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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
National
How America’s Schools Have (and Haven’t) Changed in the 64 Years Since the Brown v. Board Verdict — as Told in 15 Chart
Thursday marks the 64th anniversary of the Supreme Court abolishing segregated schools in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. That means a generation of Americans has been born, attended public schools, matured into adulthood, raised children of their own, and now reached retirement age — all outside the shadow of America’s own system of legal apartheid. This year’s commemoration will be bittersweet for many education activists: Linda Brown — who was in third grade when her father sued the Topeka Board of Education, seeking to force her enrollment in a nearby all-white school — died in March at the age of 75. (The 74)
These 10 States Have Most Education Equality by Race
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the idea of “separate but equal” public schools in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. The decision called for the desegregation of schools and was a major catalyst of the civil rights movement, with Rosa Parks’ arrest occurring a year later. (U.S. News & World Report)
WATCH: A District That Prioritizes Social-Emotional Learning Grapples With How to Measure If It Works
The Washoe County school district in Nevada’s second largest city has been way ahead of most other districts in its approach to social-emotional learning, especially in measuring students’ SEL skills, which are part of its accountability system. My colleague, Evie Blad, chronicled the district’s efforts at building a thoughtful social-emotional learning program back in 2016. (Education Week)
State
Delaware
School consolidation panel does not recommend consolidation, but suggests other cost-saving measures
A task force that examined school consolidation scenarios in Delaware ultimately did not recommend consolidation, but left the door open for study in the future. The School District Consolidation Task force also came up with more than 30 recommendations that should be considered to bring about cost savings and improved services. The panel was divided into several subcommittees. It spent about nine months visiting all three counties. Residents submitted nearly 200 comments. (WDEL)
Georgia
DeKalb Schools announce budget hearings
DeKalb County School District officials announced several public comment sessions as they work toward finalizing the 2018-2019 budget. District officials have proposed a $1 billion budget for the second consecutive year. The public is invited to speak during a budget hearing at 5:30 p.m., before the DeKalb County Board of Education’s monthly business meeting. All meetings will be held at the district’s headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. in Stone Mountain. Several meetings are scheduled for June 11, including two millage rate hearings at 11 a.m. and 6:15 p.m., and a budget hearing at 5:30 p.m. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
North Carolina
Now It’s North Carolina Teachers’ Turn: How Did We Get Here? What’s Next?
Sally Merryman has taught middle school Spanish in North Carolina for more than 20 years. She, like thousands of teachers from all over the state, plans to march on the state capitol in Raleigh this week. “I think a lot of us started to see, ‘well shoot, if West Virginia can do it, North Carolina can do it,’ ” she told NPR’s Ari Shapiro. “If Oklahoma can do it, North Carolina can do it. If Arizona can do it, so can North Carolina.” (NPR)
Pennsylvania
Toxic City Sick Schools
Eyes closed, head down, arms draped across his desk, Lucas Sims didn’t move to the blue rug when his second-grade classmates gathered in a circle for story time. Afterward, his teacher, who thought he had drifted off to sleep, gently tried to rouse him. But Lucas didn’t move. Worried classmates jostled his shoulder. He didn’t move. Panic set in. A school nurse rushed to Room 202 and waved smelling salts under Lucas’ nose, six times in all. Nearby another boy appeared lethargic and woozy. Before long, fire and emergency crews, sirens wailing, converged on William H. Loesche Elementary School in Northeast Philadelphia that crisp January day and would soon rush Lucas and the other boy to the hospital. Diagnosis: carbon monoxide poisoning from construction work on a leaking roof. (Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News)
South Carolina
Former S.C. schools superintendent Mick Zais confirmed as deputy U.S. education secretary
The U.S. Senate confirmed former South Carolina Education Superintendent Mick Zais as the nation’s new deputy education secretary Wednesday in a vote that split along party lines. The 50-48 vote ended a months-long wait for Zais after President Donald Trump picked him to be Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ second-in-command last October. Zais became a controversial figure during his four-year tenure leading South Carolina’s education agency, regularly feuding with teacher groups and members of the state Board of Education. (The Post & Courier)