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The 2024 State of Teaching survey by Education Week reveals significant disparities between teachers and administrators regarding non-teaching duties. While 32% of principals believe teachers are not overburdened, only 14% of teachers agree. The survey, which included 1,498 teachers and 659 administrators, highlights a disconnect in perceptions of additional responsibilities, such as supervision and administrative tasks. Scott Goldstein, executive director of EmpowerEd, notes that this gap reflects a lack of awareness about daily classroom demands. The findings suggest that without addressing these discrepancies, teacher morale and retention may continue to suffer. The next report on teacher morale is expected in early 2025.

 

Education Week News

Crafting Impactful Professional Development for Teachers and Leaders

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With fires continuing to impact Los Angeles County, Los Angeles USD reopened most of its schools and offices on Monday. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho explained that the decision was influenced by improved containment of the fires and better air quality, shifting from unhealthy to moderate levels. LAUSD has prepared for the return by restoring power to schools, ensuring adequate bottled water, and inspecting HVAC systems. Outdoor activities will be limited, and masks will be provided. For students at closed schools, meal distribution will occur at Webster Middle School. Additionally, approximately 340 LAUSD employees affected by the fires will receive five days of paid time off and $500 in relief funds. Mr. Carvalho emphasized the district's commitment to supporting its workforce during this difficult time.

 

EdSource

Indiana House Bill 1136, introduced by state Rep. Jake Teshka, aims to dissolve school districts where over 50% of students are not enrolled. If passed, affected districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), would convert to charter schools. Teshka stated the bill is intended to ensure “the best education possible” and address failing governance. However, IPS leadership strongly opposes the bill, arguing it does not reflect community input and threatens to disrupt their system. They highlighted their success in increasing graduation rates from 60% to 87% over the past decade, emphasizing the importance of local collaboration. The bill is currently under review by the Indiana House Committee on Education. A report by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools noted a significant increase in charter school enrollment, with Indiana seeing a rise of 5,603 students in the last five years.

 

The Baltimore Sun

Howard County Schools Superintendent Bill Barnes has unveiled a $1.219bn budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, marking a significant shift from last year's discussions that included potential staff reductions at the Maryland district. “This time last year, I was talking a lot about dignity, respect, compassion, and us having really hard and honest conversation with staff that were potentially being reduced,” Barnes stated. “This year, we don’t have to have those conversations, so that, in and of itself, gives me great joy. It makes me feel good about this.” The new plan reflects a commitment to growth and stability within the school system as it prepares for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

The Baltimore Sun

A Massachusetts woman, using the pseudonym Jane Jones, is suing the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District and the Diocese of Fall River for failing to prevent her sexual abuse by Gilbert Hernandez, her former teacher. At 14, Jones was groomed and assaulted multiple times in 2018, with the lawsuit alleging that school officials ignored warnings about Hernandez's inappropriate behavior. Despite another student alerting them, no action was taken to protect Jones, who suffered visible distress. Hernandez was convicted of seven counts of rape and sentenced to 30 to 40 years in prison. Jones stated, “The abuse robbed me of my childhood,” highlighting the profound impact of the trauma on her life. The lawsuit seeks accountability from both the school and the church for their negligence.

 

Boston Globe

California is witnessing a shift in its teacher workforce demographics, with an increasing number of Hispanic candidates entering teacher preparation programs. In the 2022-23 school year, over 50% of new teacher candidates identified as non-white, with nearly 40% being Hispanic. José Magaña, executive director of Bay Area Latinos for Education, emphasized the importance of representation, stating: “The research is pretty clear that not just Latino students and English language learners, but all students, benefit from having a more diverse educator.” Despite this progress, challenges remain, particularly in attracting Black teacher candidates, who have consistently made up only about 4% of the total. The state is implementing various initiatives to address these disparities and enhance the diversity of its teaching workforce.

 

EdSource

The ASPIRA network has decided to close its Haugan Middle School in Albany Park, Chicago, due to declining enrollment and financial challenges. The unanimous decision by the board was made on Wednesday, with the school set to close at the end of June. Currently, the school has only 89 students enrolled in grades 6 to 8, a significant drop from its peak enrollment of 506 students when it opened in 2006. The board's decision reflects ongoing struggles within the charter school system, as they face "falling enrollment, increasing costs and inadequate funding."

 

Chicago Sun Times

The Columbus Education Association (CEA) has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against newly elected board president Michael Cole, alleging he made a teacher cry during a private meeting. The complaint, submitted to the State Employment Relations Board, claims Cole admonished the teacher for "speaking out of emotion" regarding understaffing issues at Independence High School. CEA President John Coneglio emphasized the importance of educators' voices, stating, "Those conversations must also include the voices of educators even when they are 'inconvenient' to the board."

