Five Charged in Cheating Scandal That Helped Over 200 ‘Unqualified’ Texas Teachers
The New York Times
Five people have been charged in Texas for orchestrating a scheme that allowed over 200 unqualified teachers to obtain jobs by fraudulently passing certification exams. Vincent Grayson, a high school basketball coach in Houston, was labeled the scheme’s “kingpin,” facilitating impersonators to take over 400 exams for a fee, often $2,500 per test. The scam, reportedly worth over $1 million, was discovered in 2023 after irregularities were flagged at a Houston testing center. Educators statewide were implicated, and the Texas Education Agency is now investigating to identify those involved.
The 74 million
A specialized school in Philadelphia known as Building 21 is used as a model of alternative education by combining both academic rigor with experiential learning that is tailored to the needs of every student. Students are encouraged to build real world connections with local colleges and companies. These opportunities lead to a senior capstone project that helps the students really understand what they are learning and apply it to “real world” experiences. Building 21 also wants to empower African-American students by teaching them their cultures history. In addition, the school uses restorative justice when dealing with disciplinary actions. Overall students have seen enormous amounts of success by going to Building 21.
What the presidential candidates have done − and where they stand − on education
The Conversation
Heading into November 5 , the U.S. Presidential election has a clear divide on where the candidates stand in regards to the issue of education and schooling. Republican candidate Donald Trump has proposed cutting the federal education budget and potentially discarding the U.S. Department of Education in favor of state rights and local education. Trump is seeking to remove ‘red tape’ bureaucracy and empower parents to make their own choices about the best education options for their children. In contrast, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has proposed expanding public school opportunities for all children and empowering teacher’s unions throughout the country. Included in these sweeping proposals is the student loan forgiveness plan in order to cancel debt for borrowers and make college more affordable. It is clear that whichever candidate wins on November 5, their education agenda’s could be very different on inauguration day.
Commentary: Defending Public Education Means Investing in Rural Education
The Daily Yonder
Investing in rural public education is essential to sustaining community strength, especially for small towns. Schools like Hatton-McCredie Elementary in Missouri serve as hubs of connection and support, providing not just education but resources like healthcare, broadband, and nutritious meals. Despite this, political and financial shifts threaten these schools, redirecting funds toward private institutions often out of reach for rural families. The Biden-Harris administration supports rural schools with initiatives like the Full-Service Community Schools program, which enhances resources for education and health. To maintain rural communities’ vitality, continued investment and advocacy for rural public schools are crucial.
Education Department releases highly anticipated AI toolkit for schools
K-12 Dive
The U.S. Department of Education recently came out with a seventy-four page AI toolkit for K-12 schools. The main goal is to have teachers implement AI technology to help assist them with classroom management. The toolkit was divided up into multiple sections to further educators’ understanding. These sections included, enhancing student needs, enhancing learning, and managing AI risks.
