Friday News Roundup

It’s Friday. Time for the News Roundup.

Less Diverse History, More Bible Stories in Public Schools Get Initial OK by Texas Board

As Supporters Praise Texas’ Proposed “Judeo-Christian” Curriculum, Rabbis Say It Dismisses Judaism (The Texas Tribune)

According to The Texas Tribune this week,

“Texas elementary and middle school students will likely see redesigned social studies and reading lessons that minimize racial, geographic and cultural diversity while emphasizing the Bible – but changes for high schoolers have suddenly hit a pause.”

The Texas State Board of Education admitted this week that they had bitten off too much to chew when it came to approving revised social studies curriculum at all levels – elementary, middle, and high school.

So the board has decided to delay high school changes for the time being.

Delay might be the least of board members’ worries, since rabbis and other Jewish leaders are starting to attack the new social studies curriculum as “heavy on Christianity and dismissive of Judaism”.

“Joshua Fixler, rabbi at Houston’s Congregation Emanu El, said the curriculum’s near-exclusive use of Christian interpretations and scriptures will result in the ‘further alienation of non-Christian students.’”

“’It feels like a fig leaf at inclusion,’ Fixler said. ‘They’re promoting a particular version of Protestant Christianity in our public schools and trying to use Jews as cover by using the term Judeo-Christian.’”

What a mess.

Lessons Learned About Bold Tech Initiatives From the LAUSD Chief’s Departure (EdWeek)

Alberto Carvalho is out at superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

According to EdWeek,

“[His] resignation this week under a cloud of a failed AI chatbot rollout and an FBI investigation could serve as a cautionary tale for other school districts as they consider adopting new and rapidly evolving technology….”

Although Carvalho and LAUSD jumped on the AI bandwagon too early, L.A.’s failure shouldn’t dissuade other school districts from launching artificial intelligence projects within their schools and central office. The upside for better learning and better management is just too great not to continue experimenting with the technology.

Increasing Conflict Threatens Promise of Quiet Life in Rural Iowa (Des Moines Register)

We talk a lot at ABPTL about small schools being closed and small school districts struggling to stay open. According to a recent article in the Des Moines Register, it seems towns are faced with the same challenges as schools and school districts when it comes to remaining a viable choice for young families to invest in.

“Over the past year, Madison County (Iowa) has been engulfed in turmoil that began in county offices and spilled into public meetings and residents’ daily lives.”

“The county’s dysfunction reflects the broader strain testing communities across Iowa, where the romance of small-town living is colliding with the increasingly difficult reality of keeping those towns running.”

“’Our small rural communities are facing real headwinds,’ Alan Kemp, executive director of the Iowa League of Cities, said. ‘Some of them are navigating it a little better than others. And some are just really struggling.’”

Just like schools and school districts, small towns are now discussing “the C word” – consolidation. But how to consolidate town services has become as complicated as figuring out how to close under-enrolled schools.

Iowa has more incorporated municipalities per capita than almost any other state in the country. In other words, Iowa has lots and lots of small towns – small towns that now are struggling for their survival.

And if the town goes under, is the school district far behind?

Til Monday. SVB