A growing number of businesses are partnering with Catholic high schools in Philadelphia, such as Father Judge High School, to offer part-time jobs and academic credits to students like Elijah Rios, who is enrolled in the school's welding program. This strategy aims to attract young people away from traditional university paths and into vocational training, which could alleviate financial burdens and provide a respite for those who don't want to go into debt. According to McKinsey, there will be a significant shortage of skilled workers in fields like electricians, carpenters, and ironworkers, with annual hiring exceeding new job openings by 20 times. However, the stigma surrounding vocational education remains, with only 5% of students expressing interest in trade school compared to 80% who want to attend college after high school.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14688401/high-school-juniors-job-offers-companies-hire-tradespeople.htmlThe Shorewood School District is hosting a state budget town hall on May 9 at the Clinton Rose Senior Center, where community members can discuss the district's financial situation and explore solutions. The district faces declining enrollment at two schools, including Shorewood High School and Shorewood Intermediate School, with kindergarten enrollment also trending low.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2025/05/07/shorewood-student-walkout-protests-school-staff-cuts/83494586007/The State Bar's use of artificial intelligence to formulate exam questions has sparked controversy, with officials and lawmakers calling for changes. The Supreme Court recently lowered passing scores for the February exam, ordering a return to traditional testing methods. As a result, 55.9% of February exam takers passed, and 76.5% of one-day exam takers succeeded, leading to an estimated 2,436 new lawyers entering the state's legal profession.
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/05/07/state-bars-botched-exam-for-new-lawyers-is-californias-latest-entry-to-the-hall-of-shame/The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is facing criticism from NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Education Minister Calandra over funding cuts. The board had recommended closing swimming pools, ending music programs, and reducing staff costs to balance the budget, but Stiles claims the minister's government is "downloading" decisions onto school boards due to $1,500 per student less funding. Education Minister Calandra disputes this, saying funding has increased every year and that multiple boards have surpluses. The TDSB has responded by releasing a document stating Calandra's comments were "uninformed, inaccurate and insulting."
https://thestar.com/news/gta/doug-fords-education-minister-says-tdsb-shouldnt-close-pools-as-school-board-calls-on-province/article_e6169f6b-2b24-4887-ad14-cc49754a0b20.htmlA report by Teach First charity reveals that one in ten schools in poor areas do not offer physics A-Level due to teacher shortages, with nine per cent of schools in disadvantaged areas dropping the subject. The study found that 23 per cent of schools in the poorest areas do not offer French A-level and 17 per cent do not offer music A-level, compared to just 3 per cent and 5 per cent respectively in wealthier schools. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's pledge of 6,500 new teachers may not be enough to solve the problem, with the National Audit Office warning that there is currently no delivery plan in place.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14688355/schools-poor-areas-physics-teacher-recruitment.htmlThe Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) has extended the deadline for paying fees for the Intermediate Public Advanced Supplementary Examination (IPASE), originally set to begin on May 22, due to an unspecified reason.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/fee-payment-date-extended-1877652Senate Bill 865 aims to make Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training mandatory for certain school staff and students, including nurses, coaches, band directors, and trainers. The bill requires private and charter schools to provide this training to their staff and volunteers by the next school year. Additionally, Senator Alvarado co-authored another bill, Senate Bill 1177, which would require AED inspections during fire safety checks at both public and private schools in Texas.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/landon-payton-bills-texas-senate-house/285-c8b233f4-f973-4aea-afb3-5daf23ac796fMichigan leaders are concerned about the potential impact of federal funding cuts on the state's education system. President Donald Trump's proposed budget would slash nearly $6 billion in K-12 spending and consolidate grant programs, which could be "devastating" for students who need extra support. The plan would eliminate programs for English language learners and migrant farm workers' children, while cutting funds for the Office for Civil Rights by over a third. This could disproportionately affect Michigan's students with disabilities, as cuts have already begun to impact their cases.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/detroit/2025/05/08/michigan-advocates-call-for-more-state-funding-amid-threat-of-federal-cuts/Mayor's plan to reach $2 billion may be threatened by President Trump's proposed cuts to federal spending through his Department of Government Efficiency, which could impact a local bond initiative. The mayor hopes to combine bonds with an additional $200 million in public dollars, but concerns about potential funding from philanthropic foundations were raised during a hearing by Councilmember Nina Ahmad.
https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-city-council-mayor-parker-home/