Essential education reporting across America

Curriculum and instruction

A child in a blue shirt walks under an archway of blue and orange balloons, with other people in the background.
From Chalkbeat New York Eric Adams
Back to school for NYC’s nearly 900,000 students brings smiles and sweat
Students returned to the city’s nearly 1,600 schools on a sweltering Thursday as a possible bus strike loomed.
By Amy Zimmer, Michael Elsen-Rooney, and 2 more
 
A woman sits at a desk and looks at a laptop as a child raises his hand in front of her.
Curriculum and instruction Curriculum and instruction
New science of reading laws are missing some important science
Good reading requires more than phonics. It also requires comprehension skills, including background knowledge — an issue that has gotten relatively little attention.
By Matt Barnum
 
A young girl holds a blue marker in her hand as she sits at a desk and writes an equation on poster paper.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Student & School Performance
Chicago’s first day of school is almost here. Here are five things we’re watching this year.
The issues include the city’s precarious funding situation, enrollment shifts, and what support will look like for migrant students.
By Reema Amin
 
A stone building bearing the etched words “COURT HOUSE” beside a lamppost
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Teaching & Classroom
Tennessee teachers group drops one of two lawsuits challenging new state laws
Challenge to classroom censorship will continue, while fight against the state’s ban on payroll dues collection ends.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A boy in a blue school uniform sits at a table reading a book.
From Chalkbeat New York Curriculum and instruction
As NYC overhauls elementary literacy curriculum, some high schools are following suit
High school superintendents are urging schools in their districts to adopt a standardized English language arts curriculum.
By Michael Elsen-Rooney
 
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From Chalkbeat Detroit Literacy
Detroit officials propose contract extension with Beyond Basics
The tutoring program will exclusively work with K-8 students at eight schools next year.
By Ethan Bakuli
 
Students raise their hands in a classroom with a bulletin board that says “American History.”
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Teaching & Classroom
Teachers sue over Tennessee law restricting what they can teach about race, gender, and bias
The lawsuit is the first legal challenge to the controversial 2021 law
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Students sitting around a table
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Curriculum and instruction
How Philadelphia is rolling out its first big curriculum shift in 7 years to teachers and schools
Math teachers will use the materials in the upcoming school year as part of what Superintendent Tony Watlington called an “historic investment.”
By Dale Mezzacappa and Carly Sitrin
 
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From Chalkbeat Colorado Teaching & Classroom
Thinking about tutoring for your child? Here’s what you might want to consider.
As parents, what questions should you be asking about tutoring and whether your student can benefit? Here are some tips and insights from experts.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A student in a black hooded sweatshirt stands in front of a high school.
From Chalkbeat New York COVID and Schools
NYC’s graduation rates rose during the pandemic. A grading policy shift may hold some clues.
The policy gave 1 in 3 NYC high-schoolers placeholder grades if they didn’t complete their work, allowing some to move on more easily.
By Amanda Geduld
 
A little boy reads a children’s book at a small wooden table.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Curriculum and instruction
DPSCD is about to get its long-promised $94.4 million for literacy programs. Here’s what you need to know.
District officials are eager to spend the money to hire more academic interventionists, but a task force will also seek community input
By Ethan Bakuli
 
Noel Community Arts School students work through assigned classwork during a study period at the Denver school in May 2019.
From Chalkbeat Indiana Curriculum and instruction
Indiana families will no longer be charged textbooks fees. Here’s what to expect.
The law is a big change for families used to paying hundreds of dollars per student for textbooks each year.
By Aleksandra Appleton
 
A boy in a white T-shirt uses tools to build something.
From Chalkbeat New York Diversity & Equity
A new Brooklyn high school to focus on housing, tech, and art through a social justice lens
Design Works High School students will spend their freshman year studying how housing and environmental issues affect their community.
By Eliana Perozo
 
A man with glasses and an Afro style haircut stands with his hand in the air holding a piece of paper.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
The ‘Tennessee 3’ created a historic teachable moment. Will schools be allowed to teach it?
‘We definitely have noticed that a silencing is happening in our schools,’ said one student.
By Marta W. Aldrich and Laura Testino
 
A girl leans over a book, pointing at a word with her finger.
From Chalkbeat New York Literacy
Why one reading program is gaining the most traction under NYC’s new literacy mandate
Nearly half of NYC’s school districts are mandating their elementary schools use a single reading program come September.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
Exterior of the Philadelphia School District building.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Tony Watlington
Passing a budget, praising a plan, telling a charter school no: Philadelphia’s long board meeting
Board members approved millions in spending on technology, summer programming, and curriculum. They also denied a charter school application.
By Carly Sitrin
 
