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Charter schools have experienced a notable surge in enrollment, rising by 9% between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 school years, while public school enrollment dropped by 3.5%, according to a 2023 analysis from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. This growth, fueled by the pandemic and continued after traditional public schools reopened, highlights the increasing demand for alternatives to public education. Despite their rising popularity, charter schools face ongoing criticism regarding accountability and closure rates. A federal report found that 14% of charter schools receiving federal funding through the Education Department’s Charter Schools Program closed or never opened, sparking debates about oversight. Proponents argue that the charter system is self-regulating by closing failing schools, while critics claim charter schools lack the same accountability standards as traditional public schools. In Congress, lawmakers remain divided on charter oversight, with some advocating for increased scrutiny while others push for further support and expansion of charter schools. Despite the controversies, competition for students between charter schools, public schools, private institutions, and homeschooling continues to rise.

 

The Lion

K-12 Dive

WJHL

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As the deadline to allocate Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds passes, school districts face tough budget choices, with out-of-school programs likely to be among the first cuts. Over half of superintendents anticipate scaling back or eliminating programs such as afterschool and summer activities. Despite their proven academic and social-emotional benefits, non-core expenses are often the first to go in tight budgets. Programs like 4-H, FIRST Robotics, and Camp Invention foster learning through fun, hands-on activities, crucial for student engagement and mental well-being, especially post-pandemic. With increasing mental health challenges and growing absenteeism, these programs provide more than academic support—they offer crucial social benefits. Lawmakers and states are urged to preserve and expand funding for these essential programs to meet students' holistic needs. 

 

The 74 (Online)

The Green Bay School District has proposed a balanced budget of $311.4m for the upcoming year, but faces potential multimillion-dollar shortfalls in the future. The district is seeking $183m from taxpayers for maintenance and renovations, with no tax rate increase if the referendum passes. However, if it fails, the tax rate could drop by 30.77%. Chief financial officer Angela Roble noted: "If the tax rate were to drop that extremely, it would likely mean a similarly extreme rise further down the line." The budget also allocates $12.9m to offset losses from voucher programs and $35m for special education, which costs $58.1m overall. The district plans to vote on the budget at the October 28 board meeting.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

The Williamsburg Community School District Board of Education has approved a $22.3m bond referendum for the November 5 ballot, following community efforts to gather signatures. Superintendent Chad Garber expressed gratitude, commenting: “We appreciate the community's effort in collecting the necessary signatures.” The aging Williamsburg Jr/Sr High School faces significant challenges, including outdated HVAC systems and limited classroom space. The proposed improvements include a new Career and Technical Education Center and updates to Mary Welsh Elementary School's HVAC and lighting systems, enhancing energy efficiency. The project also aims to reconfigure spaces to better serve students and teachers, funded partly by statewide sales tax revenue. Since 2011, the district's tax levy rate has decreased by 8.1%, and the bond approval would maintain a debt service levy of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property.  

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

Robert Maranto, chair of leadership at the University of Arkansas, argues that education schools, long criticized for outdated methods and poor preparation of teachers, could see a revitalization led by red states. As policymakers and parents push for new educational models, particularly in conservative areas, traditional education schools must reform or face obsolescence. Maranto suggests four key reforms: integrating scientifically-backed fields into teacher preparation, embracing phonics and the "science of reading," improving civics education to emphasize historical understanding, and offering specialized training for teachers in varied pedagogical approaches like Montessori, classical, and "No Excuses" schools. These changes could ensure education schools remain relevant as the education landscape evolves.

 

Education Week News

Debbie Deland, president of Florida National Organization for Women, strongly criticizes Florida's current sex education policies, calling them inadequate and dangerous for students. The state’s Department of Education has enforced an abstinence-only curriculum, restricting discussions on topics like anatomy, consent, contraception, and LGBTQ+ issues. Deland argues that the lack of comprehensive sex education puts students at greater risk of teenage pregnancy, STDs, and sexual violence, particularly against girls. She emphasizes that parents overwhelmingly support a more comprehensive approach and calls for a campaign to push for balanced, realistic, and effective sex education in Florida’s schools. Deland stresses that without addressing these critical gaps, the state’s youth are being denied essential knowledge that can protect them.

