By Carl Smith for Governing.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration On an 81 degree day last September, environmental city planner Sharon Danks went onto the playground at a California elementary school with an infrared camera. Grassy areas in full sun measured 83 degrees, but unshaded asphalt was 107 and rubber surfaces under an exposed play structure came in at 135. Asphalt shaded by tree canopy was more than 30 degrees cooler. .
The Level Up report from Lumina Foundation shows 600,000 fewer Black young adults are enrolled in college versus 20 years ago, and 300,000 fewer are enrolled in community colleges, despite a growing population. Black students are more likely to be caregivers of children or parents versus other students, and more likely to work full-time.
It is Teacher Appreciation Week , and one Arizona lawmaker, who is a former elementary school teacher, wants to recognize the important work educators do every day. Rep. Laura Terech, D-Phoenix, said she got involved in politics after getting frustrated with Arizona s public school system. .
As Teacher Appreciation Week continues, Minnesotans are reminded of the commitment educators bring to the classroom, and the message is coming from broader support staff. This year s events celebrating educators come as lawmakers in other states place more scrutiny on curriculum. Certain parent groups also are ratcheting up pressure on school systems over "culture war" issues. .
A recent report looking at Black enrollment in the nation s colleges shows a stark downturn in recent years. The Lumina Foundation s Level Up report says that despite a steadily growing Black young adult population since 2000, over the last 20 years Black student enrolment in the nation s colleges has declined by around 600,000, and 300,000 of those are students lost from the community college system. The report illustrates the more frequent financial and life challenges faced by Black students, including their being more likely to be caregivers to children or parents versus other students. .