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: Start times, the Chicago strike, bathroom blowback, and more!

California Is First State in Nation to Mandate Later Starting Times: On Sunday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that pushes back start time for secondary schools in the state. According to law, middle schools can start no earlier than 8 am and high schools must start 8:30 am or later. In recent years, educators have pointed out that early start times in most US high schools are harmful to students. Research has confirmed this, with one study tying later start times for high school students with increases in academic performance, improved health, and decreases in risky behavior. The bill has many supporters, but some approach it more warily, wondering how it will impact after school activities and the ability of students to hold down a job.

300,000 Students at Home as Chicago Teachers Strike: Teachers in Chicago schools, the third largest district in the country, went on strike this week after they failed to reach a contract agreement with city and district officials. Among their demands are more classroom resources, affordable housing, and smaller class sizes. Like many recent strikes, they also want the district to crack down on charter schools, which the union sees as a threat. Chicago school officials provide principals with a great deal of latitude in how they spend their money. However, to meet the demands of the teachers’ union, much of that flexibility would have to be taken away. The union is also moving beyond education issues and is hoping to push the city to increase its affordable housing efforts.

Georgia District in Chaos over Bathroom Policy: Pickens County Schools was the subject of extreme backlash after announcing it would allow transgender students to use their preferred bathroom. The district believed doing so would comply with recent court rulings. Even though the district believed it could implement the policy without compromising student safety, parents disagreed. After a contentious school board meeting where hundreds of parents and community members showed up, the district announced the policy was on hold and transgender students should instead use gender-neutral bathrooms.

Happening Elsewhere:

Plans to start for no-union Little Rock School District future

Trump Administration Delays Cuts to Food Stamps and School Meals

Toxic PCBs linger in schools; EPA, lawmakers fail to act

The Strongest Support for School Vouchers Comes from Lower-Income Families

Florida Dem proposes bill requiring Bible courses, allowing prayer in public schools

Park County School District, teachers union meet again to try to end strike

These high school sports have the highest concussion rates

Scrutiny of vaccine exemptions banishes some from schools

What Is the Role of an All-Boys School in 2019? How the Elite Institutions Are Trying to Adapt

One State's Solution to Food Waste in Schools? Pigs

Colorado education board to change school ranking system

Fifth time in 24 years. Why Florida is changing school standards, again

Maryland school advocates push for equity for black and Hispanic students

Most Missouri school kids aren't at grade level in English, math

Nebraska could boost K-12 school aid to lower property taxes

Efforts to finally get a constitutional Ohio school funding formula continue

Many Texas school districts are relying on their own talent to run controversial charter partnerships

You have 15 days to weigh in on Washington’s new high-school graduation requirements

Half Of West Virginia's Teachers Miss 10 Days Or More Of School

A Montana elementary school's playground was evacuated after officials thought they found a bomb

What’s going on where you are?

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