In the wake of a number of corruption scandals, the Alabama legislature endeavored to reform their system by enacting tough ethics laws. But does that mean that a student can no longer give a teacher a Christmas gift? For some students and parents in the Yellowhammer State, that may mean flirting with serious jail time, according to the state’s ethics commission. Is it too late to return Christmas gifts? In two opinions issued late last year, the commission explained at length that under the amended code “[t]he suggestion that it …
The United States is experiencing tough economic times and high levels of unemployment, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of young people taking unpaid internships to advance their careers. Unfortunately, current laws say that many unpaid internships are actually illegal because these positions do not qualify for the status of being “unpaid” as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The requirements of what constitutes an unpaid internship should be loosened to make it legal for more students to work for free if they choose to do so, …
Ted Ginn Sr., father of NFL wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., has coached some of the best college and professional talent in the NFL and NCAA. But he is doing something even more impressive off the field in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Ginn presented a plan to establish the Ginn Academy to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in 2006. The district accepted his blueprint, and Ginn opened a school for at-risk male students whom he felt could benefit from his unique style of leadership. The Ginn Academy, a privately …
This morning, families, students and community members gathered at the Capitol to show their support for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which is currently being phased-out by the Obama administration. Senator Joe Lieberman and Senator Susan Collins hosted a press conference to discuss the impact of the successful program, which has greatly improved the academic achievement of participating students, ensured their safety while at school, and maintained strong support among District residents. The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which has helped 3,300 low-income, primarily African American and Latino students gain access …
Blocking Children’s Path to a Better Future Omnibus Spending Bill Eliminates Opportunity: As it stands now, the House omnibus bill will eliminate the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (DCOSP). Since the program’s inception in 2004, the DCOSP has given thousands of low-income students in the District of Columbia access to a better education. For Children in Need: About 1,700 children currently attend private school using opportunity scholarships. The average household income of a DCOSP family is $23,000. Safe and Effective Learning Environments: DCOSP has yielded positive results for its participants. Studies …
