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Senate Bill 1115, which proposes training for all California teachers and aides in math and reading, has passed its initial legislative hurdle despite not having a designated funding source and facing skepticism from advocates for English learners. The bill, sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and authored by Sen. Monique Limon, aims to enhance early literacy and numeracy skills amidst a tight fiscal year in which Gov. Gavin Newsom has suggested that funding for new programs is unlikely. The bill does not specify a cost but acknowledges the significant investment required to train California's 300,000 teachers, potentially amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Thurmond emphasized the moral clarity in training educators with proven strategies to improve student learning, leveraging significant brain science insights. Critics, particularly advocates for English learners, have expressed concerns that the bill's emphasis on the "science of reading," which includes programs like Lexia LETRS and CORE Learning, might disproportionately focus on phonics at the expense of broader language skills that are crucial for English learners. These programs, while backed by research, are seen by some as not sufficiently addressing the diverse needs of all students. The bill encourages the use of existing federal and state COVID relief funds, which have not been earmarked specifically for this purpose, to finance the necessary teacher training.

 

EdSource

In response to the rising issue of student homelessness in California, State Sen. Dave Cortese has introduced Senate Bill 333. This legislative proposal aims to launch the California Success, Opportunity, and Academic Resilience (SOAR) pilot program, which would provide 15,000 high school seniors experiencing homelessness a monthly stipend of $1,000 for four months. The initiative is designed to support these students as they transition from high school to either college or the workforce. The move comes amid the significant increase in the number of K-12 students facing homelessness, which reached about 246,000 in the 2022-23 school year. The bill seeks to address the gap between high school graduation and the onset of college when federal and state financial aid for homeless youth typically begins. This gap often leads to what is known as "summer melt," where students accepted into college fail to enroll due to financial and other barriers. SB 333 draws inspiration from a similar county-level pilot program in Santa Clara, launched by Cortese, which offers monthly stipends and mentorship to homeless students. This state-level initiative, however, faces challenges due to California's current $38bn budget deficit, which complicates funding for new programs.

 

East Bay Times

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a bill banning deepfake images created by artificial intelligence (AI) under the state's child pornography law. The legislation was inspired by a cyberbullying incident at an Alabama middle school. The Alabama Child Protection Act of 2024, authored by state Sen. April Weaver and Rep. Matt Woods, was prompted by male classmates superimposing pornographic images with the faces of six female students. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall emphasized the state's "zero tolerance" for child pornography and expressed readiness to support law enforcement in utilizing the new law against child exploitation. The signing of the bill demonstrates Alabama's commitment to protecting children from the potential dangers of AI.

 

Al.com

A federal judge in Florida is considering whether book removals in schools are protected government speech, as argued by the state and some counties. The judge's decision could have significant implications for First Amendment law, particularly as Florida leads the nation in the number of titles removed from school libraries. The controversy began when school officials in Escambia and Lake counties removed the children's book "And Tango Makes Three" from shelves, which is based on a true story about two male penguins raising a chick together. The authors of the book, along with a student, filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the removal violated the First Amendment and students' right to receive information. The defendants argue that public school libraries are a forum for government speech, not free expression. The case will proceed against the Escambia County School Board, and the government speech question remains unresolved.

 

The Florida Times-Union

The state of Colorado is facing a lawsuit filed by six school districts and other education groups over the state’s new universal preschool program. The six districts allege that the $322m program, which offers free preschool to four-year-olds across the state, breaks funding promises and harm preschoolers with disabilities. In court on Tuesday morning Joe Peters, a lawyer for the state, described the new preschool program as an “extraordinary success” that serves far more Colorado preschoolers than the old state-funded preschool program did. However, Jonathan Fero, a lawyer for the districts, said he program has exposed school districts to legal liability related to special education laws and diverted funding previously earmarked for students with disabilities to private preschools that don’t serve such students. One of the plaintiff’s key arguments is that the state’s centralized universal preschool application system, which is used to match students with preschools, has created confusion for families and made it harder for school districts to properly place preschoolers with disabilities. A ruling on Colorado’s dismissal motion could come in the next few weeks.

