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momument circle in Indianapolis
From Chalkbeat Indiana Campaigns and elections
Where Indianapolis mayoral candidates stand on education issues: an election guide
The mayor has a significant impact on crime, the economy, and housing in Indianapolis — all of which affect the educators and students who go to school here. Here’s how the candidates plan to tackle these issues, and more.
By MJ Slaby
 
Colorful Pride fans and pins with pronouns sit on a black tablecloth.
From Chalkbeat Indiana Politics & Policy
Senators advance bill targeting student pronoun changes in Indiana schools
Schools would have to inform parents if a student requests to change their name or pronouns for any reason under the bill.
By Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle
 
A clear blue sky over the clock tower of Philadelphia’s City Hall in Center City.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Campaigns and elections
Mayoral candidates present their visions for improving Philadelphia education
Candidates want to lengthen the school day, offer free transportation, knock down old buildings, and raise teacher pay, among other ideas.
By Dale Mezzacappa and Carly Sitrin
 
Several students and parents make their way into Newark’s Lafayette Street School on the first day of classes.
From Chalkbeat Newark Campaigns and elections
Have a question for the Newark school board candidates? Help us develop Chalkbeat’s voter guide.
We want your input in our voter guide for the Newark school board election in April. Send us your questions by March 30.
By Catherine Carrera
 
Two men running for Chicago mayor shake hands after a recent forum.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Campaigns and elections
Chicago mayoral election 2023: Where the two candidates stand on 5 key education issues
Chalkbeat breaks down Paul Vallas’ and Brandon Johnson’s positions on education issues.
By Mauricio Peña and Becky Vevea
 
Reginald Streater sits in president’s chair
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Campaigns and elections
Schools need more money, Philadelphia school board tells mayoral candidates
Board President Reginald Streater wants the city to increase annual local funding for the district by $318 million by 2027.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
A polling site in Newark’s Central Ward on Nov. 6.
From Chalkbeat Newark Campaigns and elections
Eight Newark candidates seek three school board seats in N.J.’s largest school system
Newark voters will pick from a list of new and returning candidates when they cast their ballots on April 25.
By Jessie Gomez
 
Two campaign yard signs. One for Brandon Johnson and one for Paul Vallas are posted along a Chicago sidewalk.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Chicago Mayoral Election 2023
Paul Vallas supporters disrupt a Brandon Johnson event focused on Vallas’ schools leadership
Supporters of the former Chicago schools chief Paul Vallas interrupted a press conference held by Brandon Johnson backers aimed at denouncing Vallas’ schools record ahead of the heated mayoral runoff election.
By Becky Vevea
 
A group of four people including a man running for mayor walk out of a school building on Chicago’s South Side.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Campaigns and elections
From teacher to elected official: How Brandon Johnson’s organizing roots set the stage for mayoral run
As the Chicago Teachers Union found its political footing, Johnson worked on the union’s front line. Now, his years of knocking on doors might be his secret weapon to win over voters.
By Mauricio Peña
 
An overhead view of the NY Assembly room with red carpets and rows of yellow chairs
From Chalkbeat New York Charter schools
New York lawmakers reject Gov. Hochul’s charter school proposal
Both the state Senate and Assembly called to remove Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to allow New York City to open more than 100 new charter schools.
By Reema Amin and Alex Zimmerman
 
A white building with columns stands against a bright blue sky. An American flag is visible.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Campaigns and elections
Education has become an issue in the Denver mayoral election. Here’s why.
17 candidates are on the ballot. It’s the first wide-open mayoral race in Denver in 12 years.
By Melanie Asmar
 
An election judge sets out voting stickers on a table.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Campaigns and elections
An election guide: Where Denver’s mayoral candidates stand on education
The Denver mayor plays no formal role in running the school system, but that hasn’t stopped some candidates from suggesting that person should have a louder voice and even appoint members to the school board.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Two campaign yard signs. One for Brandon Johnson and one for Paul Vallas are posted along a Chicago sidewalk.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are in a runoff to be Chicago’s next mayor. Here’s how they answered 10 important education questions.
The top two candidates to be Chicago’s next mayor are headed to a runoff election. Both have deep experience in public education, but differ on many key challenges facing the school district. Here’s how they answered a Chalkbeat questionnaire.
By Becky Vevea
 
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas has garnered a third of the vote with Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson in second place in a crowded field of nine candidates.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Campaigns and elections
Chicago 2023 mayoral election: Former schools chief, teachers union organizer headed to runoff
With nearly all precincts reporting, former Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas and teachers union organizer Brandon Johnson are headed to a runoff to be Chicago’s next mayor on April 4.
By Becky Vevea and Mauricio Peña
 
