DA Staff

With ban on mask mandates, Texas teachers fear COVID-19 surge as school year nears

"It's coming down to personal choice and personal responsibility and really letting people decide if they believe in the science or not," one teacher said.

Detroit public schools, teachers reach agreement to return to classrooms

The agreement also gives teachers and auxiliary staff members hazard pay of up to $2,000, as well as another $2,000 if teachers need to work with students in a blended learning environment -- in-person learners coupled with online learners.

Louisiana social studies standards review sparks controversy

A routine update of Louisiana’s social studies standards for K-12 public schools has been delayed amid criticism the proposed benchmarks would paint an overly negative picture of America on race relations and other issues.

California school district offers signing bonus to get teachers in classrooms

San Juan Unified is offering up $2,000 in a signing bonus to get teachers in the classroom.

How California plans to deter costly special education disputes

Fund is meant to help parents and schools settle differences before heading to court.

Catholic school lawsuit claims mask mandate shields ‘God’s image and likeness’

"Unfortunately, a mask shields our humanity," the lawsuit read. "And because God created us in His image, we are masking that image."

Hawaii schools found to have high levels of lead in tap water

Statewide, 4% of the water sources tested were found to have an unacceptably high level of lead – 15 parts per billion.

Brooklyn high school for Black girls has 100% college acceptance rate

The school focuses on girls from underserved and marginalized communities, and is located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Over 90% of the girls at BELA self-identify as Black.

Utah sheriff to hold active-shooter training for teachers

Topics covered during the Teacher Academy training will include tactical emergency medical techniques, weapons familiarization, Utah concealed carry certification, tactical de-escalation, self-defense and live range-shooting.

Chicago Public Schools remove dozens of cops, shifting $2M from school policing

This was the second consecutive year Local School Councils voted on whether to maintain school police programs – but this time they had other options.

Hugs, concern as first California schools fully return to in-person classes

California was one of the slowest states in the country to reopen its public schools after the pandemic forced millions into online learning for more than a year.

Missouri holds hearing on education and race, with no Black voices

The invite-only hearing was mostly critics of critical race theory. The state NAACP president called it "ridiculous."

Report: More Tennesseans of color walk away from teaching profession if they fail first licensure test

The data, which NCTQ officials say is being released for the first time, offers important insights for Tennessee in its push to replenish, strengthen, and diversify its workforce of 61,000-plus public school teachers – and to have an effective teacher in every classroom.

School leaders are doubling down on mental health first aid training

Mental health professionals and doctors around the globe are warning that after more than a year of stress, isolation, grief, and fear, students will not simply spring back into school.