EduClips: Mass Shooting at Florida High School; Stalled Chancellor Search in NYC — and More Must-Reads From America’s 15 Biggest School Districts
EduClips provides a daily collection of the most important education news stories from the largest school districts in America, where over 4 million students attend classes every day across eight states. You can find previous editions of EduClips here. Stay informed about the latest school and policy news by subscribing to the TopSheet Education Newsletter and get it delivered directly to your email inbox.
Top Story
SCHOOL SHOOTING — The brutal Valentine’s Day massacre at a high school in South Florida was meticulously planned. The alleged shooter, armed with an assault-style weapon, strategized the attack by pulling a fire alarm, causing his victims to gather in the halls.
What remains unclear is the motive behind the actions of the teenage suspect, Nikolas Cruz, who targeted his former schoolmates, resulting in the second deadliest public school shooting in the nation’s history with a death toll of at least 17 lives. (Read more from The Washington Post)
National News
MORE ON FLORIDA SCHOOL SHOOTING:
The Miami Herald provides a detailed account of the victims of the tragic mass shooting at Douglas High.
The Washington Post delves into the troubled life of the Florida shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz, exploring his struggle with depression and his access to firearms.
USA Today discusses the insufficiency of security measures and training in preventing such tragedies like the Florida school shooting.
Education Week interviews the devastated superintendent of the affected district who confesses his disbelief at the tragedy that occurred in his schools.
USA Today reports on repeated denials by Florida lawmakers to allocate additional funds for school-safety measures.
DACA — As the deadline for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) approaches, young immigrants remain uncertain of their futures and make plans accordingly. (Read more from The Wall Street Journal)
ABSENTEEISM — The Hechinger Report sheds light on the fact that students cannot learn if they do not attend school regularly.
FLU EPIDEMIC — Educators in Texas, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Tennessee mourn the loss of their colleagues due to the flu epidemic. (Read more from The74Million.org)
DEVOS — U.S. News & World Report reveals controversies surrounding Betsy DeVos, including her failure to disclose relevant information.
TECHNOLOGY — Teachers express their desire to equip students for future job opportunities but feel hindered in their efforts. (Read more from The Hechinger Report)
District and State News
NEW YORK — The search for a new schools chancellor in New York continues without success after several months. (Read more from The New York Times)
TEXAS — Three Texas school districts are accused of illegally endorsing politicians. (Read more from the Austin American-Statesman)
ILLINOIS — NPR Illinois introduces an old idea that could potentially revolutionize school funding.
NEVADA — A trustee from CCSD (Clark County School District) in Nevada emphasizes the need for increased funding to ensure student safety within the school.
CALIFORNIA — EdSource highlights the efforts of a California school district to improve special education through support rather than punishment.
PENNSYLVANIA — Protesters criticize the Philadelphia School District for its alleged overreach in relation to charter schools. (Read more from the Philadelphia Inquirer)
NEW YORK — A Brooklyn school therapist accuses her principal of discrimination and targeting due to her Orthodox Jewish background. (Read more from the New York Daily News)
CALIFORNIA — Parents in the Bay Area anxiously participate in school lotteries, hoping for their children to secure a place in coveted schools. (Read more from the Mercury News)
Think Pieces
SCHOOL SHOOTINGS — Education Week explores why security measures alone are insufficient in preventing school shootings.
DACA — A study reveals that DACA motivates undocumented children to stay in school, while Congress debates their future. (Read more from Chalkbeat)
TEACHER VACANCIES — The74Million.org presents new revelations about teacher vacancies and examines which students attend schools with such vacancies.
ECONOMY — In an opinion piece, The Hechinger Report highlights the role of schools as an economic engine that powers communities.
CHARTERS — Progressive K-12 reformers defend charter schools in response to criticisms. (Read more from The74Million.org)
BLACK PANTHER — Education Post stresses the importance of having more black superheroes both in movies and in classrooms, using the success of Black Panther as an example.
Quote of the Day
“I think everyone in this school had it in the back of their mind that if anyone was supposed to do it, it was most likely gonna be him.” — Dakota Mutchler, a former middle school classmate of Nikolas Cruz, 19, the suspected shooter responsible for killing 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. (Read more from The Washington Post)
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