"Menstrual equity" activists are calling on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to take action to ensure that K-12 school bathrooms are equipped with free menstrual hygiene products to combat what they call "period poverty." They are expected to march Monday near the Education Department headquarters, and they took out a full-page ad directed at DeVos. The ad, in Monday's Washington Post, features a letter sent to DeVos that says in part: "In 21st century America, schools have an obligation to serve all students equitably. Every student deserves the reassurance that their school restrooms are outfitted with necessities to accommodate their biological needs. Yet, for over half the U.S. student population, there is a glaring exception to this commitment: menstrual hygiene products. … We call on you, Secretary DeVos, to fulfill your agency's charge to remove discriminatory barriers that hold students back. Menstrual hygiene products are basic necessities, and the inability to access … [Read more...] about Activists call for ‘menstrual equality’ in K-12 restrooms
Education k 12
Noem seeks spending hikes for K-12, providers, state workers
Updated 12:34 pm PST, Wednesday, January 23, 2019 Gov. Kristi Noem gives her first budget address to lawmakers at the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D., Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Noem is proposing spending hikes for education, state employees and Medicaid providers. less Gov. Kristi Noem gives her first budget address to lawmakers at the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D., Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Noem is proposing spending hikes for education, state employees and Medicaid ... more Photo: James Nord, AP Photo: James Nord, AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 Gov. Kristi Noem gives her first budget address to lawmakers at the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D., Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Noem is proposing spending hikes for education, state employees and Medicaid providers. less Gov. … [Read more...] about Noem seeks spending hikes for K-12, providers, state workers
MSU: Michigan ‘dead last’ in funding growth for K-12 schools
Jonathan Oosting and Jennifer Chambers The Detroit News Published 1:47 PM EST Jan 23, 2019 Lansing — Michigan ranks “dead last” among all states in revenue growth for K-12 schools since voters approved property tax and finance Proposal A in 1994, according to a new report by researchers at Michigan State University. After adjusting for inflation, tax revenue generated for the state’s K-12 system in 2015 was roughly 85 percent the amount in 1995, and “no other state is close to a decline of this magnitude,” the report's authors said. Michigan’s per-pupil funding revenue dropped by 15 percent over the same period, ranking 48 out of 50 states, according to the report. While lawmakers have used School Aid Fund revenues to plug other budget holes since 2010, MSU education policy professor David Arsen and two doctoral students concluded the “fundamental cause” of the education revenue shortfall is the state’s “declining … [Read more...] about MSU: Michigan ‘dead last’ in funding growth for K-12 schools
MSU study: Michigan ‘dead last’ in funding growth for K-12 schools
Jonathan Oosting The Detroit News Published 11:03 AM EST Jan 23, 2019 Lansing — Michigan ranks “dead last” among all states in revenue growth for K-12 schools since voters approved property tax and finance Proposal A in 1994, according to a new study by researchers at Michigan State University. After adjusting for inflation, tax revenue generated for the state’s K-12 system in 2015 was roughly 85 percent the amount in 1995, and “no other state is close to a decline of this magnitude,” the report's authors said. Michigan’s per-pupil funding revenue dropped by 15 percent over the same period, ranking 48 out of 50 states, according to the report. While lawmakers have used School Aid Fund revenues to plug other budget holes since 2010, MSU education policy professor David Arsen and two doctoral students concluded the “fundamental cause” of the education revenue shortfall is the state’s “declining tax effort,” … [Read more...] about MSU study: Michigan ‘dead last’ in funding growth for K-12 schools
Poll: Congress Should Focus on Cutting Student Debt, Funding K-12
Americans think Congress should work towards lowering student debt and increasing funding for public education, according to a new poll from Politico. The survey, conducted in partnership with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found that the majority of Americans rated "finding ways to lessen student debt" and "increasing spending on K-12 public education" as “extremely important” issues for Congress to work on. When asked about six separate areas of education policy: 79 percent rated student debt as “extremely important,” including 87 percent of Democrats and 61 percent of Republicans. 76 percent said the same of funding for public education, including 88 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of Republicans. 66 percent also backed funding for community colleges and for new school buildings 59 percent of Republicans want Congress to put forth legislation "to make it easier for students to go to charter schools or private schools.” … [Read more...] about Poll: Congress Should Focus on Cutting Student Debt, Funding K-12