DA Staff

Two documentaries on school integration offer new views of an old problem

Premiering in September, the films take very different looks at what has and hasn’t changed in the almost 70 years since Brown v. Board of Education.

Talking Points: Education spending increases as test scores continue to lag post-pandemic

The big picture is that K-12 test scores are still down about 10% since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, only 45% of Minnesota students show proficiency in math, and only 50% show proficiency in reading.

Education advocates cite Missouri as a top battleground in fight over public schools

Since 2021, legislators in Missouri’s General Assembly have introduced 31 bills aimed at reforming the education system, the most from any one state. Only one, Senate Bill 775, which restricts access to “sexually explicit materials” in libraries, was passed into law.

COVID-19 raises anxiety at start of new school year

In the post-emergency era of COVID-19, schools no longer have the comprehensive surveillance data that was readily available during the pandemic, though some local data remains available to inform their decision-making.

Illinois district cancels activities at five schools amid wave of gun violence

Peoria Public Schools says all after-school activities are canceled at five schools and it is working with police to "ensure the safety of students and staff" amid a spate of gun violence across the city.

Alaska education board bans trans athletes from girls’ high school sports

Several board members spoke in favor of the regulation, citing safety concerns and questioning the fairness of girls competing against other athletes who were not assigned the female gender at birth.

California elementary school evacuated over bomb threat after right wing harassment

Chabot Elementary in Oakland was targeted online by extremists over a weekend playdate event organized for the school’s Black, brown, and Asian and Pacific Islander families.

Empowering Diverse Students in Mathematics: A Pathway to Equity and Excellence

Date & Time: Thursday, October 05 at 2 pm ET

In this 20-minute DA Ed Talk, the Coordinator of Educational Technology from the Birmingham City Schools in Alabama will outline some actionable strategies and insights for leveling the playing field in mathematics education in any school district through engagement, motivation, and support.

Online Learning vs. Remote Learning: Strategies for Success in Each Model

Date & Time: Thursday, September 28 at 2 pm ET

This 20-minute Ed Talk will outline the pros and cons of synchronous online learning and asynchronous remote learning, how to successfully implement each model to better meet the needs of students, and highlight some of the solutions, tools and platforms that can help to create effective online or remote learning environments. 

Did Vermont officials quash local school mask mandates? Inquiring feds want to know

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is investigating allegations that Vermont state officials improperly prevented school districts from requiring masks to slow Covid-19 transmission.

Conservative groups warn voucher school financial data could be misinterpreted

School Choice Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty say an online dashboard to display public school finances is necessary for transparency, but the groups are fighting against the inclusion of data from voucher schools.

Terms of Tulsa superintendent’s separation released with incoming leader’s employment agreement

Deborah Gist will receive a lump sum severance payment of $199,913.36, equal to nine months of her current base salary.

Houston ISD’s Mike Miles doubles down on open-door classroom policy

Miles said requiring teachers to leave their doors open during class time is about administrators observing the quality of instruction.

American classrooms need more educators. Can virtual teachers step in to bridge the gap?

Most observers, including some providers of these very services, agree this isn’t ideal. Students with virtual teachers often say they like the classes but would prefer the instruction to be in-person.

Over 30 new LGBTQ education laws are in effect as students go back to school

Students and teachers have to contend with a variety of restrictions on LGBTQ content and bathroom and pronoun use.