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The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to review a case related to school district practices on gender identity. The court's refusal to hear the appeal in Lee v. Poudre School District R-1 highlights the ongoing debate over parental rights in education. The case was brought by two sets of parents, Jonathan and Erin Lee, and Nicolas and Linnaea Jurich, who contend a teacher at the Colorado district discussed gender identity with their 6th grade children and invited them to meetings of the school's Gender and Sexualities Alliance club. Neither student questioned their gender identity, court papers say, and one of the students attempted suicide after an emotional decline that began with attendance at the club meeting, the parents alleged. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said he concurred in the denial for procedural reasons. He also expressed concerns that some lower federal courts are avoiding the question of “whether a school district violates parents' fundamental rights when, without parental knowledge or consent, it encourages a student to transition to a new gender or assists in that process.” Additionally in a separate case, the court dismissed an appeal from Rebecca Hartzell, an Arizona mother barred from her children's school, emphasizing the lack of established precedent for her claims.

 

CBS News

Education Week News

10 Expert Tips to Prevent Bullying and Suicide in Schools  

In recognition of Bullying Prevention Month, this guide provides 10 evidence-based strategies for K-12 leaders to help reduce bullying and suicide risk. From staff training to parent involvement and policy creation, discover practical steps to build a safer and more connected school community.  

Download Guide

 

California's Assembly Bill 715, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, aims to combat antisemitism in schools by restricting certain teachings. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan shared her personal connection to the issue, stating: "My children deserve to show up at school and not have to face hate crimes." The law has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing it may infringe on academic freedom and silence pro-Palestinian voices. The final version of the bill, which underwent multiple revisions, no longer references the Israel-Hamas conflict and emphasizes "factually accurate" instruction devoid of bias. Opponents, including Assemblymember Robert Garcia, expressed concerns that the law could lead to censorship and limit discussions on controversial topics. The bill reflects a broader struggle within California's Democratic Party to balance support for Jewish communities while addressing rising anti-Zionist sentiments among constituents.

 

U.S. News

Wisconsin lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at prohibiting public school students from using cell phones during the school day. The state Senate passed the legislation on October 14, with a vote of 29-4, following approval from the state Assembly in February. The bill mandates that school boards develop a policy by July that generally restricts cell phone use, although exceptions can be made for emergencies or mental health support. Sen. Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove, opposed the bill, arguing that it distracts from addressing more pressing issues like school shootings, and asking: "Why are we trying to prevent students from having access to their loved ones?" In contrast, bill author Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevera emphasized the importance of the legislation for maintaining classroom focus and communication during emergencies, asserting: "This is essential." A survey by the state Department of Public Instruction indicated that 90% of public school districts already have similar policies in place.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has revised its dress code policy for students in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program, mandating that they wear civilian clothes while traveling to and from school. Tyese Sims, the executive director of CPS' JROTC department, said: "Unfortunately, when they are in uniform, there is no way for the general public to distinguish these CPS students from members of the military, including the National Guard." The decision comes amid heightened tensions due to increased federal law enforcement presence in Chicago. Over 5,400 students are enrolled in the JROTC program, which is sponsored by the Department of Defense. Students will still be allowed to change into their military uniforms at the beginning and end of the school day, with exceptions for official events.

 

Chicago Tribune

Students at Gompers Elementary-Middle School in Detroit returned to classes on October 9, following a stabbing incident that occurred on October 8. The incident involved an eighth grader who was stabbed by another student, with the weapon being brought into the school by the mother of one of the students. Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti announced that an assistant principal and a security guard are on administrative leave pending an investigation. Vitti emphasized the importance of community support, stating: "When they showed up this morning, I could see the smiles, I could see the excitement." Community leaders, including City Council President Pro Tem James Tate, organized a clap-in to show solidarity with the students. Parents expressed concerns about communication from the district regarding the incident, highlighting the need for improved safety protocols. Gompers is increasing security measures, including adding more guards and a police officer.

