News & Views: FDA approves Pfizer, House Passes $3.5T budget, states banning mask mandates may face legal action.

Editor's Note: This weekly media report covers key news in K-12 public education with a focus on CA, TN, and TX. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions. 

News

• The FDA approved Pfizer earlier this week, paving the way for more vaccine mandates in schools and elsewhere. (Politico, EdWeek, Washington Post, AP News, Time, NY Times, NPR, Chalkbeat). 

 

• Today, The House approved a $3.5T budget blueprint that is a key win for President Biden in executing his agenda, including his vision for public education. (NY Times, NPR, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal)

 

• US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced that the Education Department will pursue Civil Rights investigations into the 9 states banning mask mandates. (Politico, The Hill, NY Times, ABC News, EdWeek, Chalkbeat) 

• • In California, masks are required. 
  • In Tennessee, Shelby County Schools asks that all wear masks though Governor Lee issued an executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of mask wearing. (Fox 13, ABC 24, Tennessean, Commercial Appeal) 
  • In Texas, districts can enforce students to wear masks following a hearing at the TX Supreme Court, though this may reverse. (The Hill, Texas Tribune, Dallas News, CNN) 

 

Views

The Atlantic (Sarah Zhang, Staff Writer): This School Year Is Going to Be a Mess--Again AND NPR (All Things Considered): Breakthrough COVID Infections Add Even More Chaos To School’s Start In 2021 

 

Los Angeles Times (Eric Sondheimer, High School Sports Reporter): A crisis in the City Section: Crenshaw, Dorsey forced to cancel football openers VERSUS Commercial Appeal (Khari Thompson, Sports Reporter): First weekend of Shelby County Schools football since 2019 shows exactly what was missed last year 

 

Wall Street Journal (The Editorial Board): Kathy Hochul’s Charter Opportunity