Latest news with #TitleII
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DOJ finds no violations of Title II at Waterbury Public Schools
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — After nearly three years, the Department of Justice concluded its evaluation with 'no findings against the district' at Waterbury Public Schools. This comes after allegations of discrimination against students with disabilities. The evaluation began on June 17, 2022, with reports that Waterbury Public Schools might have violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Trump administration probes Cromwell Public Schools on Title IX 'The conclusion of this evaluation marks an important moment for Waterbury Public Schools,' Mayor Paul Pernerewski said in a written statement. 'The appointment of Dr. Darren Schwartz as Superintendent reflects our commitment to strong, student-centered leadership. While the Department of Justice found no wrongdoing, this process prompted a close examination of our practices and policies, ensuring that we not only meet the standards of the law but also hold ourselves to even higher standards. Our focus remains on providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable education for every student in Waterbury.' In the letter, the DOJ acknowledged Waterbury Public School's cooperation and confirmed the conclusion of its evaluation with 'no findings against the District.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Marlboro County School District looks for solutions to $6.8 million budget shortfall
MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Marlboro County School District is dealing with a loss of millions of dollars of federal funds that could lead officials to close and consolidate some schools, an official told News13. School Board Chairman Michael Coachman said cuts to federal Title I, Title II, and Title V programs left the district with a $6.8 million shortfall. As a result, just before spring break, board members asked Superintendent Helena Tiller to look at possible solutions. The Title I program provides financial assistance to support low-achieving students, especially those in high-poverty schools; Title II programs aim to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders; and Title V programs give states and districts more flexibility to target federal funds to programs and activities that most effectively address the unique needs of states and localities. 'We asked her to come up with some options, and she brought the options back to us to look at and for us to choose from,' Coachman said. They were presented to board members at a lengthy meeting Monday night, but no decision was made. Option A would cut assistant principals, bookkeepers and receptionists from 240 days to 220 days, elementary and middle-school guidance counselors from 240 days to 210 days. In addition, 14 positions would be allocated from federal funds instead of the district's general fund, saving the district $1.5 million. Option B would include the staff reductions as Option A, but also include the consolidation of Bennettsville Intermediate School and Clio Elementary. Option C would include the same staff cuts as Options A and B, but would consolidate schools to include: McColl Primary School, grades pre-K-2; Blenheim Elementary, grades 3-5; Wallace Middle School, grades 6-8; and Marlboro High School, grades 9-12. Option C also would include savings from employee attrition and other school and division budget cuts. Board members heard concerns from parents at Monday night's meeting. 'The concerns of the parents in the Wallace area and McColl area, not to lose their middle school and consolidate, and moving their children all around the district, and some parents having multiple children at multiple schools, so we understand that,' Coachman said on Tuesday. 'We are taking all of that into consideration, and we are listening to them, and it's not falling on deaf ears. That's why the decision was so tough on us last night.'The school board will meet again on Monday to try to develop a budget plan ahead of the June 30 deadline to approve a balanced budget. * * * Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S Justice Department pulls civil rights investigation into Oklahoma City Police
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice dismissed an investigation into whether the Oklahoma City Police Department discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities. The DOJ released a report in January following an investigation that began in 2022 under the Biden administration. The report alleged that the state of Oklahoma unnecessarily institutionalizes adults with behavioral health disabilities in Oklahoma County, violating Title II the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, the City of Oklahoma City and OKCPD reportedly violated federal law by discriminating against people with behavioral health disabilities while providing emergency response services. DOJ finds State of Oklahoma, OKC and OKCPD discriminate against people with behavioral disabilities The Justice Department concluded the report by calling for clearer and more effective policies and training for handling behavioral health 911 calls. State leaders argued that the federal investigation was overreach by the Biden administration. Now under the Trump administration, the DOJ says they are dismissing lawsuits against several local police departments across the country and ending investigations into patterns of unconstitutional policing practices. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local, state educators cite uncertainty over continued federal support
