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A new report highlights significant progress in closing achievement gaps for low-income students in cities like Camden, Newark, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, where both charter and district schools are making strides. In Camden, New Jersey, where more than two-thirds of students attend charter or "renaissance" schools, low-income students boosted their state exam proficiency by 21 points between 2010-11 and 2022-23, closing the performance gap with their peers statewide by 42%. This trend is reflected in other cities that have expanded public school choices. In Kansas City and St. Louis, the achievement gap narrowed by 31% and 30%, respectively. Newark saw a 45% improvement. The study, conducted by the Progressive Policy Institute, found that low-income students in the 10 districts with the highest charter school enrollments closed the gap with statewide test score averages by 25%-40%. While challenges remain, including rising absenteeism and budget constraints, the report offers encouraging evidence that expanding school choices, including charters, can drive academic improvement for all students, not just those in charter schools. Critics' concerns that charter schools drain resources from district schools were challenged by the findings, which suggest that charter school growth may create a positive competitive dynamic benefiting the entire system.

 

The 74 (Online)

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The expansion of programs allowing families to use public funds for private education is gaining momentum, with over half of U.S. states now offering at least one private school choice program. According to Education Week's private school choice tracker, more than 1m K-12 students utilized these options this school year. However, the impact of these programs on academic achievement remains mixed. Early studies indicated that low-income students in urban areas performed better than their public school peers, but recent research has shown achievement gaps, particularly in states like Louisiana and the District of Columbia. Mark Lieberman, a reporter for Education Week, highlights that while private school choice programs may not significantly affect college attendance rates, they could enhance public school performance through competition. The primary beneficiaries of these programs appear to be wealthier families, raising concerns about equitable access. As the landscape of private education funding evolves, further research is needed to understand its broader implications.

 

Education Week News

During a media briefing, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee addressed the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee, emphasizing that disaster recovery costs would not derail his administration's plans for a universal private school voucher program. Lee stated: “We don’t have to choose one or the other,” highlighting the state's strong fiscal management over the past two decades. Despite the estimated $1bn damage to public infrastructure and a backlog of $68bn in statewide needs, Lee remains committed to advancing education initiatives. He plans to introduce a new bill for the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which faced legislative hurdles earlier this year. Rep. Mark White expressed concerns, stating that the immediate focus should be on recovery efforts in East Tennessee, questioning the feasibility of pursuing universal vouchers simultaneously.

 

Chalkbeat

The recent lawsuits against TikTok by 13 states and the District of Columbia highlight concerns over the platform's addictive design and its impact on children's mental health. Danny Weiss, chief advocacy officer for Common Sense Media, stated: “For young people in particular, their brains are still developing,” emphasizing the difficulties they face in resisting the platform's powerful algorithms. The lawsuits, which echo previous legal actions against e-cigarette manufacturers, argue that social media use is harming students' ability to learn and increasing the need for mental health resources in schools. TikTok has countered these claims, asserting that it has implemented various safety measures for young users. As schools navigate these challenges, Weiss believes the lawsuits present an opportunity for educators to engage students in discussions about healthy social media use.

 

Education Week News

A federal appeals court has invalidated the public comment policies of a Florida school board, stating that the rules restricting abusive, obscene, or personally directed comments infringed on protected speech. The ruling, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, emphasized that while the right to speak at school board meetings is not absolute, "neither is the government's authority to restrict it." The case arose from a challenge by Moms for Liberty against the Brevard County district's policies, which were deemed vague and inconsistently enforced. The court criticized the board's definition of "abusive" speech, noting it allowed for arbitrary censorship. Judge Britt C. Grant remarked: "If the only ideas that can be communicated are views that everyone already finds acceptable, why have the school board meetings in the first place?" The decision sets a precedent that could influence similar policies across Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

 

Education Week News

Washington school districts have spent $2.5bn of the $2.6bn received in federal COVID relief funds, according to data from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). These funds were allocated through the ESSER packages, part of the nearly $200bn distributed nationwide to help schools recover from the pandemic. Washington is leading the country in spend-down rates, with districts required to determine spending plans by September 24 and a final spending deadline of November 15. Despite this rapid spending, some experts suggest Washington could have done more to focus on learning recovery. Marguerite Roza of Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab said other states pushed harder for funds to target math and reading recovery, while Washington’s focus was on sustaining operations and avoiding staff layoffs. The largest districts, including Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma, received the most funding overall, while others, like Tukwila, Yakima, and Highline saw the most funds per student due to a formula prioritizing low-income populations. OSPI defended the use of funds, stating that maintaining staff and programs was critical for student support, especially as enrollment numbers did not fully rebound. The agency also noted that Washington received less ESSER funding than some southern states, limiting the transformative impact of the funds.

