National Archives wants volunteers with ‘superpower’ to read cursive
Cursive seems to be a lost art, but there’s an opportunity for history enthusiasts, who also still value the traditional handwriting style. The National Archives is looking for volunteers to transcribe more than 200 years’ worth of documents written in cursive.
It’s for a collaboration with the National Park Service to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
The materials include Revolutionary War pension records, immigration documents from the 1890s and Japanese evacuation records.
Cursive writing is traced back to ancient Roman scribes, which eventually evolved into the modern forms of cursive used today.
But since the rise of computers, phones and tablets, handwriting has become less common.
“Reading cursive is a superpower,” the community manager with the National Archives catalog, Suzanne Isaacs told USA Today.
Many states are still teaching cursive to kids. California and New Hampshire were the most recent states to pass legislation making it mandatory.
According to Education Week, 24 states in total require cursive writing to be taught in schools for students K-12.
That’s fewer than half of what was required 25 to 30 years ago.
Meanwhile, some states like Maine and Montana leave it up to the individual school districts to decide whether to require students to learn cursive.
For those interested in helping the National Archives, people can register for a free account online with the National Archives and click on “citizen archivist.”
Then those registered can begin reading available documents that are ready to be cataloged.
New Jersey removes basic literacy test requirement for teachers amid shortage
New Jersey has eliminated the requirement for aspiring teachers to pass a basic skills test in reading, writing and math. The change, which took effect Jan. 1, is part of a new law aimed at addressing the state’s teacher shortage.
Under Act 1669, signed into law by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, the state has removed the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. The assessment tested basic skills in reading, writing and math. The law is intended to streamline the teacher certification process and make it easier for more people to enter the profession.
The New Jersey Education Association supported the removal of the literacy test, calling it “a barrier” for aspiring teachers.
So teachers don’t need to know how to read in New Jersey?
Seems like that would make it challenging to teach kids how to read. https://t.co/xpkJo6swt1
However, the change has drawn some criticism online, including from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who posted on X, “So teachers don’t need to know how to read in New Jersey? Seems like that would make it challenging to teach kids how to read.”
While the new law eliminates the basic literacy exam, aspiring teachers in New Jersey will still need to meet other qualifications, such as holding a bachelor’s degree and passing specialized tests in their subject areas.
New Jersey’s move is part of a broader trend across the country, as states adjust certification requirements in an effort to address teacher shortages. The U.S. is facing a deficit of nearly 600,000 teachers since the pandemic, according to The Hechinger Report. An additional 270,000 positions are currently filled by underqualified teachers, according to the advocacy group Teachers of Tomorrow.
The shortage is exacerbated by teacher burnout and turnover. A Gallup survey found teachers have the highest burnout rate among all industries.
Several other states have enacted similar measures to address the teacher shortage. California issued an emergency executive order allowing parents to become substitute teachers by meeting two requirements, having a degree in any field and passing a background check.
Washington, Texas and Pennsylvania also have emergency teacher certification protocols. Arizona passed a law allowing educators to begin teaching before graduating from college.
New York and North Carolina were among the first states to eliminate the literacy test for teachers. However, more than 40 states still require the exam New Jersey recently got rid of.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Education announced a five-year plan to improve teacher recruitment and retention. However, the future of that plan is uncertain, as President-elect Donald Trump has discussed ways to reform the education system, including dismantling the Department of Education.
WHO urges China to share COVID origin data 5 years since pandemic began
The World Health Organization is once again asking China to share data on the origins of the COVID-19 virus that changed society, five years since the start of the pandemic in Wuhan. On Dec. 31, 2019, a WHO office in China noted a cluster of so-called “pneumonia” cases, which turned out to be COVID-19. About three weeks later, Chinese authorities locked down the city.
By early 2020, the virus spread globally, impacting economies, health care systems, education and politics.
While much of the world has moved on from lockdowns and restrictions, questions remain about the source of the virus, prompting the WHO to release a statement Monday, Dec. 30. According to the WHO, sharing data is a “moral and scientific imperative.”
“Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics,” the WHO said.
How the pandemic started is still under heavy debate, with many scientists believing the virus transferred naturally from animals to humans, but some still harbor suspicions that it escaped from a lab leak in Wuhan.
