Latest news with #Title1
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PPS board unanimously votes to approve $2 billion budget amid $40 million shortfall
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Public School board unanimously voted to approve the $2 billion proposed budget on Monday night, moving one step closer to several budget cuts as the district attempts to address a $40 million shortfall. The Portland Association of Teachers told KOIN 6 that they're disappointed in the proposed cuts. However, the organization says some things are moving in the right direction. PPS Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong says the district is expecting to receive Title 1 funding on Wednesday, which will provide greater support to low-income schools. As far as the impending budget cuts, PAT President Angela Bonilla says the budget woes boil down to what state leaders decide to do, which could start by getting rid of the Oregon tax kicker. 'We need the legislature to step up. And then what we need from is to invest every single dollar they possibly can to direct student services. Folks who are facing students. Folks who are supporting the educators, facing our students who are in our schools, making sure that every single day kids feel seen, they feel supported, they feel protected,' she said. Bonilla also says voters passing the $1.8 billion bond in Tuesday's special election would help with the money problems. This bond would help with the modernization of Cleveland, Jefferson and Wells high schools. Many parents have been rallying over the last several weeks, hoping to sway people's vote. 'People who have said that the bond isn't clear enough. It is a rather large bond at $1.83 billion. I think you've heard that before. So for that, we worked really hard. And I know PPS administration is working very hard to clarify what's in the bond,' said Cleveland parent Megan Steffek. The board has less than a month now to vote on a final budget. KOIN 6 will know more about these proposed cuts on June 10. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Plan for charter school teacher raises unveiled at Nevada Legislature
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — In line with statements made over the past week, Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager on Thursday unveiled a proposal at the Nevada Legislature to fund raises for charter school teachers throughout the state. And despite statements that were generally supportive, paying for those raises might prove a bitter pill to swallow if the legislation moves forward. Yeager proposed committing $90 million from the state's rainy day fund to pay for raises for 'hard-to-fill' school positions. A conceptual amendment would tack on $38 million for the charter school teacher raises over the next two years. 'Now, I'm going to acknowledge right away that asking for a transfer out of the state's rainy day fund is a serious request and I believe one that is probably going to cause members of this committee and others some concern and some discontent,' Yeager said as he presented Assembly Bill 389 (AB389) to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. 'Let me tell you why I'm proposing it. 'I do think that it is accurate to say that it is already raining and has been raining when it comes to filling hard-to-fill positions. And if we are being honest with ourselves, things are only likely to get worse when it comes to education and education funding given what is happening at the federal level at the moment,' Yeager said. Republicans who voted against the entire education budget to protest the absence of raises for charter school teachers applauded Yeager's efforts on Thursday. Lombardo threatens to veto education budget over missing charter school teacher raises The bill received some opposition from unions that objected to education support professionals (ESAs) being left out of the plan. Yeager addressed that issue as he answered questions about the bill. 'I didn't believe it would be fiscally responsible for me to include them now, and and I don't want to spread the funding too thin so that it doesn't work and achieve the objectives of actually filling these hard-to-fill positions,' he said. John Vellardita of the Clark County Education Association helped present the bill, affirming that funding allocated by the 2023 Legislature made a big difference. That funding brought pay raises of about 20%. He told the committee that teacher vacancies have been reduced by about 53%, giving examples of the impact at elementary, middle and high schools in Clark County: 'We are very appreciative of the investment that was made last time. It was significant by this body, both in the allocation to the education budget as well as to SB231. It has made a difference down in Clark, and we're asking for this to continue.' AB389 takes 'a much more surgical approach' designed to make sure there's an educator in each classroom, Vellardita said. Two years ago, Title 1 schools with vacancy rates above 5% were targeted. This time around, that threshold is much higher. That became clear as Yeager outlined the definition of 'hard-to-fill' positions. They fit into two categories as defined by AB389: A teacher position at a Title 1 school which has: A vacancy rate of 15% or more (high school) A vacancy rate of 12% or more (middle school or junior high) A vacancy rate of 10% or more (elementary school) 'A teacher position or other position staffed by a person licensed under Chapter 391 of the NRS who is a teacher of record assigned to a classroom and whose duties include actively teaching pupils during a class period for the majority of the class periods during the school day in English language arts, mathematics, science or special education is such subjects are suffering from a critical labor shortage as determined by the board of trustees of the school district.' Besides the vacancy rates, the definition adds special education teachers to the list. If AB389 passes, the program would remain completely separate from the education budget. It would run through the Interim Finance Committee, with funds distributed to the Department of Education, which would disburse funds to school districts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
