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The 2024 election cycle underscores significant education issues, including school choice, teacher pay, and contentious proposals like introducing Bible teachings in public schools. Although the presidential debates briefly touched on child care, broader education discussions remain influenced by stark partisan divides. Donald Trump's agenda includes eliminating Title I grants for high-poverty schools, dismantling the Department of Education, and withdrawing funding from schools that support critical race theory or transgender rights. In contrast, Kamala Harris has focused on increasing teacher pay and preserving the Department of Education's role, emphasizing her opposition to Trump's policy proposals. Beyond the presidential race, state and local elections feature critical debates on school funding, charter schools, and curriculum requirements. Key state races could reshape educational landscapes, with Arizona potentially altering its school choice environment and Massachusetts reconsidering its high school graduation requirements. These decisions will have long-lasting implications for students, teachers, and the future of public education in the United States. 

 

The 74 (Online)

Native American leaders and boarding school survivors are calling for concrete actions from the Biden administration following the President’s historic apology for the U.S. government’s role in Indian boarding schools. Addressing survivors on the Gila River Reservation in Arizona, Mr. Biden acknowledged the government’s “sin on our soul,” while many Native advocates pressed for lasting change. The Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition has demanded passage of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, which would support language revitalization, public education on the boarding school system, and the release of withheld records. Survivors continue to struggle with intergenerational trauma linked to forced assimilation practices, which included psychological and physical abuses at government-funded, church-operated schools. Leaders stress that Mr. Biden’s apology is a beginning but urge for actionable steps to address ongoing issues facing Native communities, including health disparities and access to quality education. In South Dakota, Indigenous groups commemorated their resilience, pledging to hold the U.S. accountable and continue advocating for systemic reform.

 

The 74 (Online)

5 steps for building a positive data culture

As shared by one of our partners, successful data implementation begins and ends with a positive data culture. This article includes five informative steps on how to do just that. These steps include breaking data into manageable pieces, protecting recurring data check-ins, shifting the focus from achievement to growth, emphasizing relationships, and embracing a slow pace. Don’t miss this article for actionable steps your school leaders can start implementing today!

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Alex Green, an adjunct lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School, argues against high-stakes testing in education, stating that "testing systems are not the only or best way to think about whether students are ready to graduate." While high-stakes tests were once seen as a solution for evaluating student preparedness, only eight states still require them for high school graduation. Green highlights the historical misuse of these tests, originally intended for limited assessments, which have now become the dominant method for measuring student success. He advocates for a return to individualized assessments and diverse evaluation methods, such as project-based learning and career training, to better support students' educational journeys.

 

Education Week News

As schools struggle with post-pandemic learning loss, community-based organizations (CBOs) are stepping in to offer academic support. However, simply providing extra help isn’t enough to ensure success. Effective interventions require a strategic, evidence-based approach. CBOs must recognize that a strong record in youth services doesn’t automatically translate to academic success. They need to align with schools’ specific needs, use proven tutoring models, and be prepared for accountability, with measurable outcomes guiding their efforts. Planning is critical, with significant time needed to integrate support seamlessly into the school environment. Organizations should leverage their strengths, like strong community ties, while also acknowledging gaps in academic expertise, which can be addressed through hiring or training. Starting with manageable programs and using data to demonstrate success is key before scaling operations. By combining enthusiasm with rigorous academic strategies, CBOs can significantly impact student outcomes.

 

The 74 (Online)

Hillsborough County has experienced a significant political shift from blue to red between 2018 and 2022. In 2018, Democrats gained control of the County Commission, but by 2022, Republicans regained dominance, winning all major races. Carmen Edmonds, County Republican Party Chair, stated: “The people who will show up on Tuesday will be the Republicans from 2022.” Democratic Chair Ione Townsend noted a decrease in voter registration advantage, with only a 5,000 vote lead for Democrats compared to 65,000 in 2018. Voter turnout for Democrats dropped to 52% in 2022 from 78% in 2020. Key races include the State Attorney contest between Suzy Lopez and Andrew Warren, and the County Commissioner race between Chris Boles and Sean Shaw. Additionally, two tax referendums are on the ballot, one for school funding and another for community investment.