 

Chalkbeat

Broward County Public Schools in Florida has shared a detailed plan to address the loss of nearly 54,000 students over two decades. The plan includes closing three schools and implementing changes in 27 others. Superintendent Howard Hepburn and Alan Strauss presented the proposals during a town hall meeting, with feedback to be gathered before final recommendations are presented to the School Board. The proposed changes include transforming Pines Middle into a 6-12 school, evolving Silver Shores Elementary into a K-8 full choice school, and switching Hollywood Central Elementary to a K-8 school. Other affected schools include Oakridge Elementary, Broward Estates Elementary, and Virginia Shuman Young Montessori. The plan aims to slow the decline and improve the district's education system.

 

Local10

The Miami Herald

Enrollment in Montana public schools declined this academic year, leading to budget cuts and financial challenges for districts. School districts across the state are considering spending cuts to balance their budgets, with worst-case scenarios looming. The decline in enrollment has sparked concern among educators and officials, with only 50 districts set to receive financial rewards for increasing teacher pay next year. Additionally, more than 30% of high school students in Montana are earning college credit before graduating, a significant increase from a decade ago. The FAFSA rollout has been described as a "disaster" by school counselors, as families in Montana make college decisions based on financial considerations. The strained relationship between the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and Superintendent Elsie Arntzen has also contributed to the crisis. The situation highlights the challenges faced by Montana schools and the need for solutions to address declining enrollment and budget constraints.

 

MTStandard.com

Since its founding in 2009, Cudas Unhooked has assisted over 300 at-risk and homeless teens in Florida in various ways, including mentoring, personal development, and providing shelter. The organization also covers students' school fees, prom dresses, yearbooks, and other activities they couldn't afford otherwise. The high school graduation rate in Florida increased to 88% in the 2022-2023 school year, but there are still 12% of students who did not graduate. Cudas Unhooked aims to ensure that these students walk across the stage and become productive citizens. The organization was inspired by an article about homeless high school students, and it has since helped numerous teens succeed and graduate. The Cuda House, built with the help of the community, provides a supportive environment for at-risk teens, offering resources and guidance. Cudas Unhooked boasts a high 90% graduation rate, despite the challenging circumstances of the students. The organization's impact is evident in the success stories of graduates who have gone on to pursue higher education and careers. Cudas Unhooked welcomes volunteers and mentors to join their team and make a difference in the lives of the students they serve.

 

News 13

California's Pasadena USD, and the Pasadena City Council, have held a joint meeting to discuss a staff housing initiative that aims to provide affordable housing for teachers, staff, and low-income students. The project would repurpose under-utilized school sites within the district and is funded by Measure O, a general obligation bond measure approved by voters in 2020. The initiative has received mixed reactions from residents and elected officials, with concerns raised about the impact on public education and the permanent use of properties. However, faith-based organizations and some community members support the project, citing the housing crisis and declining enrollment in PUSD schools. The district plans to work with its education housing partners to move the project forward in partnership with the city.

 

Pasadena Star-News

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp last week signed House Bill 409 into law, a measure that requires school districts to reconsider bus routes that require students to cross when the posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour or higher. Addy's Law, named after eight-year-old Adalynn Peirce, who was struck and killed by an illegally-passing vehicle in February, also increases penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus when children are loading or unloading. Illegally passing a stopped school bus is now classified as a high and aggravated misdemeanor, resulting in a fine of no less than $1,000,12 months in jail, or both.

 

School Transportation News

Scientists have found that popular teenage girls are more likely to experience insomnia symptoms and sleep less than their peers, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Sleep. The study, which investigated a sample of over 1,300 Swedish teenagers aged 14 to 18, found that popular girls reported shorter sleep duration and more difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. The negative impact on sleep was observed both before and after the advent of smartphones. The researchers suggest that the gender disparities in sleep patterns might be related to the types of friendships girls and boys tend to have at that age. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that school schedules are not accommodating teenagers' sleep needs. "Teenagers are arguably the most sleep deprived population throughout the lifespan," said Serena Bauducco, a sleep researcher at Örebro University. The study highlights the importance of adequate sleep for teenage girls' mental health and school performance.

 

Bradenton.com