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The Trump administration's funding cuts have significantly impacted K-12 education, disrupting over $12bn in federal allocations. Education Week reports that the U.S. Department of Education canceled more than 730 grants worth at least $2.2bn across various programs. Lindsey Burke, deputy chief of staff for policy and programs at the Education Department, said: "We are using those dollars to reinvest in better projects that are really serving students better." The cuts have affected numerous initiatives, including special education and mental health services, leading to job losses for educators and halted projects. Despite pushback from lawmakers and ongoing legal challenges, the administration has shown little inclination to reverse its funding disruptions, raising concerns about the long-term effects on educational institutions.

 

Education Week News

Terry Connor, Sarasota Superintendent of Schools, announced plans to enhance educational experiences in the county by establishing two new Junior Achievement "Discovery Centers" at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools. These centers will allow elementary-aged students to engage in a mock city environment, promoting hands-on learning. Connor emphasized the importance of maximizing utilization of educational resources, stating, "We are committed to providing innovative learning opportunities for our students." The initiative aims to foster creativity and practical skills among young learners.

 

Sarasota Observer

Jessica Popov, a parent at Glenridge Middle School, recently expressed her concerns about potential overcrowding and the future of public schools amid rezoning discussions. “What Orange County Public Schools explained to myself and the other Glenridge parents... is that the portion that is coming into Glenridge is a cleanup process,” Popov said. She worries that moving students to a school already at 87% capacity could lead to further issues, especially as parents increasingly opt for charter schools. Other parents, like Karen Torres, are also anxious about the impact on staff and the future of schools like McCoy Elementary. “I’m hoping that... we have the opportunity of being able to bring this back around,” Torres said, as consolidation meetings continue this week.

 

News 13

In Sarasota, Bridget Ziegler, chair of the Sarasota County School District Board, proposed a resolution for "full" cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This measure, set for discussion on January 20, aims to prevent school officials from obstructing immigration enforcement. Ziegler stated, "Our School District cannot provide safe harbor to criminals, including those who violate our immigration laws." The resolution emphasizes collaboration with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ICE, to ensure community safety. It also prohibits school board members and employees from hindering ICE actions on school property, with violations potentially leading to disciplinary action or criminal investigation. A spokesperson for Sarasota County Schools affirmed the district's commitment to inclusivity while adhering to privacy laws.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Recent research from Harvard University, the University of Maryland College Park, and Stanford University highlights the importance of mathematical vocabulary in enhancing student performance in math. The study analyzed over 1,600 transcripts from fourth and fifth grade math lessons, revealing that students taught by teachers who utilized more mathematical terminology showed greater progress. Zachary Himmelsbach, the lead author, said: "It is the teachers who are using more mathematical vocabulary that are the more effective teachers, on average." The findings suggest that while vocabulary use is linked to improved student outcomes, it may also reflect broader teaching effectiveness. The study emphasizes the need for teachers to incorporate specific math vocabulary to foster deeper understanding among students, aligning with best practices recommended by the Institute of Education Sciences.

 

Education Week News

Florida's nursing education system is struggling, with exam passage rates among the lowest in the nation. Following regulatory changes in 2009, the number of nursing programs surged, but many were for-profit institutions that produced underqualified graduates. For instance, Ideal Professional Institute had only a 13% pass rate for its graduates on the national exam, compared to nearly 90% nationwide. The situation worsened with the FBI's "Operation Nightingale," which exposed fraudulent practices, including the sale of fake degrees. State leaders, including Sen. Gayle Harrell, have called for reforms, stating, “We have got to do something about our nursing programs here in Florida.” Despite attempts to tighten oversight, the state still faces a projected shortage of 60,000 nurses by 2035.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Concerns have been raised in Japan over escalating school violence following the circulation of viral bullying videos, one of which triggered a mass murder threat targeting a junior high school in Oita. The email threat, sent on January 11, warned of an imminent attack involving multiple accomplices. Although the threat did not materialise, it prompted a significant police response and the cancellation of after-school activities. The incident came just days after a video emerged showing a student violently assaulting a peer, followed by another clip from Tochigi showing a separate case of physical bullying. Both clips rapidly gained traction on social media, highlighting what experts say is a rising trend of bullying cases in schools, worsened by online sharing and under-reporting in official figures. Japan’s Ministry of Education recently revealed a record 769,022 reported bullying cases in fiscal 2024, with over 1,400 serious incidents and 413 student suicides – eight of which were linked to bullying. Experts attribute the surge to social media, economic pressures at home, and a lack of moral guidance among youth. Critics also accuse school boards of reacting only once footage becomes public.

 

South China Morning Post