Our team is always seeking the latest news in the field of education. As advocates for a quality education for ALL students, we know we have to stay up-to-date on everything that’s going on in the education spheres of our nation…from the White House to the local public school district, from new legislation to the small acts of bravery and kindness made by a single teacher, from the milestones and celebrations to the hazardous injustices affecting many of our nations students.

Here are the best stories we came across last week…because we believe you should stay up-to-date, too!

 

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A Silent Epidemic via NPR

Check out the interactive NPR website on Mental Health in Schools. Our public schools are struggling to handle millions of students
with mental health problems.
Here’s why.

“Kids who suffer from mental health disorders … inevitably miss out on opportunities for learning and building relationships.”

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Whose Civil Rights? Florida Parents, Pastors Fear NAACP-FEA Will Appeal Scholarship Ruling via The 74 Million

The 74 Million explores a recent lawsuit filed by the Florida NAACP and state teachers union arguing against a state scholarship program.

“The Florida state teachers union has asked the state Supreme Court to review two lower court decisions upholding the state’s tax credit scholarship program, according to the Associated Press. A Miami pastor said “the union’s decision is wrong for the children and wrong for our public schools” while the head of the Florida Education Association said the Supreme Court needs to consider the constitutionality of the program, according to the AP.”

 

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North Carolina Voters See Investment In Early Childhood As Critical To Improving Education via First Five Years Fund

It’s not a surprise that North Carolina voters believe an investment in an early childhood education would be a good thing. Read the article to find out the full results from the poll.

“North Carolina voters sense a problem that only early childhood education can solve. 74% of voters say we should be doing more to ensure children begin kindergarten with the skills and knowledge they need. Only 18% say we are doing enough and virtually no one says we should be doing less (4%). 59% of Republicans, 76% of Independents and 85% of Democrats call for doing more.”

 

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America has a teacher shortage, and a new study says it’s getting worse via The Washington Post

The Washington Post looks at the current teacher shortage. Unfortunately, this tends to hit students hard in high-poverty and high-minority schools. Read the article for the full story.

“Regardless of the state, students in high-poverty and high-minority schools are typically hit hardest when there are teacher shortages. In 2014, on average, less than one percent of teachers were uncertified in low-minority schools, while four times as many were uncertified in high-minority schools, the study showed.“

 

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Did any of these articles particularly speak to you? We would love to know your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below: