K-12 Education
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations influencing the debate on education policy.
Featured Stories
MCSD Teachers Become Certified Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) Educators
COLUMBUS, Georgia, April 19 -- The Muscogee County School District issued the following news release:
Ten Muscogee County School District teachers are now certified through a program that trains teachers to use arts-integrated instruction across their curriculum.
The Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) program is an educational outreach initiative of the Springer Opera House that provides hands-on, arts based professional development for teachers to deeply engage students in learning.
PAIR lessons integrate drama, visual arts and creative movement techniques directly with state standards
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COLUMBUS, Georgia, April 19 -- The Muscogee County School District issued the following news release:
Ten Muscogee County School District teachers are now certified through a program that trains teachers to use arts-integrated instruction across their curriculum.
The Professional Arts Integration Resource (PAIR) program is an educational outreach initiative of the Springer Opera House that provides hands-on, arts based professional development for teachers to deeply engage students in learning.
PAIR lessons integrate drama, visual arts and creative movement techniques directly with state standardswhile emphasizing 21st Century life skills such as collaboration, empathy, self-discipline and resilience. The lessons also appeal to non-traditional learners, shy students who might not be outspoken in a traditional setting, gifted students looking to be challenged differently, and so many others.
"PAIR was founded on the idea that all kids can learn and that all people, adults and kids, are creative," Sally Baker explains, founder of PAIR and Education Director at the Springer. "By infusing creativity into learning on a consistent basis, students and teachers will discover knowledge together."
These teaching strategies are not about creating an artistic product, but rather using the arts as an alternative process to learn in a classroom setting. In addition to achieving better test scores and offering teaching strategies to educators, this program also increases student engagement and builds classroom and school community.
"We see the intangible effects of teacher collaboration, teacher job satisfaction and student excitement in the classroom all the time," Baker says.
The two pilot schools that participated in this program include Fox Elementary and South Columbus. Congratulations to the following teachers who earned their PAIR certification:
* Christina Alexander, South Columbus Elementary
* Patrice Autry, South Columbus Elementary
* Heather Cameron, South Columbus Elementary
* Tina Floyd, South Columbus Elementary
* Ashley Miles, South Columbus Elementary
* Teresa Mims, South Columbus Elementary
* Monique Proteau, South Columbus Elementary
* Cathy Russell, Fox Elementary
* Haley Morgan Smith, Fox Elementary
* Heather Zurita, South Columbus Elementary
In order for these educators to become certified, they must have regular attendance, participate in arts-integrated instruction both with and without a PAIR Specialist in the room, actively participate in yearly evaluations, and participate in community advocacy. These certified teachers have spent at least two years as a PAIR partnering teacher, achieved almost 100 hours of arts-integration PD, and redelivered strategies to peers and colleagues.
For more information about the PAIR program, visit their website: https://pairprogram.org/.
Teams From 5 Baltimore County Schools Headed to VEX Robotics World Championships
TOWSON, Maryland, April 18 -- Baltimore County Public Schools issued the following news release:
On April 24, the top teams from around the globe will converge in Louisville, Kentucky, to see what they can achieve at this year's VEX Robotics World Championships.
Among them will be teams from five Baltimore County schools. These teams qualified to compete at the World Championships based on their performance at state and regional events.
"In Maryland, teams have been building and competing since September 2018 in search of their spots to represent Maryland at Worlds," said Christopher Putnam,
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TOWSON, Maryland, April 18 -- Baltimore County Public Schools issued the following news release:
On April 24, the top teams from around the globe will converge in Louisville, Kentucky, to see what they can achieve at this year's VEX Robotics World Championships.
Among them will be teams from five Baltimore County schools. These teams qualified to compete at the World Championships based on their performance at state and regional events.
"In Maryland, teams have been building and competing since September 2018 in search of their spots to represent Maryland at Worlds," said Christopher Putnam,S.T.A.T. teacher at Hereford Middle. "Good luck to the schools that will be representing BCPS among the over 1,650 teams representing 40 countries at the World Championships."
The participating BCPS schools are:
VRC High School and Middle School - April 24-27
Catonsville High School
Hereford High School
Hereford Middle School
Ridgely Middle School
VEXIQ - April 28-30
Hereford Middle School
Ridgely Middle School
Sparks Elementary School
The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation's 12thannualVEX Robotics World Championship, presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, is a weeklong event celebrating hands-on STEM learning.
"With the demand for STEM-related skills growing at such a fast pace, competitions like this help spark student interest and excitement in technology and pursuing high-tech careers," said Dan Mantz, CEO of the REC Foundation. A June 2018 study by The REC Foundation showed that nine out of 10 students express interest in pursuing STEM careers after participating in the VEX Robotics Competition.
