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The COVID-19 pandemic and decreasing enrollment enabled San Jose community colleges to stretch free tuition to part-time students, but all that may be in jeopardy by next summer. The federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund gave Evergreen Valley and San Jose City colleges millions in funding to help students stay enrolled. Evergreen Valley College received...
‘They’re exhausted’: Silicon Valley schools need bus drivers
Santa Clara County school districts are doing all they can to get bus drivers on board amid a nationwide shortage. Ongoing vacancies have drivers stretched thin, prompting schools to woo potential employees with higher compensation and training opportunities. The shortages also mean longer bus routes, which can cause students to be late for school. Officials say...
Silicon Valley officials call for gun violence prevention in schools
Silicon Valley school districts and officials are pushing for new approaches to preventing gun violence, while experts question whether police on campuses add to school safety. At an event hosted as part of the House Democrats’ Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action, a number of officials including San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Congressmember Zoe Lofgren and...
Vacant San Jose school land to turn into housing
A small school district in West San Jose is selling off land where single-family homes are planned, setting off a debate about whether denser housing should be built there. The San Jose City Council approved plans Tuesday from local developer Robson Homes to build 21 homes along with 14 accessory dwelling units, also known as...
San Jose church tackles teacher housing
Grace Chaverini’s morning commute is a walk right across the street to St. John Vianney’s Catholic school, thanks to the church’s innovative approach to teacher housing. The Catholic parish transformed its convent into teacher housing for 16 people in an effort to offset living costs for educators. The East San Jose church is looking for...
Some Silicon Valley schools ahead of state in early education
Schools are implementing a statewide movement for universal transitional kindergarten this year, but districts will have to do much more before all of Santa Clara County’s youngest learners can sit in a classroom. California is pushing for widespread access to transitional kindergarten (TK) through its universal pre-kindergarten initiative passed in 2021. This grade level will be...
‘A sigh of relief’: San Jose students react to federal loan plan
Brian Luu didn’t find out about President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan through Instagram or TikTok like his peers. He found out from a phone call with his mom. “This would mean a lot for me and my family,” Luu, a San Jose State University computer science major, told San José Spotlight. “There’s a...
Election 2022: San Jose school board races taking shape
San Jose voters who live in some of the largest school districts will be voting for trustees with various levels of experience come November. These school board candidates are addressing a host of issues, including affordable teacher housing, police officers on school campuses and education disparity. Their oversight will be needed in how millions in funding is...
San Jose schools ease COVID rules
Silicon Valley school districts are focusing on recovery this school year, while keeping an eye on lingering COVID-19 infections. Pandemic safety measures, including mask mandates, are being lifted as districts still try to track positive coronavirus infections. Schools are working toward a new normal while also reckoning with the pandemic’s effects on learning. Schools have followed...
Election 2022: Silicon Valley schools seek funds for upgrades, programs
Santa Clara County residents will be asked to approve millions of dollars in education funding come November. A yes vote would mean several local school districts could tackle Silicon Valley’s ongoing digital divide and teacher shortage. But if the measures fail, schools will be challenged to get the necessary funds to attract teachers and upgrade facilities and necessary school...