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According to a study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, students who returned to in-person school during the Covid-19 pandemic experienced significantly lower rates of mental health diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. The research analyzed data from 185,735 children aged 5 to 18 across 24 counties and 224 school districts in California from March 2020 to June 2021. Pelin Ozluk, the study's author, noted: "Because schools reopened on different timelines across California, this natural variation allowed us to observe differences in mental health trends." The findings revealed that children whose schools reopened were 43% less likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions by the ninth month after reopening. Rita Hamad, professor of social epidemiology and public policy at Harvard University, emphasized the importance of in-person schooling for children's well-being, arguing that policies "should focus not only on infection control, but also on the mental well-being of children, recognizing that schools are a critical part of their support system.” The study highlights the need for prioritizing safe school reopenings in future public health emergencies.

 

EdSource

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the 'schools of hope' initiative will focus on the most challenging areas in the state, rather than high-performing schools. "They are going to the toughest areas that we have," DeSantis said, emphasizing the limited geographical scope of these schools. Despite concerns from school districts about the potential impact on resources, DeSantis assured that the initiative would not be a fiscal burden. The program, which began in 2017, allows charter schools to operate near struggling schools, but recent applications have raised alarms about their locations. State Rep. Robin Bartleman expressed skepticism, stating that the applications indicate a trend towards stable, high-performing schools. DeSantis also highlighted the success of New York-based Success Academy, which has shown impressive proficiency rates.

 

Orlando Sentinel

The Boston City Council has unanimously called for increased transparency from the Wu administration and Boston Public Schools (BPS) regarding the ongoing school closures and consolidations. Councilor Julia Mejia emphasized the need for a publicly accessible master plan that outlines long-term enrollment projections and building needs, adding: "What families have consistently asked for is the full master plan." The councilors expressed frustration over families learning about closures through social media rather than direct communication from BPS leaders. Councilor Erin Murphy highlighted a previous resolution for a hearing on the district's financial future, which has yet to occur. Councilor Ed Flynn noted the importance of the City Council's role in representing residents, asserting: "When this body remains silent, so too is the voice of the residents." The School Committee is currently considering a proposal to close three schools, with a vote scheduled for next week.

 

Boston Globe

The Detroit Public Schools Community District has approved an additional $9m to enhance staffing for psychologists and speech-language pathologists, addressing the growing demand for special education evaluations. This funding will supplement an existing $13.5m contract, allowing the district to offer competitive hourly rates to attract qualified professionals. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said: "This is a positive in moving into greater compliance with evaluations and direct support to students." The district has successfully hired 71 psychologists and 45 speech-language pathologists this school year, significantly increasing staffing levels compared to the previous year. Currently, there is only one vacancy for a psychologist and four for speech-language pathologists, while other special education positions are fully staffed. The district serves over 7,100 students with disabilities, representing nearly 15% of its enrollment.

 

Chalkbeat

Four pilot sites are set to launch before and after school care programs in the fall, aimed at providing essential support for families. The initiative will offer services to students in grades K through five. The program will include various activities such as homework help, recreational opportunities, and social development. It is expected to serve between thirty and one hundred thirty-three students, with costs ranging from $210 to $328 per month. The program aims to be fully operational by the 2026 school year, with additional services planned for implementation by 2027.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

The Jackson School District in New Jersey has reduced the asking price for the Christa McAuliffe Middle School from $54.5m to $44.4m, following a lack of competitive bids. The district received only one bid of $25.5m by the October 15 deadline. Business Administrator Daniel Baginski said: "Even as we adjust the minimum bid, the district strongly believes in the value of this school and this location." The new deadline for bids is December 12. The McAuliffe school, named after the astronaut who tragically died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, is situated on a 37.5-acre property and is zoned primarily for educational use. The district aims to sell the property to support its financial needs amid declining enrollment.

