Latest news with #English-only
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Why South-Western City Schools parents are considering leaving the district
GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) — The South Western City School board said joining conservative advisory groups welcomed diverse perspectives to the district. Many parents disagree. Parents said they were concerned about the conservative policies of the National School Board Leadership Council, one of four advisory groups the board joined on April 28. Although it was one of several conservatively aligned groups the board joined, parents were especially concerned about the NSBLC and said the decision to join groups like it could contribute to them voting against future levies or even leaving the district. The NSBLC's website says it encourages districts to remove 'learning-challenged' students from general education classrooms, promote competition between public schools and charter or private options, and that non-English speaking students are an 'unacceptable cost to taxpayers.' Tiffany Cheney has a daughter in South Western schools with an individualized learning plan, or IEP, for two language disorder diagnoses, and said she is 'looking to flee' the district because of the board's actions. OSU researcher: $700K grant canceled when DOGE misunderstood use of 'climate' 'To hear that our current school board sees my smart, creative and intelligent daughter as a waste of resources, or should be considered to be segregated due to her uniqueness is not only disheartening but many steps back in an equal rights climate,' Cheney said. NBC4 spoke with more than a dozen parents, and only one of whom said joining the group was a positive move. A high schooler with autism has gathered nearly 400 signatures on a petition to stop the district from joining the NSBLC. A school board candidate and parent to a student with an IEP, Chelsea Alkire, used to teach English as a second language in the district and thought joining the NSBLC was 'like a slap in the face.' 'I was honestly between shocked and one of the highest levels of frustrated and angered I had ever been,' Alkire said. School board member Denise D'Angelo and board President Chris Boso addressed public concerns. They said nothing has changed under the new membership and that the district already separates students based on what is best for their learning and approve an English-only curriculum. Both said joining the NSBLC and other groups like it provides increased diversity of thought for the school board, and Boso warned the 'noise' and 'hysteria' would harm the district. 'If our finances don't go the way they should, we're going to be going for a levy and the people in this community are going to hear all this going on and they're not going to vote for a levy,' Boso said. City of Columbus asks court to dismiss cyber lawsuits Boso was referring to the current Ohio budget plan, which reduces funding for public schools. Board members said the state's plan would cost the district $150 million. As Boso addressed community members, several yelled over him that it would be the board's fault if a levy failed. 'Calling individuals who disagree with him as 'hysterical' is rude, impolite and shortsighted,' said Kelly Dillon, parent to two district high schoolers. 'How are we supposed to help our children understand civic engagement and 'American exceptionalism' if we do not participate in the process?' Parents acknowledged the state's funding changes would put the board in a hard position but worried people would vote against a levy because of the board. Graduates and parents like Kyra Paul, who has two young children in the district, said she would vote in favor because she remembered attending schools under a failed levy. However, she thought she'd be in the minority. 'If they put a levy on the ballot, I know that said levy will not pass because our community members and stakeholders believe that the board is not being good stewards of our money, and they are not making good decisions,' Paul said. Anthony Wilson has two students at district schools and said both will attend a new school in the fall, one of several parents who told NBC4 they may leave the district. Tessa Schwabeland said her son will be a freshman in a district high school this fall, but she worries about his IEP and how the decision to join the NSBLC will make students with different learning plans feel. 'None of us want to leave our public schools. We want to trust them,' Schwabeland said. 'But if leadership prioritizes ideology over inclusion, families will walk away not because they want to, but because they feel they have no choice.' Why the Short North may soon charge extra for dining, shopping Not all parents disagree with the decision. Parent Robing Gorrell said she was worried about what she had seen at school and thought joining the NSBLC was a good step. 'I am pleased with the board's decision,' Gorrell said. 