teacher leader on special assignment

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Teacher leaders take on special assignment

Eight teachers were selected to become the first hybrid teachers — also known as Teacher Leaders on Special Assignment — who work part time in the classroom and part time for the Kentucky Department of Education. The hybrid teachers include, from top left, Anji Davidson, Brian McDowell, Katrina Boone, Angela Gunter; second row, from left, Kristal Doolin, Joseph Harris, Holly Bloodworth and Brandy Beasley.

By Brenna R. Kelly

Last school year, Lauren Hill taught English in the morning at Western Hills High School in Frankfort. In the afternoon, she worked with the Kentucky Network to Transform Teaching (KyNT3) to help teachers come up with solutions to common challenges and then share that knowledge with other teachers, schools and districts across the state.

She was a hybrid teacher.

After 24 years in the classroom, Hill now is working full time for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) coordinating the work of eight hybrid teachers who have become the state’s first Teacher Leaders on Special Assignment.

While they continue to teach part time in the classroom, the teacher leaders also work part time for KDE on efforts to improve teacher effectiveness and empower other teachers to take leadership roles in their schools or districts.

“It’s really exciting to me that the Kentucky Department of Education has put its support both behind teacher leadership and this hybrid model in such a powerful way,” said Hill, teacher leadership coordinator for the Office of Next-Generation Professionals.

The eight teachers, one from each education cooperative region, will focus on a particular interest while also working on overall issues affecting teachers and students. The team meets virtually every two weeks and Hill travels around the state to meet with them individually.

The teachers include men and women from elementary, middle and high school levels and a variety of content areas. Their focus areas include topics like integrating student voice into teaching and creating a teacher network for eastern Kentucky.

“It’s demonstrating the power of teacher leadership and it’s also showing the flexibility and power behind a hybrid role, because you maintain your classroom teacher voice and authenticity while also flexing your leadership muscles and serving as a catalyst for the leadership of others,” Hill said.

In their own words

Would you like to learn more about the kind of experiences teachers are having in classrooms across the Commonwealth from the teachers themselves? Through a collaboration with the Office of Next Generation Learners and the Hope Street Group, Kentucky Teacher will be featuring a weekly column from a teacher leader sharing their thoughts, projects and ideas for the classroom. To follow or continue the conversation on Twitter, use #tlky .

KDE decided to start the teacher leader program because research has shown that teacher leadership has a positive effect on teacher effectiveness, teacher growth and student achievement, said Robin Hebert, director of the Office of Next-Generation Professionals.

“Too often our most outstanding teachers felt they had to leave the classroom in order to have the opportunity to mentor and support other teachers or to advance their careers,” Hebert said. “This project allows us to explore other options, better options, so effective teachers can stay in the classrooms they love, while also having the chance to support both the learning of other educators and improvements in local, district, state and national education paradigms.”

As Hill knows, it can be hard doing two part-time jobs that could easily each be full-time work.

“One of the challenges they face is when they finish teaching, they want to plan for the next day or call parents and it’s difficult to switch gears,” she said. “We are working really hard to provide them the flexibility and structure. It can be a tough balance.”

The teachers work with KDE through a memorandum of agreement with their district. They are funded by KDE, and KyNT3, which is part of a U.S. Department of Education Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant.

The teacher leaders also work with the KDE’s Instructional Support Leadership Networks and other KDE field staff, including novice reduction coaches, effectiveness coaches and program consultants, Hill said.

In addition to her work with the teacher leaders, Hill is continuing her work with KyNT3 on the  Classroom Teachers Enacting Positive Solutions  (CTEPS) program. This year’s group includes 36 National Board certified teachers who will create and enact a plan to tackle common challenges in their classroom, school or district.

Both the teacher leaders and CTEPS teachers will write about their experiences in hopes of elevating teachers’ voices across the state and inspiring others to become teacher leaders, Hill said.

That’s also one of the goals of the Kentucky Teacher Leadership Framework created by representatives from KDE, KyNT3, the Education Professional Standards Board, the Collaborative for Teaching and Learning, The Fund for Transforming Education in Kentucky, the Kentucky Education Association, the Hope Street Group and the Bluegrass Center for Teaching Quality.

The framework defines teacher leadership and serve as a guide for teachers pursing leadership roles and those working to create those roles. A draft includes six sets of dispositions, core beliefs, knowledge base and requisite skills for teacher leaders.

Teacher leadership leads to more effective teachers in the classroom, increases teacher retention, creates a positive school culture and provides support for new teachers, Hill said.