Hassan charges Trump takes actions to weaken, dismantle DOE U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H, said President Donald Trump can't eliminate the U.S. Dept. of Education without congressional approval, but has taken steps to weaken or undo federal education initiatives. Local and state educators told U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, both D-N.H., Monday that they face the most uncertainty ever over the future of federal Department of Education programs. Josh Gagnon, director of University of New Hampshire TRIO Upward Bound, said his program will end on June 1 unless the U.S. Department of Education agrees to release federal money that Congress has approved. Gagnon said many of the 2,500 students in his programs are first-generation Americans and these offerings give them a 'sense of belonging' before they attend two- or four-year college courses. He met with a group of parents and students over the weekend. 'I couldn't give them an answer whether or not there will be a summer program,' Gagnon said during a roundtable at Manchester Community College (MCC). Robert Thompson, Hampstead's superintendent of schools, said the district learns its federal allotment of grants by April every year. 'We still have not heard what federal funding we will receive next year; it's the latest point we have ever seen,' Thompson said. State education officials told Thompson not to expect to receive any money under federal Title II, used for teacher development and initiatives to reduce class sizes. Paul Beaudin, the new president of MCC, sounded the alarm that Trump administration changes to make Pell Grants students take more courses to stay eligible could jeopardize continued support; 34% of MCC's students are in the program. 'Many of our students are working full time and the age of our students tends to be higher as don't have the time to take on an additional course load,' Beaudin said. Dept. of Education weakened Hassan said while President Donald Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally abolish the Department of Education, his administration has taken steps in that direction. 'By taking away funds, slowing down the flow of grants or canceling them altogether they are effectuating a significant weakening of the department if not abolishing it,' Hassan said. Goodlander said she's working on a congressional task force to support the Department of Education's work. 'This is a really difficult time and a real challenge for families and students,' Goodlander said. Goodlander joins task force to support DOE's work U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., answers questions from reporters after co-hosting a roundtable about challenges local and state educators face in dealing with the future of the U.S. Dept. of Education. Others serving on the roundtable Monday were Catherine Provencher, chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire; Stephanie Lesperance, chief strategy officer of N.H. GEAR UP Alliance; Erin Anderson, principal of Sunset Heights Elementary School in Nashua; and Sue Hannan, president of the Manchester Education Association. An hour before the Hassan-Goodlander event, top federal Department of Health and Human Services officials hosted a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Head Start, a program to fight poverty that has grown into a national model for early learning, health and nutrition, and family support to over 40 million children and families. 'Since its creation, Head Start has offered a foundation to address vulnerable families' most pressing concerns,' said Andrew Gradison, acting assistant secretary at the Administration of children and Families. 'As we look to the future, we are excited to update the program to best serve the children of the 21st century.' The Head Start celebration was held at the Community Action Partnership of Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties offices on Silver Street in Manchester. klandrigan@
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
University of Iowa launches digital accessibility initiative for online content
The University of Iowa has launched a new initiative to improve digital accessibility across its online content. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) After forming a task force to make changes to its digital offerings, the University of Iowa has launched a new initiative to ensure its compliance with federal accessibility standards. The UI announced the 'Accessible Iowa: The Countdown to Digital Accessibility' initiative, a campus-wide drive to review all digital content and ensure the university is in line with changes to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to a news release, public entities must come under compliance with the new rule, which states websites and other digital content must have accessible options and information for people with disabilities, by April 24, 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Meeting these digital accessibility standards is not just a legal obligation, but it's the right thing to do,' said Tiffini Stevenson Earl, Office of Civil Rights Compliance senior director and ADA coordinator, in the release. 'We are committed to giving all Hawkeyes access to the content and tools they need to succeed.' The 15-member UI Accessibility Task Force, formed in December, is working to develop resources, training programs and policies to help better digital accessibility, according to the release. Some work has already begun, according to the release, with the UI already having 65% of all online courses accessible through Anthology Ally, an accessibility tool. Other goals of the initiative include finding and fixing accessibility issues in the university's 'most critical digital systems,' training all UI employees to utilize accessibility tools and practices when creating daily content and achieve at least a 94 accessibility score for all UI websites with SiteImprove, a website quality assurance program. The university currently has a score of 92. The release stated these efforts align with more than just federal law, but the UI's own 2022-2027 strategic plan, which includes removing barriers felt by students, staff and faculty with disabilities. 'This initiative is a major undertaking,' said Maggie Jesse, executive director of the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology and co-chair of the task force's teaching committee, in the release. 'With our combined efforts, we can create a more welcoming digital environment. The training and tools we're developing will help everyone at UI play a part.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
