Latest news with #SB48
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Expanding Dyslexia Training When Teachers Need It Most
ATLANTA, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rollins Center for Language & Literacy is partnering with the University of California and California State University's leading literacy researchers, led by Dr. Maryanne Wolf and Dr. Laura Rhinehart, to provide expanded coursework for educators focused on serving children with dyslexia. The Rollins Center will be making this content available through their free online professional development platform, Cox Campus. Cox Campus, launched in 2014, serves more than 367,000 members in all 50 states and 130 countries internationally, providing evidence-based professional learning for educators across the sciences of healthy brain development, language acquisition and literacy. To date, more than 1.2M courses have been completed at no cost to teachers – a fair market value of $180M into the field of education. For teachers across the United States, release of this coursework aligns with a recent focus on the science of reading and literacy instruction. In recent years, states have advanced legislation aimed at improving reading proficiency in kindergarten through third grade by requiring high-quality instructional materials, tiered reading interventions, and comprehensive teacher training in structured literacy. These efforts reflect a broader recognition of a troubling national reality; only about one-third of students nationwide are reading proficiently by the end of third grade-a clear call for urgent, systemic change. In 2019, Georgia took a major step toward improving literacy outcomes by passing Senate Bill 48 (SB 48), which laid the groundwork for statewide dyslexia legislation. Now fully in effect as of the 2024–2025 school year, the law requires all public schools to screen all kindergarten students for dyslexia, as well as first through third graders who show indicators of dyslexia. This legislation and its full implementation this year highlight Georgia's commitment to early identification and intervention. But identifying students with dyslexia is only the beginning. With dyslexia awareness now required of every public school, it is essential that educators are equipped with the knowledge and tools to effectively teach and support students with these learning differences. The dyslexia coursework that will be offered for teachers on Cox Campus was co-authored by Dr. Wolf, an internationally renowned cognitive neuroscientist, educator, and leading expert in the science of reading and dyslexia. Dr. Wolf collaborated with Dr. Rhinehart, a distinguished educator and expert in literacy and language development. Together, they worked in partnership with leading researchers from the University of California and California State University systems, spanning the fields of general, special, and bilingual education. The resulting courses are designed specifically to address dyslexia within the broader context of supporting diverse learners through effective, inclusive instruction. The universities have chosen to release these courses on for two reasons — it is available at no cost to districts or educators, and it is the only free platform accredited by the International Dyslexia Association. Committed to bridging the gap between research and practice, and devoted to literacy and justice for all, Drs. Wolf and Rhinehart believe that the reach of Cox Campus (more than 360,000 members in all fifty states and more than 130 countries) provides an unmatched opportunity to change the trajectory of reading instruction, and by extension, the lives of countless children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to decide their own futures. The Georgia Department of Education has just finalized the list of approved dyslexia screeners and selected one that will be made free to Georgia Public Schools. Paired with the current structured literacy coursework on Cox Campus, this expanded focus on dyslexia will position Georgia teachers — and teachers everywhere — to build and deepen necessary knowledge to change literacy outcomes for all children. Learn more and access free dyslexia training at Join a growing community of educators committed to changing literacy outcomes for every child. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Rollins Center for Language & Literacy 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
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
California Republican Opposes ICE in Schools
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Republican candidate for governor of California is breaking with party lines by backing a state bill proposed by Democrats that would bar federal immigration authorities from operating in schools. Senate Bill 48 prevents school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools from allowing immigration authorities access to school campuses without a valid judicial warrant or court order. "I endorse Senate Bill 48 because children should feel no fear of going to school under any circumstances," Republican Kyle Langford told Newsweek. Why It Matters Since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term, thousands of migrants have been arrested. Under the administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has gained expanded enforcement powers, including the right to conduct raids in schools and other sensitive locations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memo in January that overturned the policy. Critics say such raids sow fear in vulnerable communities. What To Know SB48 also prohibits the release of student records or personal information to immigration authorities without proper legal authorization, safeguarding the privacy and security of students and their families. "Law enforcement has alternative methods to monitor undocumented individuals and I will empower them with accurate data to do their job," Langford said. Langford, a native of San Jose, California, and a graduate of Lake Oswego High School, has a professional background that includes roles as a construction manager and executive director of the California First PAC. His remarks are at odds with the state's GOP, as California Senate Republicans oppose the bill, arguing that the legislation prioritizes political agendas over the safety and security of California residents. "This bill is a distraction. Rather than focusing on what the state can do to keep Californians safe, Democrat legislators are once again prioritizing national political fights. They should be careful not to take their battle against the federal government too far and jeopardize safety and critical funding for our state and schools," Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones told Newsweek. It comes amid heightened concerns in the sanctuary state over federal authorities targeting children. Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento to protest President Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento to protest President Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. Haven Daley/AP DHS agents were refused entry to two Los Angeles elementary schools in April after arriving unannounced and attempting to contact five undocumented students, according to school officials. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the agents claimed their visit was to check on the student's well-being, but school staff reported the agents also tried to mislead them by falsely stating the families had authorized the contact. What People Are Saying Kyle Langford told Newsweek: "Let me be clear, creating undue fear and anxiety within California's schools is completely unacceptable." John Fabbricatore, a retired ICE field office director in Colorado, told Newsweek: "They didn't get rid of it so they could go into schools and churches. They got rid of it so they could actually go into just a regular neighborhood." Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said: "No federal agency has the authority, short of a judicial warrant, that means the equivalent of a criminal subpoena to enter our schools. We will protect our kids. We will educate our kids. SB48 states: "It would prohibit school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools and their personnel from granting permission to an immigration authority to access a school site, producing a pupil for questioning by an immigration authority at a school site, or consenting to a search of any kind at a school site by an immigration authority, unless the immigration authority presents a valid judicial warrant or court order." What Happens Next The California gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California lawmakers take steps to shield immigrants from Trump policies
California legislators announced several bills to protect the state's immigrants being targeted by President Trump's aggressive new policies, including federal enforcement raids at schools, hospitals and religious buildings. Members of the influential California Latino Legislative Caucus, made up of 35 Democratic lawmakers, announced the proposals to protect undocumented immigrants as among their top priorities in the upcoming session. "It's unfortunate that at the national level, we are seeing deliberate efforts to crash our economy, deport our communities and continue to villainize our Latino communities, and these bills are efforts to combat all of that," state Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), caucus chair, said at a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday. The legislative package included Assembly Bill 1261 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), which would establish a right to legal representation for unaccompanied children in federal immigration court proceedings. In March, the Trump administration ended a federal contract that provides legal representation to nearly 26,000 migrant children who entered the country without a parent or guardian. The decision was criticized immigration attorneys, who said it would leave the children, many of whom do not read or speak English or are too young to read or speak at all, vulnerable to rapid deportation. A federal judge in Northern California last week ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore legal funding for migrant children in immigration court. A separate bill by Gonzalez, SB 48, would expand existing laws and require school officials to deny federal immigration officials access to school records and school grounds without a judicial warrant. It also keeps local law enforcement from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials near school grounds. "California's school resources and spaces should be dedicated to educating young minds and should never be utilized to tear apart families," Gonzalez said, adding that immigration actions around schools cause a chilling effect on school attendance. Legislation proposed by Sen. Sasha Renée Peréz (D-Alhambra), SB 98, would require schools and universities to notify students, staff and parents when immigration officers are on campus. "This bill will give our communities the peace of mind that they deserve while also maintaining the state's commitment that schools are safe places," Renée Peréz said. The other legislation proposed to protect immigrants included: SB 81, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) requires healthcare providers to deny ICE access to nonpublic areas and refuse disclosing a patient's immigration status without a warrant. AB 421, sponsored by Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr. (D-Lynwood) would ban state law enforcement from working with or providing information to immigration enforcement within a mile of day-care facilities, places of worship and medical offices. SB 635, sponsored by Sen. María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) would keep issuers of street vendor permits from requiring fingerprinting or asking applicants about their immigration status or criminal history. SB 294, sponsored by Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) would require employers to post a notice to inform employees of their labor and civil rights when interacting with law enforcement on the job, and to notify the employee's emergency contact if they are arrested or detained. The Trump administration said in January it would allow immigration enforcement to make arrests in "sensitive locations" such as schools, places of worship and hospitals, sites protected from ICE for the last 30 years. Read more: Trump's orders have upended U.S. immigration. What legal routes remain? "Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a January statement announcing the policy change. Aside from issues related to immigrants, the package of legislation supported by the Latino caucus included a bill to prevent silicosis, a permanent lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust in stone fabrication workplaces, through worker education and safety regulations. The sponsor of SB 20, Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City), said that 98% of people diagnosed with silicosis since 2019 were Latino, and that virtually all were male, according to the state's silicosis dashboard. Read more: Newsom to ask California Legislature for another $2.8 billion to cover Medi-Cal cost overruns The caucus also reaffirmed a promise to maintain funding for Medi-Cal, the state's healthcare program that insures 15 million low-income Californians and has run billions above estimates since last summer. Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the Legislature last month to approve an additional $2.8 billion through June to support the program, which opened enrollment to immigrants regardless of residency status. The rising costs of the program were not to blame on immigrants and the Latino community, Gonzalez said during the news conference. Legislators are instead looking to understand other contributing factors, such as increasing drug costs and long-term care. "We need to talk about those things in the full narrative," she said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
