COMMENTARY: Still committed to public education

The Monitor Board of Contributors – June 7, 2020 Last session, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3 to invest more state dollars in our classrooms and give a much-needed salary increase to our teachers. With the coronavirus pandemic, we have learned to appreciate even more the role of our schools and teachers. Unfortunately, given the…

Elementary principals urge Congress to boost school aid amid COVID-19

BY L. EARL FRANKS — 06/11/20 by © Getty Images The coronavirus outbreak continues to send shockwaves through health and economic systems around the globe. No aspect of society has been spared, including our nation’s public education system. This spring, at least 124,000 K-12 schools closed, causing significant disruptions in learning for more than 55 million students. Principals…

A tale of two ZIP codes: COVID-19 exposes deep disparities in U.S. schools

“All COVID has done is put a magnifying glass on inequity in this country,” said Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Xavier Prater, 17, a Grosse Pointe South High School student, with his laptop outside his father’s home in Detroit.Brittany Greeson / for NBC NewsJune 8, 2020, 4:11 PM CDTBy Kenzi Abou-Sabe,…

Teachers brace for layoffs in unprecedented times

Layoff notifications in Randolph, Brookline, and other school districts spark concerns By Meghan E. Irons  June 8, 2020 Public school teachers and staff across Massachusetts are bracing for the most extensive school layoffs the state has seen in years as districts begin handing out pink slips to reduce costs in the face of possible deep budget…

Petition asks Portland school board to end use of police in high schools

More than 800 parents, teachers and students have signed the request asking Portland schools to terminate an agreement with the Portland Police Department for the use of two school resource officers. BY RACHEL OHM The use of school resource officers is coming under renewed scrutiny in Portland Public Schools as cities and school districts around the…

How to Reopen America’s Schools

Many questions remain as experts weigh options for getting children back into the classroom. By The Editorial Board The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstandingvalues. It is separate from the newsroom. June 6, 2020 Parents who have watched their children struggle with online…