From Classroom to Checkout: Students learn life skills with student-run market

At Victor H. Hexter Elementary School, students in Functional Living Skills (FLS) class operate their own grant-funded store, known as "Hexter Market." The store provides hands-on learning opportunities for students with diverse abilities, tailoring tasks to individual strengths and fostering an inclusive and engaging experience. The students working wear custom-made aprons and help customers choose snacks priced at $1 each.

Dallas ISD unveils new resource center

Resource Center South (RCS), situated at the Joseph J. Rhoads Learning Center, is now open, offering essential resources like healthy food, counseling, and medical assistance. RCS aims to meet diverse needs with evening programming, recreational activities, a podcast studio, art classes, and academic workshops. Dallas ISD Deputy Chief of Racial Equity, Sharon Quinn, urges families to utilize the center, emphasizing its design based on community input and its potential to contribute to children's success in and out of school.

Dallas ISD unveils innovative student-operated food truck, a Texas First

Dallas ISD, in collaboration with Intuit, has introduced a student-designed and operated food truck, providing hands-on learning experiences for students across multiple career pathways. The food truck program aims to engage Career and Technical Education (CTE) students by offering practical experience and opportunities to develop technical, financial, and entrepreneurial skills. The truck features a commercial-grade kitchen, allowing culinary art students to serve prepared food eventually, and graphic design students will contribute to the project by designing menus and merchandise in collaboration with Intuit's team. 

Texas teachers can earn $100,000. But there’s a catch.

Texas implemented a merit-based teacher pay program to offer competitive salaries and recognize exceptional educators. However, only 1,000 teachers out of the state's workforce have reached the $100,000 mark, and there have been concerns among teachers about fairness and competition. Despite challenges, districts like Roosevelt Independent School District have successfully incentivized teachers and promoted performance-based bonuses.

Texas’ largest teacher prep company risks losing ability to certify some educators

The Texas Education Agency has once again identified issues with Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, a significant educator preparation program currently on probation. Recent warnings indicate potential loss of certification ability in key subject areas due to low pass rates on certification exams. The program's challenges extend beyond testing issues; it has faced criticism for misleading advertising, lack of mentor support, and inadequate research-based training. While settlement discussions are ongoing, the final decision rests with the State Board for Educator Certification.

Analysis: Texas schools facing lowest inflation-adjusted state, local funding since 2020

During the 2023 legislative session, public school advocates in Texas pushed for a $1,000 per-student increase in state funding to address rising costs. An analysis by the American-Statesman reveals that state and local school funding has not kept pace with inflation and rising demands. Legislative efforts to direct additional funding have been hindered by political disagreements, including debates over school choice initiatives. Advocates emphasize the need for significant investment in public education to address staffing shortages, support essential programs like special education and bilingual learning, and provide competitive salaries for teachers.

Why Americans have lost faith in the value of college

A historical shift away from the consensus of "college for all" is evident due to rising student debt, underemployment among graduates, and declining confidence in higher education. The digital revolution and changing labor markets demand a reevaluation of traditional university models. Meanwhile, alternative pathways like apprenticeships are gaining traction, challenging the need for traditional four-year degrees.

Should students get rewards for doing their work? What teachers (and a researcher) think

The effectiveness of rewards in maintaining student engagement is a topic of debate among teachers, with some advocating for incentives like stickers and treats while others emphasize intrinsic motivation. A professor at the University of Southern California suggests that rewards can keep students on task but may not foster a genuine love of learning or long-term behavioral changes. Researchers caution against overreliance on rewards, urging educators to create engaging lessons that align with students' interests, values, and goals to promote intrinsic motivation and meaningful learning experiences.

Schools should boost inclusion of students With Disabilities, Special Olympics leader says

While the U.S. provides more access to education for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) compared to many other countries, there's still much work needed to ensure genuine inclusion and belonging in schools. Special Olympics promotes inclusive practices through programs like Unified Champion Schools, where students with and without disabilities engage in sports to foster relationships and trust, aiming to improve school climate and prevent bullying. However, the Special Olympics Chairman emphasizes the need for social inclusion beyond physical proximity and advocates for empowering students without disabilities to become agents of inclusion. He also emphasizes the importance of building empathy, valuing dignity, and challenging cultural norms in creating inclusive school environments.