NJ Spotlight--Local Politics in New Jersey Takes Ugly Turn with Racist Fliers
Anonymous mailers call for candidates in Edison school board race to be deported, warn that Hoboken mayoral candidate is a terrorist
The political climate in the lead-up to the 2017 election has become so divisive, particularly as it relates to immigration and sanctuary cities, that experts say it has emboldened some to overt displays of racism and xenophobia. This is exemplified not just by anonymous mailers that were circulated in local Edison and Hoboken elections, but also by a heightened sensitivity to anything that could be perceived as intolerance.
Carly Sitrin | November 7, 2017
NJ Spotlight--New Lighthouse District Initiative Shines Light on Top Schools
Rollout of initial recipients spotlights small districts that are very smart about how they use data to tune curriculum, teacher advancement
As New Jersey has monitored its public schools over the years, the attention — and often the debate — have always been on sanctions and interventions imposed on districts and schools that fail to perform.
It’s seen in the scores of schools being labeled “priority” or “in need of improvement” under a range of monitoring systems in recent years, as well whole districts taken over by the state decades ago.
John Mooney | November 7, 2017
Star Ledger--Pro-ISIS group hacks N.J. school website, posts recruitment video
BLOOMFIELD -- A hack of a company popularly used to host school district websites posted a pro-ISIS video on the sites, officials said Monday.
According to an alert sent out by the Bloomfield Public School District, its site, hosted by School Desk, was one of hundreds of sites across the country that fell victim to the hack at about 4 a.m. Monday.
"For about two hours, our web sites displayed an ISIS-sponsored YouTube video. Around 6 a.m., the hacked page was brought down and by about 7 a.m., full functionality and control were restored," the district wrote in a notice posted on its restored website.
Jessica Mazzola| Updated Nov 6, 5:43 PM; Posted Nov 6, 5:38 PM
NY Times--Competition Is Ruining Childhood. The Kids Should Fight Back.
Like the crack of a starting pistol, November begins the official college application season. But for students, this race started long ago.
Many of today’s kids have lived their entire lives, from sunup until midnight, in a fierce tournament with their peers. (I was one of them. A decade after graduation, I still can’t think of a period when I’ve worked harder than in high school.) From kindergarten to 12th grade, schools brag about how “competitive” they are. That means it’s not enough for students to do their best. Whether in the classroom, on the athletic field or at home on the computer, they must always be better. Youth has become a debilitating endurance test.
Malcolm Harris| NOV. 6, 2017
Education Week-- Teachers Would Lose $250 Deduction for Classroom Materials Under GOP Tax Bill
The tax bill proposed by Republican leaders yesterday scraps a benefit that many teachers have come to rely on: the $250 "educator expense deduction," which can be used to recoup the cost of classroom materials.
K-12 teachers who spend money out-of-pocket on books, supplies, professional development courses, and computer equipment and software for their classrooms can claim the deduction each year, according to the IRS. Health and physical education teachers can also use it for athletic supplies. Counselors, principals, and aides who incurred such expenses can claim the deduction as well. In 2015, Congress extended the benefit indefinitely.
Liana Loewus on November 3, 2017 9:55 AM