NJ Spotlight--NJ School Districts Asking Voters for $320M for Renovations and Repair
Projects in 15 districts range from windows and ceiling tiles to building expansion, high-tech installations, and enhancements to make schools world class
Fifteen New Jersey school districts are asking voters today to approve more than $320 million in school construction and renovation projects that range from fixing ceilings that are raining tiles and debris to realigning schools to upgrading and enhancing facilities to make them among the best in the state.
Most commonly, the proposals seek to expand buildings, renovate classes, provide new technology, upgrade security, and make needed health and safety repairs.
Colleen O'Dea | September 26, 2017
Star Ledger--Can N.J. schools punish students for NFL-style 'take a knee' protests?
When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines last year by kneeling in silent protest during the national anthem at NFL games, student athletes at several New Jersey high schools took notice and did the same at their local football games.
This weekend, "take a knee" exploded back into the news as about 200 NFL players sat or kneeled in protest at Sunday games in response to President Donald Trump's call for players who disrespect the anthem to be fired.
The protest has already spread to baseball players, national anthem singers, a high school football team in Seattle and singer Stevie Wonder, who kneeled at a New York concert.
Here is a rundown of what rules apply in New Jersey schools.
Kelly Heyboer | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com| Posted September 25, 2017 at 04:00 PM | Updated September 25, 2017 at 05:23 PM
AP-- Trump directs Ed secretary to prioritize computer science
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday directed his education secretary to prioritize science and technology education and spend at least $200 million annually on competitive grants so schools can broaden access to computer science education in particular.
During an Oval Office appearance, where he was surrounded by students from local schools, Trump said more than half of U.S. high schools don’t teach computer programming and that nearly 40 percent don’t offer physics.
He said more widespread access to such instruction will help students develop the skills they need to compete and win in tomorrow’s workforce.
DARLENE SUPERVILLE| September 26, 2017
Education Week--Can Minority-Serving Colleges Help Create a More-Diverse Teaching Force?
A disproportionate percentage of nonwhite teachers are prepared at schools that make up just 13 percent of all the teacher-preparation programs in the United States: minority-serving institutions.
That statistic should make the schools of education at minority-serving institutions, or MSIs—a term that encompasses historically black colleges and universities and other schools that serve predominately nonwhite populations—a major player in efforts to increase teacher diversity, educators say.
Only 20 percent of public school teachers are nonwhite, compared with over 50 percent of public school students. Thus, improving teacher diversity has been a growing area of national concern, with some states and districts also pledging to tackle the issue head on.
Madeline Will|September 19, 2017
NPR--Can Teaching Civics Save Democracy?
Young adults are losing faith in American democracy and have difficulty distinguishing between "fake news" and reliable news. That's according to a new research paper out from Tufts University.
The solution? Support civic learning programs in K-12 education at the state and local level, the researchers argue.
"We know that if you study civics in high school you are more likely to be an informed voter," says Peter Levine, co-author of the paper and an associate dean for research at Tufts.
The paper is part of an effort to reinvigorate civics classes in schools across the country. It was presented at a summit in Washington, D.C., that was attended by foundations, nonprofits, researchers and universities.
http://www.npr.org/2017/09/22/552665068/can-teaching-civics-save-democracy
Ariana Figueroa| September 22, 201712:50 PM ET