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The top education official in Louisiana, Cade Brumley, has instructed schools to ignore the new Title IX rules unveiled by the Biden administration. Brumley warned that extending the civil rights law's protections to transgender students may violate existing state and federal law. The new rules, set to take effect on August 1, drew immediate criticism from Republicans who view the transgender student protections as an attack on women's rights. Brumley argues that the new regulations conflict with a 2022 state law that bars transgender student-athletes from competing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. He also believes that the new rules may infringe on individuals' First Amendment rights. Brumley expects the Biden administration to use the rules to block states from enforcing trans athlete bans. Louisiana is among the 24 states that have passed laws preventing transgender student-athletes from competing based on their gender identity.

 

The Hill

The Fresno Bee

WDSU

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. Online learning has become an option that’s gained traction nationwide. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.

Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new nutrition standards for school meals, including a gradual limit on added sugars. The rules, which were revised based on public comments and listening sessions, aim to address challenges in school breakfasts and reduce sugar intake. Starting in 2025, a limit on added sugars will apply to cereals, yogurt, and milk, expanding to an overall limit of less than 10% of total calories in a week's meals by 2027. Sodium levels in breakfasts and lunches will also be reduced by 10% and 15% respectively by 2027. Schools can continue to serve flavored milks as long as they comply with sugar limits. The new rules align with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. "We are thrilled to see the USDA has followed the recommendations from a 2022 citizen petition from the American Heart Association (AHA) and other public health groups to include an added sugars standard in this final rule," commented AHA chief executive Nancy Brown, who added: “Although we are disappointed that the whole grain standard does not fully align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the sodium standard does not require more significant reductions, we understand recent legislation limited USDA’s ability to go further.”

 

ABC News

CNN

Education Week News

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Before signing a measure allowing religious chaplains in public schools into law, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested that this initiative aligned with what the nation's founders envisioned for education. DeSantis emphasized the historical context, stating, “When education in the United States first started, every school was a religious school. That was just part of it. Public schools were religious schools.” He further remarked, “There's been things that have been done over the years that veered away from that original intent,” and expressed that the current measures were aimed at restoring the founders' sense of purpose for education. However, education historians have countered this notion, highlighting that the idea of a religion-based public schooling system is a common misconception. This perspective has gained attention amid various incidents involving the intersection of religion and public education across different states.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The head of the Florida Department of Education, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., has announced that the state will oppose the federal government's expanded interpretation of Title IX, which includes protections based on gender identity. At the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Diaz urged superintendents and school districts to refrain from implementing any changes related to this new interpretation. Florida is aligning with other states like Louisiana and Oklahoma in contesting these federal regulations.

 

TCPalm

Daytona Beach News Journal

Some public school teachers in Tennessee may soon have the authority to carry concealed guns in classrooms. This comes after a deadly school shooting in the state's capital city sparked a heated debate on how to prevent such violence. The Republican-led Legislature in Tennessee recently approved a bill that would expand the potential for armed personnel in schools. The legislation also includes a provision that would prohibit local extreme-risk-protection ordinances. The bills now await the approval of Republican Gov. Bill Lee. The new law in Tennessee would require teachers and staff to obtain a permit, pass a background check, receive mental health clearance, and complete 40 hours of training in school policing. They would also need written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement. The legislation is part of a series of pro-gun bills passed in Tennessee this year. Similar measures have been passed in other states, including Iowa and Nebraska.

 

Sandie Gunion Tribute

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has suggested that public school teachers in the state should be prohibited from wearing clothes that do not conform to traditional gender norms. Speaking at a convention in Dallas, Abbott recounted the story of a male teacher who wore a pink dress for his school's spirit day, stating that such behavior should not be normalized. While Abbott did not specify how he wanted teachers' attire to be regulated, his comments received support from lawmakers. However, if such a law were to be passed, it would likely face legal challenges. The proposal has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and is seen as an attempt to restrict transgender rights.

 

Denton Record-Chronicle

The Texas Tribune

Sacramento City USD has named Lisa Allen as its new superintendent. Allen, who has worked in the Californian district for 28 years, was formerly the deputy superintendent. "My job title may be changing, but my top priority remains the same – improving student outcomes," Allen said. The Board of Education also voted unanimously to appoint Mary Hardin Young as Deputy Superintendent, according to district officials.

 

EdSource

Five IDEA RGV schools in the Rio Grande Valley have been ranked within the top 1% nationally in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report ranking. The rankings reflect the success and commitment of IDEA college preparatory schools in preparing students for college and beyond. IDEA McAllen College Preparatory is ranked #1 in the city of McAllen. The other four IDEA RGV schools in the top 1% are IDEA Quest College Prep, IDEA Frontier College Prep, IDEA Alamo College Prep, and IDEA Riverview College Prep. The rankings are based on how well the schools serve all students, regardless of background. IDEA Public Schools CEO and Superintendent, Jeff Cottrill, said: "We are immensely proud of these schools’ accomplishments."

 

Texas Border Business

Janet Moody, President of the Osceola County Education Association (OCEA), was inspired by Gov. Ron DeSantis's expansion of paid maternity leave for Florida state employees in 2023 to push for similar benefits for district teachers. Currently, most Osceola County teachers rely on short-term disability and paid time off (PTO) for maternity leave, but these options provide only partial income coverage. For example, a teacher earning $52,000 annually could face substantial income loss during maternity leave. Moody's proposal aims to introduce eight weeks of paid maternity leave for Osceola County teachers, potentially making the district the sole public school district in Florida to offer this benefit. Moody is optimistic about the proposal's reception during negotiations with the district, citing openness from the new superintendent, Dr. Shanoff, who values educators and family-oriented policies.

 

News 13