TOP NEWS The New York Times The Education Department is considering whether to allow states to use federal funding to purchase guns for educators. Such a move appears to be unprecedented, reversing a longstanding position taken by the federal government that it should not pay to outfit schools with weapons. Read more>> Sponsored Sponsored by n2y n2y is changing the way special education is delivered with an integrated, age-appropriate and differentiated total solution. With n2y, everyone can learn. Read more>> The Arizona Republic Since the 2015-16 school year, nearly 7,200 teaching certificates have been issued to teachers who aren't fully trained to lead a classroom. In just three years, the number of Arizona teaching certificates that allow someone to teach full time without completing formal training has increased by more than 400 percent. Read more>> WFTS In the wake of an increase of high-profile school shootings and gun violence, some students are preparing for school in ways their parents never were: bulletproof backpacks. Companies that sell products that offer increased protection from gunfire say they have seen an uptick in sales. Read more>> From DA Magazine Alison DeNisco Districts providing meals for any student who cannot pay may face an unintended consequence: massive debt, sometimes reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Read more>> CNN Kids who could not afford to wash their clothes faced intense teasing when they showed up in dirty outfits, West Side High School's principal says. So when school starts September 4, there will be a new facility in the building: a free laundromat. Read more>> Associated Press via Daily Journal The Commission on School Accreditation voted to reset the scoring scale for assigning A-to-F grades for high schools. The state Board of Education is scheduled to take up the issue after sending it back to the commission. Read more>> The Washington Post As teams look to play faster, there has been widespread adoption of many of the hand motions, arm bands and sideline placards that have become commonplace in college football, replacing the traditional quarterback jog back to the sideline before delivering a play-call in the huddle. Read more>> OPINION The 74 While math and English language arts academic standards across the country made progress over the past decade, the minority of states that have attempted to break from Common Core have failed to improve upon it, a new study finds. Read more>> The Atlantic In a new survey, a majority of respondents support the expansion of families’ education options. But specific programs such as vouchers remain polarizing. Read more>> U.S. News & World Report The high number of racial minorities placed in special education for learning disabilities is largely because of social injustices separate from schools, not racially biased educators. The study also states that misguided classifications can occur because of language differences and immigration history. Read more>> INDUSTRY NEWS Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights/Discovery Education Speak Truth To Power: Raising New Voices In Human Rights is an initiative to inspire global citizenry in students and teachers who stand ready to help prevent human rights abuses and violations. It includes digital resources, video vignettes, biographies and classroom activities. Read more>> Woz U Education Woz U Education and the Phoenix Suns' community ambassador, Steven Hunter, announced the support of up to $5 million to implement a technology-based education program at K12 schools in Chicago’s metro areas. The Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview School District 89 is the first school district to launch the initiative. Read more>> Sparked The New Hampshire School Boards Association will be using Sparked’s Govern Suite for the association itself and offering the board portal to its entire membership base. The Govern Suite program helps boards streamline processes, including centralizing content, calendars, accountability and more. Read more>> ✭ Visit the District Administration's PR Portal ✭ CONSTRUCTION WATCH Maine Public With aging buildings and changes in population, school districts around Maine are planning and building more modern campuses. But some of the projects have encountered an unexpected obstacle: a sharp increase in cost, as competition and a shortage of labor have led some project costs to increase by 30 percent or more. Read more>> Daily Herald Elmhurst Unit District 205 will ask voters this fall for a property tax increase to pay for $168.5 million in construction projects throughout the district, including the replacement of two aging elementary schools, security upgrades, STEM spaces and more. Read more>> Corpus Christi Caller Times The Corpus Christi ISD will ask taxpayers to fund their fifth bond package in 10 years. It's part of an ongoing effort to chip away at campus needs that several years ago were estimated to total about $500,000. Read more>> | 