A coalition of 11 international unions, including the SEIU, AFT, UAW, and CWA, has formed a Labor for Higher Education Coalition to address concerns about the state of higher education in the US. The coalition, which represents faculty, staff, and graduate workers across college campuses, issued a "Statement of Unity" outlining its vision for higher education as a public good. They are calling on presidential candidate Kamala Harris and elected officials to support their efforts to reclaim public higher education. The coalition is advocating for full federal funding of public higher education, an end to student debt, sustainable working conditions for employees, and the selection of government officials who share their view of higher education as a public good.
https://natlawreview.com/article/coalition-higher-ed-unions-issues-joint-statement-future-higher-ed-under-harris-0The New York State Education Department's Institute for Education Policy has proposed changes to the state's school funding formula, known as the Foundation Aid formula. The recommendations aim to address issues such as inflation, student poverty, and funding for students with disabilities. However, some lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul are pushing back against a proposal to phase out the "hold harmless" provision, which shields districts with declining enrollment from losing funding. Others argue that the proposed changes do not go far enough in overhauling the formula, citing concerns about issues specific to New York City schools.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2024/12/03/nyc-foundation-aid-study-proposes-updates-to-school-funding-formula/The United Way of Missoula, a nonprofit founded in 1931, partners with local organizations to promote early childhood literacy and other community programs. The organization raises approximately $1 million annually to support initiatives such as the Imagination Library, which prepares children for kindergarten by providing them with books.
https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-county/giving-tuesday-governor-gianforte-donates-20k-to-united-way-of-missoulaFPT, a global technology corporation, has partnered with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) to advance Malaysia's technology education and digital transformation landscape. The partnership focuses on artificial intelligence research and education, with FPT donating USD 2 million worth of software to UTP. This includes access to TADA, an AI-driven unified data management platform used by 20 energy companies, which will enable students and faculties to enhance their analytical skills and boost productivity by 50%. The collaboration also encompasses knowledge exchange, internships, and collaborative research projects in areas such as healthcare, energy, autonomous systems, and sustainability. This partnership aims to empower the next generation of IT talent in both countries with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation and growth.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241201096059/en/FPT-and-Universiti-Teknologi-PETRONAS-Partner-to-Elevate-AI-Research-and-EducationFlathead Industries is building a continuing education center at its administration center to provide educational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in the Flathead Valley. The center will focus on financial education, health and nutrition, and exercise and interest development. This project was made possible by a grant from Flathead Electric Cooperative, which allocated unclaimed capital credits towards community education initiatives. Patrick Maddison, executive director of Flathead Industries, noted that individuals with developmental disabilities often lack access to further education after high school. The new center aims to address this gap in services and provide additional support for residents with developmental disabilities.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/kalispell/flathead-industries-receives-50k-grant-for-education-center/article_2f72193c-ab62-11ef-ac96-bbdaaf6d3ebb.htmlThe Chetu Foundation donated $100,000 to the Akshaya Patra Foundation to combat student hunger in India. The donation is part of the Chetu Foundation's mission to provide food and educational support for underprivileged children. The Akshaya Patra Foundation provides free, nutritious mid-day meals to over two million children daily across 23,000 government schools in 16 states and two union territories in India.
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/the-chetu-foundation-donates-100-000-to-combat-student-hunger-in-india-11732773833443.htmlDenver Public Schools principals received an email from Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos stating that the district will provide about $146 million in additional funds to schools with expanded rosters, a move aimed at supporting students and school leaders. The funding is part of a return to a pandemic-era policy where budget cuts were avoided even as student enrollment declined. To help schools make the most of this funding, the Education Department will offer personalized supports such as one-on-one meetings and school budget reviews with district budget directors.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2024/11/27/nyc-schools-held-harmless-from-midyear-budget-cuts-education-department-says/Inuit students in Canada face unique challenges that put them at a higher risk of physical harm when pursuing post-secondary education outside their communities, according to a Nunavut government official. The official stated that this issue is significant enough to warrant the creation of an institution specifically designed to support Inuit students' success.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/inuit-nunangat-university-closer-to-realization-with-50m-from-mastercard-foundation-1.7125284MIT President Sally Kornbluth announced that the university will cover the full cost of education for students from American families with incomes below $100,000. This includes tuition, housing, dining, fees, and an allowance for books and personal expenses. The move is part of a growing trend among universities to make their educational experience more accessible to students from lower-income backgrounds. The University of Texas system has also approved a similar plan, waiving tuition and associated costs for undergraduate students from families earning $100,000 or less per year.
https://www.ndtv.com/education/mit-offers-free-education-for-families-earning-under-200-000-7108780#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigation