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Public School Policies

From unions to vouchers, school budgets to discipline policies, we cover some of the most controversial issues affecting public schools today. Learn more about education reform and how it impacts your family. Keep current on the latest controversies regarding religion, sex-education, civil rights and more.

View the most popular articles in Public School Policies:

<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Some D.C. Public Schools Caught Cheating, But Problem Appears Limited
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Some D.C. Public Schools Caught Cheating, But Problem Appears Limited
While Michelle Rhee is gone, the investigation into the cheating scandal continues. We report on findings from an investigation conducted by the D.C. Inspector General鈥檚 Office and the U.S. Department of Education.

Prompting an investigation into an extensive cheating scandal rocked Atlanta schools, public schools in the nation鈥檚 capital first came under fire for allegedly cheating on standardized tests. However, a comprehensive investigation into the Washington D.C. cheating issue has revealed that while cheating did occur in some classrooms, the issue was centralized to a small number of classes, rather than hundreds of schools, as previously thought. Still, evidence of any cheating raises questions about the validity of standardized testing and how those scores are used to determine funding, teacher raises and performance evaluations.

Three District of Columbia Schools Cited in Investigation

A report at states that just three D.C. schools have been found guilty of cheating on standardized tests known as the DC-CAS in April 2011. The reports were limited to three classrooms within these three schools, which represents a very small number of the 5,089 classrooms that actually took the tests. The findings were announced by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

鈥淭he confirmed cases of impropriety represent a very small percentage of public schools and classrooms in D.C.,鈥 Hosanna Mahaley, superintendent of D.C. schools, told USA Today.

This video reports on cheating on standardized tests in the D.C. public schools.

The three schools were classified as 鈥渃ritical鈥 as a result of the investigation, which meant there was solid evidence found of fraud or test tampering in

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Zero Tolerance Policies: A Path to Safer Schools or Recipe for Disaster?
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Zero Tolerance Policies: A Path to Safer Schools or Recipe for Disaster?
Do zero tolerance policies in public schools work or simply create more problems for educators and the communities at large? We explore this challenging question and examine the current research available.

With the alarming rise in violence at public schools across the country, zero-tolerance policies have become the norm. In theory, these policies should lead to safer schools, since they offer school administrators the ability to deal with infractions promptly and decisively. However, the practice of zero-tolerance policies is showing significant flaws in the system, and many are demanding reform in the rules that have proven to hurt students more than they protect them in some cases.

The Purpose of Zero-Tolerance Policies

The establishment of zero-tolerance policies began in the 1980s. At the time, these policies primarily dealt with major offenses involving weapons and drugs. The term was first introduced by the Reagan Administration when the President launched his War on Drugs. When the federal government passed the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989, zero-tolerance policies became the law.

According to the , zero-tolerance policies expanded with the federal Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, which mandated that any student caught bringing a gun to school would be expelled for one year or longer. Students accused of violations were also to be referred to local law enforcement agencies. However, it wasn鈥檛 long before that zero-tolerance policy was expanded to encompass a host of infractions, from dress code violations to assaults on another student. At that point, many began to question the effectiveness of zero-tolerance policies, particularly in situations where the policy began to override common sense and the best interests of the

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
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Opinion:  Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Teachers say students are becoming more unruly and disrespectful. Schools complain that it is getting harder to get parents involved. So what is the solution? Some school districts have turned to handcuffing and police intervention as a way to get students under control. However, that idea is not sitting well with many parents and community members 鈥 particularly when it is their own children on the receiving end of the harsh disciplinary measures. After all, what type of message does a school send to students when they are throwing handcuffs on young wrists? In this author's opinion, which is supported by research, it is a message that encourages a vicious cycle of future violence and criminality.

This video demonstrates handcuffing.

麻豆果冻传媒 Incident in Mississippi Results in Policy Change

Jackson Public Schools in Mississippi have had a policy that allows handcuffing students to stationary objects as a means of discipline. The policy has been particularly prevalent at Capital City Alternative School, where teachers and administrators say discipline problems abound. According to a report in the , a suit was filed last year in response to this policy, which forced the school district to take another look at their disciplinary measures.