 

Orlando Sentinel

New York City's high school admissions process heavily relies on seventh grade GPA, which disproportionately affects students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. According to new data from the Education Department, Black and Latino students, English learners, and low-income families are more likely to be placed in the lowest tier, exacerbating existing segregation in schools. Nyah Berg, executive director of Appleseed New York, expressed her frustration, stating: “We’re limiting opportunities to students because of factors outside of their control.”

 

Chalkbeat

At the 2023 summer learning camp at John P. Freeman Optional School in Memphis, Tennessee, students are participating in reading exercises amid concerning state test results. Superintendent Marie Feagins is implementing a "back to basics" approach to enhance literacy, focusing on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. Jared Myracle, the district's new executive director over literacy, emphasized the need for students to "decode or break down what words say" to improve understanding. With 78% of students in Memphis-Shelby County Schools scoring below proficiency in English language arts, the district is intensifying literacy efforts for its 106,000 students. Myracle's strategy includes engaging students actively in their learning process through literacy-based activities at the start and end of each class. Feagins believes that "literacy is the foundation of all learning," highlighting the urgency of the initiative.

 

Chalkbeat

The Texas Education Agency has cleared Mike Miles, the acting superintendent of the Houston school district, of any wrongdoing regarding allegations of misappropriating state funds to his Colorado charter school network, Third Future Schools. The agency's 29-page investigation report concluded that "there is no merit to the allegations contained in the media reports that state funds were being inappropriately diverted." The investigation revealed that checks sent to the Colorado address were for accounting services and were ultimately deposited into the Texas branch's account. Miles described the earlier reports as "a baseless distraction" and emphasized the need to focus on student progress. Despite facing criticism for his leadership style and high staff turnover, Miles has pointed to improvements in standardized test scores as evidence of success. The upcoming vote on a $4.4m proposal for school improvements will further test public support for his administration.

 

The Gilmer Mirror

The Texas Tribune

Despite the passage of California's Math Placement Act in 2015, which aimed to address inequities in ninth-grade math placement, many students—particularly students of color and low-income students—are still disproportionately held back. The law mandates the use of multiple objective measures and discourages subjective teacher recommendations, yet a recent Rand Corp. report reveals that 95% of California high schools continue to use teacher input, with 31% relying solely on recommendations, a violation of the law. While other states like Washington, North Carolina, and Texas have implemented successful automatic enrollment policies to improve access to advanced math, California lags behind in ensuring equitable math opportunities, calling for urgent reforms to monitor and improve math placement practices statewide.

 

EdSource

The federal government is investing billions to combat lead contamination in school drinking water, with new regulations requiring water systems to track lead levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent rule mandates the removal of lead pipes within a decade and lowers the action level for lead from 15 parts per billion to 10. Despite these efforts, experts warn that lead exposure remains a significant health risk for children, with no safe level identified. Greg Montgomery from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality noted: “Even with a required program, we still have schools that haven't sampled yet.” While funding is available, many schools face challenges in testing and remediation due to costs and varying state regulations.

 

Education Week News

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) recently presented keys to a new GreenPower Type D all-electric BEAST school bus to Wyoming County School District Superintendent John Henry. GreenPower Motor Company has delivered four all-electric school buses across Arizona, California, and West Virginia, with plans for six more in the near future. John Henry expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are excited to now have a Type D BEAST in our fleet and expect the kids are going to embrace this new clean ride as well.” GreenPower's BEAST buses are designed for up to 90 students and feature a flat floor design for safety. The company currently has 126 live orders for school buses, representing over $45m in business, indicating a growing demand for their electric school bus products.

 

School Bus Fleet