'My kids are going to school to learn — reading, writing, math … not figure out their gender with unsolicited pushing or figure out whom they want to have sex with, being made to feel weird/different for being straight.' Spokesperson Evan Debo said joining the groups does not mean the district will make changes. He said the district has no plans to discontinue the English program serving students of more than 81 languages. Debo also said the district received the state's highest designation for special education. 'There have been no cuts or program eliminations proposed or voted on to eliminate parts of the academic infrastructure, resources or continuity of programming we currently have in place,' Debo said. 'SWCS remains resolute in its unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality education for the 21,000 students we serve annually.' Overwhelmingly, however, parents told NBC4 they disagreed with the decision. 'I am so disappointed in SWCSD,' parent Savanna McCoy said. 'I would think that they'd want to stay away from an advisory board with such extreme ideals and beliefs. … I'm not proud to have my son in this district at all.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South-Western City School board joins groups denouncing gender identity, DEI and non-English languages
GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) — The South-Western City School board voted to join two organizations that promote conservative education standards, including English-only polices and formal stances against gender identity acceptance. At its April 28 meeting, the South-Western City School District school board voted to join four professional development organizations, two of which were founded by conservative Ohioans in the past five years. SWCSD is Ohio's fifth-largest school district, serving sections of southwestern Franklin County. Columbus business among best donut shops in country, according to Yelp list The SWCSD board rejoined the Ohio School Boards Association and also voted to join School Boards for Academic Excellence, the Ohio School Board Constitutional Coalition and the National School Board Leadership Council. The latter two organizations were established in Ohio, and both ask members to sign pledges that align with conservative educational policies, including statements denouncing DEI and 'gender confusion.' 'Much like the makeup of our diverse 119-square-mile district, all four organizations represent many differing perspectives and views that the Board will explore in the months to come,' SWCSD communications director Evan Debo said. The Ohio School Board Constitutional Coalition and School Boards for Academic Excellence are free to join. The Ohio School Boards Association, which SWCSD boards of education have joined for decades, costs around $11,000 annually, and the NSBLC has an annual $1,500 membership fee. The NSBLC fee is per person, and Debo said only one board member is joining on the district's dime, bringing total membership fees to $12,500. Board Vice President Denise D'Angelo Steele suggested joining the NSBLC, and the measure passed 4-0 with board member Camile Peterson abstaining. In joining, members are asked to sign an oath distancing themselves from 'social emotional teaching,' agree to combat identity politics and offer to open the district up to parental oversight in literature and curriculum decisions. Investigation alleges Kroger overcharges customers on items advertised as on sale The SWCSD board drew public scrutiny for joining the NSBLC, especially as the organization advocates for English-only education, writing 'Non-(E)nglish speaking students provide an unacceptable cost for taxpayers to bear.' According to SWCSD's website, the district is home to more than 3,800 students who are learning English as a second language, speaking 78 languages between them. 'At this time, the board is taking inventory of what each organization has to offer, to see what resources they can provide at a state and national level in terms of training, and then apply our diverse SWCS(D) lens to it to see how elements can be used to meet local needs for the 21,000+ students and families we proudly serve each day,' Debo said. According to the NSBLC website, the organization was founded by Ohioan Kelly Kohls. However, state business records list Kohls as a statutory agent for Jim Burgess, who is on the State Central Committee of the Ohio Republican Party. State business records also list a former Westerville-based nonprofit, Supporters of Youth Activities, as NSBLC's founding organization. Supporters of Youth Activities raised funds for various student organizations, but was canceled by the state for inactivity just months after the NSBLC was founded. While active, Burgess was the nonprofit's vice president. Cities in Ohio with the most UFO sightings Although joining the NSBLC drew public attention, the board also joined the conservative Ohio School Board Constitutional Coalition. OSBCC members are also asked to sign a pledge, promising to limit restroom and facility use by biological sex, teach American history in a way that enforces the 'exceptional nature of their country' and promote freedom of speech and religion. OSBCC was founded