Today marks the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day, first proclaimed by @UNESCO In 1966 to remind people around the world of "the critical importance of literacy for creating a more literate, just, peaceful and sustainable society." This year the theme is “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity." Throughout the day, we’ll be highlighting schools across the country that are beating the odds in teaching kids to read. Is your school a Bright Spot? Find out here: the74million.org/article/the…

Democrat @RobSandIA wants to upend Iowa’s ESA program if elected governor. But, says one lawmaker, “it's unlikely that his more dramatic changes will get a serious hearing.” buff.ly/wb94taZ

#CTE has earned its popularity. The research behind it is real, especially for young men who have been drifting away from school and work. But enrollment is not the goal. Opportunity is buff.ly/aWvg9vV

California districts are using empty classrooms and even entire schools for childcare hoping they will see the same young kids in kindergarten buff.ly/CN10IsD

Rodrigues and Stone: Parents and teachers agree. It's time to put kids first again buff.ly/MPhdweO

California, Georgia and Wisconsin are among the states where enrollment loss hits not just districts, but also charters and private schools buff.ly/RmXDTJj

After failing to persuade Colorado state lawmakers to strip protections from transgender students, religious and ultra-conservative activists are taking their case directly to voters buff.ly/oYinjJe

Only 1 in 10 students nationwide attends a school district that has returned to pre-pandemic achievement levels in reading and math, according to @CRPE_edu buff.ly/1uJXnlh

Love and Morton: Despite a recent U.S. Education Department letter, students of color are disproportionately suspended and pushed out of school buff.ly/Ayr8gsa

Staffing shortages, too many toddlers per room, two teacher deaths — inside the dysfunction at a daycare in Virginia that pushed teachers to the brink. Via @19thnews buff.ly/yRhlOcn

Lawyer Heather Yountz said the administration has moved on multiple fronts to strip immigrant children of their status to make them easier to deport buff.ly/77inLuc

New data shows student test scores rose just slightly last year, while enrollment numbers dropped. Via @CalMatters buff.ly/j24tcMU

.@SenTedCruz wants more scrutiny of the consultants who help districts apply for E-Rate broadband discounts, but a recent @FFL report showed most districts have only one staff person or no one trained to handle the application process. @lrj417 reports buff.ly/7LhM8OB

Could early care and education be funded through ballot measures? Some places say yes buff.ly/GfS0EQV

Pondiscio: Emily Hanford helped transform how schools teach reading. Now she's challenging what teachers believe about teaching itself buff.ly/fLQoxbS

City council members are urging state officials to grant an analog option for state testing — just months after fully transitioning to online exams. Via @Chalkbeat buff.ly/4x9ld7d

Michael Horn & Diane Tavenner discuss the need to leverage advances in tech and focus on individualized learning pathways the74million.org/article/gro… @ClassDisrupted @michaelbhorn @dianetavenner

Mayor Mamdani and Gov. Hochul said the free programming will cover 17 of the city’s 32 school districts, including all of the Bronx and Staten Island buff.ly/gZX7EzU

“Shielding students from high standards is not compassionate; it simply delays the consequences.” @johnarnold @Arnold_Ventures buff.ly/AOMe87t

Li: My charter network creates a leadership pipeline by giving teachers instruction, coaching and hands-on experience. New York City's mayor can, too buff.ly/sojuhBJ