Essential education reporting across America

Politics & Policy

A teacher leads a Black History lecture with her high school class. The students and teacher are wearing masks. There is a large flag with red, black, and green bars and a white outline of Africa behind her.
Tackling racism Tackling racism
Half of Black parents want schools to spend more time tackling racism, poll finds
Overall, most parents say schools are striking the right balance in addressing racism.
By Matt Barnum
 
Students are in discussion with each other at a table with snacks and markers.
From Chalkbeat New York School safety
Restorative justice funding under threat, NYC schools advocates warn
Dozens of advocacy groups are raising the alarm that restorative justice funding is “at risk” — including a planned expansion of restorative justice programs to all middle and high schools.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
A boy’s face can be seen peering out from a school bus seat. Other children are in the surrounding seats. The view is from inside the bus, looking down the center aisle. Another school bus can be seen out the back window.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Healthy schools
Colorado hopes cash infusion spurs electric school bus adoption
Colorado school districts can apply for funding to cover electric school buses and charging infrastructure from state or federal programs.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Two students wearing backpacks line up outside a brick school building.
From Chalkbeat New York Community & Wraparound Programs
NY to help cover back-to-school costs for low-income children
The one-time payments come as inflation has tightened household budgets across the country.
By Reema Amin
 
Two wall-mounted water fountains are marked with caution tape to prevent use.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Healthy schools
Colorado schools, child care centers must test water for lead, make fixes
The law comes with $21 million to pay for lead testing and and repairs.
By Ann Schimke
 
A large banner hangs from a railing at the top of the stairs in a high school. It reads, “Stay positive, test negative.”
From Chalkbeat Colorado COVID safety
Colorado’s COVID guidance for K-12: minimize disruption, stay alert
In an interview with Chalkbeat, State Epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy explains why she thinks Colorado’s approach to COVID in schools should evolve.
By Erica Meltzer
 
A photo of Betsy DeVos, the former U.S. Education Secretary, walking to a Congressional hearing.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan Legislature
Betsy DeVos-backed school scholarship plan for Michigan submits petitions
Supporters say the program would empower parents, but critics say the scholarships could undermine traditional public schools
By Jonathan Oosting
 
Supporters applaud during a White House ceremony this June after President Biden signs an executive order promoting LGBTQ rights.
LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+
Biden vs. GOP states: Where will the battle over transgender rights leave students?
Republican-led states oppose efforts to extend federal protections to trans students.
By Patrick Wall
 
An in-camera double exposure of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Charter schools
Hillsdale group’s charter school appeals will test independence of new Tennessee commission
College president’s mockery of teacher training won’t necessarily dash hopes to bring charters to the state
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A man in a mask and a blue jacket looks at school work in a classroom with two children, also in masks.
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
NYC school budget cuts can move forward for now, appeals court says
The court’s order brings whiplash to back-to-school planning. Four days prior, a lower court ruled the city needed to redo the education department budget.
By Amy Zimmer  and Alex Zimmerman
 
Some students are standing, while others are sitting in a classroom.
From Chalkbeat New York The Comeback
What is going on with NYC’s public school enrollment? We explain.
Student enrollment has big implications for public schools, and declines can lead to less funding and school closures or mergers.
By Reema Amin
 
A white woman with shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair and a blue-and-white shirt talks with a Black woman with short-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and a white t-shirt. Both women hold clipboards with signature sheets for a ballot measure. They’re standing against a wall with a mural that shows a cactus and a large Pabst Blue Ribbon bottle.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado Votes 2022
Colorado school funding measure won’t be on the ballot
Supporters of a Colorado school funding measure to raise teacher pay failed to gather enough signatures to make the November ballot.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Three robed judges and others in business suits hold a Zoom meeting.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Vouchers
Court declines to block Tennessee’s private school voucher program
Local governments in Nashville and Memphis failed to show that an injunction was warranted, the judges ruled
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A composite image that shows two women, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer behind a podium at left, and Tudor Dixon behind a podium at right.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan education policy
School choice is a key education issue in Michigan governor’s race
Here’s where incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican challenger Tudor Dixon stand on key education issues.
By Tracie Mauriello
 
