What issues in education are trending across each state?

An interesting discussion with educators and industry pros

Last week I started a discussion on LinkedIn that I want to share here because the comments made for an interesting read.

While not everyone reading this has a background in education or EdTech, many do, and the comments provide an snapshot of education from folks in schools and the education/EdTech industry.

My original question is below.

Teachers and Admin: What is an important education initiative, trend, event, or issue happening in YOUR STATE?

The more it relates to instruction, the more interested I'd be to hear it.

These are the responses, categorized by state. I’ve done some light editing in a few places to make the comments work as standalone ideas.

Arizona

Jose Ferreira, Founder of AllCourse:

Arizona is launching a new task force to address their teacher retention crisis (they are 44th on the list for average teacher salary).

Florida

Chris Scofield, e-Learning Specialist at Doctors Charter School of Miami Shores:

Florida is a hotter mess--figuratively and literally--than it's been in my 25 year career. So much going on, and none of it is good, that I've seen. Since I work for a charter school, I'm not as impacted as my peers in the public schools, but we're still keeping an eye on what's coming out of our state government.

Massachusetts

Elizabeth Greer, Special Education Teacher at Weston Public Schools:

Theres a huge push for universal prek for all state wide. We hear a new iep format is in the pipeline. And I didn't know this but i believe (tell me if I'm wrong!) were one of the only states that offers aba services in public school. Apparently other states its only available privately through insurance?

Stephen Anthony Guerriero, Chief Learning Officer at Litmus learn:

Three things here in Massachusetts are worth watching:

1. A review of CTE/VocTech school admissions and how seats are awarded to prospective students. Really hoping this elevates the discussion around the great need for more of those seats, and more CTE schools generally

2. DESE is finalizing the professional evaluation process for teachers. This could be a really big deal, especially for new teachers. The new frameworks will prioritize specific goals DESE wants to see teachers address and tie into their practice

3. Free breakfast and lunch - MA was one of the earliest states to adopt free breakfast and lunch to all students, not just singling out those on free and reduced lunch from their peers. Funding has been allocated for this in the short term, and it will be interesting to see both the longevity of the program, and its effectiveness in helping all kids get the nutrition they need during a long school day - and we know diet and hunger can directly impact learning outcomes

New Jersey

Durell Burress, Technology Teacher at Linden Public Schools:

The school district I work in is currently planning on the realignment of all curricula across all disciplines/departments to the NJ Computer Science and Design Thinking standards and the NJ Career Readiness, Life Literacies & Key Skills.

I added this update from New Jersey:

The Ridgewood School District just approved a later start time for its high school students. If you've taught high school, you know this is sorely needed, it is evidence-based, and more districts should follow.

Amanda (Matticks) Carpena, PK-12 Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction & Professional Development for the Robbinsville Public School District:

New Jersey is the first state to mandate K-12 students learn information literacy with the new Media Literacy Bill.

Missouri

This trend [4 day school weeks for staff and students] is also happening in Missouri. About 25% of public districts have gone that direction, with more timidly floating the idea to their constituents. I'd love to hear what parents think about that trend...

New York

Daniel Russo, Deputy Superintendent at NYC Department of Education

New York is investing in screeners to identify students with dyslexia and other language-based reading disabilities early to provide intervention. 75% of people incarcerated cannot read and often due to undiagnosed disabilities that were never addressed.

North Carolina

Stuart Miles, Director of Customer Relations at Jupiter Ed:

North Carolina is piloting a new pay scale which will completely re-vamp how educators are compensated, removing yearly pay scales and replacing them with pay by "effectiveness" which will be based on student growth on state tests, reviews by their principal, student surveys or other measures that would be developed.

They are framing this as a method to deal with the looming teacher shortage. I am skeptical.

Texas

Rachel Huber, Elementary Literacy at Industrial ISD:

4 day school weeks for staff and students are becoming a trend among districts across Texas.

Utah

Anneliese Pixton, founder of SubPlannit:

Utah just released it's PCLB framework. It was years in the making in collaboration with very talented educators. One of the best products out of Utah State Board of Education. I think you'd enjoy a skim: https://schools.utah.gov/curr/pcbl

I’ve thought since 2020 that the pandemic was not the time for change in America’s education system. It is the beginning of a time of great change.

My position is that we are still in the earliest stages of those changes, as many technological, demographic and political trends gain momentum.

What would you add? Which of these do you find most interesting, important, or concerning?

Let me know in the comments below, or on the original LinkedIn thread.