Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
Earlier this month, the National Education Association voted to endorse Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary for president. But what went into that decision beforehand? On Wednesday, veteran union watchdog and blogger Mike Antonucci provided some answers that provide an interesting complement to Clinton’s record on K-12. (Education Week)
The nation’s second largest school district has been hit with a $1 billion class-action lawsuit alleging it conducts “witch hunts” against older teachers in a “shrewd” effort to save money on retirement benefits. (CNN)
Mark Noltner, who lives in suburban Chicago, heard about McTeacher’s Nights when he found a flier in his daughter’s backpack last year. “There was a picture of Ronald McDonald [on the flier],” he says, and it was promoting the school fundraiser at a local McDonald’s. (NPR)
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard stood before a bank of reporters in April after a judge sentenced former Atlanta educators for their roles in a districtwide cheating conspiracy and promised to right the wrongs done to thousands of children. (AJC.com)
Citing a yearslong long-distance relationship with his wife, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams informed Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday morning that he will step down from his position effective Jan. 1. (Texas Tribune)