Voters approve additional public education funding in several states

CASEY QUINLAN NOV 7, 2018 Voters across the country on Tuesday made ballot decisions to help fund public schools, which are increasingly starved for resources. Most of them were successful, with six education initiatives passing overall, in places like Seattle, Washington; Georgia; Maryland; Montana; and two in the state of Maine. Four education initiatives were…

Here’s what Tennessee’s next governor says about K-12 education

BY MARTA W. ALDRICH November 7, 2018 Republican businessman Bill Lee promised to bring “fresh ideas” on public education to Tennessee, and he’ll now get the chance as the state’s 50th governor. In handily defeating Democrat and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean on Tuesday, the Williamson County millionaire and first-time candidate is poised to replace fellow…

PROGRESSIVES WIN ON MEDICAID EXPANSION, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND VOTING RIGHTS THROUGH BALLOT INITIATIVES

Rachel M. Cohen November 7 2018, FROM STATE LEGISLATIVE races to the House of Representatives, progressive candidates made a dent in the 2018 election season, and will be relatively well-represented in federal and state-level governments next year. But it’s not just elected office: Left-wing activists also made their voices heard through ballot initiatives across the country. On…

Colorado Amendment 73, Tax Increase For Public Education, Has Failed

BY COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO STAFF NOV 6, 2018 Voters rejected Amendment 73, which would have raised money for Colorado’s public schools by increasing income, corporate and property taxes. Great Education Colorado director and measure supporter Lisa Weil said she knew Amendment 73 would be an uphill battle. “Adequate funding, fighting for equitable funding and making sure that…

School support workers vote to strike in rural district in Washington state

By Hector Cordon 6 November 2018 School support staff in the North Thurston Public School (NTPS) district in Washington state voted to authorize strike action last week against the refusal of the district to provide adequate wage increases and a state law prohibiting public employees from striking. With nearly 15,000 students the district encompasses 74…

From South Carolina to California, charter school-loving billionaires are plowing money into midterm local and education races

By Valerie Strauss November 5 at 4:44 PM In Charleston, S.C., advocates for the public school district are worried. They have watched some of the state’s wealthiest people — including billionaire financier Ben Navarro — form a coalition this year to back school board candidates who support a broad expansion of charter schools. The Charleston Coalition…