Every week our newsroom monitors the news for the top stories in education from a variety of sources ranging from the mainstream media to blogs and other analysis, and compile them for you. Here’s the latest in education:
Parents sue High School after their son was punished for using AI
WCBV
A family outside of Boston is suing their high school over an AI dispute. The school accused their son of cheating on a paper, but the family argued that the school’s handbook never specifically said anything about AI usage. The son admits that he used AI as a research tool rather than having it write the paper for him. He believes that the school is hurting his chances of getting into top colleges and is punishing him unfairly.
A father and son are both indicted on murder charges in a mass school shooting in Georgia
The Associated Press
A Barrow County grand jury indicted 14-year-old Colt Gray on a total of 55 counts, including murder in the deaths of four people and 25 counts of aggravated assault following the mass-shooting he perpetrated on September 4th at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Grand jurors formally charged his father, Colin Gray, with 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Both also face multiple counts of cruelty to children. Second-degree murder is an unusual charge under Georgia law, resulting from the death of a child when someone is committing the crime of cruelty to children. Colin Gray, 54, is accused of committing cruelty to children by giving his son access to a gun and ammunition “after receiving sufficient warning that Colt Gray would harm and endanger the bodily safety of another,” the indictment states. Colin Gray’s indictment is the latest example of prosecutors holding parents responsible for their children’s actions in school shootings. Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley, the first to be convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting, were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for not securing a firearm at home and acting indifferently to signs of their son’s deteriorating mental health before he killed four students in 2021.
Oklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official’s classroom Bible mandate
Associated Press
A lawsuit was filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court by parents, teachers, and ministers seeking to halt a mandate by State Superintendent Ryan Walters that requires public schools to incorporate Bible lessons for grades 5-12 and allocates $3 million for Bibles. Plaintiffs argue that the mandate violates the state constitution by using public funds to support religion and favoring a Protestant version of the Bible. They claim Walters lacks authority to enforce this policy and that religious education should be a parental decision. Represented by civil rights groups, they also cite concerns about tailored Bible purchases. Walters defends the policy, linking it to U.S. history.
4-Day School Weeks and Their Surprising Effect on Teacher Turnover
Education Week
A study reveals that the shift to a four-day school week, intended to boost teacher recruitment and retention, may not be as effective as hoped. Research from the University of California Irvine and the University of Missouri found increased teacher turnover in Oregon districts adopting this schedule, particularly among older and midcareer educators. Although popular in rural areas facing staffing challenges, the study suggests limited long-term retention benefits, possibly due to widening salary gaps. While some districts report other perks, mixed results on student achievement further complicate the decision, with some schools experiencing minimal financial savings despite the shortened week.
‘Handcuffed and Pushed Out’: How Schools Fail Some Students With Disabilities
Education Week
A North Carolina mother sought additional support for her 8-year-old autistic son, but instead, he was taken twice in a week by a school resource officer to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The mother criticized the lack of qualified staff, noting the reliance on restraint and seclusion. Advocates highlight systemic issues in special education, such as inadequate resources and staffing shortages, which have led to increased discipline rather than support for students with disabilities. This case underscores broader concerns about the overuse of police intervention in schools and racial disparities in special education identification, with experts urging better training and funding for special education.
