referendum

Indianapolis Governor-elect Mike Pence said Wednesday he will push forward with education reforms including private school vouchers and merit pay programs for teachers.

On Election Day, California voters passed Proposition 30, a temporary tax increase that will prevent a nearly $6 billion cut to the state’s public schools. Backed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the proposition is the first general tax increase passed in the state in two decades. It will increase sales taxes by a quarter of a cent for four years on the state’s base rate of 7.25 percent, and income taxes for those earning more than $250,000 for seven years.

Starting Tuesday, the Medford School District and the classified employees represented by the Oregon School Employees Association will enter mediation with a neutral third party in the hopes of resolving stalemated contract negotiations.

A traditionally sleepy race for Indiana's top elected school position has turned into a referendum on education policies that are endorsed by conservatives across the country.

Hoping to inspire voters in Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County to support public education as strongly as suburban voters have embraced municipal school districts, a coalition of community organizations endorsed the half-cent sales tax referendum Wednesday.

The trial has resumed in Memphis where a federal judge is hearing arguments on whether a state law that allows the six small cities in Shelby County to start their own schools is constitutional. Proceedings got back under way Thursday after a two-week recess.

For the first time in many years, it seems there is a general feeling of positivity surrounding the Rockford School District. The forward momentum and collaboration taking place is seen and felt throughout the community.

Negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and the nation's third-largest school district were going down to the wire on Sunday, as teachers threaten to strike on Monday over Mayor Rahm Emanuel's demand for sweeping school reforms.