[Weekly EdNews Round Up] After Dorian, K-12 Schools Prepare for Hurricane Season

No one knows better than educators about the importance of staying up-to-date. In Edmentum’s Weekly News Round Up, you’ll find the latest and most interesting education news, all in one place.

Hurricanes have unfortunately become a regular occurrence that coincide with the start of the school year for many over the past few years. After Hurricane Dorian, many K-12 schools are reviewing their safety procedures and natural disaster plans. Find out what schools are doing to stay safe, and explore other stories in this week’s EdNews Round Up.

Hurricane Dorian and its aftermath include maintaining natural disaster planning
District Administration
As hurricane season blows in with Dorian, preparation for natural disaster remains a focus for K-12 schools.

Report: Student attendance depends on 'conditions for learning'
Education Dive
Educators often say frequent absences are a symptom of another issue in a student’s life. Those issues involve students’ health and safety, a sense of belonging, academic engagement, and students’ and adults’ social and emotional skills, according to a new report from Attendance Works and the American Institutes for Research (AIR).

For Teachers, the Money Keeps Getting Worse
The Atlantic
When classroom jobs were female college graduates’ best option, U.S. schools could skimp on wages. To fill vacancies now, districts and state legislatures need to offer competitive pay.

Schools Say No to Cellphones in Class. But Is It a Smart Move?
EdWeek
Schools are banning cell phone use in the classroom, but enforcing such policies comes with lots of challenges, including parent concerns and equity issues. Finding balance with clear policies is key.

This new high school in Michigan was designed to thwart active shooters
USA Today
Funded by a grant from the State Police, a new $400,000 high school in western Michigan is being designed with curved hallways, reinforced windows, doors that can lock at the touch of a smartphone, and other innovative safety measures.

Making Movement a Part of Your Classroom Culture
NEA Today
Whatever the grade or subject area, every teacher can effectively incorporate movement in the classroom throughout the school day.

Schools take steps to confront illnesses tied to vaping amid fatalities
Education Dive
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating at least 450 possible vaping-related cases, with deaths reported in four states.

Scientific research on how to teach critical thinking contradicts education trends
The Hechinger Report
At what age should teachers begin subject-specific teaching of critical thinking skills? Some teachers might think it’s developmentally inappropriate to engage in cognitive work that seems more appropriate for an older child. But research shows that young children are more capable in engaging in reasoning than we once thought.

Education policy is often a topic of conversation in state and federal legislatures. Stay in-the-know with this week’s top stories regarding education reform at the state and national level.

2020 Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Love ‘Universal’ Pre-K. But When It Comes to Providing Schooling for America’s Youngest Students, Few Are Moving Beyond Talking Points
The 74
New federal initiatives on pre-K should take lessons from existing programs, like expanding only as capacity is available, experts said.

Survey: Gov. Bill Lee's focus on vocational education is supported by voters across Tennessee
Tennesseans
Tennesseans overwhelmingly support using public funds to focus on skilled trade and vocational education, according to a statewide survey. About 62 percent said skilled trades and vocational education are a great alternative to college. Another 31 percent said they see a high school diploma and skilled trades as a viable path.

Educators Need the Loan Forgiveness Program Fixed … Now
NEA Today
Only 661 of 54,000 applicants (roughly 1%) have received public-service loan forgiveness from Betsy DeVos' Education Department.

New York State sets timeline for reconsidering diploma requirements — and the future of the Regents test
Chalkbeat
New York’s education policymakers are getting ready to analyze state diploma requirements — including whether the Regents exams are still needed. But don’t expect changes any time soon.

California governor signs vaccine bills he demanded
ABC News
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills Monday to crack down on doctors who write fraudulent medical exemptions for school children's vaccinations.

Buffalo schools build Wi-Fi network targeting 'homework gap'
EdScoop
The new wireless is network is expected to reach the homes of approximately 5,500 students, providing new educational opportunities after school.

New Jersey first in nation to give all students access to arts education in public schools
North Jersey
New Jersey has become the first state in the nation to provide access to arts education in every public school, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday during a visit to Paramus High School.