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Mental health service funding fears loom over schools
The ongoing government shutdown and President Donald Trump’s policies have created significant uncertainty regarding mental health funding for schools. Julie Giannini-Previde, superintendent of the McKinleyville Union School District in California, expressed concern, commenting: “You have to be under a rock as an educational leader to not be worried about how any of this is going…
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Utah district’s cellphone ban boosts student focus
In February 2023, Shauna Haney, principal of Ogden High School north of Salt Lake City, implemented a cellphone policy aimed at increasing student engagement. After observing that students were distracted by their phones, she noted: “If they’re on their phone, they’re not actively engaged in the learning process.” The policy involves confiscating phones after multiple…
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Massachusetts teachers’ strike sparks legal battle
Two families have filed a class action lawsuit against the Beverly Teachers Association following a 12-day strike in the Beverly School District in Massachusetts last year, claiming it caused financial losses and emotional distress. Janelle Donahue and Erica Kostro, representing parents, argue that the strike disrupted students’ education, with one student expressing confusion over teachers…
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Ohio schools take a stand on cellphones
Ohio has enacted a law mandating public school districts, charter schools, and STEM schools to prohibit cellphone use by students starting January 1, 2026, with exceptions for emergencies and medical conditions. However, private schools are not bound by this law, although many have already implemented their own restrictions. For instance, Cincinnati Country Day School requires…
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Pennsylvania judge orders charter school closure
In a significant ruling, Judge Chad Kenney of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ordered the closure of Memphis Street Academy Charter School due to its failure to meet academic standards. The school, which has been operating under an expired charter since 2022, faced scrutiny for poor performance, with only 5% of students achieving proficient scores…
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Chicago Public Schools announces over 1,450 staff layoffs
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has laid off over 1,450 school-based staff, including 432 teachers, as part of efforts to address a $734m budget deficit. According to Ben Felton, CPS chief talent officer, 123 special education teachers and up to 300 special education classroom assistants will be eligible for retention pools, allowing them to be paid…