All of that will benefit students.

“The reason for teacher leadership is not teacher leadership itself. Teacher leadership is a way to solve some of the problems and take down some of the barriers to student learning,” Hill said. “Teachers are experts at this. They look those kids in the eye every single day and we need to demonstrate ways to tap into that expertise and show teachers as leaders. That’s how we’re going to make schools better for all of our students.”

The eight teachers and their projects are:

• Katrina Boone @katrinaboone

About: English teacher at Shelby County High School

Focus: Engagement of teachers through writing and communications

• Brandy Beasley @BrandyBeasley8

About: 3rd-grade teacher at Emma B. Ward Elementary in Anderson County

Focus: Creating a new teacher support toolkit

• Brian McDowell @mcdowellscience

About: STEM and Project Lead the Way teacher at Mason County Middle School

Focus: The Margins Project: Student engagement and voice through unexplored teaching models

• Joseph Harris @joeharris2013

About: AP English teacher at Lawrence County High School

Focus: Integrating student voice into the classroom

• Kristal Doolin @MrsDoolin

About: Language arts teacher and reading interventionist at Corbin Middle School (Corbin Independent)

Focus: Kentucky Appalachian Teacher Network and National Board certification support

• Anji Davidson @anjanetterd

About: Science teacher at Jackson Independent Middle School

• Angela Gunter @angiegunter

About: English teacher at Daviess County High School

Focus: Teacher driven, personalized professional learning

• Holly Bloodworth @HollyBloodwort1

About: Spent 28 years an elementary teacher, now works part-time for KDE and part-time for the Kentucky Network to Transform Teaching.

Focus: Career pathways and teacher leadership in western Kentucky

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• Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Learning

Teacher on Special Assignment

​​​​​A Teacher on Special Assignment (TSA) is committed to teacher leadership and the development of others to positively impact student achievement.  Teachers on Special Assignment provide targeted professional learning, support site or district planning, and work directly with individual and teams of teachers, using the California Standards for the Teaching Profession as their framework.  Roles vary based on department or site based position.

Teresa Morales-Young , Administrator, Teacher Development (559) 457-6072​​

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Teacher on special assignment

By Mary Bigelow

Posted on 2014-06-07

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Teacher Appreciation Week 2024: Freebies, deals, discounts for educators, plus gift ideas

Restaurants and other retailers have deals for teachers and educators for national teacher day, tuesday, may 7, and national teacher appreciation week, which runs monday, may 6, to friday, may 10..

All of us have one or more teachers who assisted, inspired or coached us along on our learning path. Need an excuse to show your gratitude? There are opportunities in the days ahead.

National Teacher Day is May 7, 2024, and Teacher Appreciation Week runs Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10. The idea for a week to honor teachers began more than 70 years ago with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

The National National Parent Teacher Association has deemed this year's theme "Teachers are Shining Stars," and has an online toolkit with ideas on how to thank teachers. The National Education Association website has suggestions on how to celebrate teachers, too.

"Teachers are the heart and soul of our Nation," President Biden said in a proclamation on Friday, May 3. "They care for our Nation’s students, pass on knowledge to rising generations, and inspire our children to dream up new possibilities for their futures."

National Nurses Week 2024: Chipotle's free burrito giveaway, more deals and discounts

More ways to save: Visit USA TODAY's coupons page for deals from thousands of vendor s

Many restaurants and retailers are showing their appreciation with deals, discounts, specials and freebies . Here's some, but you may want to check social media for local deals, too – try searching for #NationalTeacherAppreciationWeek or #TeacherAppreciationWeek .

