A New Jersey appeals court heard arguments Tuesday about state funding for the Lakewood school district, which lawyers for a public school parents group argue is so low that it violates students’ rights.

Administrators have also been accused of equity-driven attempts to level the playing field for students who didn't qualify for the scholarships at the expense of higher achievers.

Salazar Principal Alyssa Maestas said educators at the school work hard to develop pride in each student’s racial, ethnic and cultural identities during holidays and heritage months but also year-round.

When authorities in Newport News, Virginia, announced on Jan. 6 that a 6-year-old boy brought a gun to school and shot his teacher, sending her to the hospital, the country was stunned. The city's mayor said it was nearly impossible to grapple with what happened. The police chief called the case "unprecedented."