DA Staff

California public school enrollment dropping more quickly than before COVID

For the first time since the start of the century, California has fewer than 6 million students attending public schools, stirring fears of more budget cuts and long-term financial instability for K-12.

How the Supreme Court’s “praying coach” case may impact schools, explained

The case involves Joseph Kennedy, a former football coach in Bremerton, Washington, who incorporated “motivational” prayers into his coaching. Eventually, these prayers culminated in public sessions after games involving players from both teams.

A college fights ‘leftist academics’ by expanding into charter schools

Hillsdale College is building a national charter school network. Tennessee invited the college to start 50 of them, using public funds

COVID taught school districts a tough lesson about the labor market

The education community is still reeling from the exodus of teachers and other personnel with a shrinking number of potential candidates for those posts.

Michigan schools get creative in spending federal COVID relief funds

Schools across Michigan have $6 billion in relief funds to spend—but some of the planned uses are not explicitly pandemic-related. Among them: A playground ball pit, metal detectors and a nutrition room with smoothie service.

Here’s what we know about the Mass. school superintendent who allegedly sent threatening texts

During an investigation, Chicopee Schools Superintendent Lynn Clark "attempted to cast suspicion" on other city employees and a member of her own family, authorities say

Student charged with attempted murder in attack on Las Vegas teacher over grades

16-year-old has been charged with attempted murder and sexual assault after “getting violent” and strangling his teacher in a dispute over his grades last week, Las Vegas police said.

U.S. schools pull more than 1,000 book titles in ‘unparalleled’ censorship bid, report finds

More than a thousand book titles, most addressing racism and LGBTQ issues, have been banned from U.S. classrooms and school libraries in the last nine months, many under pressure from conservative parents and officials.

Record $8.3 billion education budget, teacher raises headed to Alabama governor’s desk

With record revenues, much of the new spending for K-12 schools will be put into historic pay raises for teachers and improving instruction in the early grades.

Masks remain at Prince George’s schools, students get home test kits

While mask mandate in schools and offices remains in place, officials are monitoring public health conditions in anticipation of lifting the policy by the end of this school year.

Texas teacher faces losing her job after fighting for gay pride symbols in school

A battle over rainbow stickers at a high school near Dallas has hobbled the Gay-Straight Alliance and left LGBTQ students feeling unsafe.

South Dakota restricts teaching of critical race theory in schools

The move, which restricts the teaching of "inherently divisive concepts" in K-12 schools, makes South Dakota the latest Republican-controlled state to restrict how history and systemic racism can be taught.

Mixed feelings about end of mask mandate in Los Angeles schools

Los Angeles USD's update of its mask policy took longer than the state and other California schools districts because officials had to negotiate an end to the mask with the teachers union.

New Hampshire plans to study ‘school induced stress’ during COVID

Education officials want to use federal education funds to conduct focus groups and surveys to analyze students' moods over the next year, and come up with recommendations on how schooling can be improved.

‘Lunch police’: Pennsylvania school will search students’ lunches to confiscate snacks

“Shopping bags full of chips,” candy and an assortment of drinks have been brought into the school, and the Aliquippa School District will not stand for it any longer.