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Peter Jamison and Laura Meckler explore how some states are considering new regulations amid efforts by school choice advocates to award homeschooling families taxpayer funding. The success of homeschooling in Ohio, for example, illustrates the "extraordinary moment" at which the movement finds itself. As recently as the 1980s, it was illegal in most of the United States for parents who weren’t trained educators to teach their children at home. A Washington Post analysis estimates that there could now be as many as 2.7m home-schooled children in the United States, up from about 1.5m before the pandemic. Only three states impose mandatory testing on most homeschooled children, while the majority of states don’t require any form of academic assessment. Greater oversight is however on the agenda in a growing number of states. Proposals to use flexible spending accounts that could be used by homeschoolers are also dividing opinion, with many advocates arguing that accepting government money and oversight would be a surrender of the liberties the movement worked for 40 years to achieve.

 

Washington Post

Activists are pushing for the revival of court-ordered racial integration in American schools. Lawsuits in Minnesota and New Jersey are seeking to compel the states to ensure more racially balanced public schools, while a new organization called Brown's Promise plans to support similar integration suits in other states. The advocates hope that courts will require policies that facilitate more diverse schools, such as magnet schools or voluntary transfer programs. “We simply need to be preparing for learning together, working together, across lines of difference. Our country is stronger when we do that,” says Ary Amerikaner of Brown’s Promise, named after Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court case that struck down mandated segregation in schools.

 

Wall Street Journal

School districts in California can now bill insurance providers for mental health-related services, thanks to the All Payer Fee Schedule. This new funding system allows districts to bill Medi-Cal and other commercial plans for behavioral health services. The change is seen as a major win by mental health experts and advocates, as it will improve access to mental health services in schools across the state. However, billing health insurance companies may be challenging for districts with limited resources. Previously, districts had to rely on grant funds or partnerships to fill gaps in mental health services, which were not sustainable in the long term. The All Payer Fee Schedule will be rolled out to 47 school districts in January, with further expansion planned over the next 18 months. This change in reimbursement policy and practice is expected to have a significant impact on school mental health services in California.

 

EdSource

Newark City Council is considering a groundbreaking measure that would allow 16 and 17 year-olds to vote in the city's school elections. If adopted, Newark would become the first municipality in the state to grant voting rights to people under 18. The measure aims to address Newark's traditionally low voter turnout and engage a whole new age group in the democratic process. Supporters argue that allowing young people to vote at an early age increases the chances they will become lifetime voters. The proposal does not require the newly enfranchised young voters to be students. The ordinance is being backed by Mayor Ras J. Baraka and has received support from various organizations, including the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. The measure is expected to be in effect for this April's school board race.

 

NJ.com

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed changes to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, or COPPA Rule, whereby new guardrails would be placed on the use of children’s personal data and a company’s ability to profit from using that information. The COPPA Rule currently imposes certain requirements on websites or online service providers that target and knowingly collect the personal information of children under 13 years old. Specifically, these providers must notify and obtain parental consent before collecting, using or disclosing their children’s data. The rule also limits how long online service providers can retain the data, which must be securely stored. The FTC said in a statement that its proposal “aims to shift the burden from parents to providers to ensure that digital services are safe and secure for children.”

 

K12 Dive

Atlanta's school system has reversed its decision and will now pay employees a $1,000 bonus announced by Gov. Brian Kemp. Statewide, the bonus will be given to 196,000 teachers, support staff, state employees, and university employees. The state department will soon distribute the money, and guidance on eligible positions will be provided. The original decision sparked backlash among teachers and staff, prompting complaints to the state. 

 

U.S. News

A bill proposed in the Michigan Senate would allow K-12 public school students to take up to five excused absences each school year for mental or behavioral health issues, without a note from a doctor or therapist. The proposal would also require schools to let students make up any school work they miss. The legislation is part of a growing national effort to help schoolchildren dealing with mental health challenges, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Twelve states have enacted similar legislation as of May, according to Verywell Mind, a website that tracks health and wellness bills. Another seven states have had bills for student mental health days introduced by lawmakers.

 

Chalkbeat

A federal judge has blocked parts of an Iowa law that banned books depicting sexual activity in school libraries and limited discussions about LGBTQ+ identities in schools. District Judge Stephen Locher blocked two parts of the law, one focused on removing books with sexual content from school libraries and another forbidding discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation to sixth graders or below. The judge stated that the law was too broad and resulted in the removal of numerous books, including history books, classic fiction, and even books on sexual assault prevention. The decision came after two lawsuits were filed by the ACLU of Iowa, Lambda Legal, Penguin Random House, bestselling authors, parents, educators, and the Iowa State Education Administration.

 

The Hill

Young White women who have finished high school are now 10 percentage points more likely to be enrolled in college than similar men, according to a study by Pew Research Center. College enrollment has been declining over the past decade, particularly among young men, driven by fewer young high school graduates enrolling in college. Among young men who have completed high school, only 39% are enrolled in college, compared to 47% in 2011. The gap between men and women is most noticeable among White high school graduates. Reasons for the decline include cost and controversies surrounding academia. Men make up 44% of college students today, down from 47% in 2011.

 

Fox News