Latest news with #educationpolicy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tennessee district bans doctor's notes to exempt kids from school to teach them good work ethic
A school district in Tennessee will no longer accept doctor's notes as an excuse for a child's absence in an apparent attempt to prepare them for the workplace. New rules set out by the Lawrence County School System Board of Education state that 'absences are not excused' and only permits them in a number of specific circumstances. Regular illness is not included in the list. Sanctions for multiple instances of alleged truancy include loss of school event privileges and even referral to juvenile court for truancy. 'If you have the sniffles, that is fine,' Director of Schools Michael Adkins said during a recent meeting. 'You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up.' The new attendance policy states that 'absences shall be classified as absent' and 'absences are not excused or unexcused.' Social media users acted with outrage to the news, with one writing: 'I hope teachers send kids to his office to throw up.' 'Where were the parents when this type of policy was being passed?' questioned another. 'What can be the reasoning behind this?' another person asked 'This is not right nor fair to the children.' '[If] I was a parent I would pull my kid out of school cause you are putting other students and their parents at risk of potential illness!' added another. The district's policy adds that exemptions can be made by a school's principal in circumstances including a death in the family, religious observance, court summons, school-endorsed or military activities, or circumstances out of the students' control. Absence is also permitted in cases of chronic illness 'verified by a licensed medical provider practicing in Tennessee,' according to the policy. That includes pregnancy-related issues and births, according to the policy. However, there is no option given for doctors to verify a child is absent because they are sick or injured, or if they need to stay home to recover and prevent spreading contagious illnesses. 'Attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session,' the attendance policy states. 'The Lawrence County School System believes attendance is vital to one's educational experience and future financial earnings.' The new policy is also designed to address the issue of 'chronic absenteeism,' which the district defines as missing 10 percent or more time meant to be in class. Such students will also automatically fail the subjects and grades regardless of their academic results. 'We are going to take control of the attendance of our students,' Adkins said. 'You can bring all the doctor's notes you want, but it is still unexcused.' The policies follow a notable increase in diseases affecting children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 216 children died during this past flu season — a higher number than any time since the 2009 U.S. swine flu pandemic. 2025 also saw an outbreak of measles explode into a total of 1,319 confirmed cases as of Wednesday, according to the CDC. Cases have been recorded in 40 states stretching across the country, while vaccination rates dropped in 78 percent of American counties, with an average decline of 2.67 percent to below the 95 percent herd immunity threshold to predict or limit the spread of measles. In addition, a new study in the medical journal JAMA found that the health of America's children has significantly worsened across several key indicators since 2007. A U.S. child is 15 to 20 percent more likely to have a chronic condition in 2023 than a child in 2011 with the prevalence of conditions such of depression, anxiety, sleep apnea and obesity all increasing.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Tennessee district bans doctor's notes to exempt kids from school to teach them good work ethic
A school district in Tennessee will no longer accept doctor's notes as an excuse for a child's absence in an apparent attempt to prepare them for the workplace. New rules set out by the Lawrence County School System Board of Education state that 'absences are not excused' and only permits them in a number of specific circumstances. Regular illness is not included in the list. Sanctions for multiple instances of alleged truancy include loss of school event privileges and even referral to juvenile court for truancy. 'If you have the sniffles, that is fine,' Director of Schools Michael Adkins said during a recent meeting. 'You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up.' The new attendance policy states that 'absences shall be classified as absent' and 'absences are not excused or unexcused.' Social media users acted with outrage to the news, with one writing: 'I hope teachers send kids to his office to throw up.' 'Where were the parents when this type of policy was being passed?' questioned another. 'What can be the reasoning behind this?' another person asked 'This is not right nor fair to the children.' '[If] I was a parent I would pull my kid out of school cause you are putting other students and their parents at risk of potential illness!' added another. The district's policy adds that exemptions can be made by a school's principal in circumstances including a death in the family, religious observance, court summons, school-endorsed or military activities, or circumstances out of the students' control. Absence is also permitted in cases of chronic illness 'verified by a licensed medical provider practicing in Tennessee,' according to the policy. That includes pregnancy-related issues and births, according to the policy. However, there is no option given for doctors to verify a child is absent because they are sick or injured, or if they need to stay home to recover and prevent spreading contagious illnesses. 'Attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session,' the attendance policy states. 'The Lawrence County School System believes attendance is vital to one's educational experience and future financial earnings.' The new policy is also designed to address the issue of 'chronic absenteeism,' which the district defines as missing 10 percent or more time meant to be in class. Such students will also automatically fail the subjects and grades regardless of their academic results. 'We are going to take control of the attendance of our students,' Adkins said. 'You can bring all the doctor's notes you want, but it is still unexcused.' The policies follow a notable increase in diseases affecting children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 216 children died during this past flu season — a higher number than any time since the 2009 U.S. swine flu pandemic. 2025 also saw an outbreak of measles explode into a total of 1,319 confirmed cases as of Wednesday, according to the CDC. Cases have been recorded in 40 states stretching across the country, while vaccination rates dropped in 78 percent of American counties, with an average decline of 2.67 percent to below the 95 percent herd immunity threshold to predict or limit the spread of measles. In addition, a new study in the medical journal JAMA found that the health of America's children has significantly worsened across several key indicators since 2007. A U.S. child is 15 to 20 percent more likely to have a chronic condition in 2023 than a child in 2011 with the prevalence of conditions such of depression, anxiety, sleep apnea and obesity all increasing.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Parents left furious after school says doctor's note will no longer be an excuse for absences
Furious parents in Tennessee are threatening to take their children out of school after a county in the southern US state decreed that a doctor's note will no longer excuse a pupil's absence from school. In a change that has been branded 'ridiculous' and 'appalling' by some, kids in Lawrence County will now simply be marked as either absent or present. After three no-shows, 'intervention' will start, while eight would result in a referral to juvenile court. The policy purportedly aims to improve attendance, but many are against it, with some suggesting that they would now consider home-schooling their offspring. Rebecca Sanchez told WSMV 4, a local news station in Nashville, Tennessee, how her daughter ended up missing up lots of classes due to health issues. 'Between the strep throat and the flu, I can say she missed about 17 days,' the mother said. Disappointed by the new directive, she explained that having 'never been for or against homeschool,' the policy 'has definitely changed' her mind. The outlet also reported that during the area's June school board meeting, the Director of Schools for Lawrence County, Michael Adkins, laid out the policy, explaining that a child could 'fail the grade' for missing school days. Some were incensed by the new directive, with one person on social media branding it 'a ridiculous idea Michael said: 'You can fail the grade. You can fail the course. You are going to be petitioned to court. You are not going to participate in graduation, get your driver's license or permit.' 'We are going to take control of the attendance of our students,' he continued. 'You can bring all the doctor's notes you want, but it is still unexcused.' Although certain exemptions will exist - for example, for chronic illnesses - Michael emphasized that the new policy would help children develop a strong work ethic. He said: 'If you have the sniffles, that is fine. You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up.' At the same time, Lawrence County allegedly told local medical providers to 'emphasize the importance of regular school attendance while treating school-aged patients.' In the case that a child goes to school when they are feeling unwell and is sent home by the school nurse, they will also be marked as having missed some of the school day. Parents including Lauren argued that parents are being stripped of their parental responsibility. She said: 'As a parent, how can we give someone else the right to say what is wrong with our child?' The new policy has also been heavily criticized online, particularly on Reddit, where the changes were posted earlier this week. Writing in a subreddit called 'ZeroCovidCommunity', which appears to have been set up during the Covid-19 pandemic as a place for people to advocate for 'reducing transmission' through concrete measures, one person said: 'Well this sounds like a ridiculous idea. People love to focus on anything but the actual issue.' Another person argued: 'Said district needs to be sued for its incompetence.' A third Reddit user wrote: 'Their announcement said it training kids to sacrifice their health so someone else can make money. 'If I were a parent in the district, I would be tempted to bring a lawsuit. That is literally inhumane.' A fourth weighed in on the policy, writing: 'As someone with a severe chronic illness that would've caused a LOT of absences if I'd had it as a kid. This is terrifying.