A large crowd of parents and education advocates holding signs of protest crowd the stairs of a Manhattan courthouse.
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
Judge orders redo for NYC schools budget
Ruling that New York City’s education budget process violated the law, a Manhattan judge ordered the city to redo this year’s education department budget. For now, school budgets revert to last year’s levels.
By Reema Amin  and Amy Zimmer
 
Students speak with a career counselor, seen behind a window with white blinds.
From Chalkbeat Colorado College and career readiness
Colorado FAFSA completion rate rebounds, a sign more students are planning on college
More Colorado Class of 2022 students completed the FAFSA, signaling they plan on going to college. But the nation outpaced the state’s rebound.
By Jason Gonzales
 
A man in a gray suit stands and speaks at a lectern.
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
Eric Adams is facing pressure to reverse NYC school budget cuts. Should he?
The decision is more complicated than meets the eye, and either choice involves some trade-offs.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
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From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
Judge could allow NYC Council to revote on education budget
A judge said the city did not follow proper rules when it approved the budget, paving the way for restoring hundreds of millions in cuts to schools.
By Reema Amin
 
A little girl, seen from above, writes on a piece of paper with a pencil.
Politics & Policy Politics & Policy
Child care providers brace for future without Biden’s proposed early childhood funding
A coalition of national groups warns the early learning system is approaching ‘a catastrophic funding cliff’
By Ann Schimke , Samantha Smylie , and 1 more
 
Students walk through the lobby of P.S. 89, with ornate murals on the walls and light blue doors.
From Chalkbeat New York Teaching & Classroom
Amid budget battle, NYC OKs using stimulus dollars to cover teacher salaries
Stimulus dollars were previously not allowed to cover teacher salaries, but officials changed their tune amid a fight over budget cuts.
By Reema Amin
 
The front of Denver Public Schools offices, a gray building with windows
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
‘One voice’: A new approach to governance is dividing the Denver school board
“The power struggle will overshadow the board doing anything,” one observer said.
By Melanie Asmar
 
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From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan education policy
Here is where Michigan Republican governor candidates stand on education
The candidates are competing in a very tight race to battle incumbent Gretchen Whitmer in November.
By Tracie Mauriello
 
A man wearing a suit and tie and face mask stands in a classroom, waving at students.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
A first look at Denver Public Schools’ new strategic plan
Superintendent Alex Marrero lays out a vision that emphasizes belonging and community alongside academic achievement. Denver’s last strategic plan expired in 2020.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Students walk the halls of Senn High School on the first week back to classrooms on April 23, 2021.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Chicago Public Schools will return $87.5 million in state money after coding error
The state overpaid Chicago Public Schools $87.5 million between 2019 and 2022. Now, the district must pay $11 million annually through 2030.
By Mauricio Pena
 
The New York City Department of Education headquarters in Lower Manhattan
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
Judge upholds pause on hundreds of millions in NYC school budget cuts
The decision keeps in place an order temporarily blocking the education department from moving forward with hundreds of millions of dollars of cuts to school budgets.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
Young students line up outside of a school building.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Vouchers
Private school vouchers draw interest from 2,185 Tennessee families
Speedy voucher rollout draws hopeful families, more legal challenges
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
The outside of the Pennsylvania Capitol building in Harrisburg, PA.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Judge hears impassioned closing arguments in Pennsylvania school funding case
Attorneys battle one more time over whether academic outcomes and funding gaps matter to the state constitution.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
The front of Pennsylvania Judicial Center building in Harrisburg.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Two sides in Pennsylvania school funding trial set to face off again in court
Post-trial oral arguments in the battle over the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s K-12 funding system begin July 26.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
People sit in chairs inside of an auditorium as eight others sit on a stage in front.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Campaigns and elections
Memphis school board candidates want stronger superintendent policies
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Children sit at a long table with three adults standing behind them.
From Chalkbeat New York Diversity & Equity
With Banks and Adams, NYC school integration advocates see an uphill fight
Chancellor David Banks and Mayor Eric Adams say they’ll support school integration efforts, but are focused on building more high-quality schools.
By Christina Veiga
 
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