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PEN America reports that more than 10,000 books were banned in U.S. public schools from 2023 to 2024. At least 13 titles were banned for the first time, including Alex Haley’s Roots: The Saga of an American Family, which describes the journey of an enslaved person from Africa to America, and James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain. “State legislation was also particularly critical in accelerating book bans, making it easier to remove books from schools without due process, or in some cases, without any formal process whatsoever,” PEN America said. Book bans have continued to overwhelmingly target stories focused on LGBTQ+ people and people of color, according to PEN America. “In part due to the targeting of sexual content, the stark increase includes books featuring romance, books about women’s sexual experiences, and books about rape or sexual abuse as well as continued attacks on books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes, or books about race or racism and featuring characters of color,” it said.

 

The Guardian

In response to a surge of false school shooting threats, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has adopted a controversial approach: posting the mugshots of offenders on social media. “Since parents, you don't want to raise your kids, I'm going to start raising them,” Chitwood stated, emphasizing accountability for both students and their parents. This initiative follows a recent arrest of an 11-year-old boy for allegedly threatening a school shooting, which Chitwood highlighted in a widely viewed video. The sheriff's actions have sparked mixed reactions, with some praising his efforts while others argue that responsibility lies with the parents. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony echoed this sentiment, reminding parents and students that “nothing about this is a laughing or joking matter.” As the school year progresses, law enforcement continues to address a rising number of threats across Florida.

 

Boston Globe

Education in the U.S. remains highly partisan, with red and blue states sharply divided on race, gender, and school choice. However, the global model of educational pluralism, where governments fund diverse types of schools while holding them accountable for academic outcomes, offers a potential solution. This approach, used in countries like the Netherlands and Australia, fosters social cohesion by respecting diverse values and ensuring a shared base of knowledge. Practical steps for the U.S. include promoting cross-partisan messages, providing high-quality materials for all schools, and building infrastructure to support both choice and quality.

 

The 74 (Online)

The Muskego-Norway School Board's recent decision to remove gender identity from its anti-discrimination policy has raised significant concerns among parents and civil rights experts. The Wisconsin district's policy now only includes "sexual orientation," which has led to fears about the implications for transgender and nonbinary students. School board president Terri Boyer stated the change was to remain "consistent with Wisconsin state law," although the specific law was not clarified. Suzanne Eckes, an education law professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, emphasized that despite the policy change, the district must still comply with Title IX protections, stating, "Whether they kick it out of their policy or not, they still need to follow the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision." Advocacy groups are closely monitoring the situation, as the decision could lead to legal challenges regarding the rights of LGBTQ+ students.

 

JS online

A lawsuit challenging Ohio’s EdChoice school voucher program may eventually reach the Ohio Supreme Court, making the upcoming election pivotal. Six candidates are running for three seats, with a potential shift in the court's balance from a 4-3 Republican majority to a 4-3 Democratic majority. The lawsuit, filed by Vouchers Hurt Ohio, argues that vouchers have grown disproportionately, depleting resources for public schools. The outcome of the election could significantly influence the court’s ruling on this critical school funding case.

 

The 74 (Online)

New Jersey has launched a program providing free naloxone kits to all public school districts, a move aimed at preventing opioid overdose deaths among students and staff. This initiative stems from a 2018 law signed by Governor Phil Murphy, mandating schools to have opioid antidotes available for emergencies. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can reverse opioid overdoses when administered promptly. Dr. Eric Alcera, chief medical officer at Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic, emphasized the importance of this measure, stating: "Naloxone has proven to save lives." The program allows school districts to request naloxone kits through their county education offices, ensuring that lifesaving resources are readily accessible. The initiative coincides with a broader bipartisan effort to combat the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the urgent need for preventive measures in educational settings.

