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Weekly News Round-Up for April 20th
posted by: Melissa | April 20, 2018, 05:26 PM   

Each week, KANAAE brings its members a round-up of what’s happening in education. From big, eye-catching headlines to the stories most papers overlook, we find the news our members really want to see. This week, education fights in Kentucky, Colorado, and Arizona heat up while students continue to protest gun violence in schools.


Heightening Contention in Kentucky’s Education Politics: This week was a chaotic one for educators and education officials across the state of Kentucky. Last Friday, Kentucky teachers walked out of classes after the state’s governor vetoed a bill that would have increased funding for education. The state’s legislature later overrode the veto and put an end to the strike. During the protest, the governor lashed out at the teachers, claiming that a the teacher strike had led to the sexual assault of a child. The comments led to displeasure among the public. In the wake of the protest, Governor Bevin then took steps to reconstitute the state’s education board. On Monday, Governor Bevin replaced 7 out of the 11 board members. A long-time friend of Bevin’s was included as one of the new appointees. Shortly after, a closed door meeting of the board took place, during which the state’s education commissioner resigned, even though he had previously received glowing reports for his work previously.


Colorado Begins Protests, Arizona Votes to Strike: On Monday, districts across the state of Colorado closed as teachers held a rally to push for higher pay. The state ranks 46th in the nation in regards to teacher salaries. Teachers are already planning for more protests next week and some school districts have preemptively closed for Thursday and/or Friday. Meanwhile, educators in Arizona have voted for a statewide strike to begin next Thursday. While the state’s governor already released plans to increase teacher pay, the protesters want to see an increase to educational funding in general. They also worry that the governor’s plan is crafted in such a way that the increased pay is not sustainable. These protests come in the wake of a statewide teacher protest in West Virginia, the first of its kind in decades. The cascading effects of that strike recently led to Fortune Magazine naming its leaders to its World’s 50 Greatest Leaders list.


Students Walkout to Protest Gun Violence: At 10 a.m. this morning, students across the nation walked out of class to protest school violence. Today marks the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school massacre. The students from Columbine High School and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High have been meeting this week ahead of the anniversary, while parents of these students have made their own push to increase school safety. All involved are aware of the need for reform as yet another school shooting happened in Florida this very morning.


Happening Elsewhere:

State board of education calls for TBI investigation

TNReady results this year won't count against students, teachers, Tennessee lawmakers decide

Computer-based tests are another challenge for low-income students, some Baltimore teachers say

Are High-School Esports the Next Friday Night Lights?

Michigan high school closes after Confederate flag-bearing trucks park outside for two days

Student says Confederate flag theft sparked protests

National Teachers Union Cuts Ties With Wells Fargo Over Bank's Ties To NRA, Guns

White: Use border security dollars, expand gambling to fund education

Texas Education Agency releases strategic plan special education draft in wake of federal report

Illinois Dems push bill rewarding schools that replace armed officers with therapists

NRA endorses Arizona Gov. Ducey's plan to prevent school shootings; bill passes committee

How New York is protecting union fees

Justices: Teachers Not Required to Report Own Child's Abuse

Wyoming District To Decide On Teachers Carrying Guns

Teacher on leave after asking students to list positives of slavery: report


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