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Weekly News Round-Up for April 6th
posted by: Melissa | April 06, 2018, 04:09 PM   

Each week, NWPE brings its members a round-up of what’s happening in education. From big, eye-catching headlines to the stories most papers overlook, we find the news our members really want to see. This week, the Oklahoma strike continues, a report on school discipline is released, Secretary DeVos travels to Texas, and more!


Oklahoma Teacher Strike Continues: Schools in Oklahoma are closed again today as teachers in the state continues their statewide teacher strike. Teachers have already won a raise and some school funding and now they want the legislature to approve bills that would further increase funding by increasing taxes along with an even higher pay raise. Some Republican lawmakers are fed up with the strike and are trying to turn public sentiment against the teachers; however the governor’s comparison of teachers to a “teenage kid that wants a better car” has backfired against her as has a Republican lawmaker’s video rant.


New Report Finds Disparities in School Discipline: The U.S. Government accountability office released a new report this week outlining discipline practices in schools. The report found that black students, boys, and students with disabilities were more likely to be disciplined than other students. The disparities persist in all schools despite the type of school or the school’s level of poverty. The disparities also remained consistent across the various types of discipline. The report comes at a time when the Department of Education is evaluating a 2014 “Dear Colleague” Letter that urged schools to overhaul discipline practices that could lead to racist outcomes.


DeVos Responds to the Issue of School Discipline: The Education Secretary often travels and visits school districts across the country, but her visits this week had a slightly different tone. Coming in the wake of a report on school discipline, DeVos seemed to make at risk students a priority. During a visit to Dallas, TX, DeVos spent time meeting with Urban Specialists, a local group that works with At Risk Students. She also toured Dade Middle School, a public school which has tried new methods to reach its students. Earlier in the week, DeVos participated in a roundtable on the topic of school discipline although she equivocated on whether or not she would rescind the 2014 letter when asked.


Happening Elsewhere:

Florida students upset over new mandatory ‘see-through’ backpacks

The 9 states where teachers have it worst

STEM Education Gets Stamp of Approval from U.S. Government With New Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Forever Stamps

Kansas Senate passes school funding plan after GOP leader apologizes

Low-Spending WI Schools Breathe Sigh Of Relief Over Referendums To Exceed Revenue Limits

Florida judge rules against school districts’ challenge of HB 7069

Dated textbooks, soiled carpet, leaky ceilings: AZ Teachers post classroom images on social media

Ducey signs bill mandating two recess periods for AZ students

Will Tennessee become the next state to see a teacher strike?

Md. Senate approves bill that would require every school to have a resource officer or police coverage

Education Alliance support of STEM initiative hopes to inspire students, $1.2 million to develop programs at seven high schools

Why suburban IL school districts will be getting $395 million more in funding

Puerto Rico to close 283 schools amid sharp enrollment drop after hurricane, economic crisis

Florida Superintendent pulled over for passing stopped school bus


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