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For much of America's K-12 education system, "local control" is a bedrock principle, but state takeovers of school districts continue to be take place. Research shows that these takeovers often fail to make desired financial improvements and disproportionately benefit non-Black districts. Scholars have found little evidence linking takeovers to academic outcomes. Despite this, several districts across the country are currently under state control, with Houston ISD in Texas a high-profile example. State takeovers involve firing existing school and district leadership and replacing them with state-appointed officials. Recent research shows that takeovers contribute to increased per-pupil spending, but majority-Black districts receive only a fraction of that boost. Factors that precipitate takeovers include struggling districts, school boards with people of color, and court rulings ordering more funding for high-needs students. While state takeovers remain a possibility for many districts, there is some evidence of a shift away from this practice, with states including Tennessee and Michigan exploring other mechanisms to help school districts improve test scores and eliminate budget deficits. 

 

Education Week News

Title III funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is crucial for supporting the linguistic and academic development of English learners in the United States. Originating with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, these grants are specifically designed to supplement the core educational services that states and districts are required to provide, emphasizing that Title III funds must not replace existing resources. As English learner populations grow, the demand for targeted educational support increases. Title III funds are allocated based on state-determined formulas, primarily reflecting the number of English learners and recent immigrants. These funds support various educational services such as enhanced instructional programs, professional development for teachers, and family engagement initiatives, which are pivotal for the academic success of English learners. However, the effectiveness of Title III is often hampered by inadequate funding relative to the rising number of English learners and the cost of essential educational services. This underfunding limits the reach and impact of programs intended to bolster English proficiency and academic performance. Moreover, the rigid stipulation that Title III funds only be used for supplementary services means essential costs like ESL teacher salaries and mandatory educational materials must be covered by other funding sources. This situation underscores the need for a reassessment of funding levels and strategies to ensure that English learners receive the comprehensive support necessary to thrive academically.

 

Education Week News

Providing parents with lists of school supplies to purchase is a violation of the California education code, according to a new report from the Marin County Civil Grand Jury. "A Free Public Education Includes School Supplies" states that public schools in California are required to provide all necessary supplies to students at no cost. The report found evidence of schools soliciting supplies from parents through personal interviews, documents, and newsletters. It also emphasized that teachers should not be pressured to provide supplies using their personal funds. The grand jury's recommendations were supported by various superintendents in the region, who acknowledged the challenges and pledged to address them. The report also noted a 24% increase in the cost of school supplies. While the grand jury called for an end to the distribution of supply lists, it expressed support for donations from civic groups, non-profit organizations, and businesses.

 

EdSource

Republican State AG Ashley Moody has initiated a legal challenge against new Biden administration regulations aimed at protecting transgender students from discrimination in educational settings. This action by Florida, joined by Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, aligns with a suite of lawsuits aiming to block the enforcement of regulations that expand protections against sexual harassment and violence but include provisions that facilitate access to bathrooms, changing rooms, and sports teams based on gender identity. Moody's stance reflects Florida's existing laws that restrict transgender access based on biological sex, highlighting concerns about privacy and safety in traditionally gender-segregated spaces. The legal filings argue that the Biden administration's interpretation of 'sex' in Title IX, which governs discrimination in federally funded education programs, extends beyond its original intent which they claim is strictly biological. Critics of the Florida-led lawsuit argue that it targets vulnerable students under the guise of protecting children, potentially undermining the inclusivity and safety of educational environments for all students. The outcome of this legal battle could significantly influence the application of Title IX and the rights of transgender students across the country.

 

Florida Phoenix

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over new federal nondiscrimination protections for transgender students. The Education Department recently finalized changes to Title IX, which cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Paxton argues that the new regulations are "vague" and "overbroad" and rely on a misunderstanding of a Supreme Court ruling. Republican-led states, including Louisiana, have also pledged to reject the new rules, claiming they harm women and girls. All federally funded schools must comply with the regulations. The Biden administration has yet to finalize a separate rule governing athletics eligibility for transgender student-athletes.

