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Weekly News Round-Up for February 2nd
posted by: Melissa | February 02, 2018, 08:01 PM   

Each week, AAE brings its members a round-up of what’s happening in education. From big, eye-catching headlines to the stories most papers overlook, we find the news our members really want to see. This week, West Virginia teachers prepare to strike, a renewed emphasis on early childhood education, an accidental school shooting, and more.


West Virginia on Verge of Statewide Teacher Strike: This morning, teachers across the state of West Virginia, dressed in purple and stood on street corners waving signs. This is the latest in an increasingly contentious fight between the state’s teachers and the legislature. The issue driving the current controversy is a law that would nearly double how much teacher’s pay in healthcare each month, when teachers are already paid comparatively lowly. West Virginia ranks 48th in the nation for teacher pay. While the governor has proposed a plan that would both increase pay and help mitigate the health insurance spike, this proposal has not yet been adopted by the state’s legislature. The state’s various unions are working together to organize a response, including a threat to go on strike. Statewide strikes are rare. The only other time such a strike happened in West Virginia was 1990, when the state’s largest union, representing 47 of the state’s 55 counties, went on strike.


Early Childhood Education Takes Center Stage: The Council for Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has released a document supporting early childhood education and placing new emphasis on the nation’s youngest children. In recent years, states across the country have been making early childhood education a priority, with states like New Mexico promoting early childhood education as a way to encourage economic development. Non-profits have also been making efforts to increase early childhood education, which has resulted in additional funding like the recent $700,000 grant received by the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students.


12 Year-Old Detained in L.A. Shooting: There was yet another school shooting on Thursday. This time the shooting took place at a Los Angeles middle school. Two students sustained serious injuries in the incident while a twelve year-old female student was taken into custody. The shooting is believed to be an accident that occurred after students played with a gun they thought was fake. Many are questioning the district’s security in response to the shooting. L.A. schools are subject to both metal detectors and random searches.


Kentucky Education Commissioner Testifies on State Budget: Kentucky’s education commissioner, Stephen Pruitt, appeared before the state’s House Budget Review Subcommittee this week. Pruitt testified that the governor’s budget recommendations would severely impact several school districts, causing them to become insolvent. He called for modifications to the budget. The budget reduces funding for K-12 schools by $20.5 million which follows a cut of $6.7 million last year.


Happening Elsewhere:

Changes coming to special education in Texas

What Trump Didn't Say About Education

With DACA in Limbo, Teachers Protected by the Program Gird for the Worst

SPLC report: U.S. education on American slavery sorely lacking

Catholic Schools week celebrated faith in heritage and education

The Latest: New Kansas Governor Open to Education Proposals

Poverty, Rural Schools Among Key Georgia Education Issues

"Tebow bill" defeated by Virginia education committee

Statewide voucher school program continues expansion with 68 new schools for 2018-19

Last-minute proposal would let 10 percent of teachers be unlicensed

Iowa GOP Proposes $32 Million in New Education Funding

From Teacher Pay To Free Speech, Education Bills Queue Up For Session

More NC teachers are getting bigger bonuses in 2018. So why does controversy remain?

Montana Board of Education looking at high-profile improper teacher-student relationships

Court rejects request to reconsider school funding decision

Riley tapped for education commissioner

Illinois education officials find another funding glitch

Newark Officially Regains Control Of Schools After 22 Years

After her friend's suicide, a teen posts an anti-bullying video -- and is suspended from school


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