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, there’s teacher protests, DeVos under fire, pay raises, and more!

North Carolina Preps for Teacher Protests: Teachers Unions in North Carolina are planning for a “day of action” on May 1^st. On that day, union members will be marching on the state capitol with the hope that they can influence the policy passed by North Carolina’s legislature. The organizers have a list of demands that range from teacher pay to Medicaid expansion. In expectation of teachers being absent that day, the state’s four largest school districts have all planned to close that day. Opposition to the protests point out the difficulty the school closures will cause for working class parents and that May 1^st is a date traditionally associated with Marxist movements.

DeVos Programs Under Fire: During a hearing on Wednesday, Congressional Democrats criticized Betsy DeVos’s school choice program. The plan is a key part of the Trump administration’s plan to improve school access. It allows private citizens to donate to state-appointed scholarship funds. This money would then be given to students to attend a school of their choice. While different than voucher programs, it appears to be tied to those type of programs in many people’s minds. Democrats at the same hearing also criticized her for not taking a position on programs that arm teachers.

Teachers’ Pay on the Rise: Several states have made moves this week to increase the pay of their educators. In Texas, the Senate passed a bill that included a $5,000 raise, while near-by Oklahoma passed a bill that included a $1,200 pay raise. Meanwhile, Illinois increased the minimum teacher salary to $40,000 and Indiana has set-aside funding for merit bonuses for high-performing educators. These states are the latest to respond to a wave of growing discontent by educators over a perceived lack of pay-raises.

Happening Elsewhere:

National Science Teachers Association Announces Recipients of its 2019 Teacher Awards Program

Nationwide shortage of school nurses called a "crisis" that may be putting kids' lives at risk

Gov. Bill Lee's education savings account plan advances, but Senate makes major changes to its version

Matt Bevin administration issues subpoena to JCPS for sickout teacher names

Sacramento Teachers Picket Outside Schools In One-Day Strike Amid Budget Crisis

Mom of fifth grader Raniya Wright who died after fight said she told school of bullying

Bill would water down public school accountability in Nevada

Florida’s Education Department Seeks Input For New Testing Standards

Audit: NY State Education Department must increase school safety

Utah’s sex education standards will be updated for the first time in 20 years. But teachers will still be ‘stressing abstinence.’

State High Court Hears Oral Arguments On Wisconsin’s Schools Chief's Rulemaking Powers

Bill in Florida House would require school districts to share local referendum money with charter schools

West Virginia Board of Education still tallying final statewide education report

Mississippi school board votes to take over 2 districts

After high school shooting, Texas campuses could soon have more armed marshals

16 finalists announced for Alabama Teacher of the Year

Indiana active-shooter training to give teachers option of getting shot with projectiles, lawmakers say

How one district achieved a more collaborative labor-management partnership

What’s going on where you are?

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