Education News is full of topics that are important to educators and parents. Whether it’s news about new programs, a school’s financial crisis or the growing popularity of alternative Education News, we are sure to have something of interest.
Teachers are Saying their Kids are Eating up the Content
If you’ve been watching fox news or surfing Twitter, you’ve no doubt heard about the Tea Party wave that hit our nation’s capital and the legislative gaffes that have come along for the ride. What’s more, the cost of living in many areas has soared to levels unseen since the Great Depression, and schools in every state are suffering from a staffing shortage. Luckily, educators in these high-stress jobs are doing their part to fill the gaps, but there is no shortage of acrimony to be found.
CUNY Will Spend $50 million to Spruce up 90 Middle and high School Cafeterias
Mayor Eric Adams is taking action to enhance the dining experience for CUNY students. As part of his school meal plan, the city will invest $50 million in redesigning 90 middle and high schools’ cafeterias. The improvements will include comfortable seating, a greater variety of food options and a more welcoming atmosphere.
One of the largest urban public universities in the country, CUNY serves approximately 243,000 undergraduate students and has seven community colleges. In addition to providing a first-rate public education to all students, CUNY’s graduates contribute to New York’s economic, cultural, and civic life.
Colleges and Universities are Restricting Access to TikTok
The popular video app TikTok is being restricted by a growing number of colleges and universities in the United States. These bans come in response to concerns that TikTok shares user data with the Chinese government.
While the bans will have no effect on students, they will restrict access for university employees. These employees include admissions officers, professors who create instructional TikTok posts, and sports programs.
TikTok was banned on state-issued devices by governors in several states, including Virginia and Alabama. However, it is still being used on personal devices by faculty and students on campus.
Santelises Fvaluated Baltimore’s Homegrown Literacy Curriculum
If you want to know more about the homegrown literacy curriculum in Baltimore City Public Schools, you’ve come to the right place. The city’s school system has a history of scandals and low test scores, but the past decade saw an unprecedented infusion of federal and state dollars that have led to major improvements. Now, teachers are able to better connect their curriculum to the students they teach.
One major change in the school system’s curriculum is called “BMore Me,” which highlights the role of Black and brown communities in the city’s history. The program allows students to research leaders from the past and present and demonstrate what they’ve learned to their peers. It’s a culturally relevant and engaging approach.
School Leaders are Shifting Resources From Combating the Waning Virus to Addressing Academic Crises
With a federal budget deficit in the rearview mirror, school leaders are retooling their efforts from tackling the waning flu virus to addressing academic and mental health challenges. Among them is the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the obvious, school officials need to be mindful of the digital divide as children return to in-person learning. The best part is, state solutions are improving students’ access to a reliable high-speed internet connection.
Aside from the usual suspects (teachers, administrators, and the like), schools need to engage parents and community members to ensure a smooth transition. Schools should also consider the social determinants of health such as reducing the stigmatization associated with mental illness. They should also do a good job of incorporating academic accommodations for students with special needs.
Early Retirements
Educators are being asked to think about retirement early and often. A recent survey by the National Education News Association reveals that more than half of educators are burnt out, and almost 90 percent of them are concerned about their retirement savings. Adding an early retirement option to the mix could help alleviate some of these problems.
The ERI, or early retirement incentive, is a policy that allows workers to retire early in exchange for additional service credit. This credit is credited toward the calculation of their final retirement benefit.
Hybrid and Fully Remote Work Arrangements
Hybrid and fully remote work arrangements are flexible working arrangements that combine an in-person and off-campus work schedule. These types of work arrangements are intended to balance the need for work and personal flexibility. They also enhance employee recruitment and retention. However, they are not universally acceptable.
The Bottom Lines
In order to participate in hybrid or remote work arrangements, staff members must be in good standing and in a position that allows them to perform their duties in a timely and efficient manner. Before establishing a remote work arrangement, the employee and their supervisor should discuss the requirements for the work location, including the ability to meet deadlines, engage with peers, and communicate effectively.
