3/9/21: K-12 News & Views

Editor’s note: This weekly news report aims to highlight the most meaningful news and views (perspectives) in K-12 public education each week. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Of note: Animo City of Champions’ return to campus was featured on ABC 7, watch and read the story here.

NEWS

• The Senate approved the newest Covid-19 relief bill, The American Rescue Plan, and it now heads back to the House and then to President Biden to be signed into law. It would include $125B for K-12 public education, including full E-Rate funding. (NPR, NBC, Washington Post, CBS, Vox)
• Covid-19 vaccinations are reaching teachers across the country, creating more pathways for school reopenings:
  • In Memphis, Shelby County Schools has now invited all K-12 students to return to campus during their phased in return. So far, 30% have opted to return to in-person instruction. (Chalkbeat TN, WMC 5, ABC 24 Memphis)
  • LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner expects that a deal will be reached with UTLA this week and is aiming for a late-April opening of middle and high schools. (LA Times, NBC LA, Politico, CBS LA, LAist, ABC 7, LA Daily News, Fox 11, Wall Street Journal, EdSource)

 

VIEWS

• AFT & NEA: Learning Beyond Covid-19, A Vision for Thriving in Public Education

• Forbes (Peter Greene, K-12 reporter): Vouchers May Be The Next Big Education Reform. Have Charter Schools Been Left Behind?

• Politico (Michael Strahan, K-12 reporter): Democrats split over Biden plan for academic testing during pandemic

• Washington Post (team of WaPo reporters): ‘An essential service’: Inside Biden’s struggle to meet his school reopening promises