From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Montgomery: After COVID-19 disrupted two school years, lawmakers on Monday voted to delay an upcoming state requirement for third graders to pass a reading test before moving up to the fourth grade. The House of Representatives voted 68-27 for the bill by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, that would delay the promotion requirement, now set to take effect next year, by two years. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. The high-stakes promotion requirement is set to take effect at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, but supporters argued it would be unfair to force the requirement on students who were out of the traditional classroom for long stretches during the pandemic. The bill would move the implementation to the 2023-2024 school year. “These kids have had 14 months of not normal schooling. All they are asking for is a little compassion,” said Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile. “I have never ever had a bill where I’ve had
Clinics for kids, ban on pens, changes to benefits: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Montgomery: After COVID-19 disrupted two school years, lawmakers on Monday voted to delay an upcoming state requirement for third graders to pass a reading test before moving up to the fourth grade. The House of Representatives voted 68-27 for the bill by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, that would delay the promotion requirement, now set to take effect next year, by two years. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. The high-stakes promotion requirement is set to take effect at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, but supporters argued it would be unfair to force the requirement on students who were out of the traditional classroom for long stretches during the pandemic. The bill would move the implementation to the 2023-2024 school year. “These kids have had 14 months of not normal schooling. All they are asking for is a little c
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Health and community leaders gathered Sunday to help vaccinate newly eligible teenagers at The Warehouse teen center in an effort to combat vaccine hesitancy and close vaccine disparities in Black and brown communities.
The event aimed to vaccinate some of Delaware s first eligible teens after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 10 authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in people 12 to 15 years old. Teenagers and parents expressed their relief and gratitude about receiving the vaccine and encouraged others to sign up for the shots.
While she was initially hesitant to get the vaccine, 17-year-old Anaya Patterson was persuaded to do so after hearing from her vaccinated friends and family who remained healthy after their shots. Patterson, a board chair at The Warehouse, hoped to do the same and set an example for other teens by getting vaccinated at the event.
Henrietta Johnson Medical Center receives COVID-19 vaccine
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Dr. Yvette Gbemudu was first in line to receive the shot. I am so excited to be vaccinated today. I couldn t wait to be first in line, Dr. Gbemudu said.
She encourages everyone, especially in the Black community, to get one once its available to the public. Our community has been through a lot over the years and continues to go through a lot. We just want to express the positivity of being able to be in a place where we can receive the vaccine and protect our community, Dr. Gbemudu said.