 

The Hill

Florida's average teacher salary has dropped to the lowest in the entire country, ranking second-to-last in the nation, according to a report by the National Education Association (NEA). The state's average teacher salary of $53,098 is behind only West Virginia, where average pay is $52,870. Florida's low teacher pay has contributed to a chronic teacher shortage in the state, with some school districts experiencing dozens of vacancies. Teacher unions and advocates are calling for increased investment in education to address fair and competitive pay for educators. However, Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, has emphasized the state's higher minimum pay for teachers, despite concerns over wage compression for experienced educators. The Florida Education Association is urging state legislators to increase education funding by $2.5bn per year for the next seven years to address various issues, including teacher pay and student support services.

 

Florida Politics

Orlando Weekly

Carey White, Maryland's new state superintendent of schools, says she is prioritizing honesty and transparency in her role. She has created a task force to examine the Maryland Report Card, the state's accountability system for measuring school performance. Wright is skeptical of the disconnect between the high ratings given to schools on the report card and the low proficiency scores of students on standardized tests. The task force, chaired by the Center for Assessment, will provide recommendations to improve the state's accountability model. Wright, who successfully turned around Mississippi's education system, plans to address the decline in math and literacy test scores in Maryland. She aims to make the Maryland Report Card website more user-friendly and believes that the current accountability system is not holding anyone accountable. The task force will also focus on protecting student privacy while presenting more specific data from statewide exams.

 

The Baltimore Sun

Voters in the Grandview school district in Missouri have approved a $50m bond, the largest in the district's history. The funds will be used to upgrade old buildings, including a new baseball and softball field. The bond will not result in a tax increase for community members. The district's superintendent, Kenny Rodrequez, emphasized the importance of trust in the district and its leadership. Many school districts across the country rely on bonds and levies to fund building projects and maintenance. As pandemic relief aid decreases and some states cut funding, more districts may turn to bond measures. District leaders face challenges in sharing information about bond proposals without advocating for support. Transparency, accessibility, and strong relationships with community groups are key. In 2023, nearly one in four school district bond elections failed. District leaders recommend providing clear information about the tax impact and engaging with the community through meetings and livestreamed events. Building connections with a diverse pool of community members is crucial for successful bond proposals.

 

Education Week News

Austin ISD board of trustees are considering asking district voters to authorize a higher property tax rate to address a $30m budget deficit for the 2024-25 school year. The district is already planning $30.4m in cuts to next year's budget, but even with those cuts, a deficit is still predicted. If voters approve the higher tax rate, the district could use the additional revenue to give teachers and librarians a 3% raise, hire registrars for elementary and middle schools, hire instruction coaches for all campuses, and give other employees a 1% raise. The district is also facing significant financial challenges due to recapture payments. A tax rate election could be a way to avoid more painful cuts and keep the doors open.

 

Austin American-Statesman

The transportation challenges facing today's schools are complex, especially with the rising demands from expanded school choice and the need to accommodate students with special circumstances, such as those in foster care or experiencing homelessness. Traditional yellow school buses, while still fundamental, are no longer sufficient to meet all these diverse needs effectively. Inspiration for solving these challenges can be drawn from urban multimodal transportation systems, which integrate various forms of transit to serve a broad population dynamically. Cities like New York and Chicago have effectively used a mix of public transport, bike-share programs, scooters, and rideshares to enhance accessibility and convenience. Applying a similar multimodal approach to student transportation could significantly address the issues of chronic absenteeism and accessibility. Marginalized and low-income students, who may not have access to a car and depend heavily on school buses, are particularly vulnerable to the shortcomings of the current system. A diverse transportation network would provide these students with more reliable and flexible options, potentially decreasing absenteeism and improving academic outcomes. Moreover, this approach could help schools navigate budget constraints and environmental mandates, such as the shift towards electric buses. By integrating technology to optimize routes and match students with the most suitable mode of transport, schools can enhance efficiency and ensure safety.

 

School Bus Fleet