BrightBytes announced the sale of its DataSense data integration platform to Microsoft. BrightBytes will continue to grow its education data analytics organization, which currently provides predictive analytics across school improvement, digital learning and student success, via its Clarity platform,

The Virginia House of Delegates voted last week to require public schools to make Election Day a school holiday. The bill is a safety measure aimed at keeping unknown people out of school buildings while children are present. Limiting public access to school premises while classes are in session only makes sense.

Minnesota schools will not be punished if they fall short of the state's instruction time laws because of last week's dangerous weather, Gov. Tim Walz's office said. Classes have already been canceled across the Minneapolis metro area for a fourth consecutive day due to snow and cold.

For educators, the big challenge is figuring out how best to teach students not just to receive knowledge but to apply it. Educators are also experimenting with approaches like “project-based” and “student-centered” learning, that encourage collaboration and solving complex problems that have applications for the real world.

One North Dakota bill would have mandated school board members be randomly drug tested at least once a year during their term. The other would have made school boards create a drug testing policy for staff or those receiving remuneration for services provided to the school district.

Three groups representing West Virginia school groups said they are poised to take statewide action on an education reform omnibus bill and expect to take a vote this week. The bill bundles together a 5 percent pay raise and money for public health insurance with other education reforms, including charter schools.

Under the measure, public schools must include lessons about the political, economic and social contributions of individuals who are gay and transgender, starting in the 2020-21 school year. The bill also requires teaching about contributions of people who are disabled. The law does not apply to private schools.

Cumberland County High School students filed a lawsuit against the Mechanicsburg ASD after the Pennsylvania district refused to rescind its policies preventing the students from handing out Bibles on campus during non-instructional hours.