Education
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Asbestos in Play Sand Triggers NZ School Closures and Recalls
An asbestos scare tied to popular colored play sand has sparked safety checks and school closures across New Zealand. As authorities expand product testing and issue guidance, parents and educators brace for updates on what this means for classrooms and playgrounds.
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Texas A&M’s New Course-Review Policy Sparks Academic Freedom Debate
New policies from a university board tighten control over courses tied to race, gender ideology, or sexual orientation, sparking a heated debate over academic freedom and teaching boundaries. With AI-driven content reviews and stricter syllabus alignment on the docket, faculty warn of a chilling effect on instruction.
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Dollar General and Kathy Ireland Spark Student Reading in Tennessee
A major literacy boost lands in Old Hickory as Dollar General teams with Kathy Ireland to fund a flexible Reading Revolution grant for Andrew Jackson Elementary. The gift supports new books, tech tools, and inviting reading spaces—sparking a lifelong love of reading and a stronger sense of community literacy.
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Randi Weingarten Explores Why Fascists Fear Teachers in NYC Book Talk
Randi Weingarten tackles a timely question—the role of public education in democracy—in her provocative new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers. Expect a thoughtful, spirited discussion, plus fresh insights on what lies ahead for classrooms in challenging times.
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Can Teachers Protect Democracy? New Book Sparks Debate on Public Education
Public education, democracy, and the courage of the classroom collide in a controversial new book. Supporters call it a crucial shield against rising authoritarianism, while critics argue it glosses over complexity and political realities shaping schools. A timely meditation on what teachers—and unions—might do to defend democracy today.
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NAAC Issues Show-Cause to Al-Falah University Over False Accreditation Claims Amid Red Fort Blast Probe
Regulatory scrutiny tightens around a private university after accreditation claims are questioned by the national body. The unfolding case coincides with ongoing investigations linked to a high-profile Delhi incident, stirring questions about governance and transparency in higher education.
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Kirkwood’s High-Tech EMS Simulation Teaches Multidisciplinary Teamwork
Future healthcare pros from nursing, paramedics, and respiratory therapy are stepping into a high-energy emergency medicine simulation at Kirkwood’s Katz Family Healthcare Simulation Center. Lifelike mannequins and cross-discipline teamwork put their critical-care skills to the test, mirroring real hospital emergencies.
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The Ballad Behind Edmund Fitzgerald’s Wreck: A Lake Superior Mystery
A haunting ballad turns a maritime tragedy into a meditation on fate, memory, and the sea’s indifferent might. It probes faith and human fragility as time and tide blur into one enduring question. A timeless reflection on mortality, courage, and the power of nature.
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Cleveland CMSD Plans Major Campus Shake-Up to Narrow Budget Gap
With a looming budget shortfall, Cleveland’s public schools are poised for a bold restructuring. Community leaders and district officials are weighing changes to facilities and campus configurations aimed at preserving access to education and support services. The coming shifts could ripple through families and neighborhoods alike.
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New CORNERSTONE Center in Columbia Promises Big Boost for SC Jobs
Columbia debuts a new hub designed to bridge education and industry with hands-on, career-ready training. The CORNERSTONE promises to empower local workers and attract opportunity across key sectors, fueling growth in the Midlands.
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Governor Unveils Columbia’s Workforce Cornerstone Center
Columbia-area leaders are launching a bold new workforce hub: CORNERSTONE, a 41,000-square-foot center built to train and connect job seekers with local employers. Backed by a $5 million investment and a coalition of education, government, and industry partners, the center will offer hands-on programs and industry-aligned credentials across automotive, energy, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. As…
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IU Faculty Council Opposes Controversial Trump-Era Higher Ed Compact
A Bloomington faculty council voices strong opposition to a controversial federal proposal they say would threaten academic freedom and campus autonomy. The move highlights a tense clash over federal influence, admissions, and speech on campus, with key decisions still to come.
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Fresh Perspectives Join Southeast College Board
Three new community leaders—Jeff St. Onge, Shirley Blyth, and Rob Stephanson—are joining Southeast College’s board, bringing backgrounds in education, healthcare, and accounting. Their diverse expertise signals stronger community ties and a broader range of perspectives guiding the college’s future.
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Seattle Public Schools names Ben Shuldiner as new superintendent in unanimous vote
Seattle Public Schools has named Ben Shuldiner as its next superintendent in a unanimous board vote after a nationwide, anonymous search. A veteran educator with Harvard roots, he envisions a bold push to elevate Seattle as a leading urban district with a 2026 start on the horizon.
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87% Waxing Gibbous Moon Lights Up Night Sky Ahead of Full Moon
Tonight’s 87% waxing gibbous Moon invites a quiet lunar treasure hunt: bright maria, striking craters, and hints of historic Apollo sites—visible with a glance or a modest telescope. A celestial prelude to the full Moon, reminding us how dynamic and beautiful our night sky can be.
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Washtenaw County backs 1-mill tax to expand career and technical education
Washtenaw County voters backed a ten-year millage to expand hands-on career and technical education across the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. The move is praised for boosting local talent and opportunities, but it’s also stirred questions about costs and tax burdens from opponents.
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NYC PEP Clash Over Long-Term School Bus Contracts as Election Looms
With election day approaching, a governance clash over NYC schools is taking center stage as the Panel for Educational Policy stalls long-term school bus contracts. The standoff ties up electrification and modernization plans in limbo while seniority rights for drivers take precedence, a move critics say could steer the city’s education future toward political brinkmanship.…
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KISD Announces Major Restructuring, Closing Three Campuses
KISD’s latest District Optimization plan aims to sharpen resources through campus closures, student reassignments, and new initiatives designed to boost academics and efficiency. The shift promises potential savings and program changes, leaving families and staff weighing what it means for their schools.
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NYC Teachers Launch Divestment Drive Targeting Retirement Fund Investments
Midtown Manhattan played host to a bold new educators’ campaign turning retirement investments into a conversation about justice. Teachers, professors, and activists shared strategies, stories, and a growing petition—hinting at a longer, broader push to redefine where retirement funds invest.
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Aries Waxing Gibbous Moon Signals Focus Ahead of the Full Moon
Under a bright waxing gibbous moon in Aries, bold energy meets reflective space this week. Discover how this sky mood might steer your plans, sharpen your focus, and spark growth—without rushing the journey.
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First Quarter Moon Shines Over Stevinus Crater as Ceres Traverses the Night Sky
First Quarter Moon graces the southern sky, with shadowed ridges and the bright Stevinus crater stealing the spotlight. The illuminated surface highlights lunar maria and a trail of craters along the terminator—a sight that shines even with modest optics. Plus, Ceres drifts through view for a celestial moment that turns an ordinary evening into something…