Education News

School districts face growing ransomware attacks, which increased 92% from 2022 to 2023, along with phishing attempts targeting students, teachers, and administrators. Cloud-based systems heighten risks where technical defenses like firewalls prove insufficient against human-error vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity awareness training is highlighted as essential to mitigate incidents. Key Points Ransomware attacks against K-12 rose 92% between […]

Tennessee Republicans have appointed a politically selected oversight board to guide key decisions for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The board includes two former district leaders: a former school board member and a local lawyer. This structure follows a state takeover model for the district. Key Points Tennessee Republicans appoint oversight board for Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board

Indiana charter school students showed greater academic growth after the pandemic than peers in traditional public schools. A preliminary analysis by researchers affiliated with Brown University’s Annenberg Institute found these gains were especially strong for Black and Hispanic students. Key Points Charter students outperformed traditional public schools in post-COVID academic growth Gains were most pronounced

The Supreme Court’s recent decision on the Voting Rights Act could affect local elections for school boards and city councils. The ruling may alter election processes and outcomes in districts previously shaped by VRA provisions. It applies to both higher-profile races and local education governance. Key Points Supreme Court weakened Voting Rights Act provisions affecting

The article examines a decades-long shift granting states greater authority over K-12 education, highlighted by the Trump administration’s proposed Make Education Great Again grant consolidating $220 million in rural funding and 16 federal programs. These programs include literacy grants, support for homeless students, and after-school initiatives. It stresses that expanded state control brings heightened accountability

The article discusses Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s efforts to position the state as ‘where woke goes to die’ in higher education. It focuses on the need for continued vigilance regarding the presidency of Florida’s flagship public university. Author Paul du Quenoy highlights ongoing concerns about ideological influences in academia. Key Points DeSantis promotes Florida as

The article examines state efforts to revisit the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which requires public K-12 schools to educate children of undocumented immigrants. It highlights the decision’s contested constitutional foundations and the legal barriers posed by precedent. Education Next discusses potential challenges amid ongoing debates over state education obligations. Key Points

Charter schools provide flexibility and autonomy as a popular K-12 model. Recent data indicates their growth may be slowing. The structure continues to appeal due to operational independence from traditional districts. Key Points Charter schools emphasize flexibility and autonomy from district rules. Growth rates for new charters have slowed in recent years. The model remains

The article recaps last week’s K-12 education news, including a major school district considering closures. It also addresses U.S. Department of Education funding priorities and warnings about harmful screen use. Key Points Large district evaluates potential school closures Federal education funding priorities highlighted Concerns over excessive student screen time noted Implications for Educational Freedom No

Paul E. Peterson interviews Patrick J. Wolf, Distinguished Professor at the University of Arkansas, about trends in student achievement. The discussion examines the stubborn nature of the achievement gap and instances where it has widened over time. The content originates from Education Next. Key Points Interview focuses on long-term patterns in U.S. student performance Achievement