EduClips: From Texas’s Dramatic Takeover of Houston Schools to the Learning Problems That Followed Flint’s Lead Poisoning, Education News You Missed This Week at America’s Top Districts
EduClips provides a compilation of the most important education news from the top 15 school districts in the United States. These districts cater to over 4 million students across 10 states. Previous editions of EduClips can be found here.
TEXAS — State Intervention in Houston ISD: The Texas State Education Agency announced its decision to take over the Houston Independent School District (HISD), which is one of the largest school districts in the country. This action is a result of the school board’s failure to effectively govern and the persistent academic struggles faced by Wheatley High School. State Education Commissioner Mike Morath will appoint a new school board and superintendent to oversee the district. This intervention did not come as a surprise, as reported by Aliyya Swaby. (Read more at The Texas Tribune)
VIRGINIA — Democratic Candidates Gain Control of Fairfax County School Board: The recent school board elections in Fairfax County, Virginia, witnessed a sweep by Democratic-backed candidates. Fairfax County is one of the largest school districts in the nation, with approximately 190,000 students and a yearly budget of $3 billion. Although the elections are officially nonpartisan, the campaigns were highly contested along party lines. One key issue that drove the competition was a proposal requiring district officials to consider students’ race and socioeconomic status when redrawing school boundaries. Republican-backed candidates made this proposal a central theme of their campaigns, as reported by Debbie Truong. Out of the 12 board members who will commence their four-year terms in January, eight are newcomers. (Read more at The Washington Post)
NATIONAL — Education Crisis in Flint: The lead crisis in Flint, Michigan has now spread from homes to schools. Students in the city are experiencing neurological and behavioral problems as a result, causing significant strain on the education system. Erica L. Green highlights the issues faced by schools in Flint, and points out that similar challenges are arising elsewhere. (Read more at The New York Times)
ILLINOIS — Status of Chicago Teachers Contract: Although students and teachers have returned to classrooms following the end of the 11-day Chicago teacher strike – the longest in the city since 1987 – the contract has not yet been finalized. Yana Kunichoff from Chalkbeat explains the remaining steps that the mayor, the teachers’ union, and their legal representatives need to complete in order to officially ratify the agreement. (Read more at Chalkbeat)
HAWAII — Expanding Swimming Opportunities for Hawaiian Students: A recent report highlights drowning as the third leading cause of death for children in Hawaii between 2014 and 2018. However, swimming lessons are often unaffordable for many families on the islands. To address this issue, individual schools are partnering with the Hawaii Aquatics Foundation to make swimming lessons and water safety more accessible to students in Hawaii. (Read more at Honolulu Civil Beat)
FLORIDA — Slow Progress on School Renovations: Despite receiving an $800 million bond from taxpayers five years ago to renovate 233 schools in Broward County, Florida, renovations have only been completed at eight schools. An analysis by Scott Travis reveals that most schools, which suffer from issues like leaky roofs, mold, and poor air quality, are still awaiting construction. (Read more at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
● Related from : Schools Have Lost $16B in Capital Funds Since the Great Recession. Those Buildings Are in Trouble — and That Means Problems for Students
Noteworthy Opinion & Analysis
TEACHER PAY: Can Early Childhood Education Programs Deliver if Lead Teachers Are Paid Less Than Dog Walkers? (Read at Education Week)
KID ECONOMICS: How Many Tootsie Rolls is a Snickers Bar Worth? Kids Have the Answer (Read at The Atlantic)
DISCIPLINE: Procedure Isn’t Enough: Insights from Advocating for Students at NYC Suspension Hearings (Read at Chalkbeat)
BOOK REVIEW: Transforming Navajo Nation High School to Foster College Aspirations (Read at The Hechinger Report)
What Else We’re Reading
ELECTIONS: Democrats Score Significant Wins in Kentucky and Virginia, while Education Reform Opponents Take Control in Denver (Read at )
RURAL SCHOOLS: Many Rural Districts Facing an Education "Emergency" (Read at Education Dive)
Exciting Update: Compassionate Ohio Mother Inspires Son’s Football Team to Assist Needy Players from a Local Team (Discover in Good Morning America)
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