National Teacher Appreciation Week deals

• Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza: Teachers get a 20% discount on all orders with a valid ID from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12.
• BIC: The pen maker has deals on its BIC 4 Color Ballpoint Pen, with packs of three starting at $6.09 (available on Amazon , Walmart , Target ); BIC Gelocity Quick Dry Gel Pens, 12-pack starting at $12.99 ( Amazon , Walmart , Target ), and Break Resistant Mechanical Pencil, pack of two starting at $4.98 ( Walmart and Staples (2-Count); Amazon (4-Count), and BIC.com (12-Count).
• Buffalo Wild Wings: From Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, teachers and school staff get 20% off their orders with valid IDs on dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders.
• BurgerFi: Teachers get a 20% discount on all orders with a valid ID from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12.
• edible: The fruit gift arrangement company is giving teachers, school staff and graduates of all ages a buy-one-get-one dipped fruit cone Monday through Friday until June 7, at local Edible stores.
• Firehouse Subs: The sandwich chain has a week of specials available starting Monday through its Firehouse Rewards loyalty program and app including (on Wednesday) BOGO Hook & Ladder Subs and (on Friday) two medium sandwiches for $12 or two large sandwiches for $18.
• Free Rein Coffee Company: Teachers and educators get 20% off all year long from "Yellowstone" star Cole Hauser's brew brand by verifying with ID.me. Also eligible for the 20% discount: military members.
• The Good Feet Store : The retail chain, which has more than 250 locations, wants you to nominate education professionals – teachers, educators and other personnel including crossing guards – to win a personalized arch support system from The Good Feet Store. Submit applications online starting May 6 and through May 31. There may be one winner for each participating market (there's more than 75), and once selected, each winner will receive their own personalized arch support system.
• The Greene Turtle : All faculty and staff with a valid ID get a free meal (value of up to $15) on Tuesday, May 7, for Teachers Appreciation Day.
• Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream : Teachers get a 10% discount at participating locations from Monday to Friday, May 6-10.
• Hat Creek Burger Company : All teachers and school staff get a free 6-piece order of nuggets on Tuesday, May 7 (just show a valid ID).
• HTeaO: The iced tea chain will give teachers 50% off cups of tea from Monday, May 13, to Sunday, May 26, with a valid professional school ID.
• Huddle House: Teachers get a free meal from Monday to Friday, May 6-10 (available for dine-in only at participating locations). Students can also nominate a teacher to win free meals for a year (award given at each participating location). Also, get a free kids meal with any purchase of $6 or more.
• Insomnia Cookies: The Philadelphia-based late-night bakery chain with more than 240 locations is giving all teachers and school staff who show a valid ID a free Classic cookie in-store, no purchase necessary, all week beginning Monday, May 6. (Availability varies by location.)
• Jeremiah's Italian Ice: Teachers get a free small treat of their choosing on Tuesday, May 7, for Teacher's Appreciation Day with a valid educational ID at purchase.
• KIND Snacks: Teachers get 15% off their purchases on the website all year long. Customers just verify with ID.me at checkout.
• Learning Resources: The educational toy maker has several classroom products at discounted prices for teachers including a Rainbow Sorting Set Classroom Edition ($42.63; 39% off), Letter Construction Set ($35.45; 11% off) and Weather Tracker Pocket Chart ($26.49; 5% off), all on Amazon.com.
• L ogan' s Roadhouse: Teachers get 20% off their entrée this week. Just show your badge.
• McAlis ter’ s Deli: Teachers and educators can get free tea – either one big Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, ½ Sweet & ½ Unsweet Tea, or ½ Lemonade & ½ Sweet/Unsweet Tea (flavor shots excluded) – at McAlister's Deli from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, with your badge or ID. Offer valid in-store only; no purchase necessary.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill: Cater a Moe's Southwest Grill meal for teachers from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, and when you spend $300 or more, get a $50 E-gift card (use code THANKYOU24). Good at participating locations; not valid with other offers or third-party delivery. Doesn't include tax, tip and fees.
• Noodles & Company: Parents, school administrators, and educators alike can get $15 off catering orders of $100 or more through May 17. Log into your Noodles Rewards account and use the code THANKSTEACHERS at checkout.
• The Parking Spot: The parking company is giving teachers 25% off parking during their trips; just signup with an associated education email account .
• Peter Piper Pizza : Teachers can get a free personal pizza every day Monday through Friday (May 6-10). Redemption is limited to once per day; valid teacher or nurse ID/credentials must be shown.
• Postino: The restaurant chain, with more than 25 locations in five states , will give teachers its $25 Board and Bottle (bruschetta board, plus a bottle of wine) all day every day during the month of May with badge/ID. (The special is usually only available Monday and Tuesday 8 p.m. to closing.)
• Potbelly Sandwich Works: Teachers get a free cookie or fountain drink with the purchase of an entrée by showing their ID Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12. Also, all customers can get free delivery on a catering order over $150.
• Raising Cane's: The fast casual chain is giving 10 teachers an all-expenses-paid summer vacation. Teachers can enter the contest on RaisingCanesTASweepstakes.com Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10. Winners get two round-trip tickets to any U.S. destination, two-night hotel stay and a $200 gift card.
• Rock & Brews: Teachers get a free entrée with valid ID through Friday, May 10 (maximum value of $26.99) at the chain's Southern California locations (Corona, Buena Park, Redondo Beach, El Segundo and Tustin).
• Salad and Go: Teachers get free hot or cold coffee Wednesday, May 8, to Friday, May 10, with purchase during breakfast hours (6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
• Salata Salad Kitchen: On Tuesday, May 7, educators get 20% off their order when they present their badge at checkout. Also from Monday to Friday (May 6-10) get 20% off catering orders of $200 or more, and get free delivery on orders through DoorDash.
• Scholastic: The publisher has special deals and giveaways in its Scholastic Teacher Store and Book Clubs beginning Monday, May 6. And when you send a Scholastic eGift card through May 10, you'll be entered for a chance to win $550 of new books and resources for an educator of your choice.
• Shipley Do-Nuts: Teachers who belong to the chain's Do-Happy loyalty program can get a free half-dozen box of glazed Do-nuts with any purchase on Monday, May 6.
• Sonic Drive -In : Educators enrolled in the Sonic Teachers’ Circle Rewards program can take advantage of several deals starting Monday, May 6, to May 20; they include BOGO free Sonic Blast, BOGO free entrée, free Sonic cheeseburger with any purchase, free Large Drink or Slush with any purchase, or free small side with any entrée. (To join the rewards program create an account in the Sonic app and select "I'm a teacher" in settings.) Also, from May 6-20, Sonic is donating a portion of every drink, slush, and shake sold to its Limeades for Learning program, which supports local public schools.
• Staples: From Sunday, May 5, to Saturday, May 11, teachers can get free supply kits at Staples stores; kits include markers, pens, pencils, and glue. (20 kits per store while supplies last; limit 1 per teacher with teacher ID.) Teachers also get 20% off in-store purchases with their teacher ID at checkout.
• Stitch Fix: The online personal styling service is giving educators $50 credit to refresh their wardrobe. Between now and May 12, go to the Stitch Fix web site to verify credentials and get a promo code to use before June 30.
• tarte cosmetics: The beauty brand gives teachers and educators 40% off sitewide all year long.
• TGI Fridays: Teachers get a free entrée on Tuesday, May 7, at participating locations; choices include a cheeseburger with fries, half rack of ribs with choice of side, and Caesar salad with grilled chicken.
• The Halal Guys: Teachers get 10% off their meal from Wednesday, May 8, to Friday, May 10, on in-store orders, with proof of a valid teacher ID.
• Twinkl: Teacher subscription service Twinkl has ideas on how to show appreciation for your favorite teachers and is giving teachers a free month trial of its education materials.
• Whataburger: School employees can get a free Taquito, Breakfast on a Bun, or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10 with ID.
• Yogurtland: Through May 14, the frozen yogurt chain is offering free delivery on orders of more than $15 made through the website or mobile app (use code FREEDELIVERY).
• Zaxby's : Teachers can buy one Boneless Wings Meal and get a second one free on May 7 at participating locations (redeemable through the Zaxby's app or website for Zax Rewardz members, while supplies last).
• Zips Car Wash:  Teachers can get a $5 "Pro" Wash at any Zips Car Wash or Rocket Express location across the country through May 19 with wash code 7652.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads:  @mikesnider  & mikegsnider .

