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Former President Donald Trump's recent comments during a presidential debate have drawn attention to the challenges faced by immigrant students in Springfield, Ohio. With nearly 13% of the local school district's 7,400 students coming from multilingual backgrounds, the district is grappling with the need to provide equitable education amidst rising anti-immigrant rhetoric. Alejandra Vázquez Baur, co-founder of the National Newcomer Network, emphasized that such rhetoric can harm students' mental health and academic success. She stated: “When we fail to increase funding to meet the needs of any children... we make it difficult for school districts to meet their obligations.” However, districts that invest in programs for immigrant students, like dual-language immersion, have seen positive outcomes, including improved academic performance for all students. Pamela Shay, director of state and federal programs for Springfield schools, noted the opportunity to expose students to diverse cultures and languages, enhancing their educational experience.

 

Education Week News

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.^* 

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.
Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

As Texas students returned to classrooms, school board leaders Joe Carreón and Robert Selders expressed disappointment over the halted release of A-F accountability ratings by the Texas Education Agency due to a lawsuit. They emphasized the importance of transparency, stating: "A big part of our role as school board leaders is to earn the trust of our communities." Despite challenges, including new grading methods affecting disadvantaged students, they support the voluntary release of accountability scores to foster trust and informed decision-making. The leaders advocate for strategic investments in teachers, highlighting that state funding remains at 2019 levels despite inflation. They hope their transparency will inspire a productive statewide discussion on education that prioritizes student success.

 

Dallas News

In an innovative move to combat chronic absenteeism, Detroit public schools are installing laundry machines in all schools, a strategy highlighted by Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. He stated, “Through the GE investment, we can scale a strategy that helps address one of many causes of chronic absenteeism.” With 84% of students qualifying for subsidized meals, the initiative aims to provide access to clean clothes, which is crucial for attendance. Currently, over half of the district's 108 schools have laundry facilities, with plans for full implementation next year. The Attendance Playbook, a report from FutureEd, identifies this initiative among various strategies to improve student attendance. Despite challenges in older school buildings, the program is expected to foster greater family engagement and support for students facing housing insecurity. Jeremy Singer from Wayne State University emphasized the importance of these facilities, stating they could significantly benefit families struggling with stable housing.

 

Chalkbeat

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has recognized two schools within IDEA Public Schools in the Permian Basin as part of America's Healthiest Schools for 2024. This annual award honors schools that implement best practices to enhance the health of students, staff, and families. A total of 879 schools across 30 states received this recognition this year. The honored schools, IDEA Yukon Academy and College Preparatory, excelled in key areas such as strengthening social-emotional health, improving nutrition, and promoting tobacco-free environments. Eva Rodriguez, VP of Student Health and Wellness for IDEA, commented: "This recognition from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation highlights the outstanding collaborative efforts on our campuses." The award reflects the success of IDEA's Healthy Kids Here program, which focuses on food, fitness, and healthy habits.

 

Star-Telegram

Fort Worth ISD has reported a significant improvement in student attendance at D- or F-rated schools, with about 16,000 fewer students attending these schools this year. According to the district's own accountability score estimates, Fort Worth ISD improved its rating from 64 in 2023 (D rating) to 70 this year (C rating), reflecting a 36% decline in low-rated campuses. Superintendent Angélica Ramsey emphasized the dedication of teachers and staff, stating, “We're especially proud of the gains made in our high-need schools.” The district's accountability ratings consider student performance on the Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam, along with factors like closing performance gaps and school progress.

 

Star-Telegram

The Pflugerville ISD is actively engaging its community to develop a strategic plan through an online thought exchange initiated by Superintendent Quintin Shepherd. This initiative, part of Shepherd's 100-day entry plan, aims to gather feedback from staff, students, and community members over a five-month period. Chief Communications Officer Tamra Spence noted: “It’s not just entering your thought and then finding the most thoughts... it allows everyone to go in and rate those and see what’s really floating to the top.” Nearly 4,000 community members have participated, submitting around 2,500 ideas and 70,000 ratings. Key areas of focus identified include safety, teacher pay and retention, communication gaps, and support for special education. The thought exchange will continue through October, with findings presented to the board in January for approval.

 

Community Impact

An employee at Goodman Elementary School in Arlington is currently on leave following allegations of misconduct involving students. The incident, reported to Arlington ISD on Friday, involved the employee allegedly tying up students with string and taping their mouths. The district is actively investigating the situation and has communicated with the parents of the affected students. While the educator's identity and the students' ages remain undisclosed, Arlington ISD officials stated: “We appreciate the understanding and patience of our school community and encourage any students or parents with concerns to contact the school administration.” As of now, no police report has been filed, and no criminal investigation has been initiated.

 

Dallas News

Star-Telegram

Darla Morrow, a dyslexia teacher at Greenwood ISD, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year program by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). Morrow, who grew up in Greenwood, holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and a master's from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She began her teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher before transitioning to a dyslexia role. Morrow expressed her passion for teaching, saying: "It's those kids and making a difference in those kids." TASA will announce the winners at an awards ceremony in Round Rock on Oct. 25, with Morrow competing in the Secondary Teacher of the Year category.

 

Star-Telegram

La Vega ISD and Hellas Construction Inc. recently initiated a $92.9m bond-funded project with the groundbreaking of a multipurpose activity center. This $11.9m facility will support the high school band, cheerleaders, and athletic teams, and is part of Phase 1 of the bond approved by voters in May. The center is expected to be completed within 10 months to a year, potentially affecting parking during home football games. The largest component, Proposition A, totaling $76.5m, will commence with classroom additions at primary and elementary schools, with hopes to finish by the 2025-26 school year. La Vega ISD Superintendent Sharon Shields emphasized the necessity of these projects due to increasing school enrollment, which currently stands at 3,100 students.

 

Wacotrib

In El Paso, local law enforcement is emphasizing the serious consequences of making school threats. The El Paso District Attorney's Office, in collaboration with the FBI El Paso and various school district police departments, has produced a video titled "School threats are no joke." El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks commented: "Every week, any school district in our community is seeing gun and bomb threats," highlighting the urgency of the issue. The video aims to educate students about the potential repercussions, including up to 10 years in jail for making threats. Law enforcement encourages students to report any threats they encounter online, regardless of whether they seem like jokes. Christina Sanchez, El Paso County Attorney, noted that false alarm threats divert emergency resources and cause emotional distress. Parents are urged to engage with their children about the seriousness of such actions.

 

El Paso Times

The Killeen City Council has approved $526,786 for sidewalk and ramp improvements near local schools, focusing on pedestrian safety. Edwin Revell, the city's executive director of development services, emphasized that the enhancements are crucial for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project will cover 3,000 feet of sidewalks and 105 curb ramps across 10 schools, including Gateway Middle School and Iduma Elementary. Revell noted that while there are 18 locations needing attention, the city has a limited budget of approximately $727,000. The improvements are part of the city's 2023 Capital Improvement Plan, with funding also sourced from the Child Safety Fund.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

The Alamo Heights ISD is not required to provide relocation assistance to tenants evicted from the Desert Sands Apartments, according to a ruling by the Eighth Court of Appeals. The case, which concluded four years of litigation, stemmed from the district's acquisition of the property in 2020. Lizbeth Parra Davila, a staff attorney for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, expressed disappointment, stating, "We're disappointed in the ruling and considering options for ensuring our clients and others being displaced receive the assistance they're entitled to." The court determined that the claims did not fall within any waiver of the district's governmental immunity, thus denying the trial court jurisdiction over the case.

 

Star-Telegram