TOP NEWS NPR A list of recommendations was released by the independent agency after a lengthy investigation into how America's schools are funded and why so many that serve poor and minority students aren't getting the resources they say they need. Read more>> From DA Magazine Tim Goral Most states have laws mandating healtheducation in primary and secondary schools, but New York will be the first to emphasize mental health instruction for all grades. Read more>> The Detroit News Michigan school districts are receiving lists of former and current public school employees who are entitled to their shares of a $550 million refund for retiree healthcare paycheck deductions deemed unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court. Read more>> The Columbus Dispatch How the Ohio state report cards' data are calculated and translated has turned the annual report card into a lightning rod of criticism. Teachers, parents and education officials question whether the information is understandable or fair, or if it provides an accurate measure of a district’s academic performance. Read more>> USA Today The parents of an 11-year girl with leukemia have sued the state of Illinois and a suburban Chicago school district over a state law that prohibits her from using medical marijuana at school. Read more>> WTOP Many school systems categorize sunscreen as an over-the-counter medication that requires special paperwork for students to use it. But several states and other jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia this week, have been pushing to loosen restrictions to make it easier for kids to protect themselves from skin cancer. Read more>> Associated Press Investment in school construction and maintenance has been falling steadily since the recession, according to a new analysis. The recent spell of cold weather exposed the poor state of school buildings in many big-city districts, where the failure of heating systems closed dozens of institutions. Read more>> OPINION Getting Smart Our students will need to continually learn about and apply current developments in technology, global collaboration, market opportunities and emerging industries to win in this new contract work economy. How do we give students both the mindset and the skillset to thrive in this 21st-century "gig" galaxy? Read more>> Education Dive With districts continuing to report shortages of teachers in multiple subject areas, two new reports delve into the methods that schools are using to fill teaching positions. They suggest that smarter recruitment strategies and less reliance on whether the candidate is “likable” could not only help schools find teachers, but also keep them. Read more>> The Hechinger Report We increase our chances of reaching graduation goals if our teachers receive the support and professional development they need. As the only federal money focused on teacher improvement and growth, Title II funding supports the development of our educators. But Title II is on the chopping block. Read more>> INDUSTRY NEWS Wave Broadband Wave Broadband's Wave Business division has connected 39 Modesto City Schools learning facilities to the district’s data center hub. The dark fiber solution enables the district to deploy its own network gear to deliver secure connections between any sites at the maximum speed its hardware can support. Read more>> Lightspeed Systems New to Lightspeed Systems Relay, the Parent Report Generator feature gives K12 school IT personnel the power to customize and automate the delivery of student web activity reports to students’ parents. Read more>> LA's BEST/Rockin' Hood Project As a part of a new partnership, Rockin' Hood Project will coordinate guest speakers—including business owners, executives, influencers and thought leaders—to inspire and foster an entrepreneurial mindset for LA's BEST after-school enrichment program. Read more>> ✭ Visit the District Administration's PR Portal ✭ PEOPLE WATCH KY3 Lori Wilson, currently the assistant superintendent for the Aurora School District, will take over the job in West Plains in July. She will replace John Mulford, who will become the superintendent for the Meramec Valley School District this summer. Read more>> WSAW The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has named a new superintendent for the Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake school district. Jason Benzel will take over official duties from the Department of Juvenile Corrections' administrator, John Paquin. Read more>> WQOW The Plum City School District named Rachel Pommerening to become the new superintendent. She is replacing Superintendent Ronald Walsh, who is retiring. Pommerening currently works as the pupil services director for the Alma, Pepin and Plum City school districts. Read more>> | 