by Jeremiah Sawyer, a Republican school board member for North Royalton City Schools in northeastern Ohio. Debo stressed that joining these organizations does not mean the district will implement all — or any — of their ideas. However, these groups are one of several conservative ties to the school board. Board members Julie Lisansky and D'Angelo Steele were endorsed by Moms for Liberty during their campaigns for school board, an organization that left-leaning civil rights watchdog group Southern Poverty Law Center classifies as 'extremist.' Although Ohio school board elections are nonpartisan, the Franklin County Republican Party lists all SWSCD school board members except Peterson under current officeholders. It is not uncommon for parties to endorse school board candidates; all three Columbus City Schools board of election candidates who received the most votes in the primary were endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Party. The district also pays attorney Omar Tarazi $9,000 each month for legal services. Tarazi has spoken against social emotional learning, including a statewide Protect Ohio Children forum in 2022. See previous coverage of Tarazi in the video player above. Elementary school students lace up for Girls on the Run 5K Debo said joining the four groups allows the school board to absorb a variety of resources, training materials and ideas. School Boards for Academic Excellence says it is nonpartisan and not politically affiliated. However, four of its five directors previously worked for conservative think tanks, and the fifth formerly served as a Republican Representative in the Kansas House. SWCSD's fourth member organization, the Ohio School Boards Association, sets a legislative platform annually, and many of its priorities are more left-leaning, including an embrace of equity programs. However, its annual legislative platform is set by delegates from each member school, and every policy inclusion must be approved by at least 75% of delegates. 'By joining any of these organizations, the board's vote for membership is not an indication of support for some or any of the positions or perspectives advanced by any of these organizations, nor does it remove any existing programming in place for students,' Debo said. On Monday at 7 p.m., more than 1,600 members of the SWCSD teachers union, joined by hundreds more parents and community members, plan to protest the board's affiliation with these groups at South Western Career Academy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Supreme Court Extends Halt of Trump Venezuelan Deportations
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from using a wartime law to send about 176 Venezuelans to a notorious Salvadoran prison, faulting the government for not giving the men adequate notice about its deportation plans. As Coastline Erodes, One California City Considers 'Retreat Now' How a Highway Became San Francisco's Newest Park Maryland's Credit Rating Gets Downgraded as Governor Blames Trump NJ Transit Train Engineers Strike, Disrupting Travel to NYC Power-Hungry Data Centers Are Warming Homes in the Nordics Over two dissents, the court extended an earlier order barring Trump from using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members being held in a Texas detention facility. That interim order, released around 1 a.m. on April 19, came hours after lawyers said detainees were being put on buses and told they faced imminent deportation. The court's unsigned decision Friday pointed to the administration's insistence that it is unable to bring back Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man wrongly deported to El Salvador in March. The Supreme Court told the government last month to try to return Abrego Garcia. 'The detainees' interests at stake are accordingly particularly weighty,' the Supreme Court majority said. 'Under these circumstances, notice roughly 24 hours before removal, devoid of information about how to exercise due process rights to contest that removal, surely does not pass muster.' The Supreme Court declined to say how much notice is constitutionally required, kicking the case back to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals to take the first crack at that issue. The order will remain in force through the 5th Circuit proceedings and any subsequent Supreme Court appeal. The detainees allegedly had been given an English-only notice that didn't explain how they could contest their deportation or say how much time they had to do so. Their lawyers said that the men got less than 24 hours notice and none of their attorneys were notified. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, saying the Supreme Court got involved prematurely. 'It has plucked a case from a district court and decided important issues in the first instance,' Alito wrote for the pair. The majority said high court intervention was warranted because a federal district judge in Texas failed to act on an April 18 emergency request for more than 14 hours. That inaction 'had the practical effect of refusing an injunction to detainees facing an imminent threat of severe, irreparable harm,' the majority said. Trump blasted the decision, posting on social media, 'THE SUPREME COURT WON'T ALLOW US TO GET CRIMINALS OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!' 