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What Teachers Really Want for Teacher Appreciation Week

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It’s that time of year again for social media posts, emails, and gifts thanking teachers for their hard work —and legions of teachers who still report feeling unappreciated. For years, writers have taken to Education Week’s opinion pages to mark the week with both heartfelt thanks and searching reflections on how to make that appreciation last far longer than five days.

In 2021, teachers of the year from seven states came together to write “ It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. Flowers? Mugs? We’re Looking for Something More ,” expressing their hopes for appreciative gestures that won’t wilt by the end of the week.

Their No. 1 ask? “Include teachers in education decisions.”

Another former state teacher of the year came to a similar conclusion several years earlier, when 2014 Texas Teacher of the Year Monica Washington argued that messages of appreciation ring hollow when they aren’t accompanied by a seat at the decisionmaking table: “We are often told that we are ‘valued professionals’ who ‘change the lives of our students every day.’ But we are also micromanaged to immobility, not trusted to make the simplest decisions that affect students’ learning and well-being.”

Sharif El-Mekki has taken on a principal eye view of this conundrum in several recent essays. “What if we made Teacher Appreciation Week last all year?” he asked school leaders last spring , before laying out five actionable recommendations.

Several months later, the former principal kept the theme of teacher appreciation alive into the fall by offering “ The 4 Gifts Principals Should Give Teachers This Year (Hint: Not Another School Mug) .”

