DA Staff

8 things we’re watching as Chicago begins the year remotely

Many questions remain as the city's schools go virtual, but the biggest might be around how to ensure vulnerable students are getting the education and services they need

Ruling roundup: Special education during the pandemic

Catch up on 14 key judicial and administrative rulings in specific topic areas related to IDEA and FAPE.

Wisconsin Christian college rescinds Mike Pence invite to speak at commencement

Lutheran College’s decision to have the vice president speak to its 2020 graduates had sparked backlash among some alumni and students.

Deal to avoid Detroit teachers ‘safety’ strike would offer COVID-19 testing, hazard pay

A deal to avoid a Detroit teachers safety strike would offer COVID-19 testing for students and staff, and provide teachers working in school buildings with up to $3,000 in hazard pay.

New tracker keeps count of coronavirus cases in schools across U.S.

The National Education Association has just launched a tracker of cases in public K-12 schools.

Reopened schools find health risks in water after COVID lockdowns

A number of schools found the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease in their water, and experts say more should expect to see it.

Chapel Hill’s student paper sums up school’s coronavirus policy with an f-bomb

"I said, ‘You know what? Go for it. Print news, raise hell.’”

Texas schools ‘will be safe’ to reopen in August, education commissioner says

However, families fearful of sending children to campuses will be able to continue online learning, Education Commissioner Mike Morath said.

Teacher associations in Texas say ‘hell no’ to state plans to reopen campuses in fall

The return to schools would put “millions of Texas schoolchildren, educators and their families and communities at risk,” a union president said.

Proposed bonus for teachers scrubbed as Tennessee legislature passes pared-down budget

The Senate refused to go along with a House proposal to give teachers a $1,000 bonus in lieu of a raise that state officials have said Tennessee can no longer afford. 

New report offers recommendations for reopening schools

New Chiefs for Change/Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy report provides expert analysis of research and offers recommendations for reopening K-12 schools.

Creativity in crisis: Charter school network stays connected

Educators at Legacy Traditional Schools hop on Facebook Live every morning to hold flag ceremonies for the 20,000 students in the charter system that spans Arizona and Nevada.

NYC schools won’t reopen until September, mayor says

New York City's public school system, the largest in the country, will remain closed for the school year.

Three districts that created noteworthy PD programs

These Districts of Distinction runners-up developed noteworthy programs that improved professional learning for teachers.

Get the free DA guide to K-12 esports

Interested in academic esports? Access this free guidebook to learn more.