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The Biden administration has unveiled a final set of sweeping changes to Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination at government-funded schools. The changes, which reinstitute protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment rolled back under former President Donald Trump, will take effect on August 1. The new regulations expand the definition of sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and aim to equip schools with clear-cut instructions to promptly and effectively respond to all forms of sex discrimination. The final update also establishes a lower burden of proof for survivors and students alleging sex discrimination. However, the administration has maintained several major provisions from the previous regulations to ensure consistency while schools update their procedures. The changes are expected to draw swift criticism from those who view the transgender student protections as an attack on protections for cisgender women and girls. The administration has yet to finalize a separate rule governing athletics eligibility.

 

The Hill

US News

Declining enrollment and budget constraints have led to a surge in layoff notices for teachers in California schools. Over 1,900 teachers have received pink slips, a significant increase from the previous year. The layoffs are demoralizing for teachers and disruptive to school systems. San Diego USD and the Anaheim Union High School District have been particularly affected, with hundreds of layoff notices issued. Anaheim Superintendent Michael Matsuda attributed the job losses to budget deficits brought on, in part, by the loss of 3,500 students. The district had used one-time state funds to extend a three-year agreement, made during the 2017-18 school year, to temporarily increase teaching staff to address critical needs in core content areas; however, he added, these are now running out. The layoffs come at a time when the state is already facing a teacher shortage, and the fear is that this will discourage people from entering the teaching profession. A Commission on Teacher Credentialing report released last week shows that enrollment at teacher preparation programs declined another 10% in 2022-23, the most recent year data is available, following a 16% decline the previous year. Teacher unions are rallying for support and urging district officials to rescind the pink slips. The situation is further complicated by the need to fill hard-to-fill positions in subjects like special education, math, and science. The hope is that the layoffs can be minimized and that districts will tap into reserves to fund teacher salaries. However, the uncertainty and stress for teachers and students remain high.

 

EdSource

Gov. J.B. Pritzker expressed his support for extending a moratorium on closing any public schools in Chicago by two years. The moratorium extension is included in a bill filed by state Rep. Margaret Croke that aims to protect selective enrollment schools. School board Vice President Elizabeth Todd-Breland opposes the legislation, stating that it negatively impacts CPS students and may lead to racial and economic segregation. Pritzker believes that extending the moratorium is necessary until the fully elected school board is in place. School closings have been a contentious issue in Chicago, and the upcoming five-year plan will guide investments in Chicago Public Schools. The district is facing a budget shortfall, and federal COVID-19 relief funds will expire soon. The extension of the moratorium may benefit charter schools. Croke acknowledges CPS officials' opposition to including all schools in the moratorium. The bill aims to wait for a fully elected school board before making significant changes to the district.

 

Chicago Tribune

Illinois lawmakers are advancing a bill that would prevent Chicago Public Schools officials from closing any schools or making major changes to selective enrollment programs until a fully elected school board takes control in early 2027. The proposed legislation is a response to a declaration by Mayor Brandon Johnson's Board of Education to prioritize neighborhood schools over selective schools. The bill would also prevent CPS from changing admission standards to selective schools. Critics argue that the bill could perpetuate racial and socioeconomic inequities in selective schools. Additionally, the bill would limit the board's authority to make budget decisions that disproportionately affect selective schools. Supporters of the bill believe that any major changes to selective enrollment schools should wait until a fully elected board is in place. The bill is seen as a significant backlash to the Board of Education's decision to refocus resources on neighborhood schools.

 

Chicago Sun Times

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will allow school districts in the state to authorize volunteer school chaplains to provide services to students. The measure, which has faced opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union, aims to bolster existing resources for students' mental health. Under the new law, school districts and charter schools can choose to allow chaplains to provide support and programs, as long as certain requirements are met. Written parental consent would be required for student participation, and the policies would have to describe the services provided. The ACLU argues that allowing chaplains in public schools violates students' and families' right to religious freedom and could result in inadequate mental health support. The new law is set to go into effect in July.