That’s not the only call to action opinion writers had for principals. Explaining her own approach in “ Why One Principal Is Asking Her Staff to Do Less ,” Indiana Principal Crystal Thorpe dialed in on the ABCs of school—academics, behavior, and culture—to slow down the runaway snowball of demands on teachers.

For some quick-hit ideas of how school leaders can back up those “thank you” emails with action, look no further than teacher and blogger Larry Ferlazzo’s three roundups of educators sharing the one thing principals can do to support their teachers:

• 7 Ways Principals Can Support Teachers
• Principals: Supporting Your Teachers Doesn’t Have to Be Such Hard Work
• Advice for Principals: Empower Your Teachers

Part of appreciating teachers starts with respecting their profession as more than just a steppingstone to administration or some other career changes. That’s the message of “ Why I’m Happy Being ‘Just a Teacher,’ ” in which Amanda Myers works through her response to a recent dinner party guest who pushed for answers on her “next step” after teaching. The widespread assumption that every teacher is an administrator-in-waiting undermines the valuable types of leadership that teachers bring to the job they already have, she writes.

Gratitude doesn’t just come from outside the profession: Teachers are ready to appreciate each other as well. Just look at what these teachers and student-teachers had to say about the educators who inspired them:

Those words of affirmation are just in line with instructional coach Lisa Westman’s prescriptions in the 2017 opinion essay “ Teachers, Do We Appreciate One Another? ” To help her fellow educators join the mutual-appreciation party, Westman translates the popular love languages—gift giving, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and physical connection—into work-appropriate gestures to make colleagues feel valued.

“Teachers most frequently say they feel unappreciated by society and administration,” she wrote. “And it is easy to look outward at factors we cannot control, we can’t make society appreciate us. But, when we look inward, we must ask, what part do we, teachers, play in creating a culture of appreciation?”

A decade into retirement, former English teacher Laurie Barnoski was still feeling the appreciation when she sat down to write a love letter to teaching back in 2018. After reconnecting with four former students—two of whom had gone on to become English teachers themselves—she was reminded of the long-tail influence of her job.

“By taking time to say thank you,” she wrote, “my students were telling me that my 32 years in the classroom meant something; my goal to have a positive impact on my students was complete. They gave me the greatest gift human beings can give one another: They told me that I mattered.”

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• school layoffs

HISD leaders insist dozens of teacher layoffs are unrelated to $450 million budget gap

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The timing is tough for some Houston ISD educators who learned during Teacher Appreciation Week that they won't be welcome back next school year.

Inside the halls at Herod Elementary, parents say around a dozen teachers are out of a job. Other parents at another campus, Briargrove Elementary School, said about a dozen teachers were also told they're out of a job.

On Thursday, school leaders wouldn't confirm the numbers. However, the news hit hard for Reece Carr, who knows what it feels like.

"I didn't get to say goodbye to any of my students," Carr, who was fired earlier this school year, said.

The former HISD middle school teacher was with the district for four years. She said the emotional feelings returned this week when she saw messages from teachers who lost their jobs.

"I'm imagining those hundreds of teachers who are having that same emotion," Carr said. "That same feeling, and I don't want this for them."

On Thursday, HISD Superintendent Mike Miles held a news conference and was asked about the teachers being told they're out of a job.

"Literally, that is happening as we speak," Miles said. "I don't have any hard numbers today. We'll have firmer numbers in a couple of weeks."

Miles said it's not about money but performance. He said if teachers aren't asked to come back, the positions will be filled.

Still, he explained cuts are coming as the district faces a $450 million deficit.

He says they're eyeing the central office, custodial, and other staff to eliminate. Miles said the teachers aren't one of them.

"They still have their electives," Miles explained. "They still have high-quality instructional materials. That's what we mean by keeping cuts away from the classroom. We're not cutting teachers."

Educators that the Houston Federation of Teachers says are frustrated with Miles. The union surveyed its members and released the results today.

It found that 98% of its members voted they didn't have confidence in the superintendent.

"It's hard to have confidence in a leader who is constantly changing and has no clear direction," Houston Federation of Teachers president Jackie Anderson said. "I'm not surprised at all."

Carr isn't shocked, either. After losing her HISD job months ago, she's landed on her feet. While she's rebounded, she knows it may be harder for other teachers to learn they aren't welcome back.

"It's not just a job," Carr said. "It's homes, our lives, and they're taking it from us."

School leaders said they're racing to replace the teachers who won't be back. They said they're having job fairs and hiring staff.

They feel confident that the positions will be filled next school year.

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook , X and Instagram .

