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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
National
If Janus Ruling Means Teachers No Longer Have to Join Unions, Will Breaking Away From State and National Affiliates Be a Way to Save Local Membership?
The Supreme Court’s pending decision in the Janus case has the potential to decimate the clout and size of public-sector unions by allowing members who disagree with the union’s activity to opt out of membership. But another path to maintaining membership in local unions may be emerging: a split from the more divisive and politically charged state and national affiliates that turn off many of those disaffected members. (The 74)
There Are Now More High Schools With Low Graduation Rates. Why?
Even as the nation’s high school graduation rate reaches an all-time high of 84 percent, a troubling phenomenon is taking shape: The number of schools with low graduation rates is actually growing. The change is reported in the latest version of “Building a Grad Nation,” an annual report that tracks high school graduation. Between 2015 and 2016, the number of schools defined by federal law as low-graduation-rate—schools of 100 or more students where fewer than two-thirds earn diplomas in four years—rose from 2,249 to 2,425. That’s right: in just one year, 176 additional schools qualified as graduation danger zones. (Education Week)
States
Georgia
School safety, complex issue, gets Georgia legislators’ attention
With school shootings in America now so common — many groups’ tallies say about one a week this year — Georgia legislators are taking a serious look at school safety. The House and Senate have allocated $16 million and convened committees to address the issue. The end goal is to author legislation that gives school systems safety options, said Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell and Rep. Rick Jasperse, R- Jasper. It may include a budget for recurring funding. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
New Jersey
The state is investigating his school district, but this top admin just got a new job
The superintendent of a school district under investigation by two state agencies will return next month to the helm of his previous district to the tune of $145,000 per year. Richard Corbett will take the top administrative post in East Newark, where he previously served as the superintendent, after he suddenly resigned from the Roselle school district with two years left in his contract. Four out of seven East Newark board members on May 7 voted to rehire Corbett, current district superintendent Patrick Martin confirmed in an interview. The other three board members were absent. (NJ Advance Media)
Tennessee
Here’s what Sharon Griffin wants to do in her first month as Tennessee’s new turnaround leader
Tennessee’s state-run district faces many challenges as it enters a new era under its third leader in six years, but prominent among them is addressing community pushback and distrust. Sharon Griffin kicked off her tenure as the Achievement School District’s chief on Friday. One of her first orders of business will be reconnecting the district with the community it serves most — Memphis. Griffin, a longtime Memphian, said she wants to quickly launch an advisory team of local parents, students, and faith leaders after hearing from the community that they want face time with the district’s leadership. (Chalkbeat)