Weekly News Round-Up for January 31st

posted by: Melissa | January 31, 2020, 08:54 PM

Each week, ASTA 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: school choice is both celebrated and criticized.

Celebrating School Choice: This week is National School Choice Week, a week set aside each year raise awareness on the options that K-12 students have. The week was recognized with schools across the country hosting celebrations and donning yellow scarves. Most US students attend schools of choice, making the week’s celebrations notable. Events included a visit to Wisconsin by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Vice President Mike Pence where they promoted school vouchers.

Florida Scholarship Tax Credits Under Fire: In the middle of National School Choice Week, Florida’s student scholarship program is being criticized. An investigation by the Orlando Sentinel found that some scholarship money went to students who attended private religious schools. Many of these schools have policies that discriminate against LGBT students. After the investigation, many organizations have announced they are pulling financial support from the scholarship program.

Pennsylvania Superintendents Call for Charter Moratorium: Another blow to school choice came in Pennsylvania. There, over 30 school leaders have called on the governor to put a moratorium on new charter schools in the state. They claim that the state’s charter school law is “deeply flawed” and needs to be reformed. District leaders say that charter schools are expanding so quickly, that districts are unable to adjust their funding enough to keep up. The state’s charter leaders point to the timing of the statement as an attack on school choice.

Happening Elsewhere:

Parent resistance thwarts local school desegregation efforts

National survey: Students’ feelings about high school are mostly negative

Teachers who praise see a 30% increase in good behavior from students

Arizona school facilities director resigns amid criticism

Most Colorado public school teachers are white, but almost half of their students are not. Can the state close the gap?

Common Core Curriculum being replaced in Florida schools

Gatekeeper for Georgia charter schools changes approval rules

Pritzker signs bill allowing students to vote during school day

Lawmakers consider changes for Ohio’s EdChoice school voucher program

Pa. education officials look to increase the number of teachers of color in classrooms

3 weeks after earthquake, only 20% of schools in Puerto Rico are open and deemed safe