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President Joe Biden's Investing in America Agenda is significantly enhancing K-12 school infrastructures across the U.S., with a focus on sustainability, health, and clean energy. The White House is hosting the inaugural Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 School Buildings and Grounds to discuss these improvements. This summit brings together a diverse group of over 90 stakeholders, including students, teachers, and leaders in education and environmental policy, to explore effective use of federal funding for creating greener, healthier educational environments. Concurrently, the Biden-Harris Administration has released the 2024 White House Toolkit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 Schools. This toolkit is designed to help schools access and utilize federal resources for energy efficiency, resilience, and cleaner transportation. Notable programs include the Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools Prize, offering $500m for clean energy initiatives in schools, and the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which has allocated $5bn to replace diesel buses with cleaner alternatives. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy is recognizing various school districts that have made significant strides in improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency. This recognition is part of the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program, which now includes 202 school districts, benefiting over 5m students.

 

Whitehouse.gov

Recent federal data indicates a resurgence in enrollment for teacher preparation programs across the U.S., marking a potential shift toward addressing the long-standing teacher shortage crisis. From 2018 to 2022, these programs saw a 12% increase in enrollment, adding approximately 46,231 candidates. This growth, particularly significant during the pandemic, was observed in states like Maryland, Arkansas, and Florida, among others. Despite this encouraging development, the overall landscape remains challenging. The surge is not yet sufficient to meet the escalating demand for teachers, especially in regions like the South and Midwest or in specialized areas such as special education and math. The shortage is exacerbated by a broader educational downturn, with a national reduction of 300,000 teachers prepared annually compared to a decade ago, influenced by economic strains and shifting public perceptions of the teaching profession. Efforts to revitalize interest in teaching have included financial incentives such as stipends for student teachers in states like Colorado and Michigan, and a significant $30,000 living stipend in Maryland. These initiatives aim to make the teaching career path more viable and attractive. However, the challenge extends beyond just recruiting new teachers. The sector is also grappling with high attrition rates, with 10% of teachers leaving the profession by the end of the 2021-22 school year, up from 6% pre-pandemic, according to RAND Corporation. This underscores the need for a multifaceted approach that not only boosts recruitment but also enhances job satisfaction and retention through improved working conditions and opportunities for professional growth.

 

The 74

Allowing community colleges to offer K-12 credentials could be a solution to the teacher shortage in rural California counties, according to a report from the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. The report highlights nine rural counties that lack teacher preparation programs within 60 miles of their county offices of education, leading to a higher percentage of underprepared teachers. The study suggests expanding early childhood education programs at community colleges to include K-12 licensing programs and developing residency programs in collaboration with county offices of education. The report also recommends comprehensive support for recruiting and retaining teachers in these counties, including financial support, mentorship programs, and professional development. Collaboration among community colleges, universities, and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is needed to implement these changes.

 

EdSource

Houston ISD has withdrawn retention incentives promised to teachers at non-NES schools due to budget constraints. The district had planned to provide extra funds of $1,000 to $2,000 to teachers who continued teaching the following school year. However, an email sent to teachers said the incentives would not be happening anymore. Andrew Dewey, with the Houston Federation of Teachers, expressed disappointment, stating that HISD has made unfulfilled promises in the past. The district cited financial challenges caused by the loss of federal COVID funding as the reason for rescinding the offers. The compensation plan, which included the incentives, was still in the draft stage and subject to change until the budget is passed in June.

 

KTRK-TV

The National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD) has been launched by ZeroNow, a school safety stakeholder community, to advocate for dedicated School Safety Directors in K-12 school districts nationwide. The NCSSD aims to establish standards, share best practices, and advocate for holistic school safety policies. Inaugural Chair Jason Stoddard, Director of School Safety and Security for Charles County Public Schools, stated that the NCSSD is the first organization created to establish a national standard and certification for School Safety Directors. The organization's immediate objectives include developing a cohesive safety strategy and leading its integration and implementation. The NCSSD believes that a dedicated School Safety Director is necessary in every school district to effectively mitigate risks and create a secure educational environment.

 

Port Arthur News

The Texas Tribune and ProPublica analyzed 35 Texas school districts that held trustee elections last fall and found none that posted all of the required campaign finance records. The investigation revealed that many agencies are violating the law that mandates the online posting of campaign finance reports. The lack of transparency in local elections prevents the public from making informed decisions about candidates' financial support. The report highlights the growing push by hard-line conservatives to reshape school boards and advance vouchers as an alternative to public schools. The article emphasizes the need for effective enforcement of the law to ensure compliance and maintain transparency in local elections.

