You are receiving this email newsletter because you are a subscriber of Education Slice (formerly Principal News) or you signed up for our email newsletter on our site.

A new poll by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) reveals that Texans prioritize teacher salaries and funding for public schools. Seventy-three percent of Texans consider increasing teacher salaries extremely or very important, while 68% prioritize additional funding for public schools. More than half of all voters (56%) said they are aware of the Legislature’s recent efforts to create a voucher program. Of those, 50% said what they have seen, read, or heard about vouchers has made them less likely to support the program. Only 34% said they are more likely to support vouchers. Opposition against vouchers has increased across party lines and among different communities. The poll, conducted by Perception Insight, surveyed 800 registered voters in June. Among the respondents, 48% reported voting for Republicans, 35% preferred Democrats, and 17% voted independently.

 

Odessa American

Hands-On Learning

The science TEKS focus on hands-on activities as the means for guiding students to explore the world around them. More traditional lecture-based or reading-focused learning is intended to take a lesser role under the standards. In this article, educators learn about the importance of hands-on science activities and the balance with ELA skill development. The article includes downloadable activities teachers can use in their classrooms immediately.

Read the Article

 

The Austin ISD board voted 8-1 on Tuesday to accept a Texas Education Agency proposal to install a state-appointed monitor to help oversee the district's special education department in response to significant backlogs in evaluating students for services. Under the agreement, the state will observe and report on the district’s progress, but won’t direct action or spending, as a TEA investigator recommended in March. Austin will have to complete all its overdue evaluations by January 31st, have its staff undertake special education training through 2025, conduct a third-party audit and update its data monitoring systems. By January 31st, the district will also have to provide compensatory services to students who didn’t receive special education help on time due to delays in their evaluation.

 

Austin American-Statesman

KVUE

KXAN

Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston ISD, is taking responsibility for the academic improvement of the district under his watch. He stated that he should be held accountable and be fired if the district doesn't improve academically in the next two years. In a recent discussion, Miles emphasized the need for improvement in Texas' largest school district. He acknowledged the importance of his role and the consequences he may face if the district fails to show progress.

 

The 74 (Online)

McAllen ISD trustees held a special meeting Monday to discuss potential candidates for the superintendent position. The application period has closed and the board is now reviewing applications and conducting interviews. The search for a new superintendent comes after the resignation of the district's former superintendent, J.A Gonzalez, who left to take the helm at Harlingen ISD. The number of applications received has not been disclosed, but board president Debbie Crane Aliseda stated that they have received a "substantial number" from individuals passionate about education.

 

The Monitor

The Hays Consolidated ISD board has approved Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright's request to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office for additional school resource officers. At present, the district has 25 campuses and 15 school resource officers. Dr. Wright said the district requires 15 more school resource officers in order to meet new state requirements.

 

KVUE

KXAN

Sherman ISD secondary schools in September are focusing on educating students about suicide prevention. Aileen Hays, coordinator of counseling and student services, said the district is emphasizing the importance of making students aware of what to do if they encounter signs of suicide. The schools aim to teach coping skills and encourage students to report any signs they see to trusted adults.

 

Herald Democrat

Round Rock ISD officials have set in motion a 286-seat expansion to the cafeteria of Stony Point High School, bringing the 2018 bond project one step closer to addressing the school's need for more lunch room capacity. Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said. District documents show the design and permitting process is expected to last for nine months, and construction expected to last nine months as well, barring any delays.

 

Community Impact

Just 19% of state education technology officials say their states provide “ample funding” to head off cybersecurity risks, according to a recent report released by the State Educational Technology Directors Association. Some 42% said their state provides a “small amount” or “very little” funding to address cybersecurity needs, according to the survey of 104 education technology officials in 45 states, Guam, and the U.S. Department of Defense, which operates schools for some students from military families. “Improving K-12 cybersecurity posture has become an issue of resources and equity,” comments Brad Hagg, director of education technology at the Indiana Department of Education. “Under-staffed districts and communities without access to a pipeline of cyber specialists will struggle to meet the requirements, often dictated by insurance companies, as well as the best practices necessary to implement a strong cybersecurity threat mitigation program.”

 

Education Week

Ransomware attacks against the education community worldwide are estimated to have cost over $53bn in downtime between 2018 and mid-September 2023, according to research by cybersecurity site Comparitech. A majority of the analyzed attacks occurred in the U.S., with 386 recorded incidents against K-12 and higher education institutions costing a total of $35.1bn due to systems being down. K-12 schools accounted for most of the breaches worldwide. Overall, 2023 is on track to be a record-breaking year for ransomware attacks against education institutions. Within the first half of 2023, the group found 85 global ransomware attacks, while just 45 incidents were recorded in the same period of the previous year. Hackers have already kicked off the new school year by launching ransomware attacks against school districts, as seen in Maryland’s Prince George’s County Public Schools and Pennsylvania’s Chambersburg Area School District.

 

K12 Dive

California and Florida have become the first states to require later school start times, in part a response to the mental health crisis affecting teens. The new laws, which mandate high school classes to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., aim to help adolescents get more sleep. However, implementing these changes comes with challenges such as disrupted bus schedules and new schedules for teachers and staff. Other states have faced opposition from school districts and parents concerned about budget and family schedules. Numerous studies have shown that later start times improve grades, reduce juvenile crime, and enhance sports performance.  Lawmakers in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Texas all had bills up this year, according to Start School Later, an advocacy group that tracks the bills, though most didn't pass. Notably, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

 

Missoulian

Student organizers at 50 different high schools across the country are banding together to launch the “Green New Deal for Schools Campaign.” The campaign aims to address environmental issues and promote sustainability in schools. The campaign will focus on initiatives such as reducing carbon emissions, implementing renewable energy sources, and promoting environmental education. The students hope to raise awareness and inspire action among their peers and school administrators.

 

The Hill