When the Boston University team asked principals and administrators why they hired emergency-certified teachers, they reported using them to fill shortage areas, especially in special education.

The teachers working under these licenses also helped diversify the state’s classrooms, as they were about twice as likely as other beginning educators to be Black, Hispanic or Asian.

Read more from The 74 million.

The post Emergency-hired teachers do just as well as those who go through normal training appeared first on District Administration.

Since a White House conference in August on ransomware threats, dozens of school districts have signed up for free cybersecurity services, and federal officials have hosted exercises with schools to help them learn how to better secure their networks, said Anne Neuberger, the Biden’s administration’s deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology.

Read more from AP News.

The post K12 schools improve protection against online attacks, but many are vulnerable to ransomware gangs appeared first on District Administration.

The proposed legislation was filed by state Sen. Bill Eigel, a Republican from St. Charles County who is also seeking the GOP nomination in the 2024 Missouri governor’s race.

Eigel said the “original mission” of DESE was to transfer money from Jefferson City to local school districts. He said it now has 2,000 employees and has lost its way.

Read more from Springfield News-Leader.

The post Missouri lawmaker wants to abolish state’s K12 education department, transfer its powers appeared first on District Administration.

Sen. Stephen Meredith of Leitchfield filed Senate Bill 93 Monday. The measure contains language from laws and regulations passed in Florida and Texas aimed at rooting out diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in higher education institutions.

SB 93 would prohibit Kentucky’s K12 public schools from advocating for, or spending resources or funds on “diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

Read more from Louisville Public Media.

The post DEI efforts in Kentucky K12 schools at risk under proposed legislation appeared first on District Administration.

In a survey emailed to parents, the district said it’s gathering feedback on the measure.

“If this transition were to occur, high school students would attend school Monday through Thursday and have an optional 5th day for extended learning opportunities. The student day would be 8.5 hours long,” said the Broward County Public School District.

Read more from CBS News.

The post Broward County public schools considering a four-day week for high schools, asking for input appeared first on District Administration.

The evacuation led officials to call a remote day of classes for the more than 3,400 students enrolled at the high school, sparking immediate backlash from politicians and parents that echoed on a national stage. Local elected leaders, right-leaning media personalities and even Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, weighed in to criticize the government response.

Read more from The New York Times.

The post James Madison High School sheltered migrants in a storm. The hate calls poured in appeared first on District Administration.

That’s because the Wisconsin department that oversees K-12 public education and libraries is creating a first-ever public-facing strategic plan. To be released in September, the 2023-28 document created using public feedback will outline overarching goals that hold the Department of Public Instruction accountable both internally and with the public.

The related online survey asks for public input on many of the most influential topics facing K-12 public education: access to school lunch programs, early childhood programs, libraries, mental health support, school buses, support for students with disabilities, teacher retention and diversity, student reading levels and educational achievement, among other topics.

Read more from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The post Wisconsin education officials seek input on K-12 goals appeared first on District Administration.

Before the 4-3 vote, Superintendent Elizabeth Grant thanked parents and community members for coming out to months of meetings to speak up for their schools, showing “remarkable support” for their campuses and teachers.

Change is hard, she added — even good change. But Grant said change is necessary as districts across the state and country continue to lose students.

Read more from The Salt Lake Tribune.

The post Salt Lake City school board votes to permanently close 4 elementaries appeared first on District Administration.

Roughly half of the 100 “Level Up” schools serve students in rural counties where populations are shrinking, and taxpayers bear the brunt of rising costs.

Read more on Spotlight Pennsylvania.

The post Pa.’s poorest school districts were slated for a funding boost. State aid went to school construction instead. appeared first on District Administration.

Thirty-five states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes opted into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or Summer EBT, which the government says is meant to supplement existing programs during the summer that have had a more limited reach.

Read more on AP News.

The post USDA estimates 21 million kids will get summer food benefits through new program in 2024 appeared first on District Administration.