CNN
23-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights initiates investigation into 5 universities over DACA scholarships
Human rights Immigration Federal agencies Education policyFacebookTweetLink Follow Five universities are under investigation by the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for providing scholarships to undocumented immigrants enrolled in the Obama-era DACA program, according to a statement from the Department of Education Wednesday. DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, allows hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children to live, work and pursue an education in the country. The department's investigation focuses on scholarships for DACA students but also includes LGBTQ+ students of color, Latin or Hispanic, African American, Native American or other minority students, the agency said in a statement. The schools under scrutiny are the University of Louisville, the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of Miami, the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University. 'The investigations will determine whether these universities are granting scholarships only for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or 'undocumented' students, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964's (Title VI) prohibition against national origin discrimination,' the Department of Education said. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act bans any institution receiving federal funds from discriminating based on race, color and national origin. The investigations into the universities were launched following complaints from the conservative nonprofit Legal Insurrection Foundation's Equal Protection Project. 'Protecting equal access to education includes protecting the rights of American-born students. At the Equal Protection Project, we are gratified that the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is acting on our complaints regarding scholarships that excluded American-born students,' said William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project. 'Discrimination against American-born students must not be tolerated.' Calls and emails to the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of Miami and Western Michigan University were not immediately returned. John Karman, the University of Louisville's interim vice president for communications and marketing, told CNN, 'The university was just notified of the investigation yesterday. We are reviewing the claims.' Kay Jarvis, the University of Michigan's director of public affairs, said in a statement to CNN, 'The university has received a letter of notification relating to this matter. We have no further comment.' The Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights office works to protect students by holding schools and colleges that receive federal funds accountable for combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and discrimination against students with disabilities. Efforts to dismantle the department are underway and the agency's civil rights office has been hit hard by a combination of layoffs and voluntary 'buyouts.' What will happen to the office is still uncertain, but employees within the office have told CNN they are extremely concerned about their ability to process the claims effectively with half of the staff. Earlier this year, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights sent letters to dozens of colleges and universities it says are under investigation for alleged violations 'relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination,' warning institutions of possible consequences if they don't take adequate steps to protect Jewish students. CNN's Karina Tsui, Elizabeth Wolfe and Shania Shelton contributed to this report.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Pupils and parents slam skirt ban in Bolton and Wigan schools
Some parents and pupils are calling on schools in Greater Manchester to scrap their plans to ban pupils from wearing schools plan to implement the policy from September, including Canon Slade School in Bolton and Fred Longworth High School in a pupil at Canon Slade school, said she disagreed with the school uniform changes, adding it was "taking away our femininity".In separate statements, both schools said the decision had been made following discussions with parents, staff and governors. Fred Longworth High School said the change came after girls had reported feeling "uncomfortable and self-conscious" and the change would "eradicate pressure" and remove an "unnecessary barrier" to learning. In guidance from The Department for Education, it strongly encourages schools to have a uniform, as it can play a key role in promoting the ethos of a school, providing a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for a Year 10 pupil, said she did not believe that she should be forced to wear trousers. "We already had the choice to wear trousers like some people did, some people didn't, and that was completely fine," she said. "But now that we're getting the choices taken away from us, it just feels like it's really forced. "I think it's bad because it's taking away our femininity and what we see makes us girls."Her mother Karen also said the change in policy would be an extra cost. "For most parents of existing pupils, we've already bought the skirts," she said."In the case of Summer, she's only going to be wearing [the skirt] for nine months because she'll have finished the school in May. "So how's that making it affordable for some parents?" Scarlett, who is due to start the school in September, said she would prefer to wear a skirt."We're all growing up so it does make you feel a bit more comfortable," she said."It's not a fashion show, but at the same time you always want to look nice and presentable."James Watson, an Independent Network councillor on Wigan Council, has started a petition after his daughter's school also announced plans to bring in a trouser-only policy from has been signed by more than 1,000 people so far, following the decision by Fred Longworth High Watson said: "It's a very good school that she's in and she's had a fantastic time there, but she's worried now from September about wearing trousers to the point where we've even had a conversation that she doesn't want to go to that school anymore." Canon Slade School said the decision was made "following more than a year's worth of careful thought and consideration"."Adopting trousers for all students will help to empower staff to set an appropriate tone for a high standard of education and provide all students with a sense of belonging."This will in turn promote our professional and inclusive ethos."It added that the school had reduced branded items and the school would continue to support families financially. 'Safeguarding concerns' Fred Longworth High School said: "A strong uniform policy is a key tenet in creating a positive environment for learning."We make no apologies for the fact that we are a school with high standards, and as part of this, we expect all our students to wear the uniform in the correct way."The vast majority of our parents work with us and are broadly supportive of our policies."The school added that it was implementing the change "that will support many of our girls who are telling us that they feel uncomfortable and self- conscious"."We are eradicating pressure to wear skirts at inappropriate lengths and therefore removing an unnecessary barrier for our girls," it said."The short length of dresses poses a modesty problem which in turn can present safeguarding concerns both inside and outside of school." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