The WHO has repeatedly asked China to share data about the spread of COVID-19, with reports as early as 2020 accusing China of significant delays in giving information needed to fight the virus.
In 2021, the WHO started drafting a plan on preparing for another pandemic, along with all of the countries who participate in the organization.
While the WHO said the organization agreed on most of what the treaty should include, there’s still a divide between wealthy countries with big pharmaceutical industries and poorer nations worried about being left out. The deadline for negotiations is May 2025.
The Taliban announced it plans to close all non-governmental national and foreign groups in Afghanistan that employ women. This comes two years after the group told NGOs to stop employing Afghan women, allegedly because women weren’t wearing their Islamic headscarves correctly.
In a letter posted to X on Sunday, Dec. 29, the Taliban-run Economy Ministry reiterated its order saying, “In case of lack of cooperation, all activities of that institution will be canceled and the activity license of that institution, granted by the ministry, will also be canceled.”
وزارت اقتصاد منحیث مرجع ثبت و راجستر موسسات غیر امارتی، مسولیت انسجام، رهبری و نظارت تمامی فعالیت های انجو های داخلی و خارجی را به عهده دارد. بناً یکبار دیگر طی متحدالمال تعقیبی در مورد توقف کار طبقه اناث در موسسات غیر امارتی داخلی و خارجی هدایت داده شده است. در صورت عدم همکاری… pic.twitter.com/kqiW7Re3an
On Saturday, Dec. 28, the Taliban’s leader ordered buildings should not have windows looking into places where women might sit or stand, including homes.
Americans students falling behind international peers in math and science
American students are falling behind their international peers in math and science, according to a recently released government study. The National Center for Education Statistics conducted the study back in 2023.
Every four years, the group releases the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which looks at fourth and eighth graders worldwide. The study was the first to be published since the COVID-19 pandemic, showing mixed outcomes across the globe.
The United States was among the countries that saw a decline. While American students still score above the international average, 4th graders’ math scores fell 18 points since 2019, and 8th graders’ scores went down 27 points. Researchers said this is the biggest drop the U.S. has seen since participating in 1995.
When it comes to science, American students’ scores weren’t measurably different between 2019 and 2023, but 4th graders’ scores have dropped since the TIMSS was first administered.
Overall, the gaps between the highest- and lowest-performing students are widening internationally. While there’s no consensus as to what’s causing the decline for American students, many educators say the rise of smartphones, changes in standards and pandemic-related school closures likely played a role.
Bible lessons in public school? Texas advances elementary school plan
The Texas State Board of Education has advanced a plan to incorporate Bible-based lessons into elementary school classrooms, marking one of the latest efforts by Republican-led states to introduce religious content into public education. The proposal, which would be optional for schools, includes financial incentives for those who adopt it, offering $60 per student in additional state funding.
Examples of Bible-based lessons include stories from the Book of Genesis and teachings such as the golden rule. The board is expected to hold a final vote on the proposal Friday, Nov. 22, after members voted 8-7 in favor of the curriculum during a preliminary vote.
The decision came after a series of testimonies from parents and educators, who shared their thoughts on including Bible lessons in public schools.
Board members expressed a range of views, with some supporting the plan and others opposing it. One supporter said, “People want to know why this curriculum would work, everything is birthed through prayer and the power of God.”
Opponents voiced concerns as well. One opponent said during public comment, “I believe that the Christian Bible is important and even foundational, but that voice should not be made by the state for my family or any other.” Another said, “If we try too much to be taken over by any one religion, we risk damaging the experience of children who have differing beliefs.”
One board member, who observed the lessons in classrooms, defended the curriculum: “I went and watched it, I’ve sat in the classrooms, and I think it works.”
Supporters argue that Bible teachings offer a holistic educational foundation, while opponents worry that the focus on Christianity could marginalize students from diverse religious backgrounds.
The curriculum proposal stems from a law passed earlier this year, which mandates the Texas Education Agency to create a free textbook with religious content. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has expressed his support for the initiative.
This move is part of a broader trend among conservative lawmakers in Texas, who have also proposed displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, with plans to revisit the issue next year.
