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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
National
The Federal Government’s Reversal: Let the States Deal With Transgender Kids
The Trump administration issued a new letter on Wednesday: The federal government will no longer stand behind Obama-era guidelines requiring schools to accommodate transgender students based on their gender identity. The new administration is withdrawing two letters, written in 2015 and 2016, in order to “further and more completely consider the legal issues involved.” The Departments of Justice and Education believe “there must be due regard for the primary role of the States and local school districts in establishing educational policy,” it said. (The Atlantic)
Did Democrats Waste Time Fighting Betsy DeVos More Than Other Nominees?
Senate Democrats, teachers’ unions, and other opponents of Betsy DeVos spent a tremendous amount of time opposing her nomination for education secretary. Ultimately, they were unsuccessful. Should they have directed more or much of that energy elsewhere in seeking to defend their K-12 priorities? (Education Week)
Trump’s proposed AmeriCorps cuts would trim .03 percent of the federal budget — but slash support at 11,000 schools
From when the first students arrive until the last ones leave, eight young adults in white AmeriCorps T-shirts are a constant presence at Denver’s North High, a comprehensive high school where “Viking Pride” has not traditionally translated to academic success. The corps members, part of a program called City Year, help run North’s social justice and writing clubs, hold kids accountable for their attendance and behavior, and team up with teachers to make math and literacy skills stick with ninth-graders. (Chalkbeat)
Survey Says 86 Percent of Schools Expect to Spend More on Digital Curriculum
With 78 percent of students using a digital device for large portion of their school day, it should come as no surprise that 86 percent of K–12 schools are looking to spend more this year on digital curriculum. These are findings from The Learning Counsel’s most recent Digital Curriculum Strategy Survey. In it, the research institute that studies and writes about digital curricula in education found that the digital courseware market is maturing, as spending shifts from individual teacher investments to districtwide spending. (Ed Tech)
How YouCAN Is Growing Grassroots Education Leaders to Improve Their Schools and Communities
When first-grade teacher May Amoyaw wanted to start a grassroots education project in her Baltimore community, she knew the idea couldn’t come solely from her.I’m not originally from Baltimore, so I didn’t feel like it was my job to go in and create something for them,” Amoyaw said. “I really wanted to elevate the voices that were already there. If you guys are already doing it, great, let’s get together, let me add my part, and let’s do what we can for our neighborhood.” (The 74)
State
Maryland
Faced with outsized stresses, these Baltimore students learn to take a deep breath
JUDY WOODRUFF: But first; Baltimore, Maryland, has high unemployment and a violent crime rate of nearly twice the national average. Educators say that factors like these add significant stress to children and cause emotional and behavioral problems. Several area public schools are working to reduce that stress with programs that teach mindfulness and meditation. (PBS)