Mayoral control could see extension, as lawmakers, Hochul near budget deal
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a record high $35.9 billion allocation to NYC public schools. She is aiming to extend mayoral control over NYC schools. [ more ]
The Portland Teachers' Strike Is Over. The Conversation About Oregon's Education System Is Just Heating Up.
The recent Portland Public Schools (PPS) teachers' strike sparked broader conversations about labor and statewide education funding.
The new contract between PPS and the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) did not meet all of the union's demands, but many teachers are satisfied with the result. [ more ]
Santa Clara County education office earns an 'F', unions say - San Jose Spotlight
Parents, teachers, and residents give the Santa Clara County Office of Education a failing grade.
The Association of County Educators and SEIU Local 521 issued a report card criticizing the county for not properly utilizing $85 million to address education issues.
This is the first time a report card like this has been issued, highlighting areas of improvement needed in the county's education system. [ more ]
Austin ISD plans to cut at least $30 million from its next budget - Austin Monitor
Austin ISD aims to reduce its $60 million deficit by half for the next school year, working to minimize impact on classrooms amid statewide budget challenges. [ more ]
Taxing the Rich, School Funding, Housing: N.Y. Budget Battle Begins
Lawmakers in New York State Legislature support free bus rides, new taxes on the wealthy, and allowing alcohol in movie theaters.
Budget proposals by Senate and Assembly in New York reveal debates around taxing the rich, tenant protections, and school funding, seeking consensus with Governor Kathy Hochul's spending plan. [ more ]
Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
Biden seeks $750 Pell Grant increase as shortfall looms
President Biden seeks $2.1B increase for Pell Grant, aiming to avoid eligibility cuts. Current projections show a $1.3B shortfall in fiscal year 2025, with an additional $2.1B needed to bridge the gap. [ more ]
Alameda's school tax Measure E passing with slim majority Wednesday
Measure E, a parcel tax for Alameda's public schools, was winning with a majority, providing significant funding for the district.
The funds generated by Measure E would account for 20% of the annual budget for Alameda Unified School District for the next nine fiscal years. [ more ]
Taylor Swift 'Eras Tour' Guitar Fetches Thousands for School | Entrepreneur
Taylor Swift's guitar was raffled off for charity, raising $35,000 for Shade Tree Academy in Arizona.
The funds raised will support trauma-focused education for children impacted by foster care and help expand the school's capacity to enroll more students. [ more ]
One-on-one outreach shows promise in cutting school absenteeism
Regular school attendance has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 30% of public school students being chronically absent in the 2021-2022 school year.
Experts believe that lack of connection to school is a major factor contributing to high rates of absenteeism. [ more ]
Some schools still refusing to enrol new pupils unless 'voluntary' contributions of up to 550 are paid
Some public schools in Ireland are conditioning acceptance letters on the payment of contributions, despite the Department of Education stating this is not allowed.
Charities are advocating for the abolition of voluntary contributions, as lower-income parents struggle to afford them. [ more ]
Islington Council 'could have to shut good school' as half-empty primary stays open
Islington Council may be forced to close another school due to the closure of a half-empty 'inadequate' school being blocked by the Department for Education.
The council is trying to manage the excess of school places in the area and ensure the remaining schools are financially viable. [ more ]
The Uber Rich Are Funding "National School Choice Week" to Attack Public Schools
National School Choice Week is funded by the Gleason Family Foundation, a superrich family with a fortune dating back to 1865.
Tracy Gleason, the president of the foundation, pays herself a high salary while her spouse and other board members receive significant compensation. [ more ]
Two suburban Catholic schools to close months after scholarship tax credit program expires, Archdiocese says
Two Catholic grade schools, St. Frances of Rome School and St. Odilo School, will close this summer due to the expiration of the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program.
More than half of the students at the closing schools relied on the tax credit scholarships to attend, putting the schools in a financial crisis. [ more ]
Labour Party plans to make tackling poor school attendance a top priority if it forms the next government.
Plans include using AI to spot trends in absence and implementing measures such as a register for home-schooled pupils and free breakfast clubs for all primary-aged children in England. [ more ]
Pupils celebrate free school meals as more than 17 million meals already provided this term
Over 17 million free school meals have been funded for state primary school children in London this school term thanks to £135 million funding from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
This funding has helped up to 287,000 children each day since September. [ more ]