Education / Public News Service

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's annual budget report, the state receives more than $1.10 billion in federal funding outside of funds from the child nutrition and COVID relief programs. (Michael Ireland/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Parents, teachers voice concerns over rejecting federal funds for NC schools

From gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to Superintendent of Public Instruction hopeful Michele Morrow, some Republicans running for office have …

Environmental advocates say the growth of so-called 'fast fashion' is adding to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Buying just one white cotton shirt produces the same amount of emissions as driving 35 miles in a car, according to the climate action group, WRAP. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Serving looks with books: Libraries fight ‘fast fashion’ by lending clothes

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Grist-Public News Service C…

Critics of Colorado Amendment 80 warn the move would siphon taxpayer dollars away from already underfunded public schools into private religious schools. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

CO Amendment 80 could prompt private school voucher foothold

Colorado voters will decide whether to change the state's constitution to ensure families have school choice as a fundamental right. Kallie Leyba…

Public education advocates believe without adequate funding, North Carolina's public schools will continue to face severe challenges, including teacher shortages, lack of support staff and deteriorating facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

NC voucher bill sparks debate over public school funding, equity

Advocates for public education are reacting to the North Carolina House passing legislation to funnel millions of state dollars into private school vo…

Maplewood Guest House in Muncie serves as a residential hub for third- and fourth-year medical students. (Ball State University)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Ball State, IU team up for medical student housing

By Katherine Hill for the Ball State Daily News .Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Ball State Daily News-Free …

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, up to $31 trillion in U.S. economic activity hinges on helping young people complete learning delayed by the pandemic. (Pixabay)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Palm Beach County schools tackle post-pandemic chronic absenteeism

Palm Beach County schools are working to curb chronic absenteeism, which has surged since the pandemic. Nearly 39% of Palm Beach County students …

School districts across the nation spend $8 billion per year on energy costs. (naraichal/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

As climate change ramps up, energy efficiency helps OR schools save money

Oregon students are back in the classroom, but their classrooms might not be as energy efficient or climate resilient as they should be. As the …

Data from the Electric School Bus Initiative finds Virginia is one of the top states to own and purchase clean school buses. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

Virginia kids are heading back to school in a more environmentally friendly way. School districts and counties statewide are making the switch to …

A healthy, safe and secure working environment is one of five top issues teachers in Texas say they're concerned about. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

TX teachers not discouraged by current political climate

Teachers nationwide say safety issues and politics can sometimes make it harder for them to do their jobs. A safe and secure workplace is one of 10 …

Urban districts and districts with the greatest proportions of economically disadvantaged and Black students have more novice teachers. (Reese/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

MI educators sound alarm about the future of teaching

Educators in Michigan and nationwide are voicing concerns politics are demoralizing teachers and discouraging others from entering the profession at a…

Teacher pay has largely stagnated across the country since the 1990s. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock0

Monday, September 16, 2024

Report: Teacher pay lags behind others with college degrees

Average teacher pay increased in 2023, but a new study shows it still lags far behind that of other college graduates. Average weekly wages for …

Chronic absenteeism often signals a student may be experiencing untreated health needs, transportation problems, mental-health issues or other significant challenges. (Anastasiia/Adobe Stock)

Extreme weather equals 'extreme absence' from MI schools

Chronic absenteeism rates in Michigan schools have significantly declined, yet researchers warn the state's rate overall remains alarmingly high…

In August, Steelton-Highspire became the first school district in Pennsylvania to operate a fully electric fleet, and the first in the country to have its entire bus fleet supported by a solar array. (Steelton-Highspire School District)

Federal funding drives PA's increase in electric school buses

Many Pennsylvania students now ride electric buses to school. Some $900 million from the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program …

More than 20% of Maine students age 6-11 have suffered from two or more adverse childhood experiences, including bullying or living with a parent with a mental illness, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Schools' services help ME kids tackle mental health challenges

Mental health experts have released a checklist for parents of students headed back to school in Maine. The state's Department of Health and Human …

