Industry News
School Funding Heats Up Again In Kansas (KS)
September 20, 2010
After schools lost millions of dollars, teachers were laid off and programs were cut, the Kansas Legislature decided something needed to be done. Now there is a debate on how best to make changes. In Kansas, communities are not allowed to raise mill levies to pay for education. The state tax rate is the same […]
Aurora Expanding School-Based Clinic Program (CO)
September 20, 2010
After two years of serving students’ medical needs through a school-based clinic, Aurora Public Schools has decided the need is great enough to open a second clinic in October. Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics operates the clinic at Crawford Elementary in Aurora, and has seen the number of patients who use it double from 1,000 in […]
Pennsylvania’s Public Schools Boost Reserves (PA)
September 20, 2010
Gov. Ed Rendell has made increasing investments in public schools his top priority. But much of that money has wound up in public schools’ rainy day funds. Since Rendell came to Harrisburg, public schools have amassed $2.75 billion in reserve accounts. That figure has climbed 83 percent from Rendell’s 2003 inauguration to June 30, 2009, […]
Charters Get Smart to Close Funding Gap (DE)
September 20, 2010
The cost to outfit one student at Prestige Academy charter school with a uniform and gym clothes for a school year: $105. For some of the families of students at the all-boys school in Wilmington, that is a hardship. About 70 percent of the children qualify for federal free or reduced-price lunches, signaling that they […]
Bill Seeks to Add Free Water to School Menus (CA)
September 20, 2010
In many California school cafeterias, there’s no free water to drink. Surprised? "Everyone I talked to says, ‘You’re kidding,’ " sa id state Sen. Mark Leno (D- San Francisco). Leno has introduced legislation to change that. His bill requiring schools to offer drinking water at no charge to students has passed the Senate and Assembly […]
Early Ideas for Austin Schools’ Grim Budget (TX)
September 20, 2010
With the dust still settling after the adoption of the 2010-11 budget, Austin school district officials are already looking ahead to 2011-12. At a recent budget work session, Superintendent Meria Carstarphen talked to the school board about a cost-saving idea from an architect who advised a company about ways to get more out of existing […]
Parents Urged to Demand Special Education Services (NM)
September 20, 2010
Christina Parra’s 2-year-old son was diagnosed with autism in Albuquerque earlier this year. When she returned to Las Cruces, there were few resources to turn to for help, she said. "We really felt like there was no where for us to go," Parra said. "If parents have a gut feeling that something is goin g […]
Program To Help Special Needs Students After Graduation (TN)
September 17, 2010
A major education announcement is designed to help Nashville’s disabled youth get a better education and gain employment. The Mayor’s Advisory Council on Special Education made the announcement during a meeting on Thursday. The new program would be somewhat of an internship. Students will be working with local business and government agencies learning the basics […]
Lawmakers Unite to g et Children Insured (TX)
September 17, 2010
An estimated 114,000 youngsters in Harris County remain uninsured despite their eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program or Children’s Medicaid, according to a coalition of Houston-area legislators who have joined together to organize an application drive. A half-dozen state representatives from Harris County, all Democrats except for Republican Ken Legler, announced their strategy to […]
Educate to Innovate (US)
September 17, 2010
President Obama has launched an “Educate to Innovate” campaign to improve the participation and performance of America’s students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This campaign will include efforts not only from the Federal Government but also from leading companies, foundations, non-profits, and science and engineering societies to work with young people across America […]