Delta variant and masks, federal funding for charters, critical race theory, and school choice.
- Though the Delta variant continues to be of concern, most districts – including Shelby County Schools (Commercial Appeal, WMC Action 5 News) and LAUSD (LA Daily News, ABC 7, CBS LA, LA Times) – are firm in the importance of returning to school in person (while wearing masks). This is bolstered by President Biden and his administration’s messaging. (NY Times, EdWeek, US Department of Education Return To School Roadmap)
- The House recently passed a budget bill that would cut charter schools’ access to federal funding if for-profit vendors are used (IE: transportation, meals, etc.). The bill heads to the Senate where advocates will surely continue their fight against this provision passing. (EdWeek, The Hill, Politico)
- Tennessee and Texas have both banned teaching critical race theory. This week, Tennessee’s Department of Education released instructional guidelines on what instruction topics are permissible (Chalkbeat TN, EdWeek, TN Department of Education Rules, Prohibited Concepts in Instruction, The Tennesseean, WMC Action 5 News) and in Texas, teachers speak out about the impact this legislation will have on students. (Texas Tribune)
- Education Next (Alan Greenblatt, Reporter & Author): School Choice Advances in the States
- CalMatters (Joe Hong, Reporter): Newsom recall: GOP challengers see parents as ‘consumers’
- The 74 Million (Brooke LePage & Phyllis W. Jordan, K-12 Reporters): How Are States Spending Their COVID Education Relief Funds?