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School leaders warn of ‘full-blown’ special needs crisis in England

Survey by NAHT union finds funding shortages mean pupils are losing out on vital support

Shortages and funding cuts are causing a “full-blown crisis” in special needs education for children and young people in England , according to school leaders who say they are struggling to give pupils the support they require.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the school leaders’ union the NAHT, accused the government of treating schools as a “sideline” compared with headline-grabbing issues such as immigration.

“This is a full-blown crisis and bad news for children, families, schools and local authorities. Ahead of the general election, it is incumbent upon all political parties to pledge the system-wide investment needed to tackle this crisis head on,” Whiteman said.

Leaders of both mainstream and special schools told the NAHT they were being forced to reduce the number of teaching assistants or hours worked because of financial pressures, cutting vital individual support for pupils with special education needs and disabilities (Send).

The NAHT’s survey of 1,000 school leaders found that 78% said they had cut back on support staff such as teaching assistants within the last three years, and 84% said they also expected to do so within the next three years.

Some leaders said they feared funding shortages meant they would be unable to keep children and staff safe, while others said they were unable to pay for speech and language therapy, mental health support or specialist training.

Ian Kendal, the executive headteacher of Our Lady of Fatima trust in Essex, said the funding was insufficient and that it was “astonishing” per pupil Send funding had not increased for more than a decade. This, he said put huge pressure on dwindling school budgets.

“There just isn’t capacity within special schools in our area, meaning we are supporting even more pupils with complex needs within our mainstream settings.

“We believe in inclusion and are currently doing our best with the limited funds, but, put simply, it is not good enough for the children with the most complex needs – they deserve so much more than we can give them.

“It should never have come to this, and we need the government to urgently put more funding into the system to ensure all children’s needs are met, especially the most vulnerable.”

Funding for pupils in special schools has been frozen at £10,000 per pupil since 2013, with its value being steeply eroded in recent years by high inflation.

The school leaders’ complaints come as the number of pupils with identified Send, including those with education, health and care plans (EHCPs), has ballooned.

Gillian Keegan, the education secretary for England, has previously acknowledged the extent of the crisis, saying earlier this year: “All too often I hear from parents with children who have special educational needs having to fight to get the right support.”

The Department for Education says the government is tackling the issue, with high needs funding for children and young people increasing above £10.5bn in 2024-25.

The government is also allocating £850m for councils to eventually create 60,000 new places in mainstream and special schools.

But Louise Gittins, the chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said: “Councils’ high needs deficits currently stand at an estimated £1.9bn, rising to £3.6bn by 2025 with no intervention. We urge the government to write off these deficits.”

Whiteman told the NAHT’s annual conference on Friday that the government’s neglect of schools had been “pernicious”.

“For the best part of 15 years now, schools have been treated as though they’re a sideline, a niche portfolio to be considered once all populist talk on immigration, polarised positions on trans rights, and removing the right to protest have been exhausted,” Whiteman said.

“If political parties think the electorate haven’t noticed, or simply don’t care, I strongly suspect they’re all going to have a nasty shock during the election campaign.”

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Iowa Senate passes AEA plan as GOP leaders search for deal on special ed changes

Iowa senators passed a bill Monday to restructure the state's Area Education Agencies, approving a plan that differs from the House's and leaves Republicans in both chambers forced to search for compromise.

A newly amended version of House File 2612 passed on a 28-22 vote, with six Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. But critical details differ between the House and Senate bills, such as how contracting for special education services will be handled, meaning leaders in both chambers will need to work out an agreement if they want to fulfill one of Gov. Kim Reynolds' top priorities this session.

"Schools deserve to have more transparency and accountability for how special education funding is spent," said Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia. "This bill provides them with more local control to base their spending on the unique needs of students in their districts."

More: As Reynolds pushes big changes to Iowa special education, most like AEAs, Iowa Poll finds

Under the Senate plan, districts would have until Feb. 1 to make an annual decision whether to contract with the AEAs for special education services, as well as media and other general education services.

If a district declines, it can seek out private companies with which to contract. Currently, the AEAs are the provider of those services across the state.

Senate Republicans' bill also takes a different approach to funding services than the House plan, by redirecting money that currently goes to the AEAs and instead sending it to school districts:

• In fiscal year 2025 (beginning July 2024), AEAs will receive all of the money calculated for special education services, 40% for media services and 40% for general education services. The other 60% for media and general education services will be sent to districts.
• In fiscal year 2026 (beginning July 2025) and beyond, AEAs will receive 10% of the funding for special education services, with the other 90% going to districts. The agencies will not receive any guaranteed money for media or general education services.

