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Weekly News Round-Up for March 16th
posted by: Melissa | March 16, 2018, 05:48 PM   

Each week, AAE 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, a school gun incident involves school staff, there’s a nationwide walkout, there’s continued debate over teacher pay, and more


Students Walk Out Nationwide: Wednesday saw middle and high school students across the country walk out of class in protest against gun violence. The protest occurred on the one-month anniversary of the Parkland, Florida school shooting. The events ranged in scope and nature. A solemn memorial was held at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, while in Washington D.C. students held a protest rally. Some schools saw no students participate, and at least one school saw only a single student walk out. Schools remain divided on how to respond to the movement. While some schools supported student efforts on both sides of the issue, others promised punishment for students that participated in the walkout. In some states, this included the possibility of corporal punishment. Not all were happy with the idea of students being punished. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo promised to investigate schools that attempted to block the student walkout and students at one Pennsylvania school plan to turn their mass detentions into a protest in and of itself. Meanwhile, a California high school teacher who questioned the protests was put on administrative leave after students complained about her comments.


Gun Incidents in School Highlights Armed Teacher Debate: Even as the debate over whether or not to arm teachers in schools continues, several incidents involving school personnel firing weapons have made their way into national news. Opponents to armed teachers have been quick to cling to these incidents as illustrations on why arming teachers is a bad idea. It’s part of a continued pushback against the growing proposals to allow educators and school personnel to carry weapons on school grounds.


U.S. House Approves School Safety Bill: In an attempt to respond to the student protests, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a school safety bill this week. The bill does not provide funds for arming teachers, but does seek to improve school training measures and provide better coordination between schools and law enforcement. The bill passed in a rare bipartisan vote of 407 to 10.


Growing Debate Over Teacher Pay: While teachers in many U.S. states are well compensated, there are also several states where teachers have gone years without a raise and struggle to make ends meet. In the wake of the West Virginia Teacher’s strike, more educators in these states are beginning to demand that their pay receive greater attention. In Arizona, a teacher posted her pay online bringing attention to the issue in that state. In Oklahoma, teachers are preparing to strike on April 2nd, if an agreement over pay is not reached. After a potential deal was rejected by the union, this remains a distinct possibility.


Happening Elsewhere:

DeVos takes shot at ‘60 Minutes’ in education speech

Gov. Scott Walker offers $100 million plan to boost school safety in Wisconsin

Florida education budget should be revised, superintendents say

Ohioans Divided Over Education Consolidation Bill


What’s going on where you are?

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