ASME and ComEd Bring STEM to Life for Fifth and Sixth Graders
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week, ComEd and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are excited to welcome over 100 elementary school students to its Chicago Training Center to conclude the fourth year of the ASME DropMEin! program: a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiative that brings engineers and other STEM professionals into elementary and middle school classrooms to enhance curriculum and inspire the future STEM workforce in Illinois. During the 2025 DropMEin! program, ComEd engineers and professionals have shared their STEM journeys and provided real-life, hands-on learning and open dialogue about power distribution, energy sustainability and STEM career paths. Students in this year's program have participated in a series of monthly in-classroom visits with ComEd engineers who have focused on teaching students about 'problem-solving for good' and the impact STEM and engineering have on the world. "The ASME and ComEd DropMEin! program is an ideal way to reach out to younger students and spark their interest in STEM before they reach high school," said Mark Baranek, ComEd's senior vice president of technical services. "Empowering the next generation of the local STEM workforce is crucial to create the future of energy, and that starts with providing them the opportunity to learn about, and be inspired by, the many career opportunities in STEM." This year's program began at the start of the spring semester partnering with three different schools—Bronzeville Classical Academy in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, and the STEAM Academy at Haskell Elementary and Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Rockford, Ill. All three schools are part of ComEd's Community of the Future initiative, which creates partnerships that tap into community strengths to enhance sustainability, resiliency, and connectedness. In collaboration with ASME and its member volunteers, ComEd has enlisted its staff engineers, project managers, data scientists and cyber security experts to share their expertise and professional experiences with students. "ASME appreciates ComEd's support of our DropMEin! program and its generous contribution to our Campaign for Next Generation Engineers," said Stephanie Viola, executive director of the ASME Foundation and managing director of ASME Philanthropy and Programs. "Together, we are working to inspire more kids to explore STEM and pursue STEM careers including engineering that improves lives." The ASME DropMEin! program has a national reach with a focus on bringing engineering to life through real-world stories of creative engineering solutions, related hands-on activities, and career exploration with STEM mentors. During the 2024/2025 school year, ASME has engaged with over 4,000 K-12 students through this program to help expand the STEM workforce of the future. Eighty-four percent of the schools impacted by this program qualify for Title 1 federal funding, with children from low-income families making up at least 40 percent of enrollment. With increased electrification, data and technology in our lives, STEM career opportunities will continue to grow throughout northern Illinois, providing family-sustaining careers for many developing professionals. The ASME DropMEin! program is one example of how ComEd is engaging with STEM-interested students to prepare them to serve as the next generation of leaders in the clean-energy transition. Additional STEM and scholarships programs include ComEd's STEM Labs, Construct Youth Academy, Tools of the Trade and Future of Energy Scholarships. These programs, like DropMEin!, all focus on giving students greater exposure to the possibilities of STEM. For more information on ComEd STEM programs, visit: ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers—the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information, visit and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube. About ASME ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. In 2020, ASME formed the International Society of Interdisciplinary Engineers (ISIE) II & III LLC, a new for-profit subsidiary to house business ventures that will bring new and innovative products, services, and technologies to the engineering community. For more information, visit About the ASME Foundation The ASME Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, supporting an array of programs in three core pillars: engineering education, career engagement, and global development. With the goal of empowering tomorrow's technical workforce, the ASME Foundation advances equitable access both to professional opportunities and to engineering innovations that improve quality of life. For more information, visit
Chicago Tribune
13-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Officials urge Lake County grads to apply for scholarships; ‘A lot go unclaimed'