Texas is not alone in these efforts. In Oklahoma, state officials are seeking to include the Bible in public school lessons, though a lawsuit has been filed to block the plan. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, a federal judge recently struck down a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public classrooms, ruling that it violated the separation of church and state.
The debate over religious teachings in public schools remains fierce, and while some states are moving forward with these measures, their future may ultimately be decided in the courts.
If the Texas board approves the Bible lessons on Friday, schools would have the option to adopt them for the upcoming school year in August 2025.
A record 1 in 8 students in NYC were homeless last year: Report
The number of homeless students in New York City has hit a record high. Data from the Advocates for Children of New York revealed more than 146,000 public school students were homeless during the 2023-2024 school year.
This means 1 in 8 students across the district were either in shelters or living temporarily with friends or family. That’s a 23% increase from the more than 119,000 homeless students the year prior.
The surge of kids living in transitional housing is being attributed in part to the city’s affordability crisis.
According to a 2022 report by New York’s Office of Budget Policy and Analysis, 20% of New York households were paying 50% of their income for housing.
An increase in migrant families also pushed the number of homeless students higher. The city doesn’t track student immigration status, but a city analysis says there were roughly 50,000 migrant families with children in New York City shelters over the summer.
Advocates for homeless children said the city should take steps like ensuring families are placed in shelters near their children’s schools, and getting rid of 60-day shelter limits imposed by Mayor Eric Adams, D, last year.
The new report also pointed out the serious issues homelessness can cause pertaining to a student’s success in school. Half of all students in temporary housing and 67% of students in shelters were chronically absent.
Students living in shelters also dropped out of high school at triple the rate of their peers. New York state is currently looking into the Foundation Aid Formula, which determines how much funding school districts receive.
Advocates for Children of New York said it hasn’t been updated in over 15 years.
Oklahoma school district failed to protect students from discrimination: Report
A public school district in Oklahoma must review and potentially revise its anti-discrimination policies after a federal investigation found that it failed to protect students from discrimination and harassment. The probe came about after the death of LGBTQ+ student, 16-year-old Nex Benedict, in February.
Benedict was as student at Owasso High School and identified as gender expansive, which means one whose gender identity expands beyond traditional norms.
The teen died of an overdose after the teen’s family says Benedict was bullied at school. The student used the pronouns he, him, they and them. The case garnered national attention and outraged LGBTQ+ activists.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights settled the complaint against Owasso Public Schools this week. The assistant secretary said Owasso students and their families did not receive the fair and equitable review process guaranteed to them under Title IX.
In addition, the federal agency identified repeated instances, over a three year period, when staff at Owasso Public Schools were told of possible sexual harassment against children, but did not respond adequately. The lack of action rose to the level of deliberate indifference.
A school district spokesperson said the district fully cooperated with the federal investigation and is committed to making the recommended changes to enhance safety and inclusivity in its schools.
Federal judge blocks Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law as unconstitutional
Louisiana’s controversial new law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public schools will not be going into effect come January, after all. A federal judge temporarily blocked it Tuesday, Nov. 12, while the case — brought by a coalition of parents — plays out.
That judge called the law “unconstitutional” and barred the state from enforcing it. The law would have required a copy of the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school and university classrooms throughout the state.
Now, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office must notify all schools it’s been ruled unconstitutional.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has said she expects the case could go to the U.S. Supreme Court, which last weighed in on the issue in 1980. The justices then ruled 5 to 4 that Kentucky’s posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools was unconstitutional.
However, the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed since then. In 1980, it was split almost evenly between conservative and liberal justices with one centrist who usually ended up the swing vote. Now, conservatives hold a majority in the Supreme Court.
Supporters of the law argue the Ten Commandments belong in public schools because they are historical and part of the foundation of United States law.
Harris, Trump look for votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With exactly two weeks to go until Election Day, both candidates for president are blitzing the battleground states. And we’ve learned how long student loan repayments for about eight million Americans will remain on hold. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
Harris, Trump look for more votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With two weeks to go until Election Day, the presidential candidates are crisscrossing the country trying to pick up any undecided voters that remain.