 

The Miami Herald

Orlando Sentinel

Tampa Bay Times

A bill that aims to help young Iowa students learning to read and college students training to teach them has been given final approval by state lawmakers, and has been sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk for her signature. Under House File 2618, Iowa college students learning to become elementary school teachers would be assessed on their ability to teach young students how to read, and young students falling behind on their reading skills would receive extra attention and have the option of repeating a grade under the proposal. The bill is a streamlined version of a measure Reynolds proposed earlier this year as part of her push to improve literacy and reading instruction. Roughly 34% of Iowa’s third-graders were not reading proficiently in 2023, according to the Iowa Department of Education. Under the bill, Iowa college students learning to become elementary teachers would be required to take the nationally recognized Foundations of Reading assessment. Also under the bill, kindergarten through sixth-grade students who are struggling to read would be provided with a personalized reading plan, and their parents would be notified and given the option to have their student repeat the grade.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

Texas teachers who complete intensive residency programs will soon receive extra recognition through an Enhanced Standard Certificate. The certificate aims to differentiate applicants and help them stand out to school districts looking to hire teachers. Texas is currently facing challenges with teacher retention and recruitment, with one in three new teachers hired in 2024 being uncertified. Teacher residency programs have emerged as a potential solution, as they increase teacher retention and improve student outcomes. The specialized teaching certificate for residency program graduates signals to employers that candidates have undergone rigorous preparation. Legislation to address teacher shortages, including funding for a Texas teacher residency program, failed in recent legislative sessions.

 

Dallas News

The Texas Education Agency has agreed a settlement with the U.S. government over alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the administration of a teacher certification exam. The allegations emerged following a complaint that a candidate with dyslexia and dysgraphia was denied oral administration as an alternative testing arrangement for the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) examination. The Department of Justice initiated an investigation into the complaint, leading to the settlement. As part of the settlement, the TEA has agreed to allow a qualified reader or text-to-speech technology as an alternative testing arrangement for the STR examination. This will apply to candidates who can provide appropriate documentation to establish that such modifications are necessary, including those diagnosed with dyslexia.

 

MyTexasDaily

More federal and state policymakers are focusing on addressing data privacy, especially for children, because of increasing concerns about how companies collect and sell user information and how that affects users' mental health. Congressional lawmakers have introduced several data-privacy bills, some of which deal directly with children's online privacy. At least 15 states have enacted comprehensive data-privacy laws since 2020, while other states either have narrower laws or have at least introduced data-privacy laws during the current legislative session, according to Bloomberg Law. The problem with some of those policies, according to school data-privacy experts, is they don't always consider how day-to-day school operations would be affected. Schools use student data to support decisionmaking, to personalize learning, and for better reporting as required under federal and state laws. The Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, would require certain online platforms to provide children with options to protect their information, disable addictive features, and opt out of personalized recommendations. Those platforms would also be required to design and operate their products in ways that prevent or mitigate negative effects on children, such as mental health disorders, bullying, and sexual exploitation. The Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA 2.0, would amend the original Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998. The bill would build on the 1998 law and would prohibit online platforms from collecting personal information from users who are 13 to 16 years old without their consent. The current law only applies to children under 13. COPA 2.0 would also ban targeted advertising to children, and require companies to allow parents and children to erase their personal information from the platforms.

 

Education Week News

A Middlesex County school district in New Jersey will continue offering courtesy busing after voters approved additional funding. The K-12 Monroe Township School District secured permission to add $2.77 million to the 2024-25 school budget, including $963,610 for maintaining courtesy busing for approximately 1,600 students. The rest of the approved funding will be used for various services, such as hiring teachers and a school security officer, athletic supplies, and roof replacement work. This approval comes after Monroe voters rejected three school construction bond referendums in the past five years. Monroe Township School District offers courtesy busing to 22% of its enrollment, including students who live too close to their schools to be eligible for state-mandated transportation. The approval ensures that students will continue to receive transportation services.

 

NJ.com