Denver teachers are prioritizing smaller class sizes as they negotiate a new contract, with the current cap at 35 students. Meanwhile, Colorado's top education leaders are examining the state of multilingual learners, who have seen fewer test high enough to exit services in recent years. In other news, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is considering a special legislative session on school vouchers and flood relief, aiming to implement his Education Freedom plan by the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, a report found that Michigan students' math scores improved since COVID, but reading scores remain stagnant, with achievement gaps persisting.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2025/01/08/school-voucher-special-legislative-session-likely-gov-bill-lee/A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan found that students who experienced microaggressions in college were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 students from diverse backgrounds, revealed that these subtle forms of racism can have a profound impact on students' mental health and academic success. For example, one student reported feeling belittled by a professor who made assumptions about their intelligence based on their racial identity. Another student described being excluded from group projects because of their cultural background. The study's findings highlight the need for colleges to address microaggressions and create inclusive environments that promote diversity and equity.
https://reason.com/2025/01/08/are-young-people-depressed-because-of-what-they-were-taught-in-college/The Muslim World League (MWL), an international Islamic non-governmental organization based in Makkah, is hosting a two-day conference in Islamabad with the aim of promoting girls' education as a right and duty in line with Islamic teachings. The conference, which has attracted 132 international delegates from 47 countries, aims to address cultural misinterpretations of Islamic teachings that hinder girls' access to education and develop strategies to advance girls' education through collaboration with global and regional stakeholders. The MWL claims that any legislation or actions that hinder girls' education are contrary to Islamic teachings, which promote knowledge, civilization, and noble values. The conference will focus on initiating and developing strategies to address the challenges facing girls' education in Muslim societies and capitalize on available opportunities to enhance educational outcomes.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1269858-islamic-perspective-on-girls-education-foreign-office-hosts-second-inter-ministerial-meetingThe Islamabad Education Conference is set to bring together over 150 international dignitaries from 44 countries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and representatives from organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank. The conference aims to promote education for girls and pave the way for inclusive educational reforms in Muslim-majority countries. Pakistani Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui emphasized the importance of education, stating that Pakistan is still lagging behind in terms of education and employment, and expressed a desire to learn from Afghan society's traditions. The conference will conclude with a signing ceremony of the Islamabad Declaration, outlining a shared commitment to empower girls through education.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1270357-nobel-laureate-malala-yousafzai-to-attend-girls-education-summit-in-pakistanEducational institutions worldwide are struggling with a growing problem of bullying among students, where they face verbal taunting, physical aggression, and social exclusion in what is intended to be a supportive learning environment. This issue affects many students globally, despite the purpose of schools being to promote development and learning.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/09/campus-press/confronting-the-hidden-crisis-of-bullying-in-schools/2033549In Michigan, the number of teachers leaving their jobs during the pandemic led to a decline in teacher enrollment in preparation programs. However, this trend was reversed with a 56% increase in enrollment from 2016-17 to 2021-22, according to the Michigan Department of Education. Ryan Gildersleeve, dean of Eastern Michigan University's College of Education, attributes this growth to the "Grow Your Own" program, which taps into existing classroom expertise and provides a free pathway for individuals to become certified teachers. To further address teacher shortages, Gildersleeve suggests that the state should make college more affordable for future teachers and provide support for local schools to pay them. He also emphasizes the need for collaboration between state officials, higher education institutions, and K-12 schools to develop effective solutions.
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/01/some-michigan-school-districts-say-a-prayer-to-fill-teacher-openings.htmlThe Ministry of Education (MoE) has reported a decline in student enrolment between 2022-23 and 2023-24 by 37 lakh. The new data collection system, UDISE+, suggests that previous enrolment figures were overestimated by 5-6%. Prof. Mehta notes that the MoE must provide reasons for the decline of schools, which dropped from 15,58,903 in 2017-18 to 14,71,891 in 2023-24, a decline of 87,012 schools. The most affected states are Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/why-is-there-a-drop-in-school-enrolments-explained/article69073799.eceThe education system in West Pokot is facing challenges as students are not turning up for exams, with some parents expressing concerns about the situation. A parent noted that despite the difficulties, they believe more students will start attending classes as the week progresses. The area has also been affected by recent incidents of examination malpractice and student deaths by suicide.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/rift-valley/2025-01-08-low-turnout-of-students-in-west-pokot-as-schools-reopenAs thousands of students returned to school in Dubai for Term 2 and Term 3, traffic congestion increased around school zones during peak hours. Principals reported a strong start to the new term, with nearly full attendance at many schools. Ian Plant, Principal/CEO of GEMS Founders School – Dubai South, noted that student attendance was good after the winter break, and he welcomed new families to the school. To address traffic congestion, authorities implemented enhanced road safety measures, prioritizing respectful behavior during drop-off and pick-up times.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/education/uae-schools-report-nearly-100-attendance-rates-as-students-return-after-winter-break