WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news on April 22, 2024: This weekend, the Washington State Republican Party endorsed disgraced former school board member and diehard Trump loyalist Semi Bird, which was a humiliating blow to former Congressman Dave Reichert who bowed out at the last moment in a desperate attempt to save himself embarrassment after it was clear he would lose. Despite barely raising any money, Bird's campaign has been building mom  more

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, April 23 -- Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle C. Reid issued the following Weekly Reflections on April 22, 2024: * * * Hello Team FCPS! What a great time of the school year!! So many exciting and inspiring events going on all across the district. As we continue through this glorious spring, I love the quote; "Always be on the look out for the presence of wonder." -- E.B. White. After visiting schools recently, I continue to see wonder aplenty. So ex  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools issued the following statement on April 22, 2024: * * * Three public charter schools have sought to join a lawsuit in which charter school opponents attack the constitutionality of the Professional Charter School Board's authority to approve public charter schools in West Virginia. Simultaneously, these schools have asked the court to dismiss this unfounded lawsuit. Todd Ziebarth, Senior Vice President of State Advocacy a  more

SALEM, Oregon, April 23 -- The Oregon School Boards Association issued the following news: A tour of the Butte Falls Natural Resource Center alternates between examples of student lessons made real and visions of piles of rubble and cluttered old buildings becoming amazing education opportunities. The Butte Falls Charter School has turned a decommissioned state fish hatchery into a staff recruiting tool and a student point of pride -- a learning facility the likes of which "city schools" don't  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 23 -- The American Library Association issued the following news release on April 22, 2024: The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline program. Over the next two years, ten pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, and referral to ALA OIF as appropriate. The initiative wil  more

WILMINGTON, Delaware, April 23 -- Gov. John C. Carney, D-Delaware, issued the following news on April 22, 2024: Governor John Carney announced on Monday the application period for the student seat on the State Board of Education is open through Monday, May 6, 2024. The application (https://education.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Student-Board-Member-Application-2024-25.pdf) can be found on the State Board of Education website (https://education.delaware.gov/community/governance/state-  more

NEW YORK, April 23 -- Educators for Excellence issued the following news release: State officials announced an agreement over the weekend to extend mayoral control of the city's educational system, a governance model in place since 2002. The renewed agreement maintains the mayor's majority control of the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), the primary decision-making body on major educational policies and contracts. Additionally, the mayor will continue to appoint the NYC Schools chancellor, ma  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued an 8-page report in March 2024 entitled "Charter Schools Represent a Weakening of the Public School System." Here are excerpts: * * * Key Takeaways - March 2024 * Investment. Over the last 9 years, manufacturers have announced $188 billion in concrete investment in U.S. EV and EV battery manufacturing facilities. Federal policies have dramatically expanded and accelerated these investments: 61 percent of announced EV investments h  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools issued the following statement on April 22, 2024: * * * Todd Ziebarth, Senior Vice President of State Advocacy and Support at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, released the following statement regarding the passage of SF 2368/HF 2543: "We applaud the Iowa state legislature for their passage of SF 2368/HF 2543. The bill, initially introduced by Governor Reynolds, tackles three key issues: improving per-pup  more

HAMILTON, New Jersey, April 23 -- The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association issued the following news release: The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) celebrates April's School Library Month and the tremendous contribution school libraries make towards fostering literacy and creating a lifetime love of learning. With the observation of School Library month, NJPCSA calls on Governor Murphy and the Legislature to provide public charter schools with crucial school facili  more

LATHAM, New York, April 23 -- The New York State United Teachers issued the following statement on April 21, 2024: * * * NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement in response to this year's final budget agreement: "NYSUT and nearly 700,000 members across the state this year made their voices heard to win a budget that supports public schools, colleges and the labor movement. We thank the Legislature and governor for a final agreement that demonstrates these priorities.   more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, April 23 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Education issued the following news on April 22, 2024: Today, Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin visited Shippensburg University to highlight the important role future educators play in the Commonwealth, and how we can create opportunities for growth and success, keeping more alumni in Pennsylvania and filling the critical educator workforce shortage. "I am thrilled to be visiting Shippensburg University today, my alm  more

ADA, Oklahoma, April 23 -- East Central University issued the following news: East Central University is set to recognize the W.W. and Lelia Reid (Billie) Stephenson family at ECU's Evening of Honors and Recognition, May 10 at 6 p.m., in the ECU Foundation Hall, located inside the Chickasaw Business & Conference Center. W. W. and Billie Stephenson were longtime residents of Ada, OK. W.W. grew up in Atwood. He was the sixth of nine children, the son of a peanut and pig farmer. Billie grew up in  more