On third try, Illinois House approves education funding bill

Following some twists and turns, the Illinois House narrowly approved a historic overhaul of the way the state funds schools, a key step toward freeing up money for classrooms that also sets the stage for a Chicago Public Schools property tax hike. The measure heads to the Senate for a vote. Read more>>

Lawmakers writing the next state budget voted to include a $639 million funding increase for Wisconsin schools—about $10 million less than the record amount Gov. Scott Walker proposed earlier this year. The committee also increased the household income limits for participation in the statewide private voucher school program. Read more>>

With the current total at 1,429—beating last year's record mark of 1,160—the number of emergency certified teachers is causing stress and strain on the state's education system, which ranks near the bottom in the country for teacher pay and amount spent per student. Five years ago, only 32 emergency teaching certificates were approved. Read more>>

After a few years of turmoil with superintendent and leadership turnover, the low number of new principal assignments in Minneapolis is a clear sign of stability under Superintendent Ed Graff, who is starting his second year in the school district’s top job. Read more>>

At least some level of lead has turned up in the drinking water at nearly 90 percent of the 249 Utah schools that have been tested—with the worst results more than five times higher than key federal limits, according to state data. The drinking water in nine schools was found to contain levels of lead that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s “action level”. Read more>>

Public school students in Houston won’t be starting school until at least September 5, as the powerful storm dubbed Harvey continues to swirl overhead. Out of 325 schools and administrative buildings, about 45 have some water damage. The biggest needs are basic items, including clothes, student uniforms and school supplies. Read more>>

Eighth-graders in Maine in the 2017-18 school year will be the first to adhere to proficiency-based standards. Read more>>

For at least a decade now, the driving force behind education reform has been data. But we know our students bring with them so many other factors that contribute to academic success: home atmosphere, out-of-school schedule demands, distracting physical concerns and more. These things are much harder to measure, so we don’t even try. Read more>>

A study's assertion that students will be better served by consolidation does not mean that school choice should not also extend to residents of the small Indiana towns and rural communities supporting public school districts. The lawmakers willing to pay for a parallel system of schools through the charter and voucher programs should be consistent. Read more>>

As millions of U.S. students start school, and economists and educators grapple with how best to prepare workers for jobs in today’s economy, there is evidence that a majority of Americans look to elementary and secondary schools to provide the building blocks people need for a successful career. Read more>>

By using real-time student progress and proficiency data, DreamBox Learning built a prototype that guides math educators to self-directed, on-demand professional development modules that relate to the specific mathematics topics their students are learning in class. Read more>>

To help school districts keep students safe during district-sponsored athletic practices and events, PublicSchoolWORKS created a suite of concussion related safety training for coaches and officials, teachers, school nurses or other staff clinicians, and students. Read more>>

CatchOn has joined the Google for Education’s Partner Program. It is an administrative tool that provides district leaders with real-time evidence about app use, implementation fidelity, cost and ROI. Read more>>

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After years of building up experience in Oklahoma and Kansas, Hester recently returned home to Arkansas and settled into the community of Batesville. Michael Hester began as superintendent of the Batesville School District after serving as assistant superintendent of secondary education at the Topeka Public Schools in Kansas. Read more>>

Before Duval County can select a new school superintendent, the school board decided to revise its strategic plan to help in determining what type of leader is needed. Interim Superintendent Patricia Willis has been in charge since Nikolai Vitti left to lead Detroit Public Schools Community District in May. Read more>>