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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
Throughout this campaign season, Democrats have feigned confusion about why disaffected Republicans have not embraced Hillary Clinton, given Donald Trump’s character defects. But the K-12 education plank in the Democratic Party platform does a lot to explain the hesitance. The party’s promises seem designed to satisfy teachers unions rather than to appeal to ordinary Democrats, much less opposition moderates. (The Wall Street Journal)
When Kia Turner began college, she didn’t plan on a career as a public-school teacher. “I came into college thinking I was going to go into corporate law,” said 22-year-old Turner, who graduated from Harvard this spring. But after working at an after-school program, “I kind of realized I wanted to spend my time working for kids.” (The Atlantic)
Native American students make up only 1.1 percent of the nation’s high school population. And in college, the number is even smaller. More than any other ethnic or racial group, they’re the least likely to have access to college prep or advanced placement courses. Many get any little or no college counseling at all. (NPR)
For two years, the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund used incorrect dates to calculate retirement benefits, records obtained by the Better Government Association and the Chicago Sun-Times show. (Chicago Sun-Times)
The first day of school this year will also be some Utah teachers’ first time leading a classroom. A new rule granting a teacher license to college graduates without training has won approval from the Utah State School Board. (The Salt Lake Tribune)