Charter Closures, Elite College Admissions, and Smart Phone Bans - Edu News for October 2024

Charters Closures Leave Students ScramblingNew research from the National Center for Charter School Accountability and the Network for Public Education reveals troubling patterns in charter school longevity. Analyzing over 2 million Department of Education records, researchers found that 55% of charter schools fail by their 20th year, with a quarter closing within just five years of opening. These closures, often triggered by enrollment decline or mismanagement, create significant disruptions for millions of students annually—frequently with little to no warning.Elite College Admissions Arms RaceThe rise of premium college consulting services, like Jamie Beaton's Crimson Education, has sparked fresh debate about equity in elite college admissions. With consultants working with students as young as 11 to craft the perfect academic profile, and boasting acceptance rates 6-7 times higher than normal at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Yale, we're forced to question: Has college admissions become more about costly strategies than merit?UK's Bold Moves Against Phones in SchoolsUK educators and teachers' unions are pushing for national legislation to ban smartphones in schools. A proposed bill introduced by Labour MP Josh MacAlister would require students to store phones in locked boxes until the end of the school day. Early adopters of similar policies report decreased drama and increased physical activity among students. Even Eton College, Britain's most elite boarding school, is joining the movement, having announced a phone ban that started in September 2024. Their approach? Allow simple Nokia phones for calls and texts while prohibiting smart devices—a move aimed at prioritizing learning and reducing distractions.Oklahoma's Ongoing Religious Education ControversyA lawsuit filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court on October 17th challenges State Superintendent Ryan Walters' plan to spend $3 million on leather-bound Bibles containing the Constitution and Declaration of Independence for public schools. Parents and teachers argue this mandate violates religious freedom by favoring a specific Protestant interpretation.College Sports' New EraThe National Letter of Intent (NLI) system, a cornerstone of college athletic recruitment since 1964, has been eliminated as of October 2024. Athletes will now sign financial aid agreements that may include revenue-sharing contracts—a change following the 2021 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reforms. This shift could widen the gap between wealthy institutions and smaller programs, though its full impact remains to be seen.Subscribe to 16:1 podcast for more in-depth analysis of education policy and reform. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or stream it directly from our website.Sources & Resources:Stanton wins ALCS MVP as peers agree: 'This is what Big G lives for'Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Comet appears on the western horizonThe Guru Who Says He Can Get Your 11-Year-Old Into Harvard - WSJSignings of the times: Banished letters of intent, shrunk transfer window equals more college chaos | AP NewsNCAA approves elimination of national letter of intent program - ESPNNew students at Eton, the poshest of Britain's elite private schools, will not be allowed smartphones - CBS NewsMore than 25% of charters shutter within 5 years - K-12 DiveNew Report Reveals Startling Rates of Charter School Failures - WJBFTexas AFT :‘Doomed To Fail’: New Report Shows How Charter School Churn Harms Students They Purported to Help ‣ Texas AFTOklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official's classroom Bible mandateBibles that Oklahoma wants for schools match version backed by Trump | AP NewsOklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official’s classroom Bible mandate | CNNSupreme Court of Oklahoma - Ryan Walters CaseDoomed to Fail - NCCSANew students at Eton, the poshest of Britain's elite private schools, will not be allowed smartphones - CBS NewsFirst school to ban smartphones adds to pressure on Starmer to protect children | The IndependentMobile phones in schools - GOV.UKFight begins to make mobile-free schools lawSmartphones could be banned in schools in England under new law