Friday News Roundup

It’s Friday the 13^th. Time for the News Roundup.

Progress on Chronic Absenteeism Has Slowed. Some Say McMahon Should Speak Up (The 74)

ABPTL doesn’t do this often, but here is a shout out to the State of Alabama. According to The 74, Alabama serves as an example of how to get kids back to school. Statewide, 12% of students were chronically absent (missing more than 10% of the school year) in 2024-25, six percentage points below the peak of 18% in 2022 and just a point higher than it was pre-pandemic.

Other states? Not so much.

New Mexico? 33% chronic absenteeism.

Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbia? Over 30% chronic absenteeism.

Nationally, the chronic absenteeism rate stands at 23%, with 40 states and the District of Columbia reporting, well above the pre-pandemic rate of 15%.

Iowa Bill Would Give Charters More State Aid, Student Athletic Options (The Des Moines Register)

Iowa was late to the charter school party, but they are catching up fast!

According to the Des Moines Register,

“Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing a bill that would bring state funding for public charter schools in-line with the money public schools receive.”

“House Study Bill 676 focuses on funding Area Education Agency media and special education services for charter schools. It clears the way for charter schools to attend public school for drivers education courses, take part in public school athletic programs and do their course work at their resident public school district.”

Public charters have grown in size from two to 19 over the past four years in the Hawkeye State.

Traditional school districts will fight hard to defeat HSB 676, but maybe instead of fighting, traditional K-12 systems should work hard to regain and maintain enrollment that might be lost to the charters.

Calais and Worcester Vote “No” on Proposition That They Close Their Elementary Schools (The Bridge)

This story comes from Vermont, where towns still meet and vote to decide their futures.

The Washington Central School District school board decided to cut two schools out of their 2027 budget, elementary schools located in Calais and Worcester, Vermont. But for that to happen, the townspeople of Calais and Worcester had to approve the closings.

They did not. Both towns voted to keep their elementary schools open.

Without town approval, the school board now has to cut services to five schools in order to keep the Calais and Worcester elementaries open.

Both Calais and Worcester Elementaries have less than 100 students each.

How One Arizona District Turned School Cafeterias Into Scratch Kitchens (EdWeek)

Sometimes you just need a little imagination and creativity.

EdWeek reported this week that the Osborn School District in Arizona has launched scratch kitchens at all of their six schools inside the district.

“Ask Cory Alexander, the director of child nutrition…, what he does for a living, and he’ll tell you that he manages six successful small restaurants in central Phoenix.”

“The goal, he says, is simple: happier, healthier kids – and school meals the community can take pride in.”

The only improvement needed now in Osborn is for Alexander and his staff to welcome young learners to participate in the scratch restaurant enterprise.

A Plumbing Story

Our plumber showed up this morning to install new bathroom faucets. I asked about his god son, a 25-year-old young man apprenticing to become a master plumber.

Our plumber answered, “He’ll be okay, but he’s got a lot to learn.”

“He’s got a lot to learn.” I didn’t hear that enough when I worked 35 years in and around public schools.

“He has to pass a test,” or “He has to come to school,” or “He has to behave better” – yes.

“He’s got a lot to learn?” Not so much.

Maybe that’s what’s wrong with public schools these days. Unlike the plumber, our teachers and school administrators just don’t understand what the overall goal should be –

Learning.

Have a great weekend. Til Monday. SVB