Ohio spends about $12,000 per student annually on public education, which is slightly below the national average. (Pixels Hunter/Adobe Stock)

Critical choices: How Ohio’s elections will affect education

In Ohio, the upcoming elections could have a significant effect on public education. Educators are urging voters to consider how the candidates' …

More than 200 child care centers in West Virginia closed between 2018 and 2019, according to ChildCare Aware. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Child care, tax cuts expected focus of upcoming WV special session

West Virginia lawmakers will convene for a Special Session on Sept. 30, with the state's child care crisis, proposed income tax cuts and supplemental …

Beyond additional support for K-12 schools, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill creating a free college tuition program for households earning annual incomes below $80,000. (Adobe Stock)

Former Walz colleagues bring education record into focus

The start of a new year of school in Minnesota has a new twist: intense focus from national media and voters across the U.S. With Gov. Tim Walz …

A program at Montana State University has shown success in reducing the rate of youth suicide by educating students about alternatives. (Adobe Stock)

Experts want more school mental health services

Mental health experts have released a checklist for parents of students headed back to school in Montana. Research shows kids who need services are …

Alabama public schools remain on high alert following a surge of online threats targeting schools, resulting in multiple arrests this week. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Montgomery officials demand responsible social media use after school threats

Montgomery County officials are asking students to use social media responsibly following a series of arrests stemming from online threats to local sc…

In the past two years, the price of school supplies has gone up about 24%, according to a Deloitte analysis. (Adobe Stock)

NC teachers spend big on classroom supplies amid low pay

Classroom supplies are taking a toll on teachers in North Carolina. A new survey showed despite earning around 5% less than they did a decade ago…

In 2022, 42.4% of full-time undergraduate students worked while enrolled to cover their costs, reflecting the growing challenge of affording higher education. (William W. Potter/Adobe Stock)

Ohio universities see tuition spike, enrollment decline

By John Hilber / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. In the last 21 years…

At least one-third of schools are fully accessible in eleven of New York City's 32 community school districts. Once the projects currently in the pipeline are done, at least one-third of schools will be disability accessible. (Adobe Stock)

NYC public schools still not fully ADA compliant

Although classes are back in session, all New York City public schools still aren't entirely disability accessible. Reports find more than two …

The mental health advocacy organization Inseperable recommended there be one school psychologist for every 500 students. (Adobe Stock)

UT struggles with mental health; school-based services could help

School is back in session across Utah and mental health advocates want to ensure children and parents can access adequate school-based services…

A program in Washington state partners with school districts to help students attend college.(spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

WA program gets $35 million to help low-income students going to college

Funding is coming to a program supporting students from low-income families in Washington state who want to go on to college or postsecondary educatio…

About 530,000 tons of food and 45 million gallons of milk is wasted in U.S. school cafeterias each year, according to the World Wildlife Fund. It translates to roughly $1.7 billion worth of uneaten food. (Adobe Stock)

ME school cafeterias become classrooms in effort to reduce food waste

By Bridget Huber for the Food and Environment Reporting Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Solutions…

Around 66% of committed electric school buses are located in school districts with the highest shares of low-income households, according to the Electric School Bus Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates tout electric school buses in Nevada, ask for more resources

Nevada has secured 60 electric school buses to take students to and from school and as the school year kicks off, advocates want to see more of the …

The Parent Institute for Quality Education offers a

Nonprofit works to improve Latino graduation rates in CA

Latinos make up 40% of California's population and more than 56% of K-12 public school students. However, Latino high school graduation rates are …

Texas educators said they want democratic representation and a voice in decision-making as-well-as professional training and development. (shootsroom/Adobe Stock)

TX educators prepare for upcoming legislative session

Texas educators spent the summer in meetings and workshops devising a playbook for the upcoming Texas legislative session. The Educator's Bill of …

The last operational one-room schoolhouse in Sheridan County, Wyoming, the Slack School, was built in the 1880s, burned down in the 1920s and rebuilt in the 1930s. (Ashlee Gorham, Slack School)

