A new campaign is working to invigorate public schools across Florida and the U.S.
The American Federation of Teachers - Real Solutions for Kids and Communities campaign is looking to help schools bolster student learning.
One element of the plan is to boost reading, since reading skills have plummeted across the nation.
Research from the Albert Shanker Institute finds Florida has taken critical steps to ensure student reading is blossoming.
AFT President Randi Weingarten said evidence-based reading practices need to become the norm for school districts across the country, noting it has a multitude of benefits.
"That science of reading points to a systematic approach that includes phonics instruction," said Weingarten, "along with giving students plenty of opportunities to read interesting and high-quality books to develop their background knowledge and to build their vocabulary."
However, Florida has become a state where book bans have become a new normal.
Although Gov. Ron DeSantis has claimed books aren't being banned in his state, a Pen America report finds there have been 357 book bans in Florida.
Additionally, elected officials are working to implement parental bills of rights in schools. Although some see these are ways to ensure parents and schools are more collaborative, others feel it creates curriculum restrictions.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said he thinks education should be determined by educators.
"We can teach the tragedies and the triumphs of American history, and still instill pride in our country," said Cardona. "As a parent, as a teacher and as a former principal, I know strong and productive relationships between teachers and parents are vital to student success."
This all comes as Americans' faith in education has dropped after reaching recent highs in 2020.
A Gallup poll finds 28% of people have confidence in public education, down from 32% in 2021, and down further still from 41% in 2020.
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The West Virginia Education Policy Commission said its new initiative
will help more residents with some college education but no degree earn certificates, opening the door to new career pathways and aid employers seeking qualified workers.
Beez Schell, academic officer for the commission, reported more than 500,000 West Virginia residents have a high school degree and more than 200,000 have completed college courses but do not have a degree. She said the Credential WV initiative is aimed at those people.
"We have a very high rate of high school graduations and then they get into college and they leave," Schell observed. "We know that there's been learning taking place at that time, and so what we want to do is to recognize that."
According to the Education Data Initiative, nearly 180,000 Mountain State students dropped out of college last year. Nationwide, an estimated 36 million people have completed college courses or training, but did not obtain a degree.
Schell pointed out health care and other fields are good options for stacked credentials.
"Some other opportunities are around phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, medical coding and billing, certified nurse aide," Schell outlined.
She noted microcredientals can be a tool to help people continue to pursue a higher-education path, one step at a time.
"The more success that you build in, the more the student or the learner is going to hang in there for just maybe one more step and one more step," Schell explained. "That bachelor's degree definitely makes a difference."
The number of certificate or microcrediental earners younger than age 18 jumped by 18.8% in 2022-2023 compared with the prior year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
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Enrollment in Indiana's 21st Century Scholars program has surged, reaching record levels. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education reports the program has enrolled more than 90,000 students for 2027 and 2028, more than double previous numbers. The boost follows a 2023 law allowing automatic enrollment for eligible students.
Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, authored the change. He hopes it helps more low-income students access a debt-free college education by meeting academic requirements.
"There are a lot of people that did not know it existed," he said. "I would ask people when they asked me about ways to fund their children's education, and I would mention 21st Century Scholars and almost 100% of the time the person would look at me and go, 'what's that?'"
The 21st Century Scholars program was created in 1990. It offers tuition-free college at Indiana's two- and four-year institutions for students who qualify based on income. Students eligible for the National School Lunch Program are automatically enrolled, though they may opt out. To remain in the program, they must meet certain academic and behavioral standards.
Harris commended the program's success and voiced optimism for expanding bipartisan educational efforts.
"I believe we as a state should do everything we can to help our young people continue their education post high school. We know funding is a big roadblock for a lot of people, and 21st Century Scholars is a great way to make sure that those funds are in place," he continued.
State education officials say over 50,000 students enrolled for 2028, with an additional 46,000 for 2027. Before automatic enrollment, sign-ups typically saw between 16,000 and 19,000 students.
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Parents and educators in Massachusetts are celebrating an end to the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System graduation requirement.
Nearly 60% of voters approved Question 2, which ensures students still take the standardized test but does not require passage to receive a high school diploma.
Carolyn Scafidi, a retired special educator in Tyngsborough, said the results show voters trust teachers.
"The educators are the professionals, so let us do what we do best, not other outside sources saying that this is what you should be doing," Scafidi stressed.
Skafidi pointed out students must still complete district-certified coursework to demonstrate their comprehension and she predicted students will fare better without the added stress of a high-stakes test. Opponents said removal of the MCAS test will only loosen academic standards and increase inequality.
Roughly 700 students each year do not pass the MCAS exam and do not receive their high school diploma. Educators said the majority are students of color, English language learners and those with disabilities.
Joy Ahmed, a parent in Ashland, said her son has a learning disability and gets nervous before tests. She hopes more special education students and those put in transition programs after age 18 will no longer be penalized.
"Which would be a huge change in the special education community in the way that we treat students who are unique learners in this state," Ahmed observed. "They were often denied access to getting a diploma, so I'm thrilled for those families."
Ahmed added teachers will also have more time to be creative in the classroom without having to spend so many hours "teaching to the test." Massachusetts was one of just eight states to still require passage of a standardized test to receive a high school diploma.
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