👨⚖️ 41 States vs. Meta, 🔒Cybersecurity Month, 🛡️ Jewish Schools' Security & More!
SmartEdu News 2023-10-26
🇺🇸 U.S. EDUCATION
41 States Sue Meta Over the Social Media Giant’s Impact on Kids
Thirty-three U.S. states are suing Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, alleging it harms children's mental health and shares data on kids under 13 without parental consent. Eight more states and the District of Columbia are also suing Meta for similar issues. The lawsuit claims Meta uses algorithms to keep children engaged and presents content in ways that encourage compulsive use. Educators have long expressed concerns about social media's impact on students' well-being, and this legal action is part of a broader push to address these issues, putting the social media industry on notice.
Cybersecurity Best Practices for K-12 Schools
For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Google is promoting robust cybersecurity in K-12 schools with a guidebook available in over 20 languages. The guide stresses the vulnerability of educational institutions to cyber threats and recommends Google Workspace for Education and Chromebooks for enhanced security. It offers practical tips like secure authentication and educating staff and students on online safety. Google is dedicated to helping schools protect their data and digital learning environments.
Visualizing Immigration’s Influence on Public Schooling
This data visualization explores the profound influence of immigration on U.S. public schools, with 23% of students coming from immigrant households. This demographic shift has localized impacts, budgetary challenges, and linguistic diversity, all painting a nuanced picture of immigration's role in American education.
Jewish schools adjust security as Israel-Gaza War Stokes Fears
Amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict and a surge in religious-based attacks, Jewish schools in the United States are fortifying their security measures. Concerned about potential threats, they're hiring security personnel, restricting access, and revising safety plans. Some have temporarily closed, while others rely on grants for funding. The financial strain is significant, as these security measures come with substantial costs. Additionally, Muslim and Arab students are facing harassment in this charged atmosphere. The challenges faced by these schools have prompted these security upgrades.
The Nation’s Top-Performing Public School System
The Defense Department's network of schools, which educates children of service members and Defense Department employees, has consistently outperformed all 50 states in reading and math scores for eighth and fourth graders. Their success is attributed to high standards, a disciplined classroom culture, racial and economic integration, ample funding, and a well-organized curriculum based on Common Core principles. Despite some inherent advantages, their achievement offers a potential model for improving education in the United States.
🌎 INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Girls in Africa Quitting School over Cost of Living Crisis
Camfed calls for a six-year plan to get 6 million girls back into school in Africa, emphasizing the impact of the cost of living crisis on education. The charity's partnership model aims to support more girls and help women enter the workforce. Despite past success, millions of girls worldwide remain out of school.
Killing of Teacher and Hamas Assault Set a Jittery France on Edge
France is on high alert following recent terror attacks. A teacher was killed in a knife attack in northern France, following terror attacks in Israel and Gaza. The timing of the attack raised concerns of a connection with the Middle East conflict, but the attacker made no direct mention of it. France has a large Jewish and Muslim population, and there have been increased antisemitic acts recently. The attack has reignited the debate on immigration and radicalization in the country. Security measures have been increased at schools, and France is considering deportation of radicalized individuals.
Two-thirds of Refugee Children in Armenia Enrolled in School
In Armenia, where 21,000 refugee children recently fled their homes due to conflict, two-thirds are now enrolled in national schools, but one-third lack access to education. UNICEF is working with the Armenian government to enhance school access and provide essential support. This includes educational resources, mental health services, and strengthening the education system. UNICEF has issued a $12.6 million appeal for funding to aid these efforts.
China Passes Patriotic Education Law for Children
China's national legislature passed a Patriotic Education Law to strengthen patriotic education for children and families. The law is aimed at countering challenges such as "historical nihilism" and ensuring "national unity." It emphasizes the need to be rational, inclusive, and open-minded while promoting patriotism. The law will go into effect on January 1, 2024, outlining responsibilities for government departments, schools, and families. It also includes targeted measures for various groups, including government officials, employees, and residents in special administrative regions.