Wash. lawmakers to compromise on high school graduation tests

Under the deal announced, high school students would need to complete the language arts and math exams as sophomores starting in 2019. High school students currently take those tests in the 11th grade. The deal also would delay the requirement that students pass a biology exam until 2021. Read more>>

When schools in Fairfax County open next fall, students and teachers are expected to contend with larger class sizes. Hundreds of teachers will go without raises they were anticipating. Alternative schools are bracing to trim programs. Facing a revenue shortfall, the county school board slashed more than $50 million from its spending plan last month, forcing cuts in the 188,000-student district. Read more>>

Gov. Larry Hogan has appointed four new state school board members, whose stated support for school charters and more stringent academic accountability reflects the governors own thinking on education. Hogan appointees are now a majority of the 11 member board. Read more>>

Schools will see an increase of between $60 and $120 per pupil under a budget that got final approval in the Senate. The increase means the lowest amount a district could receive is $7,631 per pupil. The budget also provides additional funding for schools to meet the needs of at-risk students and students who speak little or no English. Read more>>

Data from 162 Arizona school districts, accounting for 46,000 teachers and about 80 percent of the state's 1.1 million public school students in the 2016-2017 term, shows that 22 percent of those teachers lacked full qualifications. Many in that 22 percent did have a college education and teacher training, but had less than two years in the classroom. Read more>>

Republican lawmakers and the head of the teachers’ union are protesting the planned reallocation of some state aid. Their common goal right now is fighting a $171 million plan that in boosting aid to 380 districts also reduces it from 126 others by reallocating $46 million of what had been promised to schools in early March. Read more>>

North Carolina has gotten by with going on the cheap in many ways in public education, and it’s been lucky not to face teacher shortages. But unless the state does something to address issues such as teacher transfers and the perils of having inexperienced teachers in classrooms where experience is needed most, that reputation is going to be at risk. Read more>>

Our nation was built through the strong contributions of immigrants and we cannot turn our backs on the next generation. Immigration status should not be a factor in whether children can attend school. We cannot deny any child who calls our nation home the opportunity to learn and thrive. Read more>>

There is an explosion of knowledge regarding concussions' effects. Just as important is the growing awareness among the public of the severity of brain injuries, even though they often show very little outward symptoms. That awareness is particularly important for parents. Read more>>

Atomic Learning and Versifit are uniting to form Hoonuit, a comprehensive suite of products that allows educators to tap into intuitive data analytics and professional development courses. Its first solution, Early Warning, uses predictive analytics to allow educators to observe behavior, implement interventions and take action all in one central place. Read more>>

Future Ready Librarians (FRL), formed by Future Ready Schools a year ago, announced a micro-credential for librarians. Set to be piloted by five school districts in the fall, Empowering Students as Creators has been developed by Follett’s Project Connect, the Alliance for Excellent Education and Digital Promise. Read more>>

Discovery Education announced a renewal of its 17-year partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB). This collaboration will give educators across Georgia access to Discovery Education Streaming Plus, a digital service supplementing instruction across all K12 curricular areas. Read more>>

Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System Board of Education has chosen an internal employee to become the new superintendent. Assistant Superintendent Rane Garcia will replace Alena Zachery-Ross, who will be Okemos Public Schools' new superintendent. Read more>>

The Pennsylvania school district has selected the superintendent of the Hazleton Area School District to be its next leader. Craig B. Butler will take over from Monica McHale-Small, who is retiring this summer. Read more>>

Johnny Rowland Jr. has been serving as Webster Parish School System's interim new superintendent and has now been named as superintendent of schools. He replaces Dan Rawls, who retired in April. Read more>>