'Invasion' Cited The Supreme Court said Friday it wasn't resolving whether Trump had legally invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a law that previously had been used only during declared wars. The measure lets the president bypass federal immigration law to deport 'alien enemies' when the US is involved in a declared war or a foreign nation has started or threatened an 'invasion or predatory incursion.' Trump says he is invoking the law because of the national security threat posed by an 'invasion' of members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. 'We recognize the significance of the government's national security interests as well as the necessity that such interests be pursued in a manner consistent with the Constitution,' the Supreme Court majority said. 'In light of the foregoing, lower courts should address AEA cases expeditiously.' Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote separately to say he would have immediately granted review to decide whether Trump can invoke the AEA and how much notice is required before deportation. Most lower courts to consider the issue have said the AEA doesn't authorize Trump to deport alleged gang members. The Supreme Court said Friday its decision didn't preclude the administration from using other legal tools, including the nation's immigration laws, to deport people. The administration said in a May 12 court filing that an estimated 176 people were in the class of detainees affected by the Supreme Court case. The high court said in a separate case on April 7 that people must get a 'reasonable time' to challenge their deportation. But the court didn't spell out in any detail what that meant, and the administration has continued seeking out ways to quickly expel accused Tren de Aragua members from the country without judicial review. In the latest case, ACLU lawyers say many of the men were moved to the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas' northern federal judicial district only after a judge in the state's southern district barred deportations from there. Trump in March sent more than 200 alleged gang members to the Salvadoran prison, even as a judge verbally ordered that two planes turn around. The case is A.A.R.P. v. Trump, 24A1007. --With assistance from Erik Larson. (Updates with excerpt from opinion in fourth paragraph.) Microsoft's CEO on How AI Will Remake Every Company, Including His Cartoon Network's Last Gasp DeepSeek's 'Tech Madman' Founder Is Threatening US Dominance in AI Race As Nuclear Power Makes a Comeback, South Korea Emerges a Winner Tariffs Won't Reindustrialize America. Here's What Will ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Geeky Gadgets
15-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
NVIDIA Parakeet 2 vs OpenAI Whisper: Which AI Speech Recognition Model Wins?
What if the race to perfect AI speech recognition wasn't just about accuracy but also speed and usability? In a world where audio-to-text transcription powers everything from virtual meetings to accessibility tools, NVIDIA's Parakeet 2 has emerged as a fantastic option, boldly challenging OpenAI's Whisper. With claims of faster processing speeds and superior English transcription accuracy, Parakeetv2 isn't just another ASR (automatic speech recognition) model—it's a statement. But does it truly deliver on its promise, or does its English-only focus limit its reach? This exploration dives into how NVIDIA's latest innovation is reshaping the ASR landscape and what it means for developers, businesses, and everyday users. Sam Witteveen uncovers the standout features that make Parakeet 2 a compelling alternative to Whisper, from its word-level timestamps to its ability to transcribe audio at lightning speeds. Yet, as impressive as its capabilities are, the model's limitations—like the absence of speaker diarization—raise important questions about its versatility. Whether you're a developer seeking seamless integration or a business in need of scalable transcription solutions, this discussion will illuminate how Parakeetv2 stacks up in the rapidly evolving ASR space. Could this be the beginning of a new standard in speech recognition? Let's find out. NVIDIA Parakeetv2 Overview What Sets Parakeet 2 Apart? Parakeetv2 is a compact yet highly capable ASR model, using 600 million parameters and trained on a vast dataset of 120,000 hours of English speech. This extensive training allows it to achieve a significantly lower word error rate (WER) compared to Whisper, making it a strong contender for English transcription tasks. Its standout features include: Word-Level Timestamps: Offers precise alignment of text with audio, making it ideal for applications such as video captioning, meeting transcription, and content indexing. Offers precise alignment of text with audio, making it ideal for applications such as video