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PEN America reports that more than 10,000 books were banned in U.S. public schools from 2023 to 2024. At least 13 titles were banned for the first time, including Alex Haley’s Roots: The Saga of an American Family, which describes the journey of an enslaved person from Africa to America, and James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain. “State legislation was also particularly critical in accelerating book bans, making it easier to remove books from schools without due process, or in some cases, without any formal process whatsoever,” PEN America said. Book bans have continued to overwhelmingly target stories focused on LGBTQ+ people and people of color, according to PEN America. “In part due to the targeting of sexual content, the stark increase includes books featuring romance, books about women’s sexual experiences, and books about rape or sexual abuse as well as continued attacks on books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes, or books about race or racism and featuring characters of color,” it said.

 

The Guardian

The Government Accountability Office's new report reveals that Black girls in public schools face disproportionately severe punishments, receiving nearly half of all expulsions despite making up only 15% of the female student population. The report, requested by Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley and others, highlights that during the 2017-18 school year, Black girls accounted for 45% of out-of-school suspensions and 43% of expulsions, often for behaviors like "defiance, disrespect, and disruption." Pressley stated, "This new report, it's damning," emphasizing the need for trauma-informed policies to address the crisis of criminalization in schools. The report also identifies factors contributing to these disparities, including school poverty levels and biases such as adultification. DeLauro urged policymakers to reconsider exclusionary discipline practices that harm Black girls.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

California is set to announce which schools will receive a share of $450m to enhance career pathways for students. However, delays have caused thousands of students to miss out on opportunities. The Golden State Pathways program, aimed at improving career and technical education, has faced significant setbacks since its inception in 2022. Elizabeth Sanders, spokesperson for the California Department of Education, stated: “We recognize the impact that this (delay) has had on districts.” The delays have hindered schools from implementing plans for the fall, with many districts expressing frustration over the situation. Carrie Lemmon, senior vice president of UNITE-LA, emphasized the urgency, saying: “Every year we wait to implement these reforms, we’re losing more students.”

 

The Sacramento Observer

On September 20, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) honored the 2024 L.A. County Teachers of the Year, recognizing 16 exceptional educators for their impactful teaching and commitment. The event celebrated the dedication and creativity of these teachers, with LACOE stating: “This is the moment they’ve been waiting for—the recognition of their dedication, creativity, and the difference they make every day in their classrooms.” Among the honorees is Arby Jean Wolkov from William Howard Taft Charter High School, who teaches American Sign Language and was named the LAUSD Teacher of the Year. The ceremony highlighted the unique teaching styles and achievements of the winners, marking a significant milestone in their careers.

 

SGV Tribune

In a heated dispute, the Sierra Unified School District faces a proposed transfer of territory to Clovis Unified, driven by Ventana Hills residents and developer Granville Homes. At a recent public hearing, Sierra Unified board president Cortney Burke urged the Fresno County Committee on School District Organization to reject the transfer, stating: “Please do not deprive our district of its ability to maintain and expand offerings.” The transfer, which could impact the district's enrollment and resources, is seen as a move to boost property values rather than serve educational needs. Ventana Hills resident Marc Thurston argues for parental choice in education, but critics highlight the potential negative effects on Sierra Unified's programs. The committee's decision, based on California Education Code criteria, is expected by early January.

 

The Fresno Bee

The Ripon Unified school board has approved the hiring of six substitutes and an afterschool assistant during its recent monthly meeting. Gracyn Taylor will serve as a certificated substitute, while Rojelio Hermosillo-Alcantar joins as a custodial substitute. Additionally, Pauline Klippenstein is now part of the Instructional Aide substitute pool, and Amanda Mayfield, Amarpal Kaur, and Deejay Fannon are the new paraeducator substitutes. Suzanna Carey has also been appointed as an assistant in the Ripon Afterschool Program. The board accepted one resignation from Ripon High during the session.