As high school seniors graduate this month in Waukegan, North Chicago and other parts of Lake County, scholarships small and large remain available for those trying to lessen — or even eliminate — the financial burden of going to college. Bari Schwartz, the college and career counselor at Waukegan High School's Washington Campus, said even students who receive a full ride with tuition, room and board, find they still have expenses related to their post-secondary education. 'We call it stacking scholarships,' she said. 'They play a huge role in filling the gap and eliminating (or reducing) the need for loans. An extra $500 here, or $1,500 there, can help with books, fees and supplies.' Scholarships large and small, some of which may go unclaimed, remain available for graduating seniors in Lake County, allowing them to more completely finance their education, from community colleges to elite private universities. As a Title 1 district, all students at places like Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion-Benton and Round Lake high schools qualify for financial aid. Schwartz said 100% of those going to college from Waukegan are receiving some form of relief from the costs of college. When students start looking at college, whether at a four-year university or a community college like the College of Lake County (CLC), Schwartz said there is an online platform to educate them about their options. It helps find the best fit in terms of schools and available scholarships. Schwartz said the cost of a four-year university can range from slightly less than $30,000 a year at state schools like Northern Illinois, to more than $40,000 at the University of Illinois. The expense of an elite private institution like Northwestern University can exceed $90,000 per year. Though some schools will cover all costs, including incidentals like books and fees, she said often there is a gap between the total cost and the financial aid a school offers. A gap can mean repaying loans for years, or obtaining smaller scholarships available from a variety of places. 'We call that stacking scholarships from places like the Lions Club or the (Waukegan) Township,' Schwartz said. 'They can add up for a number of needs like books, fees, supplies or a computer. A lot go unclaimed. People should really look for them.' Waukegan Township is offering 10 scholarships this year. Township Supervisor Marc Jones said that the deadline to apply has not passed for any of them. Some requirements are the same, and some are more specific. College-bound students who live in Waukegan Township have until May 30 to apply for five $1,000 Waukegan Township scholarships. Applicants must be township residents, supply three letters of recommendation, a 500-word essay on the role of the township in today's society and a letter of acceptance from the school. Along with the township scholarships, Jones said four $1,000 grants are available to students attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and either went on the annual tour of HBCU schools or the township's HBCU Experience. The deadline is June 30. 'They must show proof of enrollment and write a 400-word essay on why they are attending a HBCU and what they hope to gain from the HBCU experience,' Jones said. Lake County residents seeking a degree in criminal justice, psychology or human services can apply for the township's $5,000 Coalitions to Reduce Recidivism scholarship. Jones said it requires three letters of recommendation, a 250-word essay on the importance of recidivism in the community and how the degree will enable them to better serve the community. Jones said the current coalition scholarship is for the 2026-2027 school year, and the deadline is Oct. 14. Though the Waukegan Park District's five $1,000 scholarships were already awarded, Josue Pasillas, the organization's communications manager, encouraged students to apply next year. He said they can be a supplement to other financial aid. They go to people interested in a career in parks and recreation. Waukegan to College, an organization that helps students as young as middle schoolers navigate the path to a higher education, will send 37 participants to college in the fall. Executive Director Aaron Arnold said all have some sort of financial aid. 'Our goal is that 80% of our students will have less than a $3,500 gap,' Arnold said. 'We had 37 seniors apply to 373 colleges. They were accepted to 184, and more than $27 million in financial aid was offered.' Arnold is also a believer in stacking. While the goal is 80% of students have a gap of $3,500 or less, he said he wants to see all of them get the gap number to zero. The less the financial burden, the easier it is to focus on education, he said. 'Every little bit helps because something can always come up,' Arnold said. 'It can help with meal planning. There is a percentage of college students who experience food insecurity. It can be the difference at times between eating or not eating,' he added, noting not all meal plans are alike. North Chicago School District 187 has its own plan to help college-bound North Chicago Community High School graduates. This year, 23 seniors are receiving a Warhawk-Lancer scholarship, and three more are part of the early childhood apprenticeship program. District 187 Superintendent John Price said Warhawk-Lancer recipients receive tuition, books and fees at CLC for three years, a $3,500 annual stipend and a laptop computer. In its sixth year, 103 people have received the award. High school graduates in North Chicago who want a career in early childhood education can become employees of District 187, which includes union membership. Price said tuition toward an associate's degree in early childhood education is for eight semesters and is included as well. 