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Staffing shortages in education have become a pressing issue, with 44% of public schools starting the year with teaching vacancies, particularly in high-poverty areas. The Institute of Education Sciences has launched a new center to analyze the teacher workforce and improve staffing strategies. Dan Goldhaber, principal investigator for the center, highlighted that while some areas may see a decline in K-12 enrollment, the demand for qualified teachers, especially in STEM and special education, remains high. The center will evaluate various recruitment and retention policies over the next five years, aiming to bolster the pipeline of new educators. Goldhaber noted: “You could have declining [full-time employees] in elementary ed., at the same time that you're still struggling to hire enough STEM teachers.”

 

Education Week News

The U.S. Department of Education is implementing a staggered launch for the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to mitigate issues experienced in previous years. The phased rollout, starting on October 1, will gradually increase the number of students able to complete the form, with full availability by December 1. This approach follows challenges faced by the 2024-25 FAFSA, which was revised under the FAFSA Simplification Act. Jeremy Singer, FAFSA executive adviser, stated: “Thanks to the wonderful organizations, we expect closer to 1,000 students in Beta 1 as opposed to the 100 we initially thought.” The department has also announced 78 organizations to participate in subsequent testing phases and is releasing updated resources to assist families in preparing for the application cycle.

 

Florida Phoenix

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Concerns about youth mental health and academic performance are prompting lawmakers to revisit cellphone use in schools. Florida led the charge in 2023 by enacting a law that prohibits cellphone use during school hours and mandates education on social media's effects for grades 6-12. The debate intensified following Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation," which links increased smartphone use to declining mental health among adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three teenage girls considered suicide in 2021, a 60% increase from a decade earlier. While many parents support some phone use for emergencies, over a dozen states are moving to restrict cellphone access in schools. Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union, emphasized: "The concerns of American parents are real and deserve to also be considered in the creation of any policy." As schools grapple with these challenges, the trend toward cellphone restrictions continues to grow.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Teachers in the Las Lomitas Elementary School District have voted to strike if their demands for a 10% salary increase and improved health insurance are not met by October 17. The district has proposed a 5% pay increase retroactive to the 2023-24 school year, along with $2,000 in additional healthcare benefits. However, the teachers' union argues that the district offers the lowest salaries compared to neighboring areas. The district has already lost 10 teachers this year, representing over 11% of its teaching staff. Jennifer Montalvo, co-president of the teachers' union, emphasized: “As educators, we don’t want to strike, but we will if it means putting students first, not last.”

 

EdSource

Shakiyya Bland, a math educator and director of educational partnerships at Just Equations, emphasizes the urgent need for improved professional development in education. She states: "Investing in targeted, evidenced-based professional development is not just an option—it's essential to transforming teaching practices." Bland highlights that effective professional development can bridge the gap between curriculum changes and teaching practices, particularly in U.S. public schools, which face funding disparities. She advocates for collaboration among teachers, content-focused learning, culturally responsive teaching, and data-driven instruction to enhance educational equity. Bland's report, “Beyond Algebra: High School Math for a New Generation,” illustrates how specialized support can improve teaching methods and student outcomes. She calls for stronger partnerships between high schools and higher education institutions to provide ongoing support and resources for teachers, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous improvement in education.

 

Education Week News

Saugus USD's asset management advisory committee has postponed its next meeting, originally scheduled for October 9, 2024, to either November 6 or 13. Lisa Eichman, the committee's vice chair, confirmed the change. Shellie Gibson, an administrative assistant, stated: “We will be postponing the upcoming Asset Management Advisory Committee meeting for October 9, 2024.” The postponement follows a tumultuous third meeting where community members expressed concerns about potential low-income housing plans for the Santa Clarita Elementary site, which district officials denied.

 

Signalscv.com

West Contra Costa USD Superintendent Chris Hurst is retiring at the end of the year after over three years of service. In a video announcement, Hurst expressed that the decision was challenging but necessary for his family, stating: “Family and faith are at the core of who I am, and I must prioritize them at this time.” During his tenure, he successfully navigated budget and staffing issues and introduced 24 Career Technical Education pathways. Board President Jamela Smith-Folds praised Hurst's commitment to anti-racism, noting his lasting legacy. The school board will convene to appoint an interim superintendent to succeed Hurst after his retirement.

 

EdSource

In San Bernardino County, several educators have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to their schools and communities. Superintendent Ted Alejandre said: “Each honoree’s daily contributions are essential to the overall success of our students, schools and communities.” Each of the 33 school districts selects a Teacher of the Year, with finalists advancing to a county-level review. The California Department of Education will announce the 2025 California Teacher of the Year awardees later this month.

 

Daily Press

Gateway School in Santa Cruz is set to host its annual Fall Festival on Friday from 4p.m. to 6 p.m., promising a variety of activities for families and community members. Hannah Wikse, Head of School, described the event as “like opening a window into the heart of Gateway School.” Attendees can look forward to hay rides and other family-friendly activities, making it a perfect outing for all ages.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

As temperatures soar, students like Juliette Sanchez at Melrose Leadership Academy in Oakland struggle to focus in uncomfortably hot classrooms. A 2018 Harvard study found that student performance can decline by up to 14% on hot days, with Black and brown students facing even greater challenges. V. Kelly Turner from UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs highlights that these students often attend under-resourced schools, compounding the issue. The state program CalSHAPE has provided $421m to improve air conditioning in over 3,800 schools, but new applications have been halted. Jonathan Klein of UndauntedK12 emphasizes that “cooling is no longer just a nicety, but a necessity.” With many schools lacking adequate cooling systems, the need for urgent action is clear as climate change exacerbates heat waves.

 

Press Democrat

In a recent demonstration, Granite Bay High School student Anushka Kalyan led a march for the youth climate action group Fridays for Future, advocating for the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) to divest its $15bn investment in fossil fuel companies. Retired teacher Trina Lee emphasized the importance of this action, stating: “No, divestment won't solve the climate emergency. But it would show young people that we care about their future.” However, John Hightower argued that CalSTRS' primary responsibility is to maximize returns for its members, not to engage in political statements. The debate highlights the tension between financial responsibility and environmental activism, as students push for a sustainable future while facing the realities of investment strategies.

 

The Sacramento Bee

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill banning legacy preferences at private colleges and universities, including elite institutions like Stanford and USC. The law, effective in fall 2025, aims to make college admissions more merit-based and equitable by eliminating special treatment for applicants with family or donor connections. This follows a national trend after the Supreme Court’s ruling on race-based admissions and increased scrutiny of legacy admissions. The law is designed to promote diversity and fairness, with compliance monitored by the California Department of Justice.

 

New York Times