 

New Jersey Herald

The Anne Arundel Board of Education is preparing to vote on a $204m capital budget for fiscal 2026, focusing on the construction of new facilities and the maintenance of aging buildings. Joanna Tobin, a board member, emphasized the importance of school environments, stating, “So many students want to know that the adults around them are genuinely interested, care about them, and are willing to listen.” Nearly 60% of the budget is allocated for three new schools, including the Center of Applied Technology, which is set to open in 2027. The budget also includes $50m for maintenance projects and $9.2m for a new school bus facility. The board will meet on Wednesday to discuss and vote on the budget, which will then be sent to the state's Interagency Commission on School Construction for further approval.

 

The Baltimore Sun

Nearly five years post-COVID-19, the "State of the American Student" report by the Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) reveals a slow recovery for students, particularly among vulnerable groups like young children, disabled students, English learners, and the homeless. CRPE Executive Director Robin Lake emphasized that “if policymakers and educators do not get serious about ensuring these students have access to proven interventions, then we will continue to see the educational impact of the pandemic reverberate for many years.” The report highlights chronic absenteeism, staffing shortages, and student disengagement as significant barriers to recovery. While some schools have successfully implemented strategies like tutoring and improved communication with parents, many students still lack access to necessary support. Lake noted: “During the pandemic, there was so much talk about more joyful education... We think that that has actually taken hold.” However, the challenges remain daunting, requiring urgent attention and resources.

 

EdSource

The Government Accountability Office's new report reveals that Black girls in public schools face disproportionately severe punishments, receiving nearly half of all expulsions despite making up only 15% of the female student population. The report, requested by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and others, highlights that during the 2017-18 school year, Black girls accounted for 45% of out-of-school suspensions and 43% of expulsions, often for behaviors like "defiance, disrespect, and disruption." Pressley stated: "This new report, it's damning," emphasizing the need for trauma-informed policies to address the crisis of criminalization in schools. The report also identifies factors contributing to these disparities, including school poverty levels and biases such as adultification.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Two civil rights groups, Lawyers for Civil Rights and Massachusetts Advocates for Children, have filed a lawsuit against Saugus officials, claiming that the school admissions policy violates the rights of migrant families. The policy, enacted shortly after Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency due to an influx of migrants, imposes strict residency and identification requirements that disproportionately affect migrant children. Erika Richmond Walton, an attorney with Lawyers for Civil Rights, stated, “Transparency is critical, particularly when the government is violating the rights of vulnerable schoolchildren.” Despite the policy's claims of inclusivity, it has led to significant barriers for young children, including missed schooling. The advocacy groups are demanding public records to understand the policy's implementation and have called for its revision. Massachusetts Advocates for Children Legal Director Diana Santiago emphasized that “school districts should be welcoming students, not enacting exclusionary policies.”

 

Boston Globe

GreenPower Motor Company Inc. has announced the delivery of six all-electric school buses to three school districts in Arizona, funded through the EPA Clean School Bus Program. Tom Hartman, general manager – bus for RWC Group, stated: “The GreenPower Type D BEAST and Type A Nano BEAST all-electric school buses are perfectly designed to meet the needs of school districts in Arizona.” The buses will be distributed among Osborn School District #8, Joseph City School District, and Roosevelt School District No. 66. GreenPower President Brendan Riley expressed excitement about the growing adoption of electric buses, emphasizing the importance of safe transportation for school children. The BEAST model can accommodate up to 90 students and has a range of up to 150 miles, while the Nano BEAST seats 24 passengers with a range of 140 miles.

 

School Bus Fleet

The Green Bay City Council has approved the relocation of cell tower equipment at West High School's stadium, contingent on the Green Bay Area Public School District covering a $100,000 fee to offset anticipated revenue losses. Parks director Dan Ditscheit stated: "It is the city's understanding that the school district would pay the lump sum." The council's decision allows the construction of new bleachers to proceed, as the tower itself will remain in place. The district previously agreed to cover the estimated $130,000 costs for moving the equipment. However, the school district has yet to decide on how to proceed and declined to comment further. The city will also implement a 2% rent increase annually starting in 2028, resulting in a total revenue loss of $155,421 by 2038.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette