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A federal judge in Alabama on Tuesday refused to block the Biden administration from enforcing new anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ students in four Republican-led states, breaking with six other judges who have said the rules are invalid. Judge Annemarie Carney Axon said the Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina attorneys general challenging the Education Department standard, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity in the list of characteristics protected under sex discrimination regulations, failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in their lawsuit. In a 122-page ruling Axon, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said the claims by the states and several conservative groups were conclusory and not backed by court precedent adding: "Although Plaintiffs may dislike the Department’s rules, they have failed to show a substantial likelihood of success in proving the Department’s rulemaking was unreasonable or not reasonably explained." She said nothing in Title IX limits the definition of sex to biological sex, and that the Education Department's interpretation of the law was reasonable in light of the 2020 Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that a ban against workplace sex discrimination contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 covered gay and transgender workers, applied to Title IX. The case is Alabama v. Cardona, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, No. 7:24-cv-00533. 

 

Bloomberg Law

Reuters

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Public school enrollment in rural areas is experiencing a noticeable decline, mirroring the trend seen in other parts of the country. While the percentage of students attending rural schools has increased slightly, many rural districts are facing significant challenges. Economic and population growth in metropolitan areas, coupled with a decrease in the number of children being born, has led to a decrease in enrollment and per-pupil funds for rural schools. As a result, these schools often have to make difficult cuts to staff and programs. The decline in enrollment is particularly severe in remote school districts, where job opportunities are limited for graduating students. While the COVID-19 pandemic initially led to a surge of interest in rural areas, the trend has not been sustained. To combat declining enrollment, rural schools need community partners and creative solutions, such as more affordable child care options and digital learning opportunities. Local businesses, community colleges, and health care systems also have a role to play in supporting rural schools.

 

Education Week News

A 10-year forecast from Florida's Office of Economic and Demographic Research reveals that public school enrollment will decline over the next six years, followed by a slight increase, but will not return to pre-pandemic levels. The 2024-2025 school year will see 12,379 fewer students, a 0.5% drop, with further declines expected. The report excludes students in nonpublic schools and other categories. Enrollment has stabilized post-pandemic but is projected to still be nearly 100,000 students below pre-pandemic figures by 2035. Despite a growing state population, increased attendance at private and charter schools, driven by state-funded school choice programs, has contributed to the decline in public school enrollment.

 

The 74

Rick Hess, the director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses the effectiveness of "grow-your-own" (GYO) teacher programs. While some argue that these programs prioritize the needs of the system over the students, Lennon Audrain, a former national student president of Educators Rising and a teacher in a GYO program, believes that they can be beneficial if executed properly. Audrain suggests reframing GYO programs as opportunities for service learning in the education field, rather than solely focusing on teacher preparation. He emphasizes the importance of exploring education roles broadly, developing education policy literacy, and providing meaningful, role-based experiences for students. While GYO programs have shown some positive outcomes, there is room for improvement to ensure that they benefit all students, not just those who become teachers.

 

Education Week News

Jefferson Union High School District in Daly City, California, has successfully addressed its staff shortage by developing affordable housing for its teachers and education staff. The district built 122 units on school district-owned land, which is now fully occupied by 25% of the district's staff. This transformation has been described as "remarkable" and "unheard of in public education." Legislation to ease zoning requirements for school districts interested in building affordable housing has played a significant role in this success. The California Department of Education is convening a housing summit to showcase success stories and encourage other districts to follow suit. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has emphasized the importance of building 2.3m units on school-owned land to address California's teacher shortage. Many school districts have expressed interest in providing affordable housing, with some already providing housing or in the early stages of exploring it. Building housing not only helps recruit and retain staff but also offers a new stream of funding for school districts. However, some districts have faced challenges in convincing the community of the need for staff housing. Resources and support are available for districts interested in building housing, including guides and lessons learned from successful projects. The goal is to make the process as easy as possible for schools. The map created by researchers at UC Berkeley identifies the communities that will benefit the most from educational workforce housing projects. Building affordable housing for educators is seen as a crucial tool for recruitment and retention until salaries can be improved.

 

EdSource

Alisha Washington-Hutton, a teacher at Royal Oak Middle School, recently attended a program at the Walter P. Reuther Library to learn about the Milliken v. Bradley case. The case, which ended cross-district busing to integrate Detroit and suburban schools, is often overshadowed by the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling. The program, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, aims to provide teachers with tools to teach the complex history of education and Black people's fight for equal education. Discussions at the program focused on the events leading up to the Milliken v. Bradley case and its long-term implications for school segregation. The case began with a lawsuit filed by the NAACP on behalf of Ronald Bradley, a student at the time. The Supreme Court ruled against the cross-district busing plan, stating that Detroit could not integrate its schools without working with the suburbs.

 

Chalkbeat

A recent audit conducted by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts has revealed financial issues in Bessemer City Schools. The audit found that the district underpaid employees and violated several financial procedures. State Superintendent Eric Mackey requested the report after months of monitoring the school district. The findings in the report have led to a recommendation for state intervention. If approved, the state school board will take over the district's finances and governance. The audit also highlighted the district's failure to approve a budget, capital plan, and salary schedule by the required deadline. The district also did not comply with state bid laws and failed to provide required contracts to some principals. The report stated that the district did not meet all requirements to receive state funding. The audit also found instances where board members failed to follow state law when contracting services. The report has raised concerns about the district's financial management and governance. The district's board members have voted to accept the state intervention, which will begin as soon as August 9. Superintendent Dana Arreola acknowledged the findings in the report and sees the intervention as an opportunity to improve outcomes for students. Erika Hughes, president of the central Alabama chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, has raised concerns about ongoing problems with employee pay in the district. The audit's findings have highlighted the need for accountability and improvement in Bessemer City Schools.

 

Al.com

A Maryland county is set to become the first in the nation to offer pickleball as a varsity sport in its high schools. The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system in Maryland will introduce pickleball as a varsity sport this fall. The sport has experienced rapid growth, with nearly 50m American adults playing last year, up by over a third from 2022. The varsity pickleball pilot program will be expanded to all 25 high schools in the county for the upcoming academic year. The sport is inclusive and fits perfectly with the corollary sports program, which provides additional opportunities for students with and without disabilities. Vivian Glozman, a professional pickleball player, expressed excitement about the sport becoming a high school sport and praised the support and team spirit among the students. Pickleball offers a casual game that can be played competitively or for fun with family members.

 

NPR / National Public Radio