EDUCATION NEWS
NJSBA
Education Matters – Legal & Policy Considerations in Restricting the Use of Cellphones in Schools
Marc Zitomer, chair of the School Law Practice Group at Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP, will explore questions regarding cell phone use by students and more with Ray Pinney, chief membership engagement officer at the New Jersey School Boards Association.
NEW JERSEY
Asbury Park Press
Point Pleasant’s new flag was created by a 12-year-old
Carlo Polino is a sixth grader with an affinity for flags. Earlier this year he noticed something: While many municipalities have flags, his hometown of Point Pleasant did not.
Ocean, Monmouth counties test scores reveal gap between schools
State officials have released test scores from the 2023-24 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, a test that measures students’ abilities in English, language arts and math between third grade and high school, as well as science skills and knowledge in grades 5, 8 and 11.
NJ.com
Jersey City BOE president aims for vote on students’ cellphone ban Monday – nj.com
Jersey City Board of Education President DeJon Morris plans to call for a vote Monday to ban students from using cellphones during school hours, a growing trend that studies have shown improve student performance and social engagement.
N.J. school test scores revealed for 2024. Look up how students did in your district. – nj.com
New Jersey students continued to show some progress in the third year of post-pandemic state testing, but average scores still remain below pre-pandemic levels, according to new numbers released by the state Department of Education this week.
- Also covered in NorthJersey.com.
NJ Spotlight News
NJ school test scores. See results for every school and district
This easy-to-search table is based on data released by the state last week.
Cellphone restrictions proposed for NJ schools
Bill would limit cellphone use in school by K-12 students.
Last of the pandemic aid — discord over how NJ spends it
The federal funds must be allocated by Dec. 31 or risk going back to Washington.
NJ Patch
Crossing Guard Died Saving BurlCo Students From Oncoming Car
A Burlington City School crossing guard succumbed to his injuries Friday after protecting two students from an oncoming vehicle, officials said.
- Also covered in Burlington County Times and nj.com
Philadelphia Inquirer
Haddonfield voters will consider $46.7 million school bond referendum, the largest in 25 years
Voters in Burlington Township are also deciding school bond questions on Tuesday that would raise property taxes to pay for renovations in the school system.
- Also covered in msn.com
A Middle Township school bus driver volunteers his time to read to students
This bus driver uses downtime between routes to read to elementary schools. Now, they request time with him.
- Also covered in msn.com
NATIONAL
Associated Press
Supreme Court rejects appeal from Boston parents over race bias in elite high school admissions
The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Boston parents who claimed a temporary admissions exam policy for the city’s elite high schools discriminated against white students and those of Asian descent.
- Also covered in msn.com
Supreme Court rejects Wisconsin parents’ challenge to school guidance for transgender students
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Wisconsin parents who wanted to challenge a school district’s guidance for supporting transgender students.
- Also covered in msn.com
Chalkbeat
Higher education strengthens civic life but needs to serve students better, a new report says
A new Complete College America report shows why colleges and universities can help students achieve greater economic success, which in turn can lead to greater engagement in public life.
Education Week
Will AI Transform Standardized Testing?
AI could help usher in a new breed of standardized tests, but caution is needed.
Can a New Reading Lawsuit Finally Answer: What Is Research-Based Curriculum, Anyway?
The suit raises questions about how curricula by Calkins, Fountas, and Pinnell are marketed.
5 Trump Education Priorities for a Second Term
The framework for Trump’s plans for education is starting to take shape.
Give the Gift of Kindness: How to Create a Culture of Gratitude in Your School (Opinion)
A middle school teacher proposes spreading a little joy through notecards.
Graduation Rates Might Get Worse Before They Get Better
Schools must make a convincing case for why students should show up, Robert Balfanz says.
Districts Flood FCC With Requests for New Cybersecurity Funds
The Federal Communications Commission received more than 2,700 applications for its pilot program to help schools and libraries fund cybersecurity projects, representing a total of $3.7 billion in requests, according to the agency.
A New Plan to Raise the Lowest Literacy Rates in the Nation In case you missed it
As part of an ambitious $30 million statewide initiative to boost literacy rates, New Mexico has planned a free four- to six-week summer reading program open to all public school students entering kindergarten through 9th grade. The program promises small-group instruction by trained literacy instructors who will be paid $35 an hour.
Wall Street Journal/Yahoo.com
Saying phones should be banned in schools is easy. Actually, doing it is a lot more complicated.
As students across the country start to kick off another school year, a growing number of them will be greeted by strict new restrictions on when and where they can use their cellphones.
