[Weekly EdNews Round Up] How to Turn Schools into Happier Places

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.

When the Trump administration released its school-safety report last month, many of the recommendations aimed at fostering better school climate, improving school discipline measures and reducing suspensions. Now, some research is suggesting that turning schools into happier places may have a positive impact on student behavior and help in reducing suspensions. Read all about this and more in this week’s EdNews Round Up.

How to Turn Schools Into Happier Places
The Atlantic
A strong student-teacher relationship can help put a dent in school suspensions, according to a new study.

Amid Court Battles, Los Angeles Teachers' Union Postpones Strike
EdWeek
United Teachers Los Angeles has pushed the teachers' strike to Monday after a series of legal battles with the district.

Gates Foundation to Give up to $10 Million to Support Teacher Training on High-Quality Curricula
The 74
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continued its education philanthropy pivot Monday, announcing new grants to train teachers in implementing high-quality curricula.

How Bad Data From One District Skewed National Rankings on Chronic Absenteeism
EdWeek
Flawed data on student absences from one Maryland school district skewed a national analysis. When the error was corrected and the analysis revised, the state dropped from having the highest rate of chronic absenteeism in the country to having the 10th highest rate.

DeVos’ Deregulatory Higher Education Agenda
U.S. News
The administration has announced plans to loosen a slew of regulations that opponents say would make institutions less accountable.

Time Is an Essential Teacher Resource, So How Can Schools Be More Creative With It?
MindShift
Time is one of the most valuable resources educators have, so how can administrators create master schedules that reflect strategic priorities and efficiently use instructional time?

Shop Class is Back
Dallas News
Shop class is making a comeback in Texas, where immigration enforcement has left the construction industry with a dearth of skilled workers.

Building Community With Friendly Fridays
edutopia
Easy-to-plan creative activities help students build strong relationships and improve their social awareness and self-regulation.

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.

Trump vs. Obama: Presidential strides in STEM education
Education Dive
Both administrations introduced strategies to boost STEM education across the U.S. How do they compare — and have they been effective?

Kentucky education commissioner discusses new K3 Dyslexia Toolkit
Glasgow Daily Times
The Kentucky Department of Education has released a K3 Dyslexia Toolkit that provides educators and families with a resource to help meet learning needs of students with dyslexia, or those who display characteristics of dyslexia.

5 things North Carolina lawmakers can do for public education in 2019
The News & Observer
When the North Carolina General Assembly reconvenes on January 9, seventh-grade English teacher Justin Parmenter wants legislators to consider these five ways to improve education in the state this year: Restore teaching assistants, provide trauma-informed training, overhaul school report cards, reinstate the charter cap and pay teachers well.

$110 million for tech education in Washington? Yes, please
The News Tribune
What if students could start training for high-demand, high-wage jobs while earning a high school diploma? Would a larger percentage of students find careers faster? Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says “yes.” That's why $110 million of his $54.4 billion proposed state operating budget is designated for K12 technical and vocational education.

Delaware ESPs Ready to Collaborate With State Lawmakers, Open Doors
neaToday
New task force will help lawmakers understand ESP contributions toward student achievement and safety.