Mar 24 Watch 9:42 States call in the National Guard to mitigate school staffing shortages By Amna Nawaz, Karina Cuevas For two years, the pandemic has hammered schools and accentuated the staffing shortages they are facing. It’s led to enormous problems with teacher morale, burnout, school closures and learning losses. But some states are using the National Guard to fill… Continue watching
Mar 24 Federal judge sides with 12 disabled kids seeking masks in schools By Sarah Rankin, Associated Press A federal judge says 12 Virginia schoolchildren who are particularly vulnerable to getting sick from COVID-19 can seek a "reasonable accommodation" such as requiring their classmates to wear masks. Continue reading
Mar 24 Supreme Court reject Texas college official's claim that censure violates free speech rights By Associated Press A unanimous Supreme Court has ruled against an elected public college official in Texas who complained his colleagues' censure of his actions violated his free speech rights. Continue reading
Mar 23 Thousands of Sacramento teachers strike as Minneapolis walkout continues By Steve Karnowski, Olga R. Rodriguez, Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press The California capital is the second major U.S. school district this month to see a work stoppage over pay and staffing shortages. In Minneapolis, teachers are in their third week of a strike. Continue reading
Mar 22 Utah's Republican governor becomes latest to veto transgender sports ban By Lindsay Whitehurst, Sam Metz, Associated Press Utah's governor vetoed a ban on transgender students playing girls' sports on Tuesday, becoming the second Republican governor to reject such legislation this week. Continue reading
Mar 17 FBI investigating 6 suspects after bomb threats at Black colleges By Collin Binkley, Associated Press More than a third of America's 101 historically Black colleges and universities have been targeted by calls or emails threatening bombings since early January. Continue reading
Mar 16 Talking to kids about nuclear tensions? Experts advise telling the truth By Leanne Italie, Associated Press Questions about nuclear weapons can sometimes make this moment feel reminiscent of growing up during the Cold War. Experts and parents recommend speaking simply with younger kids who ask questions but avoiding detailed discussions of scary topics. Continue reading
Mar 11 Texas judge blocks investigations of transgender youth's parents By Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press District Judge Amy Clark Meachum issued a temporary injunction Friday preventing the state from enforcing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's directive that compels the Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate. Continue reading
Mar 10 Watch 6:40 Nationwide effort to ban books challenges freedom of speech By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport, Alison Thoet Advocates are sounding the alarm about a set of measures that they say target teaching and writing related to LGBTQ issues, race and freedom of speech. Around the country, efforts to ban specific books or even whole categories of books… Continue watching
Mar 10 School officials struggle with how to feed students as omnibus bill skips meal waivers By Laura Santhanam Pandemic-era waivers cut bureaucratic red tape and made it easier for schools to feed vulnerable children. But those waivers are set to expire on June, 30, leaving schools scrambling for food amid supply chain constraints. Continue reading