Essential education reporting across America

Politics & Policy

The front of Pennsylvania Judicial Center building in Harrisburg.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Pennsylvania’s school funding system violates state constitution, judge rules
Commonwealth Court judge highlights disparities between school districts, but her ruling could be swiftly appealed.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
A teacher sits at a horseshoe desk working with six elementary-age children. They have papers on the desk, and the students are following along.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Student & School Performance
Four-day week in 27J schools had negative impact on housing market, academics, study finds
Homeowners may have been better off paying the higher property taxes the district first asked for, the study suggests.
By Yesenia Robles
 
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks into a microphone at a podium with the words MI kids back on track in front of a united states flag as a crowd looks on.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Whitmer K-12 education budget centers on proposals with bipartisan support
Plan to be released on Wednesday will stress tutoring, literacy, and preschool.
By Tracie Mauriello
 
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From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
Gov. Lee wants to raise base pay for Tennessee teachers to $50,000 by 2027
Schwinn says salary leap would be ‘game changer’ to recruit and retain educators
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A masked woman receives a shot from a doctor.
From Chalkbeat New York COVID and Schools
Mayor Eric Adams drops COVID vaccine requirement for NYC employees and public school visitors
Monday’s announcement represents the Adams administration’s gradual unpeeling of COVID-related rules established under former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
By Reema Amin
 
Teacher holds a piece of paper in front of a classroom of students.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Whitmer to ask Legislature to fund scholarships and stipends for future teachers, but won’t resurrect $1.5 billion retention bonus proposal
Governor’s office to unveil budget Wednesday.
By Tracie Mauriello
 
A teacher wearing glasses and a striped shirt speaks to a group of young students while they work at a whiteboard in a preschool classroom
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Pre-K for all Michigan 4-year-olds sounds good. But will there be enough teachers?
Early educators will be watching closely for details in Whitmer’s preschool proposal in a budget presentation next week.
By Koby Levin
 
Two men wearing business suits speak with each other in a committee room.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
Concern over Tennessee’s third grade reading and retention law prompts flurry of bills
Summer camps and tutoring are popular, but holding students back because of a test score is not
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Three high school graduates in blue caps and gowns are in the background, while a close up of a graduation cap with photos taped to it is in the foreground.
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
NYC’s 2022 graduation rate rises as state officials relax graduation requirements
Students from nearly every demographic group saw higher rates, though some gaps among groups widened.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
A woman in a dress and wearing a mask raises her hand in front of a project screen while several people sit at desks and look at her.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Teachers wouldn’t be affected by Michigan right-to-work repeal, but their unions still back it
Labor leaders say they want to be prepared if Supreme Court changes its mind about dues requirements for public employees.
By Tracie Mauriello
 
Lawmakers socially distance using the floor and balcony in the Indiana Senate chamber on Organization Day at the Indiana Statehouse in 2020.
From Chalkbeat Indiana Higher Education
‘The right thing to do:’ Indiana considers in-state tuition for students without legal U.S. residency
Similar proposals have been brought in past legislative sessions without success.
By Aleksandra Appleton
 
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From Chalkbeat Indiana Politics & Policy
Indiana’s plan to ‘reinvent high school’ moves forward with grants of up to $5,000 for job training
Lawmakers made some changes, including allowing schools to host joint career fairs, to meet the bill’s requirements.
By Aleksandra Appleton
 
A woman stands at a lectern with two other people seated in the background.
From Chalkbeat New York Charters & Choice
Hochul’s proposal to lift NYC charter school cap faces uncertain fate in Albany
The proposal could face opposition in a Democratic-controlled legislature.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
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
 