 

The Texas Tribune

Lee County School District in Florida has received $507m from a voter-approved half-cent sales tax, benefiting every school in the district. The funds have been used for construction, safety, maintenance and technology. While $352m has been expended, a higher amount is committed to various projects. Highlights include the creation of 4,767 new student seats, construction of eight new schools, substantial renovations at seven schools, implementation of safety systems at each school, and the provision of Chromebooks for elementary and student refresh programs. The district is also conducting PowerPoint presentations in the community to inform groups like Rotary Clubs of Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, and North Fort Myers.

 

WINK News

Families of America's Finest Charter School in San Diego are expressing frustration and distrust towards the school's leadership over a lack of transparency regarding the potential closure of the high school due to under-enrollment. The sudden news of the closure blindsided staff and families, who were given no prior warning. The board will vote on the closure, and executive director Timothy Bagby has been criticized for hiding financial details and failing to work with others on budget solutions. Parents are concerned about finding a new school for their children, and some students and parents feel safe and supported at the current high school. Amid criticism, the board president has resigned. The charter school needs 100 more students to be financially sound, and only the high school is being considered for closure.

 

Sandie Gunion Tribute

A federal judge has ruled that two authors and a student can pursue First Amendment claims against the Escambia County School Board over the removal of the children's book “And Tango Makes Three” from library shelves. The judge dismissed allegations against state education officials and leaders of the Lake County school district. The book, which depicts same-sex parents raising a child, was targeted for removal for “illegitimate, narrowly partisan, political reasons.”

 

Pensacola News Journal

Orlando Sentinel

Tampa Bay Times

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is at the forefront of implementing environmentally friendly policies and practices. With initiatives such as electric school buses, solar panels and water-saving fixtures, M-DCPS aims to reduce its carbon footprint and avoid costs. The district's Clean Energy Taskforce is working towards achieving 100% clean energy with buildings and vehicles by 2030. The Marine Academy of Science and Technology @ Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus received a solar canopy donation, providing students with firsthand experience in monitoring emissions-free solar energy production. MAST Academy in Key Biscayne is committed to becoming a carbon-free school and inspiring other communities to increase their energy efficiency. M-DCPS is enrolled in FPL's Solar Together Program, which will return over $12m to the district.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

The community of teachers who use resources from financial education nonprofit Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) has reached a milestone of 100,000 members. NGPF's mission is to ensure that all high school students receive a personal finance course before graduating. NGPF produces high-quality, engaging personal finance curriculum and professional development for educators at no cost. The growth in educators seeking personal finance resources reflects the increase in support from advocates and policymakers across the country. Demand for NGPF's resources has increased as more states guarantee a personal finance course. NGPF teacher accounts have tripled in the last four years, with 84% of students attending a high school where a teacher has an NGPF account.

 

Chino Champion

Pennsylvania has received its first electric school buses funded by the Biden administration. School transportation provider First Student hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the deployment of the buses, which were funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Clean School Bus Program, authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Kevin Matthews, head of electrification at First Student, highlighted the benefits of electric school buses, including reduced emissions and improved student behavior. Pennsylvania is one of several states to receive electric school buses, with others including Oregon, California, and Illinois. The buses are charged by First Student FlexCharge chargers. The EPA's Clean School Bus Program aims to provide school districts with clean or zero-emission buses to combat climate change and reduce health risks for children.

 

The Hill

During a roundtable hosted by EdSource, education leaders from both community colleges and four-year universities discussed the effectiveness of dual admission programs as a solution to California's faltering transfer system. Hans Johnson from the Public Policy Institute of California highlighted the low transfer rates from community colleges to four-year universities, with only 10% of students making the transition within two years. Dual admission, which guarantees entry to a four-year university after completing specific courses at a community college, is seen as a potential statewide remedy. The conversation referenced California's 2021 Assembly Bill 132, which pushed for such programs, aiming to simplify the transition and increase the rate of successful transfers. CSU's permanent Transfer Success Pathway Program, which began in fall 2023, exemplifies this effort by helping students navigate their educational requirements across various campuses. Despite this, the UC system has implemented dual admission more restrictively.

 

Ed Source