 

The Columbian

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) chief executive Pedro Martinez is advocating for the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to address the district's budget crisis. During a press conference, he stated: "We all recognize that more revenue is necessary” to cover pension and union contract costs. The district is at odds with Mayor Brandon Johnson over funding strategies, with the mayor suggesting a short-term loan that CPS leaders believe could harm their financial standing. The proposal to utilize TIF surplus funds, which have not been allocated to specific projects, could potentially cover $175m in costs. Martinez emphasized that this approach would allow CPS to manage expenses “without cuts, without taking on expensive short-term debt.” Currently, CPS claims it loses over $600m annually due to property taxes diverted into TIF funds.

 

Chicago Sun Times

Chicago Tribune

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is investigating Ohio's allocation of at least $4.9m in state funds for private school projects. The organization, led by President Rachel Laser, argues that this funding is part of a "Christian Nationalist playbook" aimed at undermining public education by diverting public money to private religious institutions. Associate Legal Director Alex Luchenitser contends that such funding infringes on Ohio taxpayers' religious freedoms and violates the First Amendment. In response, Ohio Senate Republicans maintain that the funds are not grants but applications for projects that enhance community development. Notable recipients of the funding include Temple Christian School and Mansfield Christian School, among others.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington, and chief education officer Debora Carrera recently visited Southwark Elementary School to assess the progress of the city's extended-day, extended-year schooling initiative. Two months into the program, officials report it is thriving, primarily expanding access to existing programs rather than overhauling the academic calendar. Parker has redefined the initiative from “year-round” to “extended-day, extended-year” schooling. The pilot program has successfully doubled after-school seats and introduced before-school care at several schools. Parent Maritza Velez noted, “It’s great for parents that work,” highlighting the program's benefits. However, many of the activities observed during the visit, such as media labs and robotics clubs, are not new and have been in place for years. Principal Andrew Lukov emphasized the program's role in increasing access to after-school offerings, calling it a “big game changer.”

 

Chalkbeat

San Francisco USD has announced plans to close or merge eight elementary schools, one K-8, and two high schools, aiming to save up to $22m. The district is facing declining enrollment, with approximately 14,000 empty seats and a projected loss of 5,000 students over the next five years. Schools selected for closure have 260 students or fewer, and decisions were based on a “composite score” that considered facility conditions, student achievement, and the impact on disadvantaged students. Families at the affected schools are determined to fight for their institutions, and the district will hold town halls and public meetings before a final vote in December.

 

EdSource

Mock elections have transformed into comprehensive educational tools that help students understand the voting process. As MoonSub Vendetta from the Washington Secretary of State's office said: “We want to reflect the process so that when they reach the age where they can vote, they know how it works.” These initiatives aim to demystify voting, especially for first-time voters, by allowing students to use real voting machines and fill out mail-in ballots. With the 2024 presidential election approaching, educators are focusing on building trust in the electoral system among young voters. Despite improvements in young voter turnout, challenges remain, as many students express concerns about their ability to participate effectively. Programs like those in Iowa and Michigan are designed to engage students in the electoral process, ensuring they are prepared for real elections.

 

Education Week News

Jersey City's BelovED Community Charter School has acquired four new electric school buses and two fast charging stations, thanks to a $1.28m grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Electric School Bus Grant Program. Ken Schultz, the executive director of BelovED Community Charter School, stated: “We are consistently investing in our Beloved Community here in Jersey City, identifying solutions to promote equity, wellness and a safe and healthy environment for all students.” This initiative aims to enhance zero-emissions transportation in urban areas across the state.

 

NJ.com