.@Liz_Cheney: Vice President Harris is going to defend our Constitution. We're not always gonna agree, but I know Vice President Harris will always do what she believes is right for this country. She has a sincere heart, and that's why I'm honored to support her pic.twitter.com/lcFD6MGDSF
“So, I think that we are facing a choice in this election; it’s not about party, it’s about right and wrong,” Cheney said. “And I certainly have many Republicans who will say to me, ‘I can’t be public.’ They do worry about a whole range of things including violence, but they’ll do the right thing.”
In Wisconsin, Harris described her opponent former President Donald Trump as “unstable,” referencing comments made by former Trump cabinet members.
“I think it’s very important that we acknowledge — and I have said publicly that Donald Trump is an unserious man,” Harris said, “and the consequences of him ever being President of United States again are brutally serious. Brutally serious.”
Former President Trump visited North Carolina on Monday where he surveyed the damage created by Hurricane Helene and continued his criticism of the Biden administration’s relief efforts.
“The power of nature, nothing you can do about it, but you got to get a little bit better crew and to do a better job than has been done by the White House,” Trump said. “It’s been not good. Not good. I’m here today in western North Carolina to express a simple message to the incredible people of the state: I’m with you and the American people are with you all the way. We’re going to continue to be with you. We’ll see what happens with the election. And we’re, on January 20th, you’re going to have, I think, a new crew coming in to do it properly and help you in a proper manner.”
Trump made two more stops while in North Carolina Monday, holding a rally and speaking at a faith leaders’ event.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, former President Trump will continue campaigning in North Carolina with a rally in Greensboro, and Vice President Harris will sit down for an interview with NBC News in Washington, D.C.
Blinken in Israel to revive Gaza cease-fire talks after Sinwar death
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel once again — his 11th visit to the region since war broke out between Israel and Hamas a little more than a year ago.
On my way to Israel and other stops in the Middle East for intensive discussions about the importance of ending the war in Gaza, returning the hostages to their families, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/lIaRUo7Ea2
This visit is the first stop on a wider tour of the Middle East in which Blinken is expected to revive talks for a cease-fire in Gaza in the wake of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Blinken’s weeklong trip comes as the Middle East braces for Israel’s response to an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv earlier this month.
Teen arrested after 2 adults, 3 children killed in shooting at Washington home
Officials with the King County Sheriff’s Office said another teenager who had been injured went to a Seattle hospital. They said that teenager and the teen in custody both live at the home where the shooting happened, but did not know the relationships between those teens and the five people killed.
“I just don’t know the relationships, so I’m going to withhold confirming any relationships, but it does appear to be that this is a family incident,” Deputy Mike Mellis told reporters Monday. “Clearly, a domestic violence incident that involves not only a young man — who’s now in significant trouble — and it involves firearms. Young men and firearms.”
Reports say he has chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of bone marrow cancer, and he’s undergoing treatment at Rikers Island prison in New York where he’s serving a 16-year sentence.
This is just the latest health issue Weinstein has faced behind bars. Last month, he had emergency heart surgery to alleviate a significant amount of fluid in his lungs and heart, and he was hospitalized in July with COVID-19 and double pneumonia.
Student loan payments pause extended for 8 million SAVE plan borrowers
Eight million Americans will be able to continue holding off paying back their student loans for at least another six months, the Department of Education confirmed on Monday.
The Education Department said save enrollees will be placed in an interest-free general forbearance for at least six months pending the outcome of legal challenges to the plan.
Cheapest World Series tickets costing at least $1,000 on secondary market
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees have each punched their ticket to the World Series and now if you want a ticket, you’ll need at least $1,000. According to SeatGeek, the cheapest single seat for the Game 1 in LA on Friday, Oct. 25, will cost $1,034.
For Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 26, also at Dodger Stadium, the least expensive ticket is $1,209.
Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 28 and 29, head back to the East Coast, with the cheapest tickets for Yankees Stadium costing $1,385 and $1,110, respectively. A possible Game 5 is showing the same as Game 4.
And “if necessary,” Games 6 and 7 would be back in LA, with the cheapest tickets going for around $1,300 or more.
As for the good seats behind home plate at Dodger Stadium, those tickets are going for $1,500 or more.