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The Biden administration has unveiled a new labor rule that extends mandatory overtime pay to an estimated 4m salaried workers, going further than the previous Obama-era rule. From July 1, employers will be required to pay overtime premiums to workers who earn the equivalent of an annual salary of $43,888 when they work more than 40 hours in a week. The total will increased to $58,656 on January 1 2025. “The Department of Labor is ensuring that lower-paid salaried workers receive their hard-earned pay or get much-deserved time back with their families,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “This rule establishes clear, predictable guidance for employers on how to pay employees for overtime hours and provides more economic security to the millions of people working long hours without overtime pay.” The salary threshold will increase over time, reaching $58,656 by 2025. The new rule is expected to face legal challenges.

 

US Department of Labor

Reuters

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. Online learning has become an option that’s gained traction nationwide. 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

 

Austin ISD's Liberal Arts and Science Academy has been ranked as one of the top public high schools in the country, according to the 2024 rankings from U.S. News and World Report. The school is ranked No. 38 nationally and No. 52 among the best STEM schools. The rankings evaluate high schools based on factors such as college readiness, reading and math proficiency, and graduation rates. LaMont Jones, the managing editor of education at U.S. News, said the rankings provide valuable information for parents in choosing a school. Other Texas schools that made it to the top 100 nationally include Dallas ISD's The School for the Talented and Gifted, Dallas ISD's Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School, and Houston ISD's Carnegie Vanguard High School.

 

CultureMap Austin

Education Week looks into the "Sunday Scaries," the feeling of dread countless employees experience as they contemplate the workweek ahead. In a recent Harris Poll survey of more than 1,000 U.S. workers, 75% of respondents reported experiencing the phenomenon. Chief reasons include workloads, and finding a balance between work and personal life. Education Week asked teachers to share whether they experience the Sunday Scaries and, if so, how they cope. "Proactive coping," or engaging in practices that allow people to avoid future stressors, especially by planning ahead and setting realistic expectations, is a recommended strategy. Kathleen V. Shea, a Chicago-based psychologist whose expertise includes workplace stress and related issues, urges professionals to incorporate detailed preparation into their pre-Monday strategies. “You want to make sure your clothes are ready, your lunch is ready, your car is ready, and you have a backup plan,” she said. “You can have the best lesson plan possible, but you still have to get yourself to work on time.” Being as prepared as possible to face the workweek ahead can stave off some amount of anxiety, but it may not entirely eliminate the Sunday Scaries, experts caution. “Teachers are under a great deal of pressure to perform,” said Shea.

 

Education Week News

The Fort Worth ISD is in the process of returning books back to library shelves that were pulled eight months ago for review of sexual or violent content. Although the district removed more than 100 books, it's unclear how many of them will be returning. District officials confirmed this week that “the book review process was completed, and books are in the process of being returned to appropriate campuses based on the decisions made regarding age/grade level appropriateness,” according to Fort Worth ISD spokesperson Jessica Becerra. The books have been unavailable to students since the beginning of the 2023-24 school year after they were transferred to the district's professional library to be reviewed for “developmentally appropriate” content by a committee of master-certified librarians, officials said.

 

Star-Telegram

Students from Royal High School traveled to Corpus Christi to compete at the SkillsUSA State Competition. Over 6,000 students and 350 CTE/high schools participated in the event. The Royal Arts, Audio/Video Production Department placed fourth overall in the Quiz Bowl. The Royal Cosmetology Department also had success, with state winners in barbering, cosmetology, and nail care. The Health Science Department excelled in nurse assisting, CPR, dental assisting, and health knowledge bowl. The Royal Welding Department had one state qualifier, Kevin Weatherford, who competed in the Welding 1 event. Overall, 43 students from Royal ISD received awards at the competition.

 

Katy Times

High school graduation ceremonies for Prosper ISD are coming back to their hometown this year after being held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco in 2023. Prosper High School will have 827 students participate in graduation, followed by Rock Hill High School with 569 students to graduate, and Walnut Grove High School will have a graduating class of 159. Combined between all three schools, there will be 1,555 students receiving their diplomas for the Prosper ISD Class of 2024. "This is where our students belong," Prosper ISD Superintendent Holly Ferguson said. "By holding graduations in Prosper, students can create lasting memories and ensure that the final event of their high school years occurs in a venue connected to them."

 

Allen American

Killeen ISD, the largest school district in Bell County, will have two new board members following the May 4 election. Eight candidates are running for two seats on the seven-member board. The candidates include Tina Capito, Lan Carter, John Doranski, Rachel Bourrage, Miok Doranski, Rodney Gilchrist, Jesse Henderson IV, and Joy Perez. The election winners will be sworn in later in May for three-year terms.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Brent Stidevent, a graduate of Boling High School, has been appointed as the new assistant principal of Needville Junior High. Stidevent, who previously served as an assistant principal at Iago Junior High School, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. Stidevent will officially begin his duties after summer break, but plans to visit the campus before the end of the school year to meet the staff and students.

 

Fort Bend Herald

Texas Woman's University has partnered with Harmony Public Schools to offer high school students a tuition-free path to college. The partnership allows Harmony's seniors to enroll at TWU through the university's zero-tuition guarantee. The program covers tuition and fees for Texas residents who are eligible for Pell grants. Javier Flores, the TWU vice president for enrollment management, said the partnership aims to provide an outstanding education to students from all backgrounds. The partnership also aims to narrow the gender gap in college STEM programs, as about 60% of female Harmony students pursue STEM-related degrees.

 

Denton Record-Chronicle

The Klein ISD and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are facing serious questions after waiting over a year to take action against a teacher accused of sex trafficking and forcing students into prostitution. The whistleblower who exposed the sex trafficking ring has hired a civil rights attorney, alleging retaliation by school administrators. The teacher, Kedria Grisby, and her son have been charged with felony sex trafficking and compelling prostitution. They targeted troubled teenage students, promising them a place to stay, only to force them into prostitution. The whistleblower reported her concerns to school administrators and law enforcement, but her warnings were ignored. Instead, she faced retaliation and was forced to resign.

 

The Gilmer Mirror

Vice President Kamala Harris claims that as many as 75% of school shootings are a result of unsecured guns. However, a closer look at the study she cites reveals that the actual percentage is closer to 64%. Experts agree that more robust data is needed to fully understand the link between gun storage and school shootings. Nevertheless, studies have shown that around half of these incidents involve firearms obtained from unsecured or easily accessible locations in family homes.

 

Austin American-Statesman