Education News
Reports on education reform, school choice, and classroom policies. The Daily Signal provides conservative commentary and opinion alongside education news.
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- News
K-12 School Proposes Removing Urinals and Making Bathrooms Gender Neutral
A nationally ranked Minnesota charter school facing a discrimination complaint by the parents of a former kindergarten transgender student approved a controversial new gender inclusion policy at a school board meeting. While the school board, which consists of a mix of parents, teachers, and community members, overwhelmingly voted in favor of the new policy Monday…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
School Choice Gets a Big Win in Nevada Court Decision
On Wednesday, families got one step closer to finally being able to access the most expansive education choice option of any state. A trial court judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against Nevada’s nearly universal education savings account (ESA) program. The suit, Duncan v. State of Nevada, challenged the…Lindsey Burke -
- News
Utah School Board Members Push to Reject Federal Money to Avoid Transgender Guidelines
Instead of following transgender student guidelines pushed by the Obama administration, some Utah district school board members have plans to create a budget that would be free from federal funding, according to reports. Brian Halladay, Wendy Hart, and Paula Hill, school board members in the Alpine School District, penned an open letter to Utah state…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
School Lunch Program: No Wealthy Child Left Behind
This week, the House is expected to markup its child nutrition bill, which covers programs such as school meals. The last child nutrition bill–the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010–made it possible for many children from middle-class and wealthy families to receive free school meals. The House should end this wasteful policy, known as the…Daren Bakst -
- News
Texas School District Adopts Transgender Guidelines Without Parental Approval
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called for school superintendent Kent Scribner’s resignation after Scribner adopted new transgender student guidelines for his district, without the input of parents, school board members, and others in the community. “The district did not seek any public comment or input from parents or the public,” Fort Worth resident Julia…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
Texas Can’t Afford to Miss Out on School Choice
Last week I had the good fortune to be in Texas discussing conservative policy solutions with hundreds of dedicated men and women in San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. One of the big topics of conversation was freedom in education: How can we offer young Americans the best education possible, while ensuring that each family can…Jim DeMint -
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California Teachers Unions Force Nonmembers to Pay for LGBT, Other Political Goals
A large California teachers union and its national affiliate are forcing nonunion teachers to pay for political activism, according to a disclosure form acquired by The Daily Signal. Under a category called “human rights,” both the National Education Association and the California Teachers Association require nonunion teachers to finance LGBT leadership training and other political…Kevin Mooney -
- News
51 Families Sue Over Illinois High School’s Transgender Bathroom Policy
A group of 51 families whose children attend a high school in Illinois filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, attempting to reverse a policy that allows a transgender student to use girls’ bathrooms, locker rooms, and other sex-specific facilities. The families are challenging a policy at Township High School District 211 that was mandated by the…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Education Secretary Assails ‘Hateful’ Transgender Bathroom Laws
Education Secretary John B. King Jr. on Monday blasted state laws that prohibit public school students from using bathrooms designated for the opposite sex, calling them “hateful.” Ed Sec John King: NC #HB2 is "hateful" law. Won't say what action feds might take, but clearly gender id is protected by Title IX. #ewa16 — Jane…Leah Jessen -
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Nationally Ranked School Counters Complaint of Transgender Discrimination
A nationally recognized charter school in Minnesota is fighting a complaint filed by the parents of a transgender kindergartner who allege the school enabled discrimination against their child. Nova Classical Academy administrators said they will deny the allegations, filed last month with the city of St. Paul, while continuing their push to improve school policies…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
DC Gets Another Chance to Embrace School Choice
The House of Representatives will consider the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act (SOAR Reauthorization Act) on Friday, which would reauthorize the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP). The OSP has allowed thousands of low-income and minority students in Washington, D.C., to thrive at schools of choice in the district, despite the Obama administration’s multiple…Mary Clare Amselem -
- News
Sheriff’s Department Seized $53K From Christian Band Raised for Orphanage, School
A Texas man and his Burmese Christian band, who had $53,000 seized by law enforcement in Muskogee, Okla., in February will get their money back, the prosecutor said. Muskogee County District Attorney Orvil Loge confirmed Monday afternoon that civil and criminal charges filed against Eh Wah, a 40-year-old musician are going to be dropped. “[Eh] Wah had court…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Federal Court: Schools May Not Provide Separate Bathrooms Based on Biology
The Fourth Circuit Court ruled today against a Virginia school district that sought to accommodate a transgender student while also protecting the privacy rights of other students. The federal court concluded that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972—which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—should be interpreted as prohibiting discrimination on the basis of…Ryan T. Anderson -
- Opinion
George Mason University Honors Scalia Legacy by Naming Law School After the Late Justice
George Mason University has announced it will rename its law school after the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. This stands in stark contrast to Georgetown Law Center, which sadly was embroiled in controversy over whether to even mourn the passing of this conservative legal icon. As an alumna of George Mason Law, I am…Elizabeth Slattery -
- News
For California Teacher Taking on Unions, Supreme Court Ruling Isn’t the End of Her Case
Two years after California teacher Rebecca Friedrichs first mounted her challenge to public-sector unions, she’s hearing the same thing today that she’s heard from fellow teachers all along: Keep fighting. The Supreme Court ruled 4-4 Tuesday in the case that bears her name, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, leaving in place agency fees public employees pay…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Justice Scalia’s Vote Likely Would Have Determined Teachers Union Case
It is the end of the road for Rebecca Friedrichs’ challenge to the requirement that teachers who opt out of union membership must nevertheless pay fees to the local union for a “fair share” of the costs of collective bargaining. In Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, the Supreme Court announced in a one-sentence opinion that…Elizabeth Slattery -
- News
Chicago Teachers to Walk Out Again on 400,000 Schoolchildren
Chicago teachers voted to approve a one-day strike this Friday in protest of “unfair” labor practices, an action that affects about 400,000 public school students as schools plan to shut down for the day. Administrators call the move illegal. “As you may have heard, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has declared a ‘Day of Action’…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
Federally Run Schools for Native American Children Are Worst in America. Here’s How to Fix That.
Congress could soon find itself with a chance to radically improve the lives of thousands of children currently trapped in crumbling and failing schools now that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has proposed the Native American Educational Opportunity Act. The proposal would enable children attending Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools to access education savings accounts to…Lindsey Burke -
- Opinion
Lottery Revenue Will Save Washington Charter Schools From Liberal Court Ruling
In November, children all over Washington State faced uncertain futures when the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that public funding for charter schools was unconstitutional. While charter schools in Washington managed to secure the funding necessary to keep their doors open through the school year, many wondered if families would be forced to abandon the…Mary Clare Amselem -
- News
How Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin Wants to Change the Traditional Public Education Model
Across the country, state legislatures are challenging the traditional public education model. And in Oklahoma, Gov. Mary Fallin is looking to Sooner State lawmakers to bring Education Savings Accounts to students and parents. Education Savings Accounts, also known as ESAs, redirect the portion of funding normally spent on a student into a separate account accessible…Melissa Quinn