Miami Lakes Ed Center Named Top Magnet School in the Nation, 58 M-DCPS Schools, Students, Employees Win Top Awards at National MSA Conference
MIAMI, Florida, April 18 -- Miami-Dade County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Fifty-eight Miami-Dade County public magnet schools recently were honored at the 37th annual Magnet Schools of America (MSA) National Conference with a Merit Award of either Excellence or Distinction for having demonstrated the highest level of achievement in Magnet schools nationally. This is more schools than any other district in the country - ever!
"The students, teachers and employees of Miami-Dade County Public Schools continue to shine and demonstrate their commitment to instructional and academic
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MIAMI, Florida, April 18 -- Miami-Dade County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Fifty-eight Miami-Dade County public magnet schools recently were honored at the 37th annual Magnet Schools of America (MSA) National Conference with a Merit Award of either Excellence or Distinction for having demonstrated the highest level of achievement in Magnet schools nationally. This is more schools than any other district in the country - ever!
"The students, teachers and employees of Miami-Dade County Public Schools continue to shine and demonstrate their commitment to instructional and academicexcellence," said Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. "Winning the prestigious Magnet Schools of America award is another example of Miami-Dade's belief that all children have the potential to soar to extraordinary academic heights when they are exposed to curriculum that is cutting-edge and robust."
Among them is Miami Lakes Educational Center, which earned the 2019 Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Magnet School of Merit Award of Excellence for the highest commitment to Diversity, Academic Excellence, and Curriculum Innovation.
"This outstanding achievement honors and celebrates the dedication of Miami Lakes Educational Center's teachers and administrators who provide students with a rigorous, well-planned education in a field of their choice, aptly preparing them for college and career," said School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman. "Bringing this award home to Miami Lakes and to Miami-Dade County is a commendable accomplishment for these educators, who will be revered for many years to come."
Miami-Dade County's public schools, students and employees received numerous awards and recognitions for stellar work and high levels of achievements during the 2018-2019 year:
Deborah Leal, Principal of Hammocks Middle School, received the MSA Region III (which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) Magnet Principal of the Year award.
Antonio Santamaria, 5th grade, from Sunset Elementary, was honored with 3rd place in the elementary level of the National Magnet School Poster Contest.
Ponce De Leon Middle School was honored as being one of the schools within the top 3 percent of magnet schools nationally.
Evonne Alvarez, District Director for Schools Choice & Parental Options, was re-elected by her peers to serve a second two-year term as the MSA Region III Director on the MSA Board of Directors. Additionally, she was named chair of all seven regional directors.
To view the M-DCPS Magnet schools receiving national Merit Awards click here: (http://news.dadeschools.net/cmnc/new/29048)
Magnet school programs offer unique courses of study focusing on students' special interests, talents, and abilities and are available in five themes of study: International Programs; Liberal Arts; S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics); Virtual Learning; and Visual & Performing Arts. Since opening its first magnet program in 1973, magnet options have greatly expanded within Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Currently, more than 72,000 students are enrolled in more than 380 magnet programs offered at 114 schools districtwide. For more information, go to: miamimagnets.org or @miamimagnets on Twitter.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Student Named National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Winner
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, April 18 -- Broward County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Congratulations to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student David Wu on being named a National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship winner by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). David is among the more than 1,000 distinguished high school seniors who have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholar awards financed by about 160 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations.
David is the recipient of the National Merit Harris Corporation Scholarship.
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, April 18 -- Broward County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Congratulations to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student David Wu on being named a National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship winner by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). David is among the more than 1,000 distinguished high school seniors who have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholar awards financed by about 160 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations.
David is the recipient of the National Merit Harris Corporation Scholarship.Harris Corporation is a producer of high-technology communication and information processing systems, equipment and components. The company's products, which are used in voice and video communications, data processing, data communication and graphic communication, are sold worldwide. Harris Corporation supports Merit Scholarship awards for children of its employees.
Most of the National Merit Scholarship awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice. This is the first announcement of National Merit Scholars in 2019 by National Merit Scholarship
Corporation, which will name recipients of National Merit(R) $2,500 Scholarships on May 8, and winners of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards on June 5 and July 15. By the conclusion of this year's competition, about 7,600 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million.
ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
"Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential."
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth-largest school district in the nation and the second-largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida's first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has more than 271,500 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 234 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 88 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 204 different countries and 191 different languages. Connect with BCPS: visit the website at browardschools.com, follow BCPS on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.
Maloney Named District's Next Director of Activities and Athletics
DUBUQUE, Iowa, April 18 -- Dubuque Community Schools issued the following news release:
The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Maloney as the district's next director of activities and athletics, pending approval by the district Board of Education at its May meeting.
