EDUCATION

Ohio toxic train derailment upends school baseball, track

North Dakota House passes school gender pronoun prohibition

Florida lawmakers consider year-round school schedule for students

Los Angeles strike highlights paltry US school worker pay

Pay is notoriously low for school support staff who shuttle America’s children to schools, feed them in cafeterias and provide classroom assistance to students who need the most help.

Will more negotiations end impasse between district, St. Johns County teachers’ union?

The St. Johns County school district and teachers’ union will go back to the drawing board Wednesday morning in hopes of coming to an agreement over teacher pay.

Teen summit on self-medication, stress, mental health for high school students Sunday

Local high school teenagers are encouraged to attend a free teen summit Sunday hosted by Duval Co+ Lab, a group of teenagers who focus on discussion and creating action plans to spread awareness about mental health, and drug and alcohol abuse among teens.

Supreme Court rules for deaf student in education case

The Supreme Court has ruled unanimously for a deaf student who sued his public school system for providing an inadequate education.

Tom Hanks named Harvard's 2023 commencement speaker

Two-time Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks has been named the principal speaker at Harvard’s commencement on May 25.

Virginia teacher shot by 6-year-old: 'I thought I had died'

An elementary school teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student says she thought she had died when she passed out from her injuries.

Los Angeles schools shut down as staff strike for better pay

Tens of thousands of workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District have walked off the job over stalled contract talks.

School library book bans are seen as targeting LGBTQ content

Longstanding disagreements about content in school libraries often focus this year on books with LGBTQ themes.

Digital literacy: Can the republic 'survive an algorithm'?

Much of the debate about combating online misinformation and extremism revolves around government regulations and changes made by social media platforms.

Statewide teachers union, other groups file lawsuit challenging Florida’s library book rules

Several groups are now challenging Florida’s rules that restrict what books and media are available in public schools.

Florida House passes school voucher expansion

The Republican-controlled House on Friday passed a measure that would make every Florida student eligible for taxpayer-backed school vouchers, as Democrats and other critics slammed the expansion as a “coupon for millionaires.”

Veto of Kansas bill on trans athletes sets up override fight

A Kansas bill banning transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports has been vetoed for the third year in a row.

Here’s the order for the First Coast Spelling Bee 🐝

The First Coast Spelling Bee is coming up, giving 14 local students the chance at the local title and a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Local, national organizations partner to recruit, retain teachers amid ongoing shortage

As the state of Florida continues to grapple with a shortage of public school teachers, some local districts are partnering with local and national organizations to advance recruitment and retention efforts.

German Cabinet minister to visit Taiwan, 1st in 26 years

German officials say the country’s education and research minister is making an official trip to Taiwan next week.

Iowa lawmakers send school bathroom bill to governor

Transgender students won't be allowed to use a public school restroom in Iowa that aligns with their gender identity under a bill that Gov. Kim Reynolds is is expected to sign into law.

Bid opens to fire SC comptroller for $3.5B accounting error

South Carolina lawmakers have launched an effort to sack the comptroller general for a $3.5 billion accounting error that could affect the state's credit rating.

Thousands of LA school district workers to hold 3-day strike

Tens of thousands of workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District will strike for three days next week over stalled contract talks and teachers will join them, likely shutting down the nation’s second-largest school system.

Family of St. Johns County middle schooler attacked in class demands policy changes

After his son was injured in a violent attack at Switzerland Point Middle School, Mark Alvelo spoke out to the St. Johns County School Board during its meeting Monday, calling for action.

Students call for education reform in Hungary protest march

Thousands of students and other opponents of Hungary’s right-wing government have marched in the capital Budapest demanding educational reforms and a change in the Central European country’s political culture.

Texas announces takeover of Houston schools, stirring anger

Texas officials have announced a takeover of Houston’s nearly 200,000-student school district.

Jacksonville City Council approves UF satellite campus funding

The city of Jacksonville will put millions of dollars toward the possibility of a University of Florida satellite campus in Jacksonville. City council approved a grant last night that gives UF $20 million up front with an additional $30 million over the next three years.

Ohio State asks court to hear Title IX issues in abuse suits

Ohio State University is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider questions about the law known as Title IX in a case stemming from lawsuits over decades-old sexual abuse by the late team doctor Richard Strauss.

School pulls test question equating politics to race, gender

Virginia’s largest school system is removing a test question given to a college-level social studies class that equated liberals and conservatives with specific racial and gender demographics.

Gun bills coming in Michigan after 2nd school mass shooting

Michigan Democrats are poised to bring an 11-bill package to the Legislature that would implement safe storage laws, universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders, also known as red flag laws.

USDA focusing on healthy and accessible meals in schools

Dozens of students rely on the meals served at school to get through the day. News4JAX anchor Melanie Lawson spoke with the USDA about how they're working to make sure kids are getting a healthy balance of meals at school.

Oregon eyes mandate for climate change lessons in schools

Oregon lawmakers are deciding whether to make the state the second in the nation to mandate climate change curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade.

'It's hard to focus': Schools say American kids are hungry

When students don’t have enough to eat, it can affect their ability to learn and perform up to their ability.

Sensory Orchestra performing Sunday at the North Florida School of Special Education

The Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville is putting on for people with sensory sensitivities and special needs. News4Jax reporter Aaron Farrar joins us from the North Florida School of Special Education to tell us what went in to putting together this concert.

Supervisor of Duval schools’ library, media review process resigns from role

The head of Duval County Public Schools’ instructional materials and media services submitted her letter of resignation from the leadership role, according to documents obtained by News4JAX.

Schools shut, drivers stuck as gales and blizzards batter UK

Tutoring is reaching a fraction of kids struggling in school