Archive for August 2017
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August 31, 2017
Overcoming flash points of religious, ethnic studies
(Md.) As school boards throughout the country come face to face with parents upset about lessons students receive on Islam, a national curriculum authority has issued guidance is calling on districts to include instruction on religion as part of the social studies curriculum regardless of the local circumstances.
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August 31, 2017
Sept. deadline for CTE facilities bond money
(Calif.) Applications for a share of $125 million in state bond money for building or modernizing career technical education facilities can be submitted beginning Sept. 27 with final approving set for next spring.
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August 31, 2017
Consolidating funds–a few of the finer points
The Every Student Succeeds Act provides for flexibility when it comes to mixing and matching revenue streams but, as is invariably the case with federal money, there are rules. To paraphrase Dirty Harry, a good administrator always knows the limitations.
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August 30, 2017
After zero tolerance set aside, juvenile crime rate drops
(Calif.) As overall crime rates in California have risen, data also shows a steep decline in juvenile arrests and referrals between 2015 and 2016–a finding that could be linked to softer intervention measures.
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August 30, 2017
Florida’s LEAs undermining landmark teacher pay law
(Fla.) Despite landmark legislation adopted in 2011 intended to tie teacher pay to student performance, the vast majority of Florida’s classroom educators continue to receive ‘highly effective’ ratings while salary increases in many districts are granted with no connection to test scores.
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August 29, 2017
Special ed regulations changed by ESSA
With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, many administrative practices that have become standard will be modified or dramatically altered in the wake of its implementation. Many of these changes will be relevant to special educators.
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August 29, 2017
More bills fail to progress as legislative session winds down
(Calif.) Bills to expand access to mental health services in schools, prohibit the expulsion of preschoolers and require human trafficking prevention education all stalled in what was likely their last hearing this legislative session last week.
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August 29, 2017
Finding ways to extend benefits of costly pre-K services
(N.J.) The inability of many students to retain the benefits of a high-quality pre-kindergarten program after only a few years has posed a significant public policy conundrum for decades.
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August 28, 2017
State issues first-ever guidance on students with dyslexia
(Calif.) For the first time, school leaders and classroom teachers will have state sanctioned guidance on how to identify students with dyslexia as well as how best to address their educational needs.
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August 28, 2017
Early learners held-back may perform better through college
(Mass.) In a departure from past studies that urge parents to start their children in school on time, new research suggests children who start kindergarten later than their birthdate might dictate perform better academically—beginning in primary grades through college.
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