DA Staff

Texas governor says special legislative session on “school choice” coming in October

The governor promised political consequences if lawmakers cannot pass legislation allowing for publicly subsidized school vouchers before March primaries.

The top target for ransomware? It’s now K12 schools

Schools not only have access to student data and administrative records, they also have a wealth of parent data like Social Security numbers and credit card information. This treasure trove of data has caught the attention of hackers.

Protection order granted in feuding Lakota school board members case

A school board member in Greater Cincinnati’s second-largest school district must stay 500 feet away from one of her fellow board members at all times.

Middle school teacher and coach adds bus driver to his duties to help ease bus driver shortage

JT Thomas, Director of Transportation for the district, said he’s grateful Coach Seymour stepped up, but they need more help.

High school band director speaks out after getting shocked with stun gun by police

Johnny Mims, a band director at Minor High School in Alabama, is accusing Birmingham police of using excessive force against him after he was shocked with a stun gun three times after officers say he refused to comply with orders while they attempted to clear the field.

North Texas school districts join TEA lawsuit over ‘A – F’ ratings

At the Dallas Regional Chamber's annual State of Public Education event Tuesday, keynote speaker TEA Commissioner Mike Morath told attendees that publicly reporting A - F scores of schools is not just a good idea, its effectiveness has been studied methodically.  

Overhaul of Ohio’s K12 education system is unconstitutional, new lawsuit says

Through changes included in the latest state budget, oversight of Ohio’s education department will shift later this year from the State Board of Education and the superintendent it elects to a director appointed by the governor. As part of that process, many of the board’s other powers will be transferred to the new director and the department will be renamed the Department of Education and Workforce.

Massachusetts approves first sex and health education update since 1999

New curriculum is intended to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community and will teach about bodily autonomy, mental and emotional health, dating safety, nutrition, sexually transmitted infections and consent.

Gwinnett students hoping to become teachers get training in the classroom

Across the country, college teaching programs have seen enrollment decline, and some school districts have struggled to fill positions. Gwinnett, the largest school district in Georgia, has maintained its staffing levels but has raised concerns with turnover that’s outpaced state and national averages. Gwinnett’s program could help fill future gaps.

Body cam footage released after high school band director shocked with stun gun, arrested

Police have released body camera footage involving the arrest of an Alabama high school band director who was shocked with a stun gun after officers say he refused to comply with orders to stop playing and resisted arrest.

Keeping Perspective: Focusing on HI (Human Intelligence) When AI is Everywhere

Date & Time: Thursday, October 26 at 2 pm ET

Attend this 20-minute DA Ed Talk for a thought-provoking session outlining some practical strategies for district leaders to navigate the AI-driven future of edtech while prioritizing Human Intelligence (HI).

Building a Sustainable and Scalable Family Engagement Strategy

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 24 at 2 pm ET

 In this web seminar, the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services for Harnett County Schools in North Carolina, will outline some of the key components of the district’s successful approach to family engagement, and how to build a sustainable and scalable strategy in any school or district community.

East Texas principal arrested after paddling a student, renewing corporal punishment debate

Texas is one of 17 states that allow corporal punishment—which includes hitting, spanking, paddling or deliberately inflicting pain to discipline students in public schools.

Student’s LGBTQ mural must be removed from Michigan school, board says

The high schooler, who painted the mural after winning a student art contest, said she hoped the mural would “make people feel welcome.”

How a rural Alabama school system outdid the country with gains in math

Piedmont City schools notched significant improvement in math, landing in the top spot among school districts across the country in a comparison of scores from before and during the pandemic. Nationwide, students on average fell half a year behind in math, researchers say.