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: Strikes, more strikes, lawsuits, and more!

Little Rock Preps for Future, Possible Strike: Little Rock School District has begun planning for the return of local control over the district. After several years of state control, the state education board approved a plan that will return control to the community. The plan provides for the creation of community schools, which would be represented by an alliance of staff, community members, and parents. There are many contentious issues surrounding the return to local control, including the number of charter schools and the role of the teachers’ union. Currently, the union’s collective bargaining power has been stripped. Instead, teachers will serve on policy committees in order to provide input on salaries and other issues. It is this move that has upset the local teachers’ union and has caused them to threaten a teacher strike. Our state chapter in Arkansas, ASTA, has released a statement on a potential teacher strike.

Chicago Students Return to School: After a strike that lasted 11 days, school officials in Chicago announced that students would be returning to class on Friday. City officials said that they were sympathetic to the union, but could not meet all their demands, especially the ones that went far beyond the scope of what’s included in typical teacher negotiations. Nevertheless, the district and union reached an agreement that would increase teacher salary by 16%, reduce class size, and increase access to social workers, nurses, and librarians.

Detroit’s “Earth-Shattering” Lawsuit: CBS news is reporting on a lawsuit against Detroit Public Schools that is currently making its way through the federal court system. The case asserts that students in DPS were denied their fundamental right to an education. A similar lawsuit was also filed in Rhode Island. If successful, the case would mean that states have a duty to provide students with an adequate education and could impact how all states make decisions on school funding. The lawsuit also includes charter schools, making sure that they couldn’t be shortchanged on funding if the courts side with the students. However, the outcome is far from certain. Though the suits allege that students have a right to an education, the constitution does not mention education explicitly.

Happening Elsewhere:

What’s for lunch?

School apps track students from the classroom to bathroom, and parents are struggling to keep up

Giving Schools — And Students — The Tools They Need In The Fight To Save The Planet

Schools Have Lost $16B in Capital Funds Since the Great Recession.

About Two-Thirds Of Hawaii Middle Schoolers Feel Safe At School

Louisiana OKs high school courses for future teachers

Here’s where Minnesota schools get their money and how it is spent

NCGA approves Republican school raise bill as budget fight continues

Pa. quietly reverses ‘lunch shaming’ ban as school district debt grows

Texas House panel considers fixes for glitches in school finance law

Austin school officials OK sex-ed curriculum – but values group says fight not over

Dark money seeps into 2019 Denver school board election

Texas education officials recommend replacing Houston ISD's elected school board

Jonesboro High School Students Learn About Forensic Analysis

Tennessee education board overturns Nashville public schools board decision to close Knowledge Academies

Why Rhode Island’s Governor Is Taking Over Providence’s Public Schools

Florida school principal fired after refusing to call Holocaust 'factual'

California school district replaces 2 administrators after student, 13, died following alleged assault

South Carolina students who posted 'Whites Only', 'Colored Only' signs in school disciplined, officials say

How this Baltimore charter school puts kids in charge of their futures

What’s going on where you are?

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