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Advanced enforcement tools, including cameras and fines, have led to a significant reduction in stop-arm violations, decreasing them by up to 40%. This improvement is crucial for ensuring the safety of school children, who are "about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling by car," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Despite this progress, illegal passing incidents have risen by 4% in the past year, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services President Mike Stier emphasized that "the illegal passing of stopped school buses continues to be the greatest safety danger to children." Efforts to enhance safety include the introduction of stop-arm photo enforcement technology and increased penalties for violators, which have shown promising results in various states.

 

School Bus Fleet

High school students in Chicago are advocating for safer biking routes after a troubling number of accidents involving young cyclists. Christopher Garcia, a senior, shared his experience of being hit by a car, stating, “People don't really notice cyclists. … They don't even check their rearviews.” Since 2021, over 2,860 pedestrians and cyclists aged 1 to 19 have been struck by vehicles in the city. While recent safety projects have shown a decline in injuries, experts emphasize that more initiatives are necessary, especially in high-risk areas. Parents and advocates are calling for equitable improvements across the city, as many still feel unsafe walking or biking their children to school. David Smith, director of complete streets at the Chicago Department of Transportation, acknowledged the need for ongoing efforts, stating, “Improving access and traffic safety around schools is a big priority for everybody.”

 

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

The Grant Wood Area Education Agency (AEA) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is enhancing learning outcomes for students with disabilities, particularly in literacy and math, by collaborating closely with educators. This initiative stems from a report mandated by Iowa's new state law, which aims to improve efficiency and collaboration among the state's nine AEAs. John Speer, chief administrator of Grant Wood AEA, emphasized, “We've rolled up our sleeves. We're more than willing to do the work.” The report outlines strategies for professional development and consistent mentoring for special education teachers, aiming to boost retention rates. Melissa Ford, director of student services, noted that improved teaching skills will lead to better student growth. The AEAs are also focusing on enhancing the Child Find process to quickly identify students needing special education services, which Ford believes can “help improve student outcomes rapidly.” Overall, the AEAs are committed to supporting students and families while adapting to recent legislative changes.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

Classroom interruptions significantly hinder instructional time, with high school students in Providence, Rhode Island, losing the equivalent of 10 days of learning each year due to various disruptions. A 2021 study by Matthew Kraft and Manuel Monti-Nussbaum revealed that classrooms in Providence experienced an average of 15 interruptions daily, totaling over 2,000 interruptions annually. The most common disruption was tardy students, accounting for 38% of interruptions, followed by visits from staff and intercom announcements. The researchers noted, "Minimizing interruptions is possible and the most cost-effective way to increase instructional time." Furthermore, schools with higher interruption rates tended to have lower student achievement, indicating a direct correlation between classroom disruptions and educational outcomes.

 

Education Week News

Ed Reed, a former NFL star and Pro Football Hall of Famer, has transitioned to high school coaching as the new offensive coordinator at Chamblee Charter High School in Georgia. This move comes after Reed's previous coaching stint with the Buffalo Bills and a brief involvement with the Miami Hurricanes. His son, Edward Reed, is a standout player at Chamblee, and Reed's former Ravens teammate, Jamal Lewis, has a son on the team.

 

Fox News

The Baltimore Sun

A University of Washington student, JD Kaim, faced an academic hold after creating HuskySwap, a tool designed to help students swap class spots during enrollment. Despite taking the tool offline at the university's request, Kaim described the situation as a “soft expulsion” for developing a resource that could assist students in securing desired classes. He stated, “The website was a simple app designed to help students find partners to trade spots in critical classes after they filled up.” The university claimed the tool violated its registration policy regarding automated enrollment tools. After complying with the university's demands, Kaim announced on LinkedIn that the hold was lifted, allowing him to continue his studies and graduate next quarter. He expressed gratitude for the support he received during this challenging time.

 

Edscoop

Ethan Chessin, a dedicated music educator at Camas High School in Clark County, Washington state, has been nominated for the 2025 Grammy Award in the music educator category. As one of the 10 finalists, Chessin has made significant contributions to his students' musical education, focusing on diverse genres and innovative projects. “To see that being recognized by the Grammy Foundation is just really exciting,” he expressed. The winner will receive $10,000 and a matching grant for their school's music program, with the announcement set for February 2 during the 67th Grammy Awards. Chessin, who has a rich background in music, aims to inspire his students beyond traditional choral music, emphasizing the various career opportunities within the music industry. This year, his choir is exploring South Asian music, showcasing the program's commitment to cultural diversity and innovation.

 

The Columbian