New research from the National Center for Charter School Accountability and the Network for Public Education reveals troubling patterns in charter school longevity. Analyzing over 2 million Department of Education records, researchers found that 55% of charter schools fail by their 20th year, with a quarter closing within just five years of opening. These closures, often triggered by enrollment decline or mismanagement, create significant disruptions for millions of students annually—frequently with little to no warning.
The rise of premium college consulting services, like Jamie Beaton's Crimson Education, has sparked fresh debate about equity in elite college admissions. With consultants working with students as young as 11 to craft the perfect academic profile, and boasting acceptance rates 6-7 times higher than normal at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Yale, we're forced to question: Has college admissions become more about costly strategies than merit?
UK educators and teachers' unions are pushing for national legislation to ban smartphones in schools. A proposed bill introduced by Labour MP Josh MacAlister would require students to store phones in locked boxes until the end of the school day. Early adopters of similar policies report decreased drama and increased physical activity among students. Even Eton College, Britain's most elite boarding school, is joining the movement, having announced a phone ban that started in September 2024. Their approach? Allow simple Nokia phones for calls and texts while prohibiting smart devices—a move aimed at prioritizing learning and reducing distractions.
A lawsuit filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court on October 17th challenges State Superintendent Ryan Walters' plan to spend $3 million on leather-bound Bibles containing the Constitution and Declaration of Independence for public schools. Parents and teachers argue this mandate violates religious freedom by favoring a specific Protestant interpretation.
The National Letter of Intent (NLI) system, a cornerstone of college athletic recruitment since 1964, has been eliminated as of October 2024. Athletes will now sign financial aid agreements that may include revenue-sharing contracts—a change following the 2021 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reforms. This shift could widen the gap between wealthy institutions and smaller programs, though its full impact remains to be seen.
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Stanton wins ALCS MVP as peers agree: 'This is what Big G lives for'
Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Comet appears on the western horizon
The Guru Who Says He Can Get Your 11-Year-Old Into Harvard - WSJ
NCAA approves elimination of national letter of intent program - ESPN
More than 25% of charters shutter within 5 years - K-12 Dive
New Report Reveals Startling Rates of Charter School Failures - WJBF
Oklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official's classroom Bible mandate
Bibles that Oklahoma wants for schools match version backed by Trump | AP News
Oklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official’s classroom Bible mandate | CNN
Supreme Court of Oklahoma - Ryan Walters Case
First school to ban smartphones adds to pressure on Starmer to protect children | The Independent
Mobile phones in schools - GOV.UK
Fight begins to make mobile-free schools law
Smartphones could be banned in schools in England under new law