captioning, meeting transcription, and content indexing. Punctuation and Capitalization: Automatically formats transcriptions for enhanced readability, reducing the need for post-processing or manual editing. Automatically formats transcriptions for enhanced readability, reducing the need for post-processing or manual editing. Audio Segmentation: Efficiently handles lengthy audio files by dividing them into manageable segments without compromising transcription accuracy. Efficiently handles lengthy audio files by dividing them into manageable segments without compromising transcription accuracy. High Processing Speed: Demonstrates exceptional efficiency, capable of transcribing 26 minutes of audio in just 25 seconds, making it suitable for time-sensitive tasks. These features collectively position Parakeetv2 as a robust solution for English transcription, particularly in scenarios requiring speed and accuracy. Limitations and Challenges Despite its impressive capabilities, Parakeetv2 has certain limitations that may restrict its applicability in some contexts: English-Only Support: Unlike Whisper, which supports multiple languages, Parakeetv2 is limited to English transcription, reducing its utility in multilingual environments or global applications. Unlike Whisper, which supports multiple languages, Parakeetv2 is limited to English transcription, reducing its utility in multilingual environments or global applications. No Speaker Diarization: The model lacks the ability to differentiate between speakers, which is essential for use cases such as interviews, panel discussions, or multi-participant meetings. These constraints highlight areas where the model could evolve to meet the needs of a broader audience. NVIDIA Parakeet 2 vs OpenAI Whisper Watch this video on YouTube. Below are more guides on AI Speech Recognition from our extensive range of articles. Developer-Friendly Integration and Deployment Parakeetv2 is designed with developers and organizations in mind, offering seamless integration into diverse workflows. Its accessibility is enhanced through several key features: Hugging Face Platform: Available on Hugging Face, allowing developers to easily deploy and experiment with the model in various environments. Available on Hugging Face, allowing developers to easily deploy and experiment with the model in various environments. Python API Support: Provides flexibility for developers to integrate the model into custom applications, tailoring it to specific transcription needs. Provides flexibility for developers to integrate the model into custom applications, tailoring it to specific transcription needs. Apple Silicon Compatibility: Optimized for local deployment on devices such as Apple Silicon Macs, making sure efficient performance on modern hardware. Optimized for local deployment on devices such as Apple Silicon Macs, making sure efficient performance on modern hardware. Commercial Licensing: Licensed for enterprise use, making it a viable option for businesses seeking reliable and scalable transcription solutions. These features make Parakeetv2 an attractive choice for developers and organizations looking for a high-performance ASR model that is easy to implement and customize. Applications and Use Cases Parakeetv2's advanced capabilities and efficiency make it well-suited for a wide range of English transcription tasks. Potential applications include: Bulk Transcription: Efficiently process large volumes of audio content, such as podcasts, webinars, corporate meetings, and legal proceedings. Efficiently process large volumes of audio content, such as podcasts, webinars, corporate meetings, and legal proceedings. Large Language Model (LLM) Integration: Provide accurate transcripts to enhance LLM-based applications, including summarization, sentiment analysis, and content generation. Provide accurate transcripts to enhance LLM-based applications, including summarization, sentiment analysis, and content generation. Real-Time Transcription: Enable live transcription for events, accessibility purposes, or educational settings, making sure inclusivity and convenience. Enable live transcription for events, accessibility purposes, or educational settings, making sure inclusivity and convenience. Text-to-Speech (TTS) Systems: Serve as a foundational component for TTS pipelines by converting spoken language into structured, readable text. These use cases demonstrate the versatility of Parakeetv2 in addressing diverse transcription needs across industries. Potential Areas for Future Development While Parakeetv2 excels in English ASR, there are several opportunities for further enhancement to broaden its applicability and address existing limitations: Multilingual Support: Expanding the model to support additional languages would significantly increase its utility in global and multilingual contexts. Expanding the model to support additional languages would significantly increase its utility in global and multilingual contexts. Quantization: Introducing quantized versions of the model could improve processing speed and reduce resource requirements, making it more suitable for deployment on edge devices. Introducing quantized versions of the model could improve processing speed and reduce resource requirements, making it more suitable for deployment on edge devices. Speaker Diarization: Incorporating speaker identification capabilities, either through collaboration with external diarization models or integration with multimodal large language models (LLMs), would address a critical gap in its functionality. These advancements could position Parakeetv2 as a more comprehensive and versatile ASR solution, capable of meeting the needs of a wider range of users and industries. Media Credit: Sam Witteveen Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. 