Districts will have the option, starting in July 2025, to seek private vendors for all services currently provided by AEAs, including special education. AEA services will be offered on a "fee for service" model, provided only if requested and paid for by the district.

The House plan takes a different tack , guaranteeing that the AEAs remain the sole provider of special education services indefinitely while allowing districts to seek private contracts for media and general education services starting in 2025.

More: Iowa House passes GOP plan to change AEA education services and school contracts

Senate Democrats strongly criticized the bill on the floor, calling it unwanted and harmful to schools and students as they urged Republicans to break with Reynolds.

"Do not follow the governor off a cliff," said Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, in remarks directed toward Senate Republicans.

And Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, said that changes to the system — originally drafted by a group including U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley — would most harm rural districts.

"What you are doing today is creating more instability, more uncertainty, and this system will collapse," said Jochum, whose child received special needs services through the AEAs.

In a statement Monday evening, Reynolds thanked the Senate for passing the bill and "acknowledging that the AEA system needs reform." She pledged to work with chamber leadership to reach a deal.

"I now look forward to working with the House and Senate to reach a compromise that will bring transparency, accountability, and consistency to the AEA system while most importantly improving outcomes for students with disabilities," Reynolds said.

House and Senate have both passed bills on AEAs. What's next?

It remains to be seen what a final agreement between Republicans in the two chambers would look like.

Both Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Grimes, and House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, have said in recent weeks that leadership, committee chairs and the governor's office had discussed the bill and made progress.

Whitver said he was optimistic about the prospects of a deal on AEAs between the two chambers, and that "we've had good conversations with both the House and the governor, so I'm optimistic."

Grassley agreed with that sentiment, saying there was common ground that could lead to an eventual agreement.

"It looks like there’s a willingness to want to increase beginning teacher pay. It looks like there’s a willingness to want to have some level of reform when it comes to AEAs," Grassley said last week. "It’s just obviously what are the details and the final products going to look like?”

School leaders continue to lobby on AEA bills

Superintendents and school groups across the state, meanwhile, have continued to lean on lawmakers in both chambers about their AEA bills — both in opposition and support.

A group of 30 superintendents wrote in a letter Sunday that they were "deeply concerned" about proposed changes to AEAs.

"Rural school districts, in particular, rely heavily on AEAs for critical support," the group wrote. "Disrupting a model that has largely worked over the past 50 years will have grave consequences for the students we serve."

Implementing changes quickly, they wrote, risks "destabilizing our educational ecosystem." The group also said that centralizing more authority within the Department of Education represents "an unnecessary overreach by our state government."

Other superintendents have continued to urge lawmakers to make changes at the agencies.

In a Register op-ed last week , leaders from Spirit Lake and Okoboji said the AEA bills "give districts, who know their needs and potential partners the best, several options."

"Many school superintendents across the state believe reforming the AEA system will lead to positive change," they wrote. "We need an efficient and effective system that can be created by giving districts control of the money allocated on their behalf so they can make the most impactful decisions with their funding."

Senate, House at odds on how to address teacher salary boost

Lawmakers in the House and Senate have also diverged in how they address increasing the starting teacher pay in Iowa.

Under the Senate bill to restructure AEAs, the minimum starting teacher pay would be set at $46,250 — higher than the current floor of $33,500 but lower than Reynolds' request of $50,000.

House Republicans have opted to take on teacher pay as a separate issue, a move praised by Democrats and educational groups who are squarely in favor of a pay raise but remain either hesitant or opposed to restructuring AEAs.

Reynolds, in her initial proposal, combined teacher pay and AEA restructuring into a single bill.

A first-year teacher would make a minimum of $47,500 for the first year the House plan would be in effect, before raising to $50,000 in year two.

Grassley said the two-year structure responded to districts who were concerned about managing their budgets while bumping up the rest of the salary scale.

"We want to make sure school districts have time to implement that and make adjustments internally with the changes we made," he said in February.

In her statement, Reynolds urged lawmakers to address teacher pay, including for more experienced teachers. The AEA bill passed by the Senate includes language to increase starting pay but does not address more experienced teachers.

"At the same time we must recognize the important role of teachers in the classroom by increasing minimum salaries for both starting and experienced teachers," she said.

Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed reporting.

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at  [email protected]  or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter  @galenbacharier .

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Community leaders, organizations react to former hpd chief troy finner’s retirement.

