Report slams Texas’ underfunding of public schools

By John Austin   Jul 29, 2018 AUSTIN — Texas’ school-age population is the nation’s fastest-growing, with about 850,000 new pupils in the past decade, but over the same period, the state cut public-education spending by $2.5 billion. The cuts are second only to Florida’s, according to a new report from the American Federation of Teachers,…

Lawsuit challenges education amendment on Florida ballot

By Mary Ellen Klas Jul. 12, 2018 A constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would allow charter school organizers to bypass local school boards to get approval is “intentionally misleading” because it doesn’t directly explain to voters that the amendment is designed to circumvent local control and intentionally leaves out the word “charter,” a lawsuit…

Why Republicans are now bragging about their investments in education

By Michael Scherer March 25, 2018 Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who made his name attacking unions and slashing school funding, is promising a “historic investment” in public schools as he campaigns for reelection. Florida Gov. Rick Scott, another proud cost-cutter, is bragging about his more recent increases to school funding as he prepares to launch a…

With all eyes on Janus, a similar case in California meets quiet defeat — for now

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Franciso on Monday dismissed Bain v. California Teachers Association. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Mario Koran June 11, 2018 While the nation is anxiously watching for a decision on Janus v. AFSCME, a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could determine whether government unions can continue to charge non-members…

Teacher pay and school outcomes don’t have to compete for state dollars

 June 17, 2018  School budgets and teacher contracts should focus on making sure every child in Washington gets a good education that prepares them for college and career. By  Seattle Times editorial board The Seattle Times The school year might be ending, but many districts and teachers unions across Washington are negotiating their first contracts…

Here’s a low-cost strategy that could help address teacher shortages

BY DAN GOLDHABER AND CYRUS GROUT, OPINION CONTRIBUTORS —  06/18/18  THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL Concerns about teacher shortages are a prominent feature of today’s educational landscape. While there aren’t shortages across the board, states are clearly hurting when it comes to hiring in some subject…

Superintendent Stunned Conference By Blaming Racism For Detroit Public Schools Crisis

Students in the predominantly Black school system are “treated like second-class citizens.” Written By Nigel Roberts June 4, 2018 etroit schools superintendent, who’s white, shocked a group of state leaders with the unvarnished truth that racism is at the core of the city’s failed public school system. SEE ALSO: WATCH: Michigan Educators Expose Hazardous School Conditions In…

Educators rally in Charlotte:

Hundreds of Charlotte-area teachers gathered in uptown Wednesday to rally while thousands of teachers across the state protested in Raleigh.  EDUCATION BY LAVENDRICK SMITH   May 16, 2018 05:18 PM Updated 4 hours 59 minutes ago Dwayne Simmons had one thing on his mind as he stood in the blistering heat of First Ward Park:…

North Carolina schools prepare to close as teachers flock to state Capitol

By Moriah Balingit May 15 at 7:58 PM North Carolina teachers plan to descend Wednesday on the statehouse in Raleigh to rally for more public school funding, a protest expected to keep hundreds of thousands of students out of the classroom. The state becomes the latest to see teachers leave schools en masse to confront state…

The one way North Carolina’s teacher rally Wednesday could spark change

Kentucky teachers rally last month. Rallies in Kentucky, Colorado, Arizona and elsewhere have encouraged North Carolina teachers, who will rally in Raleigh on Wednesday. Bryan Woolston AP photo BY THE OBSERVER EDITORIAL BOARD May 15, 2018 10:11 AM   Will the 15,000 N.C. teachers gathering in Raleigh Wednesday for the largest teachers rally in state history succeed?…