'They can go on to a four-year school or become paraprofessionals in District 187,' Price said. 'As union members, they get a nice pay bump.' Schwartz said some scholarships remain available besides the ones offered by the township. They are both local and national. For students attending one of nine colleges through the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake, there are $2,100 grants available through June 30. Applicants for the University Center scholarships need recommendations and must write an essay. They are good for those going to the University of Illinois at Champaign, the University of Illinois at Springfield, the University of Illinois Chicago Circle, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, University of Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, Northern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University and National Lewis University.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Over 2,000 regional students explore job pathways at Career Venture 2025
EAU CLAIRE — Local employers expected to interact with over 2,000 regional students throughout the day on Thursday, at an event that has been going on in the region for roughly 25 years. Though the partnerships and connections have existed beforehand, this also marks the first year that the hands-on Career Venture event is hosted by the Guidance, Education and Readiness (GEAR) Program. 'It's our first year, but it's a long-staying event for middle schoolers in the area,' said Anthony Goettl, director of the GEAR Program at Northwood Technical College. 'We welcome this year 26 school districts and over 2,100 middle school students for a pre-professional exposure event. They come and they get to take part in as many hands-on activities across a variety of career clusters.' Reflecting on when his predecessor started this event, Jon Menz, CEO of the Workforce Development Board, said, 'This became the first of its kind where we had hands-on exhibits from a multitude of different sectors so that we could get young folks in here doing hands-on experimental work or just having fun seeing what all these industries could bring. One of the big things was not just walking through a room with a bunch of signage, but being able to crawl on equipment or roll out a fire hose or whatever that looked like. Then they go back into the classroom, and they're talking about what they want to do someday when they grow up.' The event also drives forward youth apprenticeship opportunities for students. Funding for the event comes through Title 1, which is workforce innovation and opportunity through the Department of Labor. While the event has been an opportunity for middle schoolers, high school students from across the region also connect with employers, university staff, technical college representatives and more to learn about various career paths they can follow. Goettl said he thinks of it as a 'first-level community engagement' opportunity. Compared to other career fairs, the size is certainly a notable highlight as a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, law enforcement, firefighting, manufacturing, food service, agriculture, consulting and more, are highlighted by more than 50 local exhibitors. For Ian Gregorich, general manager at the Culver's off Brackett Ave. in Eau Claire, conversations were about 'how you move up from a crew member through the organization, as well as job opportunities for kids and how we can be flexible with schedules and a good job for high schoolers just starting off your job and experience.' 'I think it is awesome that all of these people are coming around for this,' he said. 'It is good for everybody to learn about every different industry and what that brings to the table.' For Wendy Blodgett-Verdouw, talent acquisition leader at Lippert in Eau Claire, it is an amazing opportunity to connect with students so they can learn about the trades and explore career opportunities before they make big decisions about college. 'Of course you want to hire local people, and of course every parent wants their child to stay local and not move away,' Blodgett-Verdouw said about the regional coverage of the event, 'so offering them opportunities locally where they can make a decent wage and have a good career is huge for our community.' 'I think it is really fun to show how many jobs there are and what we can do in our future,' said Eden Marg, an eighth grader from Neilsville Middle School. With the variety of tables, Gabriel Thompson, an eighth grade student from the St. Croix Central School District, said 'it makes it really interactive.' 'It allows them to make sure that at an early age, young people understand what they do and the importance of what they do,' Goettl said. 'The goal is to help kids understand education, what it takes to get to a workforce, if you need education, what level of education and probably dispel some myths and biases around particular industries as well. And quite frankly, it's a lot of fun. I think trying to educate and engage young people through the most fun means is the right way to go.' To measure the effectiveness of an event like this, Goettl said their plan is to get feedback from school districts, students and connect with the employers at the event as well. With the event going on, Goettl said anecdotally, 'What I'm seeing out there is a lot of smiles, a lot of fun, employers seem happy, students seem happy and ultimately I think that's step one: making sure that you are excited about the opportunity.'