Several children hold up colored letters spelling out “Secure” while standing in front of a curtain as several other children sit in front of them.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Campaigns and elections
Philadelphia mayoral hopefuls must prioritize children’s needs and educator pay, coalition says
The Kids Campaignhas detailed policy proposals for issues like the teacher shortage, summer jobs, and juvenile justice.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
man in suit stands at microphone
From Chalkbeat Indiana Politics & Policy
Bill to make school board races in Indiana partisan dies in the House
Indiana is one of 41 states where local school board candidates aren’t identified by party on ballots.
By Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle
 
Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas announces his education platform at his campaign headquarters
From Chalkbeat Chicago Campaigns and elections
In a tight mayoral race, Paul Vallas’ legacy as Chicago schools first CEO comes into focus
Candidates have taken aim at Vallas, arguing he helped create Chicago schools’ current financial problems and laid the groundwork that led to the eventual closing of Black and Latino schools.
By Mauricio Peña
 
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot cutting a ribbon at Belmont Cragin Elementary School surrounded by students and other city officials.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Lori Lightfoot could be the last Chicago mayor with control of the city’s public schools. How has she done so far?
Lightfoot struggled with labor relations and pandemic school closures, changed her views on an elected school board, and plowed more city money into school building repairs during her first term.
By Mauricio Peña and Becky Vevea
 
momument circle in Indianapolis
From Chalkbeat Indiana Campaigns and elections
What education questions should we ask Indy mayor candidates? Help us make Chalkbeat’s voter guide.
Help us create Chalkbeat’s voter guide ahead of the primary election.
By MJ Slaby
 
Yellow school buses head out past other parked buses in a terminal lot.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Two new Denver school board redistricting maps cause concern among community groups
Among the concerns is that the maps would dilute the power of Latino voters in southwest Denver.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A truck with a Ben and Jerry’s pint is in the background while a woman in a red sweater gives a rose to a student.
From Chalkbeat Newark Campaigns and elections
Newark nonprofit celebrates “votingtine’s week” to raise turnout in this year’s school board election
With only 3% of voters participating in last year’s school board election, Newark based group Project Ready hopes to increase this year’s turnout.
By Jessie Gomez
 
Students walk outside a school in Brooklyn. The school is brick, and a young student in a white shirt is in the foreground.
From Chalkbeat New York Campaigns and elections
What a Community Education Council does and how to join one
Community Education Councils are volunteer boards that contribute to decisions made around school district zoning, education material, school buildings, and more.
By Divya Murthy, THE CITY
 
A stands at a lectern in front of a ballroom while a crowd of supporters watch from dining room tables.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Campaigns and elections
Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson calls for free transit rides for students, more support for Chicago schools
The Cook Commissioner and Teachers Union organizer’s education platform includes tackling the district’s school funding model and providing free public transit rides and universal child care.
By Mauricio Peña and Becky Vevea
 
A gray building and a bare tree under a cloudy sky as seen from a distance with a large expanse of grass in the foreground.
From Chalkbeat Indiana Campaigns and elections
Speedway schools seek renewal of 2016 operating referendum to pay for staff
The small Marion County school district enjoyed broad support for its two previous ballot questions it placed before voters in 2010 and 2016.
By Amelia Pak-Harvey
 
A clear blue sky over the clock tower of Philadelphia’s City Hall in Center City.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
These are the 9 candidates for Philadelphia mayor and their track records in education
The mayor appoints school board members and with the city council decides Philadelphia’s contribution to the district budget.
By Dale Mezzacappa and Nora Macaluso
 
The exterior of Chicago’s City Hall.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Campaigns and elections
Where do Chicago’s mayoral candidates stand on education? We asked them 10 questions.
After collecting dozens of questions from readers, Chalkbeat Chicago sent 10 to the candidates running for mayor. Here’s a look at where they stand on the top issues facing Chicago Public Schools.
By Becky Vevea and Mauricio Peña
 
Michelle Robinson McKissack
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Campaigns and elections
Former MSCS board chair McKissack vies to become Memphis’ first woman mayor
Pledges to continue advocating for teachers and public schools
By Tonyaa Weathersbee
 
A smiling woman in a suit stands a lectern.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Campaigns and elections
Chicago Board of Ethics calls for watchdogs to investigate mayor’s campaign recruitment emails to teachers
The Board of Ethics has previously warned elected officials and campaigns to scrub their listserv of any government emails.
By Mauricio Peña
 
A woman with black hair wearing a red coat raises her right hand and laughs with other people in a crowd outside. In the background is a brick building with a sign reading “Edward Heston Public School.”
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Campaigns and elections
Philadelphia teachers union endorses Helen Gym for mayor
Gym has a long history of focusing on education as an activist and former City Council member.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
A woman sits in a blue chair; in the background, a wall mural says “mental health matters”
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Campaigns and elections
MSCS board member Michelle McKissack sees a chance to change schools from the outside
Mayoral hopeful sees herself as a leader who can get district, city, and county to work together
By Samantha West
 
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