 

Florida Politics

Pinellas County voters are set to decide on a crucial referendum that seeks to renew and increase a property tax supporting public education. Currently, property owners pay a half mil tax, which the Pinellas County School Board aims to raise to 1.0 mil, translating to $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value. If approved, the tax would boost funding for art, reading, and technology programs from $12.5m to $18.7m and increase teachers' supplemental pay from $6,000 to $11,000. Stacy Geier, a School Board candidate, opposes the referendum, arguing that the district should utilize existing revenue. Failure to pass the tax could lead to a loss of teacher bonuses and a potential exodus of educators. Historical data shows strong support for similar measures, with 79% backing in the last renewal.

 

Florida Politics

Sarasota voters are currently deliberating on Amendment 1, which proposes that school board elections become partisan, allowing candidates to list their party affiliation on the ballot. Proponents argue that this change would enhance transparency, with Jack Brill, Chair of the Republican Party of Sarasota County, stating: "We want to have the voters know exactly what their candidates represent." Conversely, critics, including Zander Moricz, Executive Director of SEE Alliance, argue that it would politicize education, saying: "Amendment 1 is good for no one." They warn that it could limit decision-making to voters of a specific party, disenfranchising others. With approximately 96,000 vote-by-mail ballots returned and 121,000 early votes cast, election officials urge voters to research the implications of this amendment before making their decision.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Monroe County is preparing for a significant ballot referendum today, where voters will decide on renewing a one-cent sales tax and approving a half-cent sales surtax. These measures are essential for maintaining a balanced budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The one-cent sales surtax funds various needs, including security enhancements, modern technology, and facility improvements, with revenues also benefiting charter schools. The school board has proposed that part of the surtax revenue be allocated for purchasing school buses, estimating that $5m will be used for this purpose over the next decade.

 

Keys News

The members of the Alachua County School Board have unanimously voted to enter into contract negotiations with Kamela Patton, formerly Superintendent at Collier County Public Schools, to serve as acting Superintendent following the firing of Shane Andrew. Board member Leanetta McNealy, the first to nominate Ms Patton, said she "would be a good fit" for the district, and "has experience with a large budget, with a large staff". Ms Patton was named Florida's Superintendent of the Year in 2022, finishing as a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year in the same year.

 

The Gainesville Sun

Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) is hosting a Magnet Showcase on November 16 to highlight the educational opportunities in the district's academic and career tech magnet programs, from elementary through high school. The showcase, to be held at the Alachua County Sports and Events Centre in Gainesville, will be attended by representatives of the district's various programs, including students enrolled in some of those programs. Shannon Ritter, director of ACPS's career tech programs, said students and their families "will be amazed at the many diverse opportunities available in this district for students at all grade levels and with a wide range of interests".

 

The Gainesville Sun

The School Board of Lake County Schools has voted unanimously to adopt a name for the new K-8 public school currently under construction on Keystone Pass Boulevard - accepting the recommendation of Principal Andrea Nelson that the school be named Minneola Horizon Academy K-8. Ms Nelson said the name "incorporates the city name and really creates that connection to community, and then the word 'horizon' symbolizes new opportunities, exploration and discovery". "I also think", she added, that "the name suggests a forward-thinking and innovative environment where students are inspired to aim high, think beyond the limits and pursue new possibilities."

 

Daily Commercial

Anthony Borges, one of the survivors of the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, who, with his lawyer, agreed a settlement with gunman Nikolas Cruz giving Borges the sole right to decide when Cruz can give interviews, has agreed to share those rights with another survivor and the families of some of those killed in the shooting. Borges' lawyer, Alex Arreaza, said the agreement "was always about one thing, which was to take any power away from the perpetrator of this crime", and not to harm other victims.

 

Tampa Bay Times

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