September 26, 2018 Jennifer Chambers, Korie Wilkins was happy with the small class sizes at her son’s elementary school for the last three years. Then the Rochester Community Schools parent heard a number this month that stopped her in her tracks: 30. “There are 30 kids in his class,” Wilkins said. “He has never had…
Category: Higher Education
Austin ISD considers increasing class sizes to save money
October 8, 2018 Tom Miller AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin ISD is considering increasing the student to teacher ratio next year at campuses throughout the district in an effort to reduce its multi-million dollar budget deficit. Under the proposal, kindergarten through fourth-grade classes could grow by as many as two students, increasing to 24 per teacher. Middle…
State Board of Education Adopts Act 46 Forced Merger Guidelines
Foreground, from left: Vermont Agency of Education staff members Donna Russo-Savage, Brad James and Emily Simmons face the State Board of Education at a meeting in Bethel on Tuesday. HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN OCT 3, 2018 After an all-day meeting Tuesday in Bethel, the State Board of Education has adopted a set of guidelines to help steer…
It’s been a tough few years for Florida teachers. Will a new union leader shake things up?
BY COLLEEN WRIGHT AND EMILY L. MAHONEY October 12, 2018 08:07 AM Top education leaders have spent years pleading, lobbying and rallying at the state capitol, but Tallahassee lawmakers keep making life harder and harder for Florida’s public school teachers. The Florida Education Association advocates for the state’s nearly 200,000 educators, but it…
Voter Guide 2018: Amendment 73: Quality Public Education Fund Amendment
Author: Philip Maravilla October 9, 2018 Amendment 73 would change the state constitution and state law on how tax revenue is raised to fund public education, from preschool to grade 12. Amendment 73 would establish the Quality Public Education Fund. Money from the fund would supplement public education funding appropriated through the general fund. The measure is projected…
Stacey Abrams: I want to be Georgia’s ‘Public Education Governor’
KEVIN D. LILES/KEVIN D. LILES/KEVINDLILES.COM Stacey Abrams’ mother dropped out of school at age 8, but a neighbor prodded her to go back where, with the encouragement of caring teachers, she became the valedictorian of her high school. Abrams says that is the redemptive power of public education. Abrams is shown here with her parents…
Understanding Amendment 73: Funding Public Education
Sarah Ferguson Oct 11, 2018 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Election day is less than a month away now and we want to start breaking down some of the amendments you’ll be voting on this November. Amendment 73 aims to increase funding for K-12 Public Education by establishing tax brackets, or raising taxes for certain…
There are still fewer public school teachers than there were before the Great Recession, and that’s a problem
Quentin Fortrell Oct 5, 2018 Earlier this year, teachers in Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia protested for better wages and school funding J Pat Carter/Getty ImagesElla Roach holds a protest sign in support of her teacher, Kimberly Cox, during a rally in Oklahoma City last April. She was one of thousands of teachers demanding…
OPINION: Public school buildings belong to public school students — including charter students
Nina Rees October 03, 2018 As children conclude their first weeks of school across America, how do you envision their school buildings? The traditional brick-front building with big windows and rows of tidy desks? A more modern structure with laptops at workstations and a dual-use gym and theater? How about an abandoned big box store…
Public school teachers ask for support with amendment vote
HONOLULU (KHON2) – Public school teachers across the state held a protest in the form of sign-waving and walk-ins Tuesday morning before school. They’re asking the public to support schools and keiki by voting “yes” for the constitutional amendment set to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. The question asks whether the legislature should create a surcharge on investment…
Standing Strong for Public Education! 