Latest news with #HouseCommitteeonEducation
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Education Shake-Up: Hawaii braces for federal DOE dismantle
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii's public schools have relied on federal support for everything from special education to school lunches. With the Department of Education now being dismantled, state officials are preparing for what could be major changes. Interested in early childhood education? UH Manoa posts new degree option 'We know for our state, $300 million comes from the federal government year over year so that accounts for 11% of the total budget. That is too much for us to absorb that cost, so we're doing things like holding funds back seeing in ways we can fill those gaps,' said state Rep. Justin Woodson, chair of House Committee on Education. Ironically, it's Education Week at the state capitol and today, the State Superintendent was speaking with Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono about what needs to be done to protect Hawaii's education budget. State Superintendent Keith Hayashi said while no programs have been impacted yet, they'll stay focused on the needs in the classrooms as they monitor developments. 'We'll continue to do that work together with our schools, with our communities, to be sure that we're able to provide the best education possible. That's definitely a commitment from the Hawaii State Department of Education as we move forward together,' said Keith the federal level, all four Hawaii congressional members condemned the Trump administration's actions against the education department and they've vowed to push back. 'Well the first thing is that we can do our best to stop him from preventing these funds to come to our state, and that requires a lawsuit. And that is happening. But at the same time, we need to establish some priorities and I hope the legislature will come back into special session if they have to, to shore up the gaps in education support,' said Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono. According to a news release from Congressman Ed Case, it is estimated $193.8 million in federal funding that provides services to Hawaii schools including Title 1, after-school programs and programs to support military families would be impacted, while another $22.3 million would be cut to services supporting state DOE workers. Check out more news from around Hawaii In a statement, Case called President Trump's effort to abolish the USDOE as 'one of the broadest and deepest and outright shortsighted and heartless of many attacks on the foundation of our society to date.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC House committee approves measure to limit student cellphone use
Photo: Daniel deA bill that would require North Carolina school boards to adopt policies that either eliminate or severely limit student use of cell phones during the school day is moving in the state House of Representatives. The House Committee on Education voted to advance House Bill 87 on Tuesday. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore, Randolph), said limiting cell phone use 'removes distractions from kids' when they should be focused on schoolwork. 'It keeps them from playing games on their phones. It keeps them from cheating, and it helps them focus on their teachers instead of being addicted to their phones,' Jackson said. Tiffany Gladney, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations for the advocacy group NC Child, also spoke in favor of the bill. She cited research linking increased social media use and screen time to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among teenagers. 'Although these new technologies have the potential for learning and networking, they also can negatively impact youth mental health, and that is why NC Child is here today in support of House Bill 87,' Gladney told the committee. Currently, around 77 school districts in North Carolina have their own cell phone policies, according to legislative staff. The proposed bill would require all districts to implement a policy. Newly elected state superintendent Mo Green has yet to express a position on the proposal. Last month, Green told NC Newsline that 'cell phones can be a powerful tool for expanding access to information, but they can also be a distraction for students in a classroom setting. As I begin my tenure as state superintendent, I am engaging with educators, parents, and students across our state to learn more about their experiences and opinions on this topic. After that engagement, I will offer my thoughts.' While the House bill only direct districts to restrict the use of cellphones, a stricter version in the legislature's upper chamber, Senate Bill 55, would require school boards to adopt policies that prohibit their use and along with all other wireless communication devices. The bill defines a wireless communication device as 'any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties,' including cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, paging devices, two-way radios, and gaming devices. Opponents of the bill have argued that limiting cell phone access could prevent students from communicating in emergencies. Tech advocates contend that restricting devices could stifle new avenues for learning. The bill now moves to the Judiciary Committee. If passed, it would take effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
