Capitol Recap
Education Funding
School Finance Law Passage Highlight for N.H. Legislature
New Hampshire lawmakers鈥� biggest accomplishment this year was passing a new school finance law鈥攐ne that is expected to bring the state into compliance with the state supreme court ruling that declared the old law unconstitutional in 2006.
Education Funding
Missouri Increases School Spending
Gov. Matt Blunt has signed into law measures that promise to boost state spending on schools, lessen some of the pain of property-tax increases, and create a new route into the teaching profession.
States
Connecticut Lawmakers Enact Level K-12 Budget
Despite a roller-coaster economy, Connecticut鈥檚 K-12 budget for fiscal 2008-09 remained exactly as it had been fixed in last year鈥檚 legislative session.
Education Funding
Education Spending in R.I. Flat Amid Budget Squeeze
Gov. Donald L. Carcieri signed off on the state鈥檚 $6.9 billion budget for fiscal 2009 on June 26, including $690 million for K-12 public education in fiscal year 2009.
Education Funding
Illinois Spending Remains in Flux
State lawmakers in Illinois recently approved a fiscal 2009 budget that would provide hundreds of millions of dollars more for schools鈥攖hough it appears their work in crafting a spending plan is not yet complete.
Teaching Profession
Teacher-Retention Funding Approved in Mississippi
The legislature in its recently concluded session financed efforts to retain new and veteran teachers, including a $3.4 million program to give experienced 糖心动漫vlog an extra $1,000 a year, in exchange for serving as mentors to new teachers.
School Choice & Charters
Charters Offered Support in Georgia
Though legislation that would have changed how to pay for education in Georgia failed to pass, lawmakers recently approved bills aimed at giving charter schools some financial help and easing some of the barriers to the approval of new charters.
Education
Hawaii Lawmakers Urge Program Offering Flexibility
The legislature passed several school-related resolutions, including one urging the state department of education to implement a pilot project that could offer more flexibility to a group schools in Hawaii鈥檚 statewide school district.
College & Workforce Readiness
Tennessee Loosens Reins on Mandate for Scholarships' Minimum GPA
The legislature's move is designed to prevent recipients from losing their awards when their grades fall short.
Teaching Profession
Funding for Higher Teacher Salaries Among Iowa Legislative Actions
Newly approved $75 million will help move the state closer to its goal of reaching the median national salary.
Federal
Colorado Moves Ahead on Ambitious K-12 Package
Measures approved by Colorado lawmakers with strong backing from Gov. Bill Ritter hold potentially big implications for the state鈥檚 K-12 education system.
Education Funding
Fla. Districts Slash Programs, Personnel
Reeling from unprecedented cuts to the state鈥檚 K-12 system, local school leaders eliminate teacher aides, consolidate bus routes, and cancel before- and after-school programs.
Law & Courts
Alaska Legislators Overhaul Funding
Gov. Sarah Palin and state lawmakers have gone ahead with an overhaul of Alaska鈥檚 school funding system that supporters predict will provide much-needed financial help to rural schools.
School Climate & Safety
Maryland Moves Against Bullying, Boosts Aid to High-Cost Districts
Highlights of a recent state-legislative session.