Texas Schools Crack Down on Youth Vaping with Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs

HOUSTON, TX – Since the implementation of a new Texas law aimed at curbing youth vaping, hundreds of students in Houston-area school districts have been sent to disciplinary alternative education programs, a move that some school administrators and advocates are questioning as too harsh. House Bill 114, which went into effect on September 1, requires public schools to remove any student caught with an e-cigarette and send them to a separate center designated for students in serious trouble. According to data collected by the Chronicle, in the largest five school districts in the Houston region, … Read more

Kansas Legislature Fails to Fully Fund Special Education, Ignoring State Statute

TOPEKA, Kansas – The Kansas Legislature has come under scrutiny for its failure to fully fund special education programs, despite a state statute that requires 92% reimbursement for school districts’ extra costs. With only 69% being paid, the lawmakers seem to be ignoring their own laws when it comes to special education. The issue was highlighted by Kansas Reflector journalists Tim Carpenter and Rachel Mipro, who reported that legislative leaders, including Rep. Kristey Williams and Sen. Renee Erickson, had dismissed the idea of convening a task force to address the funding shortfall. They argued that … Read more

China Implements Sweeping New Law Mandating Nationalist Education to Enhance Unity and Loyalty

FUZHOU, China – A new law in China aims to cement nationalist education in the country and enhance the love of the nation and the ruling Chinese Communist Party among its citizens. The “Patriotic Education Law,” which came into effect earlier this week, requires the incorporation of patriotism into work and study across all sectors, from young children to professionals. The law is part of President Xi Jinping’s efforts to deepen the party’s presence in all aspects of public and private life. Nationalist education has long been a part of China’s culture, but this law … Read more