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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over new federal nondiscrimination protections for transgender students. The Education Department recently finalized changes to Title IX, which cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Paxton argues that the new regulations are "vague" and "overbroad" and rely on a misunderstanding of a Supreme Court ruling. Republican-led states, including Louisiana, have also pledged to reject the new rules, claiming they harm women and girls. All federally funded schools must comply with the regulations. The Biden administration has yet to finalize a separate rule governing athletics eligibility for transgender student-athletes.

 

The Hill

Recent federal data indicates a resurgence in enrollment for teacher preparation programs across the U.S., marking a potential shift toward addressing the long-standing teacher shortage crisis. From 2018 to 2022, these programs saw a 12% increase in enrollment, adding approximately 46,231 candidates. This growth, particularly significant during the pandemic, was observed in states like Maryland, Arkansas, and Florida, among others. Despite this encouraging development, the overall landscape remains challenging. The surge is not yet sufficient to meet the escalating demand for teachers, especially in regions like the South and Midwest or in specialized areas such as special education and math. The shortage is exacerbated by a broader educational downturn, with a national reduction of 300,000 teachers prepared annually compared to a decade ago, influenced by economic strains and shifting public perceptions of the teaching profession. Efforts to revitalize interest in teaching have included financial incentives such as stipends for student teachers in states like Colorado and Michigan, and a significant $30,000 living stipend in Maryland. These initiatives aim to make the teaching career path more viable and attractive. However, the challenge extends beyond just recruiting new teachers. The sector is also grappling with high attrition rates, with 10% of teachers leaving the profession by the end of the 2021-22 school year, up from 6% pre-pandemic, according to RAND Corporation. This underscores the need for a multifaceted approach that not only boosts recruitment but also enhances job satisfaction and retention through improved working conditions and opportunities for professional growth.

 

The 74

The growing reliance on technology for communication between parents and teachers offers both opportunities and challenges in enhancing family engagement in education. Tools like ClassDojo and Seesaw have transformed the way educators interact with families, providing real-time insights into the classroom through instant messaging and updates. This shift has improved transparency and allowed for more dynamic interactions, making it easier for parents to get involved in their children's education from a distance. However, the increased use of these platforms also raises concerns about accessibility and privacy. Not all families have equal access to the necessary technology, which can create disparities in communication. Furthermore, the handling of sensitive information such as student photos and progress reports necessitates stringent data privacy measures to protect against misuse. Despite these challenges, the benefits of digital communication tools are significant. They can strengthen the connection between families and schools by providing a continuous stream of information that supports learning at home. To maximize the advantages and mitigate the risks, schools need to ensure that these digital tools are used as part of a broader strategy that includes traditional communication methods. This approach helps maintain a balanced interaction that respects families' time and privacy while promoting an inclusive educational environment.

 

Education Week

As a $60m budget shortfall is facing Austin ISD, at the same time as enrollment numbers are slowly declining. Transfer data from the Texas Education Agency shows 22% of AISD families left the district in the 2022-23 school year. Data shows 90% of students that transferred out of AISD for the 2023-24 school year chose a charter school. Wayside Schools saw over 1,600 students transfer in for the 2022-23 school year, with 76% coming from AISD. The district's enrollment for the same year was over 73,000, capturing about 66% of local students.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Waco ISD is introducing a block scheduling system for high school and middle school students in the fall. The new system will help the district comply with state time requirements for career and technical education and remedial instruction. The schedule changes will also accommodate bus schedules, with class start and end times adjusted by 15 minutes. The districtwide shift in school hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. for elementary schools, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. for high schools, and 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for middle schools. The block scheduling will result in longer class periods of up to 95 minutes on alternating days.

 

Wacotrib

New Braunfels ISD is set to open more schools in order to accommodate the growing student population. A district official said: "We are committed to providing the best education possible for our students, and this expansion will help us achieve that goal." The new schools will not only alleviate overcrowding but also create a better learning environment for students.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Eight schools in the Fort Worth ISD will have to share a librarian due to staffing changes. The district's lowest-enrollment campuses are affected, and while officials claim it is a necessary move to optimize resources, school library advocates argue that students will be underserved. Research shows that students in schools with full-time librarians perform better academically. The Texas Association of School Librarians warns of the detrimental long-term effects of reducing this critical position. The affected schools will not have to reduce library operating hours, and librarians from other campuses will fill vacant positions. However, concerns remain about students' access to books and the ability to establish relationships with new librarians. 

 

Star-Telegram

Andrew Rokovich, a coordinator for Wendt Electrical Services, is running for the District 2 seat on the Victoria ISD's school board. Rokovich aims to empower teachers and bring authority back to the classroom. He also wants to address the poor participation in school board meetings, elections, and functions. Rokovich believes that increased participation and more candidates running for elections will benefit the underserved in District 2.

 

Victoria Advocate

The inaugural CTElite awards ceremony at Tyler ISD Career & Technology Center celebrated student achievements in marketing projects and competitions. Students were recognized for their outstanding work in graphic design, 3D modeling, and AV production. The CTElite awards aim to engage students, provide connections with industry leaders, and offer real-world scenarios for learning. The program benefits include high-level student engagement, internship opportunities, portfolio creation, and stronger student-teacher relationships. Melinda Nguyen, a graphic design and 3D modeling student, won first prize for her proposal for a new entertainment venue in Tyler. 

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Thanks to a $12,000 donation from the Texas Builders Foundation, Longview High School's plumbing program now has the funds to purchase a new pipe threading machine. The machine will replace manual tools and allow students to thread pipes more quickly, giving them real-world experience. The donation is part of the builders association's efforts to strengthen the pipeline of skilled laborers in the industry.

 

Longview News-Journal

Mesquite ISD recently celebrated its notable teachers, recognizing McKenzie Elementary teacher Rebecca Smith and Wooley Middle School teacher Jeffrey Stone as district Teachers of the Year. Smith, who has been with McKenzie Elementary for 14 years, started as a kindergarten teacher after being contacted by a former principal.

 

Allen American

Ten Nacogdoches ISD teachers have qualified for a Teacher Incentive Allotment designation in the first year of the district's state-approved program. The teachers were rated Recognized, Exemplary or Master through TIA, part of an initiative created by the Texas Legislature and designed to provide additional compensation for classroom instructors.

 

Dailysentinel.com

Wylie ISD is piloting a new alert and security surveillance system called the Angel Protection System. The system aims to transform crisis response by providing technological solutions to identify threats, alert schools, and contact law enforcement. Craig Bessent, WISD assistant superintendent of school operations, introduced Angel Protection executives Lewis Matthews and Carlos Ortiz. Matthews, with a background in data analysis and technology integration, operates the technology side of the system.

 

Abilene Reporter