Girl (6-8) looking at book in library, silhouette
From Chalkbeat Indiana Curriculum and instruction
Indiana’s new ‘science of reading’ law mandates research-backed literacy instruction
Indiana has joined several other states in passing laws that require schools to use curriculum materials that stress phonics when teaching students to read. The state is putting over $100 million behind the effort.
By Amelia Pak-Harvey
 
Students sit in a classroom wearing masks while a teacher leads a lesson in front of a screen.
From Chalkbeat New York Community & Wraparound Programs
NYC’s Summer Rising program rejected 45,000 applicants, launching scramble for child care
With just a month until the school year ends, families are scrambling to find alternate summer programs for their children.
By Reema Amin
 
High angle view of large group of elementary students having a class in the classroom. Teacher is assisting one student.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Curriculum and instruction
Illinois passes a bill requiring the State Board of Education to create a literacy plan by 2024
Illinois legislators passed a bill on Friday that will require the State Board of Education to create a literacy plan for public schools to ensure that schools are teaching evidence-based reading.
By Samantha Smylie
 
A woman seated at a table with stacks of books featuring an image of a child on the cover. A small child is behind the woman.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Racial Justice
Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges on her life story being banned: ‘When they started targeting me, I couldn’t ignore it’
Pioneer of school desegregation says resolving racial differences requires telling the truth about history — ‘good, bad, or ugly.’
By Tonyaa Weathersbee
 
Three students sit with work in front of a chalkboard.
From Chalkbeat New York Literacy
Reading instruction is getting an overhaul in NYC. Here’s how that could affect your school.
Balanced literacy and word guessing are out. Phonics, science, and social studies are in.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
three men stand at a podium in suits
From Chalkbeat New York Literacy
NYC forces elementary schools to use one of three reading programs in massive literacy push
In the next two years, all NYC elementary schools will be required to overhaul literacy instruction.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
A teacher sits a small table holding up a whiteboard so two students can see it.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Meeting the Moment
This Colorado elementary school nearly closed. A math makeover helped it stay open.
Minnequa Elementary School’s progress comes as many schools are trying to reverse pandemic-era drops in math achievement.
By Ann Schimke
 
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From Chalkbeat Detroit Teaching & Classroom
Student use of artificial intelligence software under discussion in Michigan school districts
DPSCD students would need teacher permission to use tools such as ChatGPT for class assignments under revised policy
By Ethan Bakuli
 
A woman in a black jacket helps a young girl as she’s reading a children’s book.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Literacy
Illinois education advocates are hoping state lawmakers pass legislation changing how schools teach reading
One bill moving quickly in Illinois’ general assembly would require state education officials to develop a statewide literacy plan aimed at improving reading instruction.
By Samantha Smylie
 
A rendering shows plans for a renovated Yankee Pier at Governors Island, leading toward a new public plaza and new buildings comprising the New York Climate Exchange.
From Chalkbeat New York Higher Education
Stony Brook University to spearhead Governors Island climate center
The SUNY school on Long Island will lead a partnership of academic institutions, nonprofits, and community groups to come up with climate solutions.
By Samantha Maldonado
 
A woman in a blazer stands in a classroom looking at a group of students, blurred in the foreground.
How I Teach How I Teach
How the 2023 National Teacher of the Year teaches math and makes time for stories
Rebecka Peterson knows math can be intimidating. Here’s how the award-winning teacher opens up and helps students feel like “math people.”
By Kalyn Belsha
 
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From Chalkbeat Detroit How I Teach
This Detroit teacher’s mission: Bring back school libraries
“I do see them as like an artery of the school,” Josie Silver said of libraries.
By Ethan Bakuli
 
Two students work at a table, facing away from the camera, while a teacher in a pink shirt on the other side of the table writes on a small hand-held white board.
From Chalkbeat New York Literacy
Meet the principal of NYC’s first district school exclusively for students who struggle to read
The new school, known as South Bronx Literacy Academy, is the culmination of years of advocacy from a handful of parent advocates.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
An inside view of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. United States on March 22, 2023.
First Person First Person
White students need more information about race and racism, not less
It’s not about making white children ‘feel bad.’ It’s about teaching them how to build a better future.
By Kathryn Wiley
 
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