Local education officials oppose state amendment

Local education leaders are opposing a state amendment that would allow the state to take over local schools that are deemed to be failing. The amendment would allow the state to create an Opportunity School District, which would be ruled by a governing board appointed by state lawmakers in order to oversee operation of a failing school.

On the issues: Clinton, Trump call for more federal funding in education, differ on use

On the issue of education, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump call for greater federal funds, but beyond that, do not share much in common. Trump advocates greater accountability for schools and teachers and the ability for families to choose any school for the child, many with government support, while returning more control to states and school districts.

High school students have never known a world before 9/11 – Sun, 11 Sep 2016 PST

Fifteen years ago, millions of Americans watched in horror as two Boeing 737 passenger jets hijacked by al-Qaida extremists crashed into the World Trade Center in Manhattan, eventually sending a mountain of rubble, debris and bodies to the ground. Fifteen years ago, millions of Americans watched in horror as two Boeing 737 passenger jets hijacked by al-Qaida extremists crashed into the World Trade Center in Manhattan, eventually sending a mountain of rubble, debris and bodies to the ground.

Kindergarten teacher who let student be kidnapped isn’t immune from lawsuit, U.S. court says

A kindergarten teacher who allowed a 5-year-old student to leave school with a stranger who then sexually molested the child isn't entitled to legal immunity from a lawsuit the victim's mother filed, a federal appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. The actions of substitute teacher Reginald Littlejohn are simply too dire for an immunity shield to be extended to him or the School District of Philadelphia, Senior Judge Julio M. Fuentes concluded in the opinion by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

MSBA: No recommendation on transgender bathroom issue

The Missouri School Boards Association originally recommended schools allow transgender students to use the bathroom and locker room they identify with, but it swiftly rewrote the policy, leaving the decision up to districts. The sudden change came after a Virginia district court ruled it did not accept the U.S. Department of Education's interpretation of Title IX to include "gender identity," allowing transgender students to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity.

Jackson: Pricey mailings draw critics in an election year

The four- to eight-page tabloid newspapers have Rep. Chris Smith's name in the banner and his picture on just about every page as he meets with constituents, leads hearings or delivers speeches. Topics for stories include legislation sponsored by the Republican from Mercer County, local public works projects he got funded, his ongoing drive for global human rights and how high school students can apply for a chance to attend a military academy or get their art shown in the Capitol.

Fairfield-Suisun school leaders headed to D.C. for summit on a reinventinga high schools

For the second time in two years, Fairfield-Suisun Unified Superintendent Kris Corey will return to Washington, D.C., to discuss and share ideas about 21st-century high schools. The Vacaville resident and also Kristen Witt, the school district's director of secondary education, will attend the White House Summit on Next Generation High Schools, Sept.

USD 345 approves teachers’ contract

Members of the Seaman Unified School District 345 board of education approved the 2016-17 school year teachers' contract during a special meeting Thursday but not without one dissenting vote. Board member Rich Eckert said he voted against this year's negotiated agreement because he doesn't agree with the formation of a committee made up of teachers and administration officials, who in the coming months will review the potential of combining the current annual two days of vacation leave with 10 days of sick leave into one pot for certified staff.

Indiana gubernatorial debate on education set for Sept. 27

The nonprofit Indiana Debate Commission announced Tuesday that the first debate involving Democrat John Gregg, Republican Eric Holcomb and Libertarian Rex Bell will be held at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. The commission says the debate will be during school hours as a town hall-style event involving high school students, teachers and administrators.

Judge in Texas temporarily blocks President Obama’s transgender rules

A federal judge in Texas has blocked the Obama administration's order that requires public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity. In a temporary injunction signed Sunday, U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled that the federal education law known as Title IX "is not ambiguous" about sex being defined as "the biological and anatomical differences between male and female students as determined at their birth."

Schools cut 3,000 jobs across Oklahoma after budget reductions

Close to 4 percent of public school teacher positions in Oklahoma were eliminated last year as districts across the state dealt with budget cuts and a shortage of trained teachers. A survey of school districts by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association found 1,530 teaching positions were removed over the past school year, according to results made public Monday.

Teachers displaced by flood pose challenge to Louisiana schools

Twenty-two districts across a vast swath of southern Louisiana were forced to close last week by a historic flood, delaying or interrupting the start of the school year for tens of thousands of children. Although some districts remain closed indefinitely - and the superintendent of one hard-hit district is living in an emergency shelter - the majority plan to welcome students back within the next two weeks, according to John White, the Louisiana state superintendent.