CER Daily Media Clips

Your Daily News Clips for August, 31 2021

CER Daily Media Clips for August 31, 2021

COVID-19 Spurs School Choice Legislation — Missouri, 4 Other States Pass Education Savings Acc

Aug 31, 2021 | The 74 | school choice | National

As the new school year ramps up, much of the national attention is focused on mask mandates and how aspects of U.S. history will be taught. But away from the spotlight, the issue of school choice is quietly gaining acceptance, with seven states passing legislation this year that assists parents in at least partially funding their children’s education outside of public schools.

The U.S. Education Department is investigating five states over their mask mandate bans.

Aug 31, 2021 | New York Times | other education issues | National

The Education Department has initiated investigations into five states whose prohibitions on universal mask mandates in schools may run afoul of civil rights laws protecting students with disabilities, federal officials announced Monday.

Poll: Across Political Spectrum, Appetite for Change in Education is Down

Aug 31, 2021 | The 74 | school choice | National

In its first public opinion poll on education policy since the start of the pandemic, the journal Education Next finds that support for a number of highly visible school reforms is flagging. Between 2019, the last time the survey was conducted, and this past spring, backing for increased school spending, academic standards, public charter schools and most forms of vouchers fell by statistically significant increments.

The number of homeschooled kids in America has doubled during the pandemic

Aug 31, 2021 | Axios | homeschooling | National

Some parents have lost faith in traditional schools, others fear exposing their kids to the coronavirus — and the broad exodus could further weaken America's struggling public education system.

Opinion: From a former teachers union employee: Embrace school choice

Aug 31, 2021 | Washington Examiner | school choice | National

This country does a disservice by not empowering educators to lead in their classrooms. I remember the countless conversations with my former colleagues about how to help teachers manage burnout, large classroom sizes, and professional development. We worked long and hard at finding ways to prevent teachers from leaving the profession within their first two years of employment. The system was awful.

From crisis response to sustainable solution? What’s next for school and community-driven lear

Aug 31, 2021 | LA School Report | learning pods | National

This summer, as COVID-19 vaccinations increased, it seemed like the major impetus for these efforts was fading from view. We turned to our existing database of 372 school district- and community-driven learning pods to answer this question: How sustainable is the learning pod movement?

Gov. Cooper signs bill allowing N.C. schools to shift to remote learning if necessary due to a COVID

Aug 31, 2021 | WBTV | remote learning | States, South, North Carolina

The bill also says school districts need to vote at least once a month on whether their mask policies should be modified.

Poll Shows Overall, Indy Voters Support Choice, Charter and Vouchers

Aug 31, 2021 | WIBC | school choice | States, Midwest, Indiana

A survey conducted by Indy Politics and ARW Strategies of registered voters in Marion County between August 13th and 23rd shows voters unimpressed with the direction of public schools in Marion County, supporting school choice, and largely concerned about their children’s safety as they return to the classroom as the pandemic carries on.

LPS has $61.4 million in federal relief money to spend. Here’s how the district plans to use it.

Aug 31, 2021 | Journal Star | federal budget | Towns, States, Midwest, Nebraska

Lincoln Public Schools would extend the school day for some students, add more therapists and update curriculum, among other proposals for its massive influx of federal coronavirus relief dollars.

As school nears and Delta cases spike, families who want remote school don’t have a choice

Aug 31, 2021 | Boston Globe | online learning | States, Northeast, Massachusetts

Massachusetts parents are scrambling for other schooling options just days before some campuses are scheduled to open amid a surge in coronavirus cases, leaving some of them scared without any education alternative.

Pittsburgh charter school sees drastic rise in enrollment

Aug 31, 2021 | WPXI-TV | charter schools | Towns, States, Northeast, Pennsylvania

Enrollment at the Urban Academy, the black-led charter school in Larimer, has sky-rocketed with more than 100 children on the waiting list hoping to get a seat inside a classroom.

West Virginia to provide $150 back-to-school vouchers for vaccinated grandfamilies

Aug 31, 2021 | The Center Square | fund families | States, South, West Virginia

West Virginia families, in which the grandparents are the primary providers for the children, will be eligible to receive $150 back-to-school vouchers if the grandparents and the children receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Chester Upland’s new receiver is supported by a charter that sought to take over district scho

Aug 31, 2021 | Philadelphia Inquirer | charter schools | Towns, States, Northeast, Pennsylvania

The judge’s selection of Nafis Nichols has worried teachers and community members concerned about further erosion of a district already heavily dominated by charters.

Loudoun Parents Press for Virtual Options Amid Classroom Quarantines, Rising COVID Cases

Aug 31, 2021 | Loudoun Now | online learning | Towns, States, South, Virginia

Three days into the new school year, multiple classes across the Loudoun County school district are quarantining because of COVID cases, and parents are pressing for more transparency in case reporting and for the option to switch from in-person to virtual learning.

Mandan Virtual Academy offers flexibility for students

Aug 31, 2021 | KFYR | online learning | Towns, States, Midwest, North Dakota

Virtual learning options have been available for Mandan Public Schools students since the beginning of the pandemic. While most students are back in the classroom, instructors said virtual learning remains a good fit for many.

Texas is one step closer to funding virtual learning, but could leave out many students of color

Aug 31, 2021 | KXXV | online learning | States, South, Texas

After months in limbo during a new pandemic wave, Texas lawmakers passed a bill Monday afternoon that will expand and fund virtual learning, but it would exclude students who failed their STAAR exams.

Students and Teachers Got Better at Online Learning. Now It’s Here to Stay.

Aug 31, 2021 | Voice of San Diego | online learning | Towns, States, West, California

Schools across San Diego will be reopening their campuses in person. But a lot of students never went back last spring, and many of them will have more options than ever.

Opinion: Giving parents more educational choices benefits us all

Aug 31, 2021 | The Keene Sentinel | school choice | States, Northeast, New Hampshire

Public schools were closed, but charter schools were fully subscribed, as were many private schools. The situation was ripe for providing an alternative way to provide education for our children.

Safety vs. access: Some Tennessee parents feel stuck with tough choices

Aug 31, 2021 | WTVC-TV | school districts | Towns, States, South, Tennessee

With fewer remote learning options allowed by the state this year, and Hamilton County and the governor giving parents the option to opt-out of wearing masks, some special needs families feel stuck between keeping their kids safe and getting them the best education possible.

Pittsburgh Public Schools families in seat gap caused by driver shortage eligible

Aug 31, 2021 | WTAE | fund families | Towns, States, Northeast, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Public Schools said the families of the nearly 650 students who were notified that their students fall in the 'seat gap' are eligible to receive a daily reimbursement for transporting their students to and from school until the district can secure a driver for the route.

Philly teachers’ contract down to the wire: ‘We’re not at all close’

Aug 31, 2021 | Philadelphia Inquirer | teachers unions | Towns, States, Northeast, Pennsylvania

Pacts for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and the Commonwealth Association of Administrators run through Tuesday.

Charlie Baker wants local school districts to decide on teacher vaccine mandates

Aug 31, 2021 | Boston.com | state policy | States, Northeast, Massachusetts

While some states have ordered teachers to get the vaccine, Baker says such decisions “belong to the local level.”

L.A. teachers union calls for vaccination mandate for eligible students, stricter quarantines

Aug 31, 2021 | Los Angeles Times | teachers unions | Towns, States, West, California

The Los Angeles teachers union is calling for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all eligible students and stricter quarantine rules while raising some objections to a new district mandate for online instruction when students are in quarantine.

Daily Headlines

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