 

Manteca Bulletin

St. Hope Public Schools has dedicated over 20 years to providing a free, college-prep education to underserved students in Oak Park and South Sacramento. With 75% of scholars considered socioeconomically disadvantaged, the schools aim to graduate self-motivated leaders. Notably, 100% of Sac High graduates meet UC/CSU eligibility, with 49% of Black and 53% of Hispanic graduates attending four-year colleges, far exceeding county averages. The Sacramento City Unified School District is set to vote on the charter renewals for PS7 and Sac High, which have demonstrated strong academic results. The schools have invested in personalized learning and modernized facilities, including a $35m renovation of PS7.

 

The Sacramento Observer

The recent school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, which resulted in four fatalities, has reignited discussions on gun violence in educational settings. In response to such tragedies, schools often require immediate financial support to restore their communities. Project SERV, or School Emergency Response to Violence, offers crucial short-term funding to help schools recover from violent incidents. As Kathleen Gombos, principal of Sandy Hook Elementary, stated: “It's not possible to just add a million dollars to a school's budget [after a tragic or traumatic event].” The program has provided significant grants to various schools affected by violence, including $6.3m to Newtown, Connecticut, after the Sandy Hook shooting. Advocates are calling for increased funding and improved access to these grants to better support schools facing trauma.

 

Education Week News

On Friday, two elementary campuses in the Rocklin Unified School District were placed on lockdown due to threats that police later deemed not credible. The lockdown occurred around 1:30 p.m. at Valley View and Rocklin elementary schools, prompting a message to parents advising them to avoid the area. After approximately 40 minutes, Rocklin police confirmed that the threats were unfounded, and students were released at their regular dismissal times. The district stated: "Students were released from school at their regular dismissal times." No arrests have been made, and details regarding the nature of the threats remain unclear.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Anushka Kalyan, a 17-year-old student from Granite Bay High School, led a march to the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) to advocate for the divestment of its $15bn investments in fossil fuel companies. The event was part of the global Fridays for Future movement, initiated by Greta Thunberg. Kalyan emphasized the urgency of their cause, stating: “We strike today because we're showing our education system a powerful message.” Despite CalSTRS defending its investments as fiscally responsible, critics argue that renewable energy is the future. Organizations like Fossil Free California are pushing for teachers' unions to support divestment, highlighting the moral and financial imperatives of moving away from fossil fuels. Miriam Eide noted: “It takes every leader in the union... to stand with the students.” CalSTRS has not commented on the strike.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Every state now supports competency-based learning, allowing students to progress based on mastery rather than time spent in class. This shift aims to personalize education, enabling students to learn at their own pace and engage in hands-on projects. Utah State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson commented: “Flipping into thinking about time as a variable and learning as the constant is really key.” While states like Utah are advancing, others are still in early stages. The Aurora Institute classifies states as “advanced,” “developing,” or “emerging” based on their progress. Wyoming recently became the last state to adopt this model, reflecting a desire for educational reform. However, challenges remain, as seen in Maine, where a law mandating proficiency led to confusion and implementation issues. As Libby Stanford reports, successful transitions require time, professional development, and a tailored approach to each state's needs.

 

Education Week News

In a heartfelt editorial, Ashley A. Kannan, an eighth grade U.S. history teacher, reflects on the impact of America's ongoing teacher shortage through the eyes of her student, Murphy. On his last day of school, Murphy felt isolated as many of his former teachers were absent, highlighting a troubling trend where early career educators are leaving, particularly from high-poverty schools. Kannan emphasizes the need for prioritizing teacher growth, mentoring, and restructuring school systems to better support both teachers and students. She writes: "We can take these concrete steps to help all teachers find a home in the profession." Kannan's insights underscore the urgency of addressing this crisis to ensure students receive the support they need.

 

The Sacramento Bee

During a U.S. Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing, lawmakers and advocates stressed the critical role of school meal programs in combating child hunger. With 47.4m people living in food-insecure households last year, federally funded programs like the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs help provide free or reduced-cost meals. Advocates urged the expansion of these programs, while lawmakers like Sen. John Fetterman and Sen. Bernie Sanders championed bills aimed at providing free meals to all students. Some states have already implemented policies to offer universal free meals.

 

Iowa Capital Dispatch

The 74 (Online)