Tagged: Schools

Illinois Education officials are considering a proposal to let schools stop offering free bus service as another way to cope with the state's budget crisis. In legislation that may be offered this week, the State Board of Education could ask to either get rid of the buses or charge for carrying students each day. The change would be part of a new system for distributing state money for student transportation. The Illinois Association of School Boards says transportation spending has been slashed 42% since 2010.

A proposal that would ban the teaching of gay issues to Tennessee elementary and middle school students is once again advancing in the state House.  The "Don't Say Gay" bill passed the House Education Committee Tuesday by one vote.

Tennessee is among the few other states that have enacted or are proposing legislation aiming to push parents to get more involved in their children’s school performance.  One bill advancing in the Tennessee legislature encourages school districts to develop a parental involvement contract, while another proposes what are commonly called parent report cards.  According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the contract legislation is similar to a Michigan proposal passed in 2001, and Louisiana is also considering legislation to grade parent participation.  Tennessee Governor Bil

A proposal that would allow school board members in Tennessee to participate in meetings remotely is headed to Governor Bill Haslam for his consideration.  The measure was sent to Governor Haslam Thursday after the Senate agreed to minor changes made by the House.  The legislation would allow school board members to participate in a meeting electronically up to twice a year if they were out of the country for work, on military service or attending to a family emergency.  Sponsors say the bill is necessary because some school boards already allow remote attendance and proxy voting without an