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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
National
From Special Ed to College Sex Assault: 7 Policies DeVos Told Congress She Would Be Reviewing Now
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has been in office not quite three weeks, so far spending most of her public time making speeches and visiting schools. Her first major act was rescinding Obama administration guidance mandating that transgender students have access to locker rooms and bathrooms matching their gender identity — according to media reports, against her own wishes. (The 74)
US public schools take steps to protect undocumented students
Chicago Public Schools say they will deny federal immigration agents access to district buildings and personnel unless served with a criminal warrant, the latest in a series of steps taken by US school officials to protect undocumented students. School districts from Pennsylvania to California have stepped up efforts to allay fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities over Trump administration directives that would significantly expand the power of immigration officers and could set the stage for mass detentions and deportations. (CNN)
Trump invited a student to his joint address. Her story says a lot about his views on education reform.
When President Trump delivers his first joint address to Congress Tuesday night, Denisha Merriweather will be there as his invited guest — and her attendance offers a clue about how Trump might fulfill his promise to spend $20 billion on expanding vouchers and other alternatives to traditional public schools. (The Washington Post)
Groups Press DeVos on Civil Rights
Civil rights groups are urging Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to select a head for the department’s Office for Civil Rights who has a track record of fighting discrimination against marginalized students. “It is imperative that the administration demonstrate its commitment to civil rights through this appointment,” more than 60 civil rights groups wrote in a Monday letter to DeVos. “Our nation’s children deserve to be represented by a leader who will stand up for them, enforce core nondiscrimination statutes in schools, and ensure equal protection.” (US News)
State
New York
New York City Will Be Asked to Release More Data on Students
In many places, choosing a public school is straightforward: Students go to school based on where they live. In New York City, with its myriad options and variety of admission methods, the process is more complicated, and many students attend school far from home. In an effort to make the admissions process more transparent, a city councilman is expected to introduce a bill on Wednesday that would require the Education Department to release additional data such as the number of applications each school receives, how many offers it extends and where students live. (The New York Times)
Tennessee
Sen. Brian Kelsey: Tennessee will pass school voucher bill this year
State Sen. Brian Kelsey predicted at a national gathering of conservative Republicans on Friday that Tennessee lawmakers will pass a school voucher program this year. “This year I’m confident — 2017 will be the year that school choice legislation for low-income students passes in Tennessee,” the Germantown Republican said during a panel discussion at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, which is being held just outside of Washington. (The Jackson Sun)