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The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 is inspiring educational lessons in schools. Students are engaging in activities related to science, literacy, and culture. Some schools are organizing group viewings for students to experience daytime darkness and learn about the astronomy behind it. The event has required rearranging the school day for some schools, but educators believe it is a valuable learning opportunity. Learning about phases of the moon and eclipses is built into every state's science standards, but there is no better lesson than witnessing the real thing. Teachers are incorporating the eclipse into their lessons and encouraging students to love science. Overall, the total solar eclipse is seen as a unique and exciting event that provides valuable educational experiences for students.

 

U.S. News

Iowa lawmakers have reached a final deal to restructure funding to Iowa's Area Education Agencies, raise teacher pay, and set school funding levels for the coming year. The AEAs will continue receiving 90% of the state funding for special education services, while school districts will control the remaining 10%. The legislation allows school districts to spend state dollars for media and general education services on private vendors or continue working with the AEAs. Minimum pay for beginning teachers will increase to $50,000 per year. Democrats and education groups oppose the changes, citing concerns about budget planning and potential workforce reductions. The bill passed the Senate on a 30-18 vote. The legislation also makes changes to how the AEAs are funded and whether school districts must continue using the agencies for certain services. The bill increases pay for teachers and paraeducators, with a minimum salary of $60,000 for experienced teachers, and increases state per-pupil aid.

 

DesMoines Register.com

Illinois schools have made efforts to address the acute shortage of teachers, but a recent survey suggests improvements are needed in training, support, and incentives for educators. The study, conducted by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, reveals that 90% of schools face a serious shortage, struggle to find substitute teachers, and have a limited number of candidates for open positions. Special education and English-learner teachers, as well as school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and nurses are particularly scarce. Factors contributing to the shortage include low pay, job demands, burnout, and increased competition due to remote work opportunities. However, local and state level initiatives have shown success in addressing the issue. Recommendations from the study include making teacher pensions more attractive, offering loan forgiveness and scholarships, and improving working conditions to prevent burnout. The report also emphasizes the importance of recruiting teachers from middle and high schools, and providing support for paraprofessionals and teaching assistants interested in pursuing teaching licenses. In addition, the study calls for increased mentoring for teachers and funding to recruit principals.

 

U.S. News

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy plans to sign legislation that will increase internet download speeds for rural schools. The bill, HB193, will allow schools to receive grants to increase download speeds to 100 megabits per second, quadrupling the current limit. Supporters of the measure see it as an equity issue, as the Federal Communications Commission recommends at least 100mbps for modern broadband networks. The cost of the program is estimated to be around $40 million per year by the state education department, while the Alaska Telecom Association suggests it is closer to $15 million per year. Last year, 151 schools received state funding for up to 25mbps download speeds.

 

Fox News

The fight for control of the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) board in Ohio has moved to a courtroom, where judges are questioning Gov. Mike DeWine's authority to change his appointee. DeWine removed Wade Steen from the board and replaced him with G. Brent Bishop, sparking a lawsuit from Steen. The 10th District Court of Appeals judges expressed skepticism about the governor's unilateral removal power. The board, which oversees $90 billion for 500,000 teachers and retirees, is a combination of elected and appointed members. The court is expected to decide whether the governor had the authority to remove Steen. The battle for control of the STRS board has been ongoing, with reformers seeking more transparency and better benefits for retirees.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

American athletic trainers are supporting guidelines that could allow students who sustain a concussion to return to class and physical activity sooner. The guidelines encourage practitioners to consider the psychological effects on students if they are kept out of school while they recover. The guidelines also recommend a similar timeframe for a concussed athlete to resume light exercise. Earlier guidance on concussions recommended total rest and minimal stimulation until symptoms went away, but researchers now believe that such isolation can be bad for mental health. The 25 new recommendations from the National Athletic Trainers' Association aim to take a more holistic approach to concussion management. Notably, the guidelines align with those adopted by the 2022 International Conference on Concussion in Sport.

 

U.S. News

Students who live in Mexico near California’s border could soon be eligible for in-state tuition at several community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties. The board of governors for California’s community colleges on Monday authorized the system’s chancellor, Sonya Christian, to negotiate an agreement with Baja California’s education secretary that would allow students living within 45 miles of the board to attend one of nine community colleges in the region. Each community college could enroll up to the full-time equivalent of 150 students from Mexico. Mark Sanchez, the president of Southwestern College, said during Monday’s meeting that there are already more than 100 students on the waiting list at that college who want to enroll in the program. “Once the process is operationalized, this will put students on a trajectory to a better career and life pathway,” he added.

 

EdSource

Thousands of people gathered in Nashville on Wednesday to honor victims of gun violence, one year after the mass shooting at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian Church in America parochial elementary school in the Green Hills neighborhood of the city. The event was organized by Voices for a Safer Tennessee and aimed to both support reform, and to advocate for "common sense" gun laws. The non-profit organization has been working to strengthen background checks, require secure storage for firearms, and allow the temporary transfer of firearms away from dangerous individuals. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 83 mass shootings in the United States this year alone. 

 

CNN Edition