California lawmakers take steps to shield immigrants from Trump policies
SACRAMENTO — California legislators announced several bills to protect the state's immigrants being targeted by President Trump's aggressive new policies, including federal enforcement raids targeting schools, hospitals and religious buildings. Members of the influential California Latino Legislative Caucus, made up of 35 Democratic lawmakers, announced the proposals to protect undocumented immigrants as among their top priorities in the upcoming session. 'It's unfortunate that at the national level, we are seeing deliberate efforts to crash our economy, deport our communities and continue to villainize our Latino communities, and these bills are efforts to combat all of that,' state Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), caucus chair, said at a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday. The legislative package included Assembly Bill 1261 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), which would establish a right to legal representation for unaccompanied children in federal immigration court proceedings. In March, the Trump administration ended a federal contract that provides legal representation to nearly 26,000 migrant children who entered the country without a parent or guardian. The decision was criticized immigration attorneys, who said it would leave the children, many of whom do not read or speak English or are too young to read or speak at all, vulnerable to rapid deportation. A federal judge in Northern California last week ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore legal funding for migrant children in immigration court. A separate bill by Gonzalez, SB 48, would expand existing laws and require school officials to deny federal immigration officials access to school records and school grounds without a judicial warrant. It also keeps local law enforcement from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials near school grounds. 'California's school resources and spaces should be dedicated to educating young minds and should never be utilized to tear apart families,' Gonzalez said, adding that immigration actions around schools cause a chilling effect on school attendance. Legislation proposed by Sen. Sasha Renée Peréz (D-Alhambra), SB 98, would require schools and universities to notify students, staff and parents when immigration officers are on campus. 'This bill will give our communities the peace of mind that they deserve while also maintaining the state's commitment that schools are safe places,' Renée Peréz said. The other legislation proposed to protect immigrants included: The Trump administration said in January it would allow immigration enforcement to make arrests in 'sensitive locations' such as schools, places of worship and hospitals, sites protected from ICE for the last 30 years. 'Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,' a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a January statement announcing the policy change. Aside from issues related to immigrants, the package of legislation supported by the Latino caucus included a bill to prevent silicosis, a permanent lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust in stone fabrication workplaces, through worker education and safety regulations. The sponsor of SB 20, Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City), said that 98% of people diagnosed with silicosis since 2019 were Latino, and that virtually all were male, according to the state's silicosis dashboard. The caucus also reaffirmed a promise to maintain funding for Medi-Cal, the state's healthcare program that insures 15 million low-income Californians and has run billions above estimates since last summer. Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the Legislature last month to approve an additional $2.8 billion through June to support the program, which opened enrollment to immigrants regardless of residency status. The rising costs of the program were not to blame on immigrants and the Latino community, Gonzalez said during the news conference. Legislators are instead looking to understand other contributing factors, such as increasing drug costs and long-term care. 'We need to talk about those things in the full narrative,' she said.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Funding for electric school buses still possible
The Biden administration on Wednesday said it will provide funding to help school districts purchase clean school buses, most of them electric. Shown is a yellow electric school bus plugged into a charging station. (Photo by TW Farlow / Getty Images) A proposal to provide local school districts access to funds for electric school buses stalled in the Legislature, but money may still be available through the state budget. House Bill 32, which would have allowed school districts to replace traditional diesel school buses with electric or alternative fuel buses using funds from the Public Education Department, passed two House committees in February but has yet to be scheduled for a floor vote. However, President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) carried Senate Bill 48, which would establish a community benefit fund for projects that would help reduce emissions and address the state's climate change goals. Those projects include purchasing electric vehicles and related charging infrastructure for public entities — a category that includes public schools. SB48 passed and awaits Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's signature. As such, funding for electric school buses was added to the state budget in House Bill 2. According to the March 18 Senate Finance Committee report, $60 million will be allocated to the Public School Facilities Authority for electric vehicle charging infrastructure for local school districts. The report specifies that the funds are contingent on SB48 passing and can be used for upgrading diesel fuel school buses to ESBs between Fiscal Years 2026 and 2028. Shelley Mann-Lev, executive director for advocacy organization Healthy Climate NM, one of several advocacy groups to back the original bill, told Source NM that the addition to the state budget is 'an excellent step' toward getting more ESBs on the road and upgrading public school bus fleets. According to the fiscal impact report for HB32, diesel school buses cost an average of $420,000 while diesel school buses cost about $103,000 – electric charging infrastructure costs between $16,000 and $46,000. More than 100 ESBs could be purchased with $60 million at these average prices. Mann-Lev added that vehicle-to-grid, an agreement companies or agencies enter into with local electric utilities to sell back excess power, is not approved for school districts at this point. Advocates originally pointed to vehicle-to-grid as another option to offset the high cost of electric buses. The state budget was passed by the Senate Wednesday afternoon and awaits a concurrence vote from the Senate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