 

Chalkbeat

The Green Bay Area Public School District is prioritizing safety measures following a recent incident involving a loaded handgun found in a student's backpack at Preble High School. The School Board is focusing on implementing metal detectors, revising behavior policies, and proposing a new backpack policy that would require students in grades six through twelve to keep their backpacks in lockers during the school day. Superintendent Vicki Bayer emphasized the importance of community feedback, and described keeping schools safe as "one of our highest priorities." While options such as increasing school resource officer presence and changing the dress code were discussed, they have been deprioritized for now. The district is also considering mental health support and community-building initiatives as part of its long-term safety strategy.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

In a recent discussion, Bibb Hubbard, founder and chief executive of Learning Heroes, emphasized the critical need for effective parent-teacher partnerships to enhance student learning. "Parents are problem solvers, but they can't solve a problem they don't know exists," she stated, highlighting the disconnect between parents' perceptions of their children's academic performance and actual proficiency levels. Learning Heroes, established in 2014, aims to bridge this gap by providing resources and support to families and educators. The organization reaches 20m-30m families annually and collaborates with over 500 partners to promote understanding of educational standards. Hubbard noted that initiatives like the "Go Beyond Grades" campaign have successfully shifted parental perceptions about student performance. As schools face challenges in engaging families post-pandemic, fostering strong relationships is essential for improving educational outcomes.

 

Education Week News

Recent data from the Ohio Department of Education reveals that 40% of charter school students are chronically absent, significantly higher than the statewide average of 25.1%. Aaron Churchill, lead Ohio researcher with The Fordham Institute, noted: "Low-income students from distressed communities tend to have higher chronic absenteeism rates than students in rural or suburban areas." Factors contributing to this issue include demographics and transportation challenges. For instance, Andy Boy, chief executive of United Schools, highlighted that unreliable transportation impacts attendance, stating: "When you don't have reliable transportation, it's going to impact your attendance." Additionally, dropout recovery programs serve students facing significant life challenges, with some schools reporting chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 90%. Christopher Bond, director of YouthBuild Community School, emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues, saying: "You have to dig deep and try to find alternative messages."

 

The Columbus Dispatch

New York City schools are at the forefront of the city's green energy initiatives, with solar panels installed on 126 school rooftops generating nearly 20 megawatts of power—enough to supply approximately 24,000 households. These projects are essential for meeting the local mandate of 150 megawatts of solar energy by 2035. Sara Ross, cofounder of UndauntedK12, emphasized the importance of timely project initiation: "What I don't want to have happen is for schools to unwittingly move forward, be counting on that credit, and then be surprised if one of these new rules trips them up." Despite challenges posed by recent federal legislation, including the expiration of tax credits, NYC schools are committed to expanding solar initiatives, with 90 additional projects underway and 200 more under review. The city has invested $30m in capital funds and $100m through power purchase agreements to support these efforts.

 

Chalkbeat

The Trump administration's decision to eliminate $350m in funding for minority-serving colleges has raised significant concerns among educational leaders. California community colleges, which rely heavily on these funds for programs supporting students in science and technology, are now scrambling to find alternative funding sources. Sarahi Sanchez Soto, a student at Reedley College, emphasized the importance of the resources available to her, stating: "These resources had such a big impact on me, and now you're cutting those connections for future students." The cuts, which affect at least 97 of California's 116 community colleges designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), threaten vital support services for students. Chancellor Sonya Christian has urged local colleges to reassess their budgets to maintain these essential services, while also exploring state-based funding solutions.

 

Los Angeles Times

Quebec Education Minister Sonia LeBel says she has no plans to alter what is often called the province's "three-tier" school system, which is made up of private schools, selective public schools, and public schools. “Private schools complement public schools. They do not replace them, but they are part of them and share the same goal: student success,” said the minister, adding: “It is up to families to choose what suits them best. We must not pit the two against each other. We must all work together toward the same goal. That is what we are doing." For years, experts have criticized Quebec’s three-tiered education system, arguing that private schools receive the most gifted and affluent students, while students with special needs are overrepresented in regular public schools, leaving teachers overwhelmed. 

 

CTV News

The USC Thornton School of Music has appointed Solange Knowles as its first scholar-in-residence, marking a significant milestone for the institution. Over a three-year period, Knowles will teach a course on music curation, facilitate workshops, and assist faculty in developing long-term frameworks for the school. “For decades now, I've watched the evolution of music and music curation, and I feel like I have something adequate to add to the conversation,” she commented. Her residency will also include the creation of the school's inaugural curricular offerings in music curation, a growing field within the industry. Dean Jason King expressed confidence in Knowles' unique ability to teach music curation, emphasizing her innovative approach to creating artistic experiences. The residency is set to commence this week, with a class titled “Records of Discovery: Methodologies for Music and Cultural Curatorial Practices” planned for launch in fall 2027.

 

Los Angeles Times