Following alarming incidents of leaking and smoking PCB-laden light fixtures in New York City public schools this spring, the Department of Education agreed on May 22 to cut in half its time frame for replacing them.

Despite lawsuits filed by parents and concerns raised by independent hearing officers, the Chicago Board of Education on May 22 approved closing 49 schools, just four fewer than the 53 it had announced earlier this year.

The Department of Education has finally agreed to speed its replacement of light fixtures laden with cancer-causing PCBs that threaten the health and safety of students and staff in 650 city schools.

The UFT began the first fact-finding hearing for a new contract on May 6. The dispute pivots largely on the question of pattern bargaining. The UFT’s position is that its members are entitled to the same raises as other city workers have received. The DOE counters that it can't afford it.

The UFT and the city Department of Education each submitted lengthy proposals for a New York City teacher evaluation system to the State Education Department on May 8. State Education Commissioner John King will consider the proposals and decide on a final plan by June 1, in time for the start of the next school year.

Socioeconomic segregregation in schools greatly affects students' graduation and college enrollment rates, new research shows.