School year begins in WY’s few remaining one-room schoolhouses

It is back-to-school season and for 11 students in Sheridan County, Wyoming, it means returning to a one-room schoolhouse. The Slack School was …

The mental health advocacy group Inseparable has published a checklist to promote mental health in schools, advocating annual well-checks for all students. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Delaware schools emphasize mental-health assessments for students

With mental health challenges on the rise among youths, Delaware officials said school-based services have become essential in addressing issues…

By federal law, tribal law enforcement officers may attend a state training program or the Indian Police Academy in New Mexico. This year is the first tribal-specific training has been included in South Dakota's program. (Adobe Stock)

SD police academy grads newly schooled on Indian Country

South Dakota's police training program included a new course this year, one specific to tribal communities. A class of 20 graduated yesterday from …

Project ECHO is a lifelong learning and guided practice model providing professional development and offering best practices. (Adobe Stock)

Utah State University looks to improve early identification of autism in children

Utah lags behind the national average of identifying children for autism. In an effort to improve the state's standing, the Institute for Disability…

Nearly three of four Colorado voters surveyed want lawmakers to ensure full funding for Healthy School Meals for All. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado parents face September 30 deadline to help fund school meals

Colorado students will not go hungry this school year, thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All initiative approved by voters in 2022. Their …

Research indicated between 50% and 70% of coaches are not educators in their school buildings. Although they have community support for athletics, they often miss out on the training and daily interactions that are part of being a teacher. (Anela R/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Coaching beyond the game for student growth in Ohio and elsewhere

The Coach Beyond program, started by Ohio State University's Life Sports, is making waves across Ohio by helping coaches address more than just the …

Around 19% of students with disabilities attend four-year colleges and universities, compared with 40% of students without disabilities. Students with disabilities are more likely to attend two-year colleges or vocational schools, according to the Iris Center. (Adobe Stock)

NV secures $10 million grant to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities

A Nevada program is aiming to centralize transition services and improve outcomes for children with disabilities. It will help create a centralized …

Purdue University students Jason Packard and Rebecca Siener are trying to break the stigma around the Indiana Lifeline law and its effect on underage drinking.

Calls for broader legal safeguards under Indiana Lifeline Law

By Kody Fisher for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Co…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported research showed Gay-Straight Alliances or Gender and Sexualities Alliances in schools can give LGBTQ+ students

NE schools play huge role in safety, well-being, rights of LGBTQ+ students

As the new school year starts, Nebraska teachers will again be focusing on their students' emotional well-being and safety as well as academic …

Paraprofessionals from 15 districts make up the current cohort of Idaho State University's Paraprofessional to Certified Teacher Program. (Aubi Moon/Idaho State University)

ID program aims to grow teacher numbers across the state

A program is Idaho is aiming to close the teacher shortage gap by training people where they live. Idaho State University's Paraprofessional to …

The University of New Hampshire joins 429 higher education institutions that have joined the FirstGen Forward Network, representing 49 states and the District of Columbia. (Adobe Stock)<br />

UNH works to make 'first gen' students feel right at home

First generation students attending the University of New Hampshire benefit from a growing trove of campus resources to ensure their success…

Group proposes changes, encourages use of Indigenous SD education standards

A team of educators and supporters recently proposed changes to South Dakota's framework for Indigenous education, making the lessons more accessible …

The recommended ratio of school counselors to students is 250 to 1. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Mental health in focus as MD kids head back to school

As kids head back to school, advocates are calling for expanded access to school-based mental health services in Maryland and nationwide. The …

Ohio public schools have about 100,000 teachers, averaging 16 students per teacher and 220,000 non-teaching staff, averaging seven students per non-teaching position, with nearly all teachers holding a bachelor's degree or higher. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

The quiet preparation: Ohio teachers before the first bell

As Ohio students head back to school, many parents may think the return to the classroom begins when the first bell rings but for educators, the …

Studies show mental health literacy and life skills decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and help children succeed. (Seventyfour/AdobeStock)

Experts recommends PA educators, parents prioritize student mental health

Experts are advising schools and parents to prioritize student mental health as Pennsylvania children return to learning. A new checklist from the …

A new survey found 64% of teachers and 67% of special education teachers in Connecticut would not recommend pursuing a career in teaching and 46% said they would not have become educators if they could start over. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: CT educators burned out from ongoing teacher shortage

As Connecticut's school year begins, the state is still dealing with a teacher shortage. Almost every subject area is facing a statewide shortage …

School-based mental and behavioral health services help prevent issues and enhance educational achievement and future employment opportunities. (Coyot/Pixabay)

New mental-health checklist aims to support returning Florida students

With mental health challenges on the rise among youths, school-based services have become a critical component in addressing the issues. A new …

According to state data, one in eight Georgia teens suffers from depression. (Adobe Stock)

Back-to-school mental-health checklist aims to support GA students

With students back in classrooms, the mental health of Georgia's youth is a top priority and one group is working to make sure students have access …

According to Every Library Institute, Project 2025 aims to reduce federal oversight protections and spending as well as reallocating responsibilities to states and localities. (Tyler Olson/Adobe Stock)

Report warns of Project 2025 effect on AR libraries

Changes could be coming for libraries and the people who work there if Project 2025 goes into effect. The 900 page document outlines how agencies …

The consulting firm EAB reported in 2023 community colleges are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic, including a shrinking workforce. (Adobe Stock)

ND community colleges have solid enrollment, faculty is another story

Some North Dakota community colleges and technical schools have had success when it comes to student enrollment but they have not been able to avoid c…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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Education

Parents, teachers voice concerns over rejecting federal funds for NC schools

Serving looks with books: Libraries fight ‘fast fashion’ by lending clothes

CO Amendment 80 could prompt private school voucher foothold

NC voucher bill sparks debate over public school funding, equity

Ball State, IU team up for medical student housing

Palm Beach County schools tackle post-pandemic chronic absenteeism

As climate change ramps up, energy efficiency helps OR schools save money

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

TX teachers not discouraged by current political climate

MI educators sound alarm about the future of teaching

Report: Teacher pay lags behind others with college degrees

Extreme weather equals 'extreme absence' from MI schools

Federal funding drives PA's increase in electric school buses

Schools' services help ME kids tackle mental health challenges

Critical choices: How Ohio’s elections will affect education

Child care, tax cuts expected focus of upcoming WV special session

Former Walz colleagues bring education record into focus

Experts want more school mental health services

Montgomery officials demand responsible social media use after school threats

NC teachers spend big on classroom supplies amid low pay

Ohio universities see tuition spike, enrollment decline

NYC public schools still not fully ADA compliant

UT struggles with mental health; school-based services could help

WA program gets $35 million to help low-income students going to college

ME school cafeterias become classrooms in effort to reduce food waste

Advocates tout electric school buses in Nevada, ask for more resources

Nonprofit works to improve Latino graduation rates in CA

TX educators prepare for upcoming legislative session

School year begins in WY’s few remaining one-room schoolhouses

Delaware schools emphasize mental-health assessments for students

SD police academy grads newly schooled on Indian Country

Utah State University looks to improve early identification of autism in children

Colorado parents face September 30 deadline to help fund school meals

Coaching beyond the game for student growth in Ohio and elsewhere

NV secures $10 million grant to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities

Calls for broader legal safeguards under Indiana Lifeline Law

NE schools play huge role in safety, well-being, rights of LGBTQ+ students

ID program aims to grow teacher numbers across the state

UNH works to make 'first gen' students feel right at home

Group proposes changes, encourages use of Indigenous SD education standards

Mental health in focus as MD kids head back to school

The quiet preparation: Ohio teachers before the first bell

Experts recommends PA educators, parents prioritize student mental health

Survey: CT educators burned out from ongoing teacher shortage

New mental-health checklist aims to support returning Florida students

Back-to-school mental-health checklist aims to support GA students

Report warns of Project 2025 effect on AR libraries

ND community colleges have solid enrollment, faculty is another story