A student in a gray hoodie looks down at a paper exam. His hands are put together and resting against his chin and mouth.
From Chalkbeat New York Assessment and testing
NYC schools are once again cleared to grade their own students’ Regents exams. Will score manipulation surge?
But some experts worry that teachers will unfairly bump up familiar students’ scores.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
A historic building with a tall spire against a blue sky with clouds.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan Legislature
Michigan lawmakers consider ending retention rule in third-grade reading law
Tutoring and preschool, not holding kids back, will help address Michigan’s literacy struggles, state superintendent tells lawmakers.
By Tracie Mauriello
 
Denver school board members sit at a dais in a gymnasium. The audience sits in folding chairs with their backs to the camera. A big screen shows a stopwatch counting down.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Denver needs to redraw its school board districts due to uneven population growth
The redistricting process is already underway, and Denver Public Schools is seeking feedback on four potential maps.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A picture of the Illinois state capitol during the evening as the sky is blue and the streets and buildings near looks to be quiet.
From Chalkbeat Chicago State Government
Tony Sanders named as Illinois’ next state superintendent
The Illinois State Board of Education named Tony Sanders as the next state superintendent. Sanders, who is currently the superintendent of Elgin’s U-46, will start his new job on Feb. 23.
By Samantha Smylie
 
A little boy jumps off of a plush set of steps. A little girl walks with a doll and a bucket of toys in the foreground as another boy stands near a window in the back of the classroom.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Early Childhood Education
Taking a cue from Tennessee Promise, lawmakers propose scholarships to address child care ‘crisis’
Promising Futures would tap sports betting tax revenues
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Woman speaks into table microphone
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Charter schools
Two charter schools in Memphis and Nashville to move to new state-run district
Charter commission district grows with more ASD schools
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A bulldozer moves dirt at a school construction site.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Healthy schools
Tennessee’s K-12 schools need $9 billion in infrastructure investment
Local governments struggle to keep pace with construction costs
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A student works on letter sounds, using a board with magnetic letters at a circular table.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Colorado school finance committee backs special ed funding increase, won’t vote on new formula
Colorado’s school finance committee recommends increasing special education funding. A broader rewrite of Colorado’s school funding formula could still come later this session.
By Erica Meltzer
 
A teacher kneels on a rug shaped like the globe while students sit in a circle around her.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Teacher training
Lawmakers want to expand student teacher stipends, loan forgiveness
Colorado lawmakers want to make more student teachers and educators eligible for financial aid, to attract more students to the profession.
By Jason Gonzales
 
Three men sit at a desk in a classroom.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Digital literacy, high school diploma programs for adults who haven’t finished high school could get boost from two Colorado bills
Colorado bills would fund more adult education to produce more educated workers and train more people for hard-to-fill jobs.
By Jason Gonzales
 
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 man speaks into a bullhorn. A high-rise building looms behind him.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Denver school board member obtains restraining order against district critic
Board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson says an argument between him and Brandon Pryor at his workplace crossed the line into threats, a claim Pryor disputes.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Close-up photo of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer against a black background.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Whitmer’s fifth State of the State: Expanded preschool, tutoring top education agenda
Ambitious plans depend on being able to find enough staff.
By Tracie Mauriello and Koby Levin
 
The pillars inside the Indiana Statehouse
From Chalkbeat Indiana Vouchers
Indiana advances plan to expand school choice program to more students
Supporters say school choice bill would give parents more power, while critics say it would take funds from public schools.
By Aleksandra Appleton
 
A girl writes in a notebook, with a calculator and white piggy bank sitting on the desk.
From Chalkbeat Indiana Politics & Policy
Indiana students may need to learn how to open bank accounts, take out loans in order to graduate
High schoolers beginning with the Class of 2028 would be required to take the class under an Indiana Senate bill.
By Aleksandra Appleton
 
Silhouettes of Denver teachers picketing outside South High School on February 11, 2019.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Teaching & Classroom
Overworked, underpaid, under attack: Union survey highlights Colorado teacher challenges
A Colorado Education Association member survey found teachers are worried about mass shootings and political interference. Staffing shortages feel worse than ever.
By Erica Meltzer
 
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