Maloney, who currently serves as principal of Carver Elementary School, will assume the position full-time on July 1. He will succeed Amy Hawkins, who is leaving the position to become the district's next executive director of human resources.
As director of activities and athletics,
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DUBUQUE, Iowa, April 18 -- Dubuque Community Schools issued the following news release:
The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Maloney as the district's next director of activities and athletics, pending approval by the district Board of Education at its May meeting.
Maloney, who currently serves as principal of Carver Elementary School, will assume the position full-time on July 1. He will succeed Amy Hawkins, who is leaving the position to become the district's next executive director of human resources.
As director of activities and athletics,Maloney will serve on the district's executive leadership team and oversee all aspects of the district's extracurricular programming, including athletics, fine arts and student clubs/organizations. He will also provide oversight of the district's health services staff and health curriculum.
An experienced educational administrator, Maloney is currently the principal of Carver Elementary School and is responsible for the overall management of the school, including programming, budget management, and hiring, evaluation and mentoring of staff. He also oversees all aspects of the district's Summer Academy reading program.
Before serving at Carver, Maloney was a principal in the Dubuque Community School District for both Marshall Elementary School and Irving Elementary School. He has also been a building principal at St. Francis Xavier School in Dyersville, Iowa, and for Holy Family Catholic Schools in Dubuque.
"Joe is a skilled administrator and will bring a wealth of experience and a love for activities and athletics to this new role," said Superintendent of Schools Stan Rheingans. "His strong relationships in the district and throughout the community will be great assets as he joins the district executive leadership team."
Maloney holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Loras College, and a superintendent certificate from the University of Northern Iowa.
JPS Transportation Officials Receive Safety Awards
JACKSON, Mississippi, April 18 -- Jackson Public Schools issued the following news:
On April 2, 2019, Brian Johnson with Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance presented Rising Star Safety Awards to Transportation Department administrators. The Rising Star Safety Award is given as an incentive to make safety a priority and to improve driver safety.
The presentation was made during the regular meeting of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees.
Derrick Williams, Executive Director of Transportation; Lacharles Brister, supervisor of Transportation North; and Janie Knott, supervisor of Transportation
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JACKSON, Mississippi, April 18 -- Jackson Public Schools issued the following news:
On April 2, 2019, Brian Johnson with Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance presented Rising Star Safety Awards to Transportation Department administrators. The Rising Star Safety Award is given as an incentive to make safety a priority and to improve driver safety.
The presentation was made during the regular meeting of the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees.
Derrick Williams, Executive Director of Transportation; Lacharles Brister, supervisor of Transportation North; and Janie Knott, supervisor of TransportationSouth; all received Rising Star Safety Awards for embracing and encouraging motor vehicle safety.
Last year, Bottrell and the Office of Risk Management partnered to implement a three-year strategic plan to recognize Transportation leaders for their involvement in ensuring the department's drivers participate in various safe driver trainings. This was done to improve safe driving practices and to reduce auto-related accidents.
Eight MPS Schools are 2019 Wisconsin Schools of Recognition
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, April 18 -- The Milwaukee Public Schools have issued the following news:
Eight MPS schools learned this week that they are among 114 schools being recognized for success in educating students. All the schools receive federal Title I funding to provide services to high numbers or high percentages of economically disadvantaged families. The schools that earn recognition also must meet the state's test participation, attendance, and dropout goals.
Honored schools will receive a plaque during an award ceremony at the State Capitol on May 20. MPS schools were recognized in several
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MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, April 18 -- The Milwaukee Public Schools have issued the following news:
Eight MPS schools learned this week that they are among 114 schools being recognized for success in educating students. All the schools receive federal Title I funding to provide services to high numbers or high percentages of economically disadvantaged families. The schools that earn recognition also must meet the state's test participation, attendance, and dropout goals.
Honored schools will receive a plaque during an award ceremony at the State Capitol on May 20. MPS schools were recognized in severalcategories.
Five Consecutive Years of Recognition
Honey Creek Elementary School
High-Progress Schools
Milwaukee German Immersion School
Beating the Odds Schools
Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA)
Carmen High School of Science and Technology South Campus
Hmong American Peace Academy
Honey Creek Elementary School
Milwaukee College Preparatory School: Lola Rowe North Campus
Milwaukee Excellence Charter School
Reagan College Preparatory High School
"I am very encouraged by this level of progress in our schools," said Dr. Keith P. Posley, MPS Superintendent. "I want to thank our students, teachers, staff, and community partners who have come together, tried new ideas, and increased success."
"Thank you, educators, support staff, families, partners - everyone who helped schools earn these awards. You are building a better future for your students and our state," said State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor.
Congratulations to our honored schools!
