State & National News
NH- State’s education funding commission report calls for reform
12/1/2020- ‘The state’s Commission to Study School Funding released its final report Tuesday, calling for changes that would allow unused education property taxes from wealthier communities to be passed along to poorer towns.’
CO- ‘Stretched thin’: Superintendent survey highlights concerns with teacher burnout, learning loss
12/3/2020- ‘Young students are struggling to learn to read, and teachers are burning out as Colorado schools slog through the ninth month of the pandemic.’
To test or not to test? Colorado educators and advocates divided on CMAS in a pandemic
12/4/2020- ‘Colorado shouldn’t use standardized tests to judge the performance of schools or teachers amid a pandemic, a group of education leaders and advocacy groups agreed.’
MA- State education officials postpone, extend MCAS testing due to rising COVID-19 cases
12/8/2020- ‘State education officials have postponed and extended the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing, due to surging COVID cases.’
New Mexico Higher Education Dept. outlines 2022 budget priorities
12/7/2020- ‘The New Mexico Higher Education Department announced Monday its budget priorities that include student financial aid programs, institutional funding, and adult education for the state’s public colleges, universities, and special schools for the 2022 fiscal year.’
Illinois will start grading its teacher prep programs
12/7/2020- ‘Faced with a persistent lack of diversity in its teacher workforce and a need for more educators, Illinois’ school board will start grading teacher preparation programs, officials said Monday.’
ME- Schools facing staff shortages forced to close
12/9/2020- ‘Across the state, school districts are looking to hire substitute teachers, bus drivers, and other staff. The pandemic is exacerbating shortages that already existed.’
Policy Roundup compiled by NAfME’s Matt Barusch.