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Time of India
14-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
200 years after inception, north India's oldest church breaks from English-only past with first Hindi service
St John's Church in Meerut, a historical landmark built by the British, held its first Hindi prayer service, marking a significant shift from its English-only tradition. MEERUT: Two centuries after it was founded to serve a British military garrison, St John's Church in Meerut — believed to be the oldest church in North India built by the British — conducted its first-ever Hindi prayer service this week, a quiet but potent shift from its longstanding English-only liturgical tradition. The timing was deliberate: the inaugural service was held on Sunday, a day after the anniversary of the 1857 uprising that began in this very city, and which forever changed the trajectory of British rule in India. Set behind a curtain of tall trees and colonial-era facades, St John's Church is not just a religious structure but a repository of layered histories. Its weathered plaques commemorate lives lost during the mutiny; its pews and gothic style windows speak to a design language imported from across the sea but rooted in the heat and dust of the Gangetic plains. Completed in 1822 and consecrated two years later by Bishop Reginald Heber — who travelled from Kolkata (then Calcutta) to Meerut over three arduous months, part of it on elephant back — the church was conceived as a spiritual outpost of the empire, designed in the classical Palladian style. Today, that same building, with its high ceilings, marble baptistery, and once-grand pipe organ, witnessed a different kind of milestone. 'What better occasion than the anniversary of the 1857 rebellion — which began here in Meerut on May 10—to introduce a service in the language of the people?' said Reverend Rinvi Noel, the church's presbyter in charge. 'It opens the doors of this historic space to Hindi-speaking Christians while continuing our English services as usual.' The decision, however, did not come without deliberation. Long-standing church members, particularly from the old families or hailing from non-Hindi speaking states, were hesitant about altering the church's English-only tradition. 'This church is steeped in history and its English service is part of that heritage,' said a member on condition of anonymity. 'Introducing a bilingual service felt like a compromise. So, we opted instead for a separate Hindi service.' Another member remarked, "Many army officers stationed here come from states where Hindi isn't commonly spoken, so offering services in English is more suitable for them." For locals like Anuradha Masih, the announcement of service in Hindi came as a relief. 'I always wanted to be part of the worship here,' she said, 'but language was a barrier. It's wonderful that a Hindi service is now being offered — we're looking forward to participating.' Yet for others, the shift marks a long-overdue recognition of the community the church now serves—no longer a garrison town, but a mixed, evolving urban population. Reverend Noel noted that several Christian families stationed temporarily in the Meerut cantonment had already expressed interest in attending the new service. 'Now, they are joining,' she said. The symbolism of the moment is inescapable. On the very anniversary of the revolt that challenged colonial dominance, the church that once stood as a monument to that Empire made space for India's majority language. As Dr K K Sharma, head of the history department at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, put it, 'This church has always stood witness to major historical events. Today, it adds another chapter to that legacy. The introduction of Hindi worship marks a symbolic culmination of Indian ownership.' Indeed, the walls of St John's have held stories far older than this week's development. The church, built for Rs 56,000, was once attended by the likes of the Marquis of Hastings, then Governor-General of India. Its cemetery holds the remains of British officers and civilians, including Colonel John Finnis — believed to be the first British officer killed in the 1857 uprising. The inscription above the arched entrance reads: 'The first house of worship erected by the British in the then Upper Provinces of India. '
