empower students and save lives.

 

Signalscv.com

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the positive impact of Chicago's district-run, full-day preschool programs on low-income students. The study found that these students performed significantly better in reading and math by the end of third grade compared to students in school-based half-day preschool or less. They also showed better social-emotional development and were less likely to repeat a grade. The benefits were greatest in schools where the principal, preschool teachers, and family liaisons collaborated closely to align curriculum, teacher training, and family supports. The study emphasizes the importance of leadership quality in creating a school climate for strong relationships among key stakeholders. The findings come at a time when most public elementary schools have attached preschools, but there is little guidance for principals on aligning early-childhood classes with primary grades.

 

Education Week News

For more than 72 years, the Napa Valley Nursery School has been a beloved institution in the community. However, due to a recent partnership between the Napa Methodist Church and Napa Valley Community Housing, the school, Napa's only parent-led cooperative school, needs to find a new home. The church plans to build affordable housing on its property, which means two of the school's buildings will be demolished. The school has until June 2025 to relocate.

 

Napa Valley Register

Second-grade teacher Nelly Cristales says her Los Angeles USD school is using competition as a unique way to combat chronic absenteeism. At 32nd Street School near University Park in East Los Angeles, a trophy now goes to the class with the least absences and latenesses. LAUSD schools saw a severe decline in students’ attendance post-COVID-19, with 40% of students chronically absent in the 2021-22 school year, which was a 19.8% increase compared to before the pandemic. The district's identify students as chronically absent if have they missed at least 10% of school days or about three and a half weeks of classes.

 

The 74 (Online)

More international students are choosing the U.S. for higher education, with a record growth in enrollment. The U.S. hosted over a million international college students in the 2022-2023 academic year, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. New international student enrollment surged by 14% in 2022-2023, reaching 298,523. The U.S. government and American colleges and universities are eager to welcome international students, recognizing the country's global leadership in higher education. Indian students make up a significant portion of international students, with a 35% increase in enrollment from India. The U.S. is also attracting more students from sub-Saharan Africa, with Ghana joining the list of top 25 countries sending students. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, international education in the U.S. is rebounding, with 95% of international students physically studying on U.S. campuses. The most popular fields of study for international students in the U.S. are math and computer science, engineering, business and management, social sciences, and physical and life sciences. Experts expect the interest in pursuing higher education in the U.S. to continue.

 

U.S. News

Evanston Township High School in Illinois has introduced race-separated affinity classes in an effort to address the academic achievement gap between Black, Latino, and white students. These optional classes, taught by teachers of the same race, aim to make students feel more comfortable and improve their performance in Advanced Placement courses. While some studies have shown positive outcomes from race-specific programs, critics argue that such classes undermine the goal of integration. Evanston's high school district, which is 44% white, has implemented the AXLE and GANAS programs for Black and Latino students, respectively, in core math and English classes. The district's focus on equity guides these decisions, with the aim of eliminating racial disparities in academic achievement. However, the district has not provided any analyses on the impact of the affinity courses on student outcomes. Supporters of the program highlight the positive experiences and sense of acceptance reported by students in these classes.

 

Wall Street Journal