Ninfa Saavedra , Digital Content Specialist

HOUSTON – In a surprising turn of events, Houston Mayor John Whitmire on Tuesday night, shortly before 11 p.m., announced the retirement of Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner .

• Mayor John Whitmire announces retirement of Houston Police Chief Troy Finner amid suspended cases scandal

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The abrupt announcement came as a surprise to many, as the department is currently under scrutiny for thousands of incident reports, including sexual assaults, that were suspended due to a “lack of personnel.”

Since discovering the suspended cases in February, several new developments have occurred, including an email that shows Finner could have known about the “SL” code dating back in 2018.

• TIMELINE: HPD Chief Troy Finner’s retirement approved amid controversy over suspended cases

After KPRC 2 Investigates reporter Mario Diaz, who has been monitoring the developments of the investigation since the beginning, showed Finner an email from 2018 indicating he knew about the suspended cases, the former top cop took to Twitter hours before announcing his retirement to respond:

HPD Chief Troy Finner statement on 2018 email: pic.twitter.com/gzr5xTLIad — Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 7, 2024

An investigation by the department’s Internal Affairs Division is in its final stages.

• Who is Larry Satterwhite? Houston PD’s new interim chief takes over amid scandal

Several Houston area leaders and organizations have since spoken out about Finner’s retirement:

Harris County Precinct 4 - Chief Troy Finner has always treated the men,women, and citizens of Precinct 4 with the utmost respect .

He has always lead his agency from the front and stayed in the trenches fighting crime with all law enforcement . We wish him the best in his retirement and will support him going forward.

Council Member Julian Ramirez - “I want to thank HPD Chief Troy Finner for his 34 years of service to the City of Houston. In the many years I’ve known him, he has always conducted himself with professionalism and courtesy. His steady demeanor has been a model for others to follow. I want to personally thank him for the kindness he has shown me over the years. I wish him the best in retirement and know that he will continue to serve this city that we both love.

I also want to express my gratitude to Acting Chief Larry Satterwhite for his willingness to help lead the department through its challenges. I believe Chief Satterwhite, who I have known for a long time, has the knowledge and experience to provide a steady hand as we move forward. During my time as Houston City Council Member, At-Large Position 1, Chief Satterwhite has been a help and a resource as I have worked on public safety issues. I look forward to continuing to work with him to help make Houston safer. "

Wishing a happy retirement to my friend and partner in public safety, Houston Police Chief @TroyFinner . It was a true honor to work alongside him. I know I'm not alone when I say that he'll surely be missed. — Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 8, 2024

From HPOU President Doug Griffith: It has come to my attention that Chief Troy Finner has decided to retire from the... Posted by Houston Police Officers' Union on  Wednesday, May 8, 2024

I want to congratulate my brother in Public Safety, @TroyFinner , on his retirement. Honored to serve with him through storms, hurricanes, pandemic, and extremely challenging times. Thank you for your decades of service. Wish you all the best. Good Luck, Godspeed, and God Bless! pic.twitter.com/MASQqdb4Oo — Chief Samuel Peña (@FireChiefofHFD) May 8, 2024

Chief Troy Finner gave 34 plus years of his life to HPD. For the last 3 plus years he led the largest police force in the Southwest through some challenging and divisive times and under his direct leadership crime has trended down. His departure is a loss to HPD and our City. st — Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) May 8, 2024

Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

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Ninfa saavedra.

Teachers’ rally in California denies antisemitism accusations

• A school bus driver navigates while driving through downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. July 19, 2023.
• Image Credits :
• 9 May 2024, 11:00 [SAST]

Public school teachers rallied in Berkeley, California just hours after their district’s superintendent testified before Congress and denied the presence of pervasive antisemitism in the city’s schools.

Roughly 100 teachers, parents, activists and students attended the rally on the steps of the Old Berkeley City Hall, holding signs that read “Teach Palestine” and “Teachers for Palestine”.

Various speakers addressed the crowd, discussing the pressures that teachers have faced for wanting to teach about Palestinian history.

The rally comes amid widespread protests – mostly on university campuses – that have sprung up against Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza that began after the militant group’s October 7 attacks.

The protests have also raised a heated American debate about Jewish security, Zionism, free speech and support for Israel.

Teachers at the rally defended Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel, who appeared before the Committee on Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education in Washington, D.C. for a hearing titled Confronting Pervasive Antisemitism in K-12 Schools.

The rally and the hearing in Washington underscored mounting tensions across the US after weeks of unrest at dozens of US universities as students call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Lawmakers have mostly focused on the university students but turned their attention to K-12 schools for Wednesday’s hearing.

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