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Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are facing a deadline to set the terms of a school construction bond in California. The bond, which is expected to be placed on the November ballot, has raised concerns about the method of sharing state matching money. Currently, the system favors property-rich districts over property-poor ones. Public Advocates, a public interest law firm, has called for a new method that shares more state bond proceeds with districts in need of help. The possibility of a lawsuit challenging the funding inequalities could jeopardize the bond's chances of passing. Talks between Newsom and legislative leaders must also address the distribution formula and the amount of money designated for new construction versus repairing and renovating existing buildings. The issue of funding disparities in districts with lower property values has been a long-standing problem. Public Advocates has proposed a new distribution method based on assessed value per student, which would provide more state funding to districts with less property wealth. However, the current system has resulted in districts raising nearly $3 for every $1 contributed by the state.

 

EdSource

Annika Emmanuelle Mendoza, a transitional kindergarten teacher at Aspire Richmond Technology Academy, advocates for the expansion of strong teacher residency programs in California to address the state's persistent teacher shortage. Drawing from her personal journey into education, Mendoza highlights the transformative impact of these programs on both recruitment and retention of teachers, particularly in under-resourced communities. Mendoza credits her own career path to a residency program that not only facilitated her transition into teaching by providing practical, hands-on experience and mentorship but also by highlighting and integrating her identity into her teaching approach. The benefits of teacher residency programs are manifold, according to Mendoza. They build confidence through real classroom experience, provide essential financial support that mitigates systemic barriers to entering the profession, and foster a deeper understanding of culturally responsive teaching. She argues that expanding these programs, which focus on a holistic integration of academic theory, emotional intelligence, and practical training, can significantly enhance teacher preparedness and longevity in the profession.

 

EdSource

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.

Topics include: 

• Debunking common myths about online education
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving the E-rate program, which provides discounted internet and telecommunications services to schools. The case, Wisconsin Bell Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath, involves a telecom provider facing a civil trial for allegedly overcharging schools under the program. The E-rate program requires service providers to charge schools the lowest corresponding price for similar services. The court also declined to hear a case involving a school resource officer's use of a Taser on a student with a disability. The case, J.W. v. Paley, involved a student who had a violent outburst at his high school. The court's decision to decline the case means that the lower court's ruling, which granted qualified immunity to the resource officer, stands. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the E-rate case in its next term.

 

Education Week News

Evi Wusk, an assistant professor of educational technology at Peru State College in Nebraska, delves into the complexities of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education amidst its rapid evolution. Wusk reflects on the profound impact AI could have on teaching and learning through her experiences with pre-service educators. She acknowledges the potential of AI but remains thoughtful about the concept of time—a recurring theme in her favorite movies like "Benjamin Button" and "Back to the Future." Wusk discusses the philosophical implications of substituting traditional learning processes with AI, referencing researchers Punya Mishra and Marie K. Heath, who question the trade-off between traditional developmental learning zones and the immediate accessibility of knowledge creation through AI. Drawing from personal experiences and broader societal reflections, Wusk is cautious about the potential overreliance on AI, emphasizing the importance of "meraki"—putting soul into one's work. Wusk urges educators to consider what might be lost in the pursuit of efficiency through AI, such as the deeper understanding that comes from engaging thoroughly with material and processes. She calls for a balanced approach to AI, leveraging its capabilities to enhance human creativity and learning while being mindful of preserving the intrinsic values of effort and personal involvement in educational and life experiences.

 

EdSurge

Los Angeles school officials are considering a ban on student cellphone use during the school day. The ban aims to improve learning, reduce bullying and distraction, and promote meaningful communication. However, some parents argue that cellphones are necessary for safety and communication. The proposal, spearheaded by board member Nick Melvoin, would require staff to develop policies prohibiting cellphone and social media use during the entire school day. Different approaches for various age groups and technologies like smartwatches are being considered. The ban would go into effect in January 2025. Similar cellphone bans have been implemented in other districts and states. Proponents believe that a new resolution is necessary to update existing policies on cellphone bans and stimulate their real enforcement.

 

Los Angeles Times

U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty has blocked President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing in four states a new rule that protects LGBT students from discrimination based on their gender identity in schools and colleges. The preliminary injunction bars a U.S. Department of Education rule that extended sex discrimination protections under Title IX to LGBT students from taking effect in the Republican-led states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana and Idaho. Those states had argued that unless the rule was blocked, schools would be required to allow transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms conforming to their gender identities. The ruling was the first by a judge blocking the rule, which had been challenged in nine lawsuits by Republican-led states and conservative activists who argue it amounts to an unlawful rewrite by the Democratic president's administration of a law designed to protect women from discrimination in education. An Education Department spokesperson said it is reviewing the ruling but stands by the rule, which takes effect August 1, saying it "crafted the final Title IX regulations following a rigorous process to realize the Title IX statutory guarantee."

 

Reuters

Thousands of young students have enrolled in transitional kindergarten (TK) in Sacramento schools, but the enrollment in the region is still behind other urban areas. During the 2023-24 academic year, TK students in Sacramento County accounted for roughly 20 per 1,000 public school students, while statewide they accounted for about 26 per 1,000 students. The TK enrollment in Sacramento County increased from 2,000 to about 5,000 students between 2021-22 and 2023-24, but it still lags behind the rest of California. Despite this, local school districts claim that TK enrollment is not a concern and that they are meeting their own measures of success. Al Goldberg, a spokesperson for Sacramento City USD, stated that they have added TK to 33 campuses and have reached capacity.

 

EdSource

Plans for new athletic facilities at Burlingame’s Mercy High School are underway. Preliminary designs for the project received positive reviews from planning commissioners. However, neighbors raised concerns around curfews and traffic. The school anticipates construction to begin in April 2025 and end in June 2026. Head of School Natalie Brosnan stated that the lack of facilities is negatively impacting admissions. The new facilities, including a pool and gymnasium, will be built on campus, where currently unused tennis courts are located. Mercy High School has no plans to increase enrollment or rentals. The facilities will typically be used until 9 p.m., with a listed end time of 10 p.m. to accommodate rare situations. Neighbors expressed concerns about the 10 p.m. cutoff time. Planning commissioners suggested identifying potential late-night game dates in the conditional use permit. Traffic continues to be an issue, and Mercy is committed to finding solutions. The project will undergo California Environmental Quality Act review in the coming months.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

The Castaic USD governing board has decided to table a resolution regarding the odor issues caused by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. Superintendent Bob Brauneisen stated that the district needs more information to make a complete decision, especially after the recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding additional violations and potential health impacts. The EPA report mentioned "excess emissions of hydrogen sulfide, volatile hazardous air pollutants (VHAP), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)." Brauneisen emphasized the need to address the VHAPs and VOCs, in addition to the hydrogen sulfide, which is the main cause of the odors. The district plans to release a statement in the future once it has gathered all the necessary information.

 

Signalscv.com

Four former students are suing Folsom Cordova USD and an ex-teacher, alleging grooming and acts of sexual abuse while they were his students. The plaintiffs claim that the school district acted negligently and failed to protect its students from serial molestation that occurred over several decades. The defendant, Steven Richard Kester, was a teacher at the district for many years before retiring in 2012. He was arrested in June 2021 on suspicion of multiple felony counts of child sexual abuse. The four litigants, ranging in age from 11 to 39, report experiencing abuse at different times between 1998 and 2021. The plaintiffs allege that school administrators were aware of Kester's inappropriate behavior but did nothing to protect the victims or other students. The lawsuit also claims that the school district had ample warning signs that Kester posed a risk to female students.

 

The Sacramento Bee