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New York has reached a $750,000 settlement with the College Board over the sale of students' personal information. The College Board will also be prohibited from monetizing data of New York students through its contracts with school districts. The state alleged that the College Board collected students' personal information and licensed it to colleges, scholarship programs, and other customers. The College Board used the Student Search Service to solicit students' information while they were taking exams or signing up for an online account. The personal information collected included GPA, anticipated course of study, interest in religious activities, and parents' income levels. New York Attorney General Letitia James comments: "Students have more than enough to be stressed about when they take college entrance exams, and shouldn't have to worry about their personal information being bought and sold." 

 

The Hill

The strain of the migrant crisis is impacting classrooms in Denver, with a shortage of funds to provide resources for new students. Mayor Mike Johnston previously diverted $25m from the city budget to address the situation, and he estimates that the crisis will cost Denver, a sanctuary city, around $180m in 2024.

 

Fox News

Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa is facing budget cuts due to inflation, legislative changes, staffing shortages, and the end of federal COVID-19 funds. The district has already made significant cuts in previous years, and now an additional $14m needs to be cut. Some of the cuts will come from staff positions, including high school staff, due to enrollment changes. The district is also dealing with uncertainties regarding the budget, such as potential reductions in media services and future enrollment numbers. Gov. Kim Reynolds has introduced legislation that could impact the services offered by area education agencies. Despite the financial challenges, Des Moines Public Schools will receive additional funds from the state for students attending private schools. The district is expected to adopt the final budget in April.

 

DesMoines Register.com

Black History Month events in Miami-Dade County Public Schools have sparked a debate over the requirement of parental consent. School board members and parents expressed concerns about a permission slip asking for consent for students to attend Black History Month events. Dr. Steve Gallon emphasized that Black History Month should be "inextricably linked to instruction." The permission slips were enacted due to a new state board rule, but the school district clarified that they are not required for African-American history courses or instruction. The policy has faced criticism, with some arguing that it limits students' educational experiences. Parents have also voiced their concerns, feeling that the school district is covering itself against controversial topics or speakers. The controversy comes amid the DeSantis administration's efforts to restrict certain topics and ideologies in schools.

 

Fox News

Experiments with bonuses and penalties in Ector County, TX, & Duval County, FL, demonstrate the effectiveness of outcomes-based contracting in improving district performance. According to Liz Cohen, policy director at FutureEd, an independent, nonpartisan think tank at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, outcomes-based contracting should be a priority for every district. The experiments showed that by implementing bonuses and penalties, districts can effectively motivate teachers and administrators to achieve desired outcomes. This approach has the potential to significantly boost district performance and student achievement.

 

The 74 (Online)

Green Bay School District Superintendent Claude Tiller is being reviewed for comments he made on a radio show. The school board is working through the issues raised. Trustees even had a closed session meeting to discuss potential litigation. Tiller, who previously worked in the Detroit Public Schools, started as the district's superintendent in July. 

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

While school buses are generally considered the safest form of transportation, there are still concerns about their safety. School buses have built-in safety features, such as their size, bright yellow color, and compartmentalization technology. However, the lack of seat belts on most school buses remains a concern. Wearing seat belts could significantly reduce injuries and save lives, especially in side impact or rollover accidents. While federal legislation requires seat belts on smaller school buses, the majority of states do not mandate them on larger buses. The cost of installing seat belts on school buses is a major factor in the resistance to mandating them. Advocates argue that seat belts not only improve safety but also lead to fewer disciplinary problems and higher driver satisfaction. Despite the low number of fatalities involving school buses, experts believe that it is possible to further improve their safety.

 

Education Week News

Alabama's school principals could soon be about to receive a $15,000 stipend to improve student outcomes. The program, resulting from a 2023 law, aims to enhance principals' strategy and management skills. The state has 1,450 public school principals, with one in three having two or fewer years of experience. The Alabama Board of Education is developing new standards for effective principals. Gov. Kay Ivey has proposed $30m for the program. The draft standards focus on vision, instruction, managerial and operational skills, relationships, and innovation. Principals who complete the requirements will earn a $10,000 stipend, with assistant principals eligible for $5,000. Additional stipends are available for administrators in low-performing or high-poverty schools. Principals will also have to complete five additional days of high-quality learning and work with a mentor for two years.

 

Al.com

Ever since the first school started in the early 2000s, thousands of students have enrolled in virtual charter schools in Wisconsin. According to the most recent data, almost 13,000 Wisconsin students use virtual charter schools. These schools are publicly funded and offer online instruction. They are free from most state regulations but must meet specific requirements set by the state. Students typically participate from home and communicate with teachers through email, phone, or online discussions. There are currently 62 virtual charter schools in Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public Schools offers the Milwaukee Virtual Education program for students in grades nine through 12. The program is entirely online and offers one or two-semester classes. Students can take courses at their own pace and have virtual face-to-face time with teachers if needed.

 

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