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A federal investigation has confirmed that more than 900 American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children perished in U.S. government boarding schools from 1819 to 1969. The actual toll is believed to be higher. The report recommends an official apology. Chase Iron Eyes, executive director of the Sacred Defense Fund, applauded the United States for acknowledging and addressing its actions. The boarding school system was part of forced assimilation policies targeting Indigenous people. The report calls for an official apology, cultural revitalization policies, and support for language revitalization and traditional practices. The report includes personal accounts from former students, highlighting the despair and trauma experienced. The Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, launched in 2021, aims to investigate and document the troubled legacy of these schools. The report also acknowledges that the actual number of children who died in Indian boarding schools is greater than documented. The report lists the federal Indian boarding schools in California and highlights Sherman Indian High School as the only remaining once-forced boarding school. The report emphasizes the need for more than just an apology, recommending measures such as addressing present-day impacts, establishing a national memorial, and repatriating remains. Truth and reconciliation are essential for recovery.

 

Desert Sun

A federal judge in Alabama on Tuesday refused to block the Biden administration from enforcing new anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ students in four Republican-led states, breaking with six other judges who have said the rules are invalid. Judge Annemarie Carney Axon said the Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina attorneys general challenging the Education Department standard, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity in the list of characteristics protected under sex discrimination regulations, failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in their lawsuit. In a 122-page ruling Axon, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said the claims by the states and several conservative groups were conclusory and not backed by court precedent adding: "Although Plaintiffs may dislike the Department’s rules, they have failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in proving the Department’s rulemaking was unreasonable or not reasonably explained." She said nothing in Title IX limits the definition of sex to biological sex, and that the Education Department's interpretation of the law was reasonable in light of the 2020 Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that a ban against workplace sex discrimination contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 covered gay and transgender workers, applied to Title IX. The case is Alabama v. Cardona, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, No. 7:24-cv-00533. 

 

Bloomberg Law

Reuters

Amid declining enrollments in public schools, a survey by Outschool explores why some parents are seeking alternative schooling options. Over 1,000 parents were surveyed, and about 35% of public school parents said they would or are considering homeschooling. Reasons cited include the rise in bullying, concerns over school shootings and overtesting. Among parents unsatisfied with their child's current school experience, 44% mentioned bullying and social issues, 35% expressed concern over school shootings and gun violence, and 35% felt there was too much emphasis on teaching to the test. Additionally, roughly 40% of public school parents expressed concerns about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.

 

EdSource

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 180+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population. School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

Jefferson Union High School District in Daly City has successfully addressed its staff shortage by developing affordable housing for its teachers and education staff. The district built 122 units on school district-owned land, which is now fully occupied by 25% of the district's staff. This transformation has been described as "remarkable" and "unheard of in public education." Legislation to ease zoning requirements for school districts interested in building affordable housing has played a significant role in this success. The California Department of Education is convening a housing summit to showcase success stories and encourage other districts to follow suit. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has emphasized the importance of building 2.3m units on school-owned land to address California's teacher shortage. Many school districts have expressed interest in providing affordable housing, with some already providing housing or in the early stages of exploring it. Building housing not only helps recruit and retain staff but also offers a new stream of funding for school districts. However, some districts have faced challenges in convincing the community of the need for staff housing. Resources and support are available for districts interested in building housing, including guides and lessons learned from successful projects. The goal is to make the process as easy as possible for schools. The map created by researchers at UC Berkeley identifies the communities that will benefit the most from educational workforce housing projects. Building affordable housing for educators is seen as a crucial tool for recruitment and retention until salaries can be improved. Jefferson's success in providing affordable housing has improved staff morale and contributed to student success.

 

EdSource

Contracts for each of Saugus USD's executive cabinet members were extended until 2027 at Tuesday’s governing board meeting. The contracts were previously set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 school year. No discussion was held by the board prior to approving the contract amendments. The board voted 4-0 to approve the contracts, with board member Anna Griese abstaining from the vote for Superintendent Colleen Hawkins as well as the vote for the remaining four cabinet members. Shannon Gerson, a Mountainview Elementary School parent, congratulated the cabinet members for having the opportunity to have their contracts extended. Hawkins has led the district since July 2018. Prior to that, she was an assistant superintendent with Compton USD and held a similar role at West Covina USD. She took over the superintendent role at the Saugus district after Joan Lucid retired following the 2017-18 school year after seven years in charge and 37 years total with the district.

 

Signalscv.com

Students at George Washington Elementary School in Lodi, California, returned to school on Tuesday, greeted with colorful backpacks, cheerful hugs, and high-fives from Principal Gina Lopez and staff. The first day festivities included an arch of multicolored balloons and pulsating music. Lodi USD, among the first California districts to start the school year, has adopted an earlier start date to complete semesters before winter break and maximize instruction before state tests. This trend aligns with many other districts across the state, which are moving away from the traditional September start. Educators and parents favor the new schedule for its regular breaks, which help prevent burnout. Despite the challenges of the first day, especially for kindergartners, teachers like Kristen McDaniel, who has been teaching at George Washington Elementary for 25 years, find the growth and progress of students rewarding.

 

EdSource

Ripon High School's House of Rock band, led by Steven Dougherty, was part of Ripon USD's successful four-week summer program. The program, known as the "Superhero Academy," saw a total of 185 students receiving intervention for TK-5, 38 students in extended school year, 63 students in the STEAM program, 24 students participating in the House of Rock band, and 23 students in orchestra. The teaching staff, consisting of 16 instructors, used various curriculum and activities to focus on reading, writing, and math. The program also provided credit recovery for 64 students and offered a math camp for advanced concepts. According to Alisha Vasche, Assistant Principal of Ripon High, the program resulted in a total of 390 units recovered. "This is the first time RHS has run a math camp for advanced concepts," Vasche added.

 

Manteca Bulletin

Staggered school start times can lessen traffic congestion, especially at locations that have a junior high next to an elementary school. The Safe Routes to School program, created by Congress nearly 20 years ago, aims to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions while encouraging children to walk or bike to school. The Lawrence Safe Routes initiative in Kansas has exceeded Congress's original objectives, producing benefits such as reducing traffic congestion and increasing physical activity opportunities. The program has also helped build community cohesion and has led to the development of a citywide trail. Other communities, like San Marcos USD, have seen the legacy of Safe Routes in mitigating congestion through strong relationships between schools and local governments. These relationships involve discussions on traffic signal timing, crosswalks, bike lanes, and safe routes for students. Staggered school start times and other traffic mitigation measures, such as traffic circles and reduced speed limits, have proven effective in reducing congestion and improving safety in school neighborhoods.

 

School Bus Fleet