New research is sharpening the focus on the debate over public funding for private school vouchers. And with North Dakota kids back in class, those tied to public education are speaking out.

The non-partisan Brookings Institution has just issued a research summary noting that in 2023 alone, seven states have passed new voucher programs - which shift some state funding for families to use for private school tuition.

Supporters, namely GOP lawmakers and certain parent groups, say they allow for academic choice if a family is concerned about their public school's performance.

Bismarck Superintendent Jeff Fastnacht said choice is fine, but there is another key factor to consider.

"I do think the public institutions provide the opportunity to ensure that every child," said Fastnacht, "regardless of where they come from, what demographic they come from - all have equal opportunities to gain the skills necessary to be successful in life."

Other public school supporters say they're required to keep working with students who might be struggling. But they add in a private school, those kids could find it harder to stay enrolled if they're not meeting expectations.

The Brookings report notes research on traditional vouchers from the last decade strongly indicates they lower academic achievement.

North Dakota was among a group of conservative-led states to consider a school voucher bill this year, but it was vetoed.

However, Nick Archuleta, president of the teacher's union North Dakota United, said he fears the issue won't go away, with lower test scores - linked to the pandemic - fueling more calls for vouchers.

"Test scores don't tell the whole story," said Archuleta. "We have to find these kids where they are and start teaching them there. We should be measuring growth of the individual student."

Fastnacht said while Bismarck wasn't immune to the so-called "COVID slide," his district has shown signs of turning things around when it comes to academic performance.

"Two years ago, 2021, Bismarck - along with almost all schools I knew of - saw a COVID slide," said Fastnacht. "But we've also seen a recovery in 2021 and 2022."

Another common argument from backers of vouchers is these programs spur more competition within education.

Brookings authors say while there is limited evidence of that, other research suggests more direct funding of public schools has a greater impact.

In recognition of Banned Book Week, the "Banned Books Tour" bookmobile will be in the Keystone State today. Pennsylvania ranks third among states with the most banned books, according to PEN America.

Nina Esposito-Visgitis, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers president, are excited that the bookmobile will be visiting the Helen S. Faison Arts Academy, a K-5th school in Homewood.

"Best thing of all is, we're going to be giving out over 1,000 free books to the students there. And it was so cute," she said. "The principal wanted us to get there early so the kids could come and shop for the book they really want. "

Esposito-Visgitis added in Pennsylvania, the impact of banning books cannot be ignored, as it stifles teaching, hinders students' intellectual growth and obstructs the path to understanding the world in its entirety.

Esposito-Visgitis emphasized the tour will feature thought-provoking discussions, author talks and readings from banned books. She said her organization's interest in the bookmobile stems from the city of Pittsburgh's acceptance of writers exiled from their own countries.

"We are an international hub for City of Asylum," she continued. "The City of Asylum, I've been to the bookstore. They have homes. It is an international hub for exiled authors, artists, musicians to live here. "

Esposito-Visgitis said the City of Asylum helps the artists continue their creative work and rebuild their lives. The New Republic "Banned Book Tour" is on the road until October 28th and will also stop in New York, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Several hundred high school and college students are gathering online for the first annual Student Leadership Summit this weekend, hosted by the nonprofit Children Now. It starts Friday night and features a full schedule of presentations and discussions on Saturday.

Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, explained the importance of engaging young people.

"Students are not just tomorrow's leaders, they're today's leaders," Lempert contended. "We need to hear their voice, especially on issues of gun violence, mental health, the school-to-prison pipeline, education equity, and climate justice. And so this summit will help support our student leaders in playing an even greater role in pushing for needed change."

The event is open to students ages 13 to 22, as well as adults who are interested in elevating youth voices. Multiple student groups are leading the event, including GENup, Our Turn, Ed100, The Institute for Youth in Policy, the California Association of Student Councils, Black Students United of California, It's Her Right, and California Forward.

You do not have to be a part of those groups to attend; sign up at ChildrenNow.org.

Lempert noted the event is an evolution of Ed100's Academy for Student Leaders, which was held over the last several years.

"Student leaders will not only be able to connect more with each other but also get information and hear from speakers to help them in their advocacy going forward," Lempert pointed out.

Students will learn about the policymaking process and make connections with other student leaders, mentors, and policymakers. California is home to more than 573,000 high school students and more than 2.5 million college students.

Nearly 100 school board elections are coming up in Minnesota this fall, with some gaining attention because of the candidates who are running. There's concern the push around the United States to infuse school boards with "culture war" issues is becoming a factor regionally.

On Thursday, labor and advocacy groups gathered to speak out about certain board races, mainly in the Twin Cities suburbs, and how some candidates have controversial platforms, such as limiting curriculum about race.

Denise Specht, president of the teacher's union Education Minnesota, said the movement isn't just being observed in states such as Florida. She said book-ban attempts are popping up here, as well.

"In the Bloomington public schools, there are more than 50 challenges to 30 titles in the school libraries already this year," she said. "Most of them are books with LGBTQ+ characters, which fits the national trend."

A school board candidate in Roseville faces scrutiny for writing a book that denies the Holocaust ever happened. The candidate, Vaughn Klingenberg, did not respond to a request for comment. Parent groups that support candidates with divisive views argue that students are being overly exposed to issues such as gender identity and diversity, and that the focus should be on achievement.

Beth Gendler, executive director of Jewish Community Action, pushed back against state-level affiliations such as the Minnesota Parents Alliance, that say voters need to tune out the concerns being raised.

"We are portrayed as threats to society by merely existing, or daring to ask that our stories be included when students are taught about history," she said. "We are not 'noise;' we are not a distraction."

Unlike conservative led-states, Minnesota's Democratic majorities make it unlikely that restrictions on curriculum or gender accommodations will be adopted in the near future. But the coalition calling attention to these candidates has said if elected, it could push to limit local enforcement of anti-bullying laws.


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