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New research has concluded that starting the formal path to teaching in high school may deepen the pool of new teachers and fight the public perception of teaching as a poor financial choice for a career. "Grow your own" models, which recruit and train teachers locally, have expanded rapidly in the last decade. The Teacher Academy of Maryland, one of the largest state grow-your-own programs, has shown promise in widening the pipeline of students choosing to teach, increasing graduation rates, and boosting teacher pay. However, the program did not significantly improve the pipeline of young men entering the teaching field. The academy did close the gap between young white and Black women becoming teachers. Districts like Baltimore County have moved to expand their teacher academies to every high school. Recommendations for creating a local teacher education pathway include recruiting and supporting young men, students of color, and students interested in high-need areas, providing a clear course sequence, offering practical experience in classrooms, and providing financial and college-planning guidance. The study found that white girls were more likely to complete all four courses and pass the final teacher-licensing exam than Black girls.

 

Education Week News

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 180+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population. School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

Larry Ferlazzo, an English and social studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School, shares effective lessons for English-language-learner newcomers. Teresa Amodeo, an ESL/language-acquisition program coordinator, emphasizes the importance of bridging students' first language to English and providing multiple approaches to learning. Visual resources and simple commands help students acclimate to a new lifestyle and culture. Adriana Villavicencio, an assistant professor, highlights the success of the Internationals Network for Public Schools in supporting newcomer students. The network integrates language and content, promotes teacher collaboration, and fosters a school culture that supports families and promotes student belonging. Traditional secondary schools have struggled to serve immigrant ELs, but the Internationals model offers a culturally and linguistically responsive learning environment. With the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating existing disparities, it is crucial to implement scalable practices to address the needs of immigrant youth. Effective lessons for English-language-learner newcomers involve hands-on activities, visuals, and connections to their home language and culture. These lessons help build a strong foundation and facilitate language acquisition.

 

Education Week News

Dozens of schools across the United States have been removing Confederate names since 2020. However, in a surprising turn of events, two schools have decided to reinstate the names. The decision by the Virginia school board to bring back the names Stonewall Jackson and Ashby Lee has raised concerns among historians and researchers who fear that it may encourage other districts to do the same. The debate over Confederate school names has been ongoing, with proponents arguing for Southern heritage and opponents highlighting the symbols of slavery and racism that these names represent. Campaigns to change these names have gained momentum in recent years, particularly after high-profile racist incidents. While some argue that the names are a way to celebrate the Confederacy without appearing racist, others believe that they perpetuate a culture of racism in schools. The attachment to Confederate names can be traced back to the 1940s and 1950s, with alumni often feeling a sense of loss when the names are changed. The decision to reinstate the names has sparked controversy and raised questions about the progress made in addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. Despite the backlash, many students and community members continue to advocate for the removal of Confederate names, recognizing the harm they cause to marginalized groups.

 

Education Week News

Dyslexia bills supported by “science of reading” advocates have moved beyond all previous attempts to turn them into Michigan law. The legislation, already passed in the Senate, would require Michigan’s K-12 public schools and teacher preparation programs to use principles from the science of reading–a body of knowledge that emphasizes phonics in teaching kids to read, along with building vocabulary and background knowledge. Sen. Jeff Irwin, a Democrat from Ann Arbor who has pushed for years for bills to address reading instruction for students with dyslexia, said the legislation would help all kids who have trouble grasping early literacy instruction. “I’m not here to argue that phonics is the only fundamental skill,” said Irwin during the hearing. “And I’m not here to argue that it’s the only thing that we need to be teaching kids. I’m here to argue that it is a fundamental skill, and it is a thing that we must be attending to, and that by failing to attend to it, we miss a lot.” If passed, Michigan would join at least 30 other states that have recently enacted laws requiring the science of reading in early literacy instruction.

 

Chalkbeat

Indiana's private school voucher program has witnessed a historic 32% increase in enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year, with the state funding a record 70,095 students at a cost of $439m, reflecting a 40% hike in expenditure from the previous year. The surge, reported by the state’s latest voucher report, is largely attributed to an expansion in the Choice Scholarship Program which now extends eligibility to nearly all state families. Particularly notable is the tenfold increase in voucher students from families earning over $200,000, rising from 354 in 2022-2023 to about 3,700 in 2023-2024. The expansion has sparked criticism, particularly from public school advocates who argue that the voucher program, originally designed to assist children from low-income families, is now benefiting the affluent, thereby diverting essential funds from public schools. The ongoing debate touches on the broader implications of educational funding and access in Indiana, amidst calls from some quarters for a comprehensive overhaul of the voucher system to include a grant program open to all families.

 

The 74

The Lake Oswego school district in Oregon has constructed a climate-resilient elementary school that can withstand earthquakes and extreme weather. The 79,000-square-foot facility is designed to combat the compounding effects of climate change and is one of the first K-12 schools in the US to be powered by a microgrid. The school's energy independence allows it to remain operational during power outages, making it a potential emergency shelter for the community. The district spent $44m on the project, but the long-term benefits and savings are expected to outweigh the upfront cost. The school also serves as a teaching tool for lessons on climate, energy, and ecosystems.

 

Education Week News

The Washington Elementary School Governing Board, the largest elementary school district in Arizona, is considering cutting ties with the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) in favor of another policy provider. ASBA was previously the sole policy provider to districts in the state; however, in September 2022, the Arizona Risk Retention Trust launched the Model Policy Program, in response to members’ bids for alternative policy options. The rising number of district policy providers creates a wider conversation about districts’ options and the weight the choice can carry. “You want to make sure that your policies comply with the law, are consistent with law, and basically, have been researched by people who know the law,” said Chuck Essigs, director of governmental relations for the Arizona Association of School Business Officials. “Poorly written policies or policies that don’t comply with the law could lead to a very, very large lawsuit.”

 

Arizona Capitol Times

EverDriven Technologies has introduced a new feature in its VIP app called School View, which is designed for school staff responsible for monitoring student drop-off and pick-up. The feature allows approved school personnel, such as teachers and teacher aides, to efficiently track driver information and estimated arrival times (ETAs) for each student being transported by EverDriven. The School View feature uses GPS technology and geofencing to ensure it only works on school grounds, protecting sensitive student information with strict security and privacy measures. The app aims to promote safe school pick-ups and drop-offs, making EverDriven trips safer than ever before. The School View feature will be rolled out in phases to contracted districts this summer in preparation for the start of the next school year. "We are committed to the safety of the students we transport," said Mitch Bowling, CEO of EverDriven.

 

School Bus Fleet