The lawsuit was filed by Jeanette Murry on behalf of her son, who was 16 at the time of the incident and a student at the alternative school. Murry stated

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">Unions Head to Court to Stop School Closures
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Unions Head to Court to Stop School Closures
In an evolving story out of New York, teacher unions have sued the school district to prevent them from following through with proposed school closures.

In an attempt to stop school closures across New York City, teacher unions are taking their case to the courtroom. Union members have called the closure of 24 schools a 鈥渟ham,鈥 used by the mayor and his team to oust teachers by stripping them of their contractual rights. City officials have said the closures are necessary for raising the education bar throughout the city and have denounced union members as obstacles in providing the best quality of education to New York City students.

The Plan to Close Schools

The school closure plan was put into place last month when the Panel for Educational Policy voted to close 24 under-performing schools over the summer. According to a report at NY1, new schools would immediately open to replace the closed schools this fall, with schools meeting in the same buildings under new names and leadership. Teachers and principals who have been working in those locations up to this point will have to reapply for their jobs in the new schools next year. City officials predict only about half of current staff will be rehired, with the rest made up of new applicants.

Because the buildings will technically house new schools, contractual obligations with the current staff of the old schools will not apply. This allows the city to move forward with plans to get rid of ineffective teachers, replacing them with stronger applicants. The union has no intention of allowing this plan to go through unhindered, stating that the

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<麻豆果冻传媒 class="amc-article-title amc-mr-title">10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
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10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
An in-depth examination of the critical challenges confronting America's public education system, exploring issues ranging from classroom overcrowding to student poverty, and highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.

10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools

The American public education system stands at a critical crossroads in 2025, facing unprecedented challenges that threaten both student success and institutional stability. As educators and administrators navigate the post-pandemic landscape, they continue to grapple with long-standing issues while confronting emerging obstacles that reshape the educational environment. From technological inequities to mental health concerns, from budget constraints to shifting demographic needs, these challenges demand innovative solutions and renewed commitment from all education stakeholders. This article examines ten of the most pressing issues facing our public schools today, offering insights into their impact and potential pathways toward resolution.

Few would argue that the state of our education system has plenty of room for improvement.

  • Developing a plan to take schools in the right direction is easier said than done.
  • The first challenge lies in identifying underlying problems keeping students from learning today.
  • This challenge, in part, is due to the fact that the problems may change considerably depending on who is labeling them, whether it is students, parents, educators, or lawmakers.
  • Consider this list of 10 major challenges currently facing public schools, based on the perspective of many involved in the world of education today.

1. Classroom Size

Many areas of the country are facing classrooms that are literally busting out at the seams.

  • A report at two years ago discussed how
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麻豆果冻传媒 Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Public School Policies

EDUCATION REFORM
Education reform is in the works, and you can stay updated on the latest changes, debates, and policies here. Learn more about No Child Left Behind and how it impacts your child. Explore how federal and state government is working to improve school performance, student achievement and education standards.
TEACHERS AND UNIONS
A comprehensive look at teachers, tenure, and unions. Learn how unions impact school performance. Explore the impact of education reform on teaching qualification standards, traditional unions and controversial tenure rules.
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGETS
We offer an overview of public school budgets; where the money comes from, how it鈥檚 spent and what schools are doing to get more funding. Learn how schools are cutting budgets and how the cuts will impact your child. Delve into some of the creative ways school districts are trying to raise money and where the extra money is spent.
VOUCHERS
Explore both sides of the school voucher debate. Learn what your options are, how those choices are funded and the impact on your local school district. From the latest government initiatives to results from recent studies, explore vouchers and the options they provide.
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES
Examine the various discipline methods being put to use in public schools. From detention to expulsion, spanking to handcuffing, school discipline can often be controversial. Does spanking work? Do police belong in schools? Learn more about what is being done to punish out of control students.
SCHOOL CONTROVERSIES
The most controversial issues impacting public school students today. From bullying to book bans, this is a comprehensive look at some of the most oft-debated issues. This section features articles on school segregation, religion, over-crowding, civil rights, and green technology.