 

NJ.com

A Montana district court judge has blocked the education savings account (ESA) program for students with disabilities, ruling that lawmakers failed to properly fund it. The program, established by House Bill 393, allowed parents to redirect public school funding into accounts for educational expenses. Judge Mike Menahan found the funding structure unconstitutional, stating that HB 393 “does not meet the statutory requirements” for a lawful appropriation under the Montana Constitution. The lawsuit was brought by the Montana Quality Education Coalition and Disability Rights Montana, which argued that the program required families to waive essential educational rights. Doug Reisig, Executive Director of MQEC, said: “Taking money from public schools for vouchers without clear limits... is unconstitutional.” The ruling prevents the program from operating unless lawmakers address the funding issue or an appeal is successful.

 

U.S. News

The Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), is advocating for an educator's bill of rights to address a "crisis" in the state's education system. During a news conference, ISEA President Josh Brown emphasized the need for professional respect, manageable workloads, and fair compensation, describing the situation as a "crisis." The union is also urging lawmakers to approach property tax cuts cautiously to avoid further harming school funding. Melissa Peterson, ISEA's government and legislative policy director, warned that inadequate state funding could exacerbate existing challenges in classrooms. The ISEA is advocating for at least a 5% increase in state aid to schools to keep pace with inflation and rising costs. Additionally, the union seeks to protect the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) to attract and retain quality education professionals.

 

Des Moines Register

West Contra Costa USD educators, including teachers, librarians, healthcare staff, and counselors, concluded a week-long strike on December 4, following a 12-hour bargaining session that resulted in a tentative agreement. The United Teachers of Richmond reported that the agreement includes an 8% pay increase over two years and full coverage of health premiums. Gabrielle Micheletti, union vice president and co-bargaining chair, said: "By forcing WCCUSD to invest in improved wages and healthcare, we’ve made important progress in ending the district’s decades-long staffing crisis." The district, which serves 24,000 students, faced a significant staffing shortage, with over 1,500 teachers leaving in the past five years due to low pay. The agreement will be finalized upon approval by the school board and ratification by union members.

 

EdSource

A new North Carolina law, House Bill 193, now permits teachers, employees, and volunteers at private schools to carry concealed handguns and stun guns on school grounds, effective December 1. Individuals must obtain written school approval, have a valid concealed carry permit, and complete eight hours of annual firearm training. The law does not apply to public schools. The bill became law after Republican lawmakers overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s veto, which argued the policy would endanger student safety. Private schools must also establish written procedures on firearm possession and share them with parents annually. The law marks a significant shift, as firearms were previously banned on all school properties except for law enforcement and specific exempted roles.

 

Asheville Citizen Times

Nevada is experiencing a shift in its teacher workforce, with an increase in educators possessing less than three years of experience and teaching subjects outside their licensure. Data from the Nevada Department of Education indicates that approximately 6% of public school teachers were classified as inexperienced in the 2023-2024 school year, rising to 10% the following year. Despite this trend, the state has seen a slight uptick in the percentage of teachers rated as “highly effective.” Brad Marianno, an education professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), expressed concerns about the implications of inexperienced teachers, commenting: “Inexperience doesn't necessarily mean ineffective.” The recent legislative changes, including a significant pay increase for teachers, have contributed to improved retention rates and reduced vacancies, yet challenges remain, particularly regarding the quality of instruction in critical subjects.

 

U.S. News

China has launched new national guidelines aimed at transforming science education in primary and secondary schools by 2035, with a focus on fostering curiosity, hands-on learning, and real-world problem-solving. The Ministry of Education-led initiative calls for tiered, inquiry-driven teaching aligned with students' cognitive development, and promotes project-based learning, digital tracking of innovation, and collaboration with universities and tech firms. Schools are encouraged to integrate classroom and local resources, while teacher training and student evaluations will shift toward creativity and exploration over rote learning. "We often ask children during field visits, 'What is your favorite subject?' They used to say physical education. We hope in the future they will say science," commented Tian Zuyin, director of the ministry's department of basic education.

 

China Daily