EduClips: LAUSD Seeks To Help Neediest Schools Through State Budget; GAO Finds Racial Disparities In School Discipline — And More Must-Reads From America’s 15 Biggest School Districts

EduClips: LAUSD Seeks to Help Neediest Schools Through State Budget; GAO Finds Racial Disparities in School Discipline — and More Must-Reads From America’s 15 Biggest School Districts

EduClips provides a compilation of the most important education news from the largest school districts in the United States, where over 4 million students attend school each day. To stay updated with previous EduClips editions, click here. Subscribe to the TopSheet Education Newsletter to receive the top school and policy news directly in your inbox.

Top Story

EDUCATION SECRETARY SPOTLIGHTS SCHOOL DISCIPLINE — Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education, is considering whether or not to eliminate a guidance document introduced during the Obama administration, which aimed to reduce racial disparities in student discipline. On Wednesday, DeVos held "listening sessions," hearing both sides of the debate. Advocates argue that the guidance helps vulnerable students avoid entering the "school-to-prison pipeline," while opponents claim it is a rigid mandate that compromises school safety. DeVos engaged with various organizations, educators, and parents representing different ideological viewpoints. Although DeVos remained neutral during the conversations, one participant noted her connection between the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and the existing racial disparities in school discipline. However, the release of a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Wednesday may have overshadowed these discussions. The GAO’s report supports much of the rationale behind the 2014 guidance, revealing that black students, boys, and students with disabilities face disproportionate discipline compared to their white, non-disabled peers. (Read at The74Million.org)

National News

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LEAKS — The Inspector General recommends that the Department of Education implement new controls to prevent leaks. (Read at Education Week)

TEACHER WALKOUTS — The ongoing teacher walkouts in Oklahoma continue to cause disagreements between teachers and lawmakers. (Read at USA Today)

BUDGET — A last-ditch effort to change the budget might affect federal education spending. (Read at Politics K-12)

District and State News

CALIFORNIA — As Governor Brown allocates more funding for education, the Los Angeles Unified School District aims to ensure that the neediest schools receive the most support. (Read at LA School Report)

NEW YORK — Mayor de Blasio expects Richard Carranza to promote his agenda and improve literacy in New York City schools. (Read at Chalkbeat)

TEXAS — Betsy DeVos’ upcoming visit to Dallas has provoked mixed reactions from the community. (Read at Dallas News)

FLORIDA — An opinion piece argues for letting parents and students decide whether to use clear backpacks for safety purposes. (Read at Miami Herald)

TEXAS — Some teachers from Oklahoma are finding better working conditions in Texas. (Read at Reuters)

NEVADA — Gubernatorial candidate Laxalt reveals his education plan for Nevada. (Read at Las Vegas Review-Journal)

NEW YORK — Learn about a leading policymaker in New York who is striving to integrate the state’s highly segregated schools. (Read at Chalkbeat)

CALIFORNIA — Ref Rodriguez, a member of the Los Angeles School Board, is arrested for public intoxication. (Read at Los Angeles Times)

Think Pieces

SUPERINTENDENTS — The demand for qualified candidates to serve as superintendents in big city schools is increasing. (Read at U.S. News & World Report)

TEACHER STRIKES — An analysis of teacher strikes offers insights on the importance of these protests. (Read at The Washington Post)

MLK ANNIVERSARY — In order to truly honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., teachers must strive for justice beyond the school environment for their disadvantaged black students. (Read at The74Million.org)

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM — Explore new methods of learning that enhance skills outside the traditional classroom setting. (Read at New York Times)

LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS — Instead of focusing on finding a superhero superintendent, Los Angeles schools should empower principals to make decisions for their schools. (Read at The74Million.org)

CLASSROOM DESIGN — Discover how creative classroom design can foster instructional innovation. (Read at Hechinger Report)

Quote of the Day

"These positions are challenging and take a toll on individuals. They demand a great deal and those who undertake them have very little time for themselves and their families." — Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition of the largest urban public school systems in the country, discussing the difficulties faced by superintendents in large cities. (Read at U.S. News & World Report)

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