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Politics & Policy

People seated in folding chairs listen to a school board meeting in a gymnasium.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Outside the classroom
Federal grant will expand Colorado family engagement in schools
A five-year federal grant aims to improve Colorado schools’ family engagement, with training for parents and a real voice in school decisions.
By Erica Meltzer
 
A woman wearing a flowery skirt speaks to a group of four students who are seated at tables and writing.
From Chalkbeat Newark Politics & Policy
‘I don’t think it’s fair’: Newark charter school community wants answers over inequities
Great Oaks Legacy Charter school operators are under fire after school leaders and students claim racial inequities, unequal pay, and leadership practices are hindering its predominantly Black school community.
By Jessie Gomez
 
A protest against “Critical Race Theory” in front of a governmental building, with signs sitting on a row of benches in the foreground.
Politics & Policy Politics & Policy
Rising tide of censorship and scrutiny has schools scrambling to avoid backlash
As signals of inclusivity fade or vanish, it is often students of color and LGBTQ young people who feel the effects most acutely.
By Patrick Wall
 
An early childhood educator in the foreground reads to ten children, who are all seated on a carpet with a tree design.
From Chalkbeat New York COVID Stimulus
3-K is getting the bulk of NYC’s school stimulus funding. But Adams might curb its expansion.
As Mayor Eric Adams stares down a massive budget shortfall, New York City has no clear plans to sustain its growing 3-K program.
By Reema Amin
 
A woman speaks into a microphone on a stage in front of women at a meeting.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Curriculum and instruction
Anti-mosque activist reappointed to Tennessee textbook panel
Laurie Cardoza-Moore’s term extension comes as the commission’s work expands.
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
A large group of students sit in an auditorium together. Most of the students are sitting in beige chairs with blue face masks on turning to speak to each other.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
North Chicago will start transition to an elected school board in 2025, with a fully elected board in 2027
North Chicago SD 187 will transition to a fully elected school board by 2027. The state board of education decided on Wednesday that it was necessary to slowly transition the district to an elected school board with a few seats going up for election in 2025.
By Samantha Smylie
 
A woman wearing a red dress smiles for the camera in front of a grey backdrop
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Campaigns and elections
MSCS board Chair Michelle McKissack is mulling a 2023 mayoral run
She would become the third school board member to pursue higher office this year
By Samantha West
 
A small crowd of students and parents hold small pride flags inside an elementary school.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan education policy
LGBT training for Michigan teachers rankles Republicans
Video spotlights conflict between duty to inform parents and the responsibility to shield students
By Tracie Mauriello
 
A view of the capitol in Springfield as the sun is setting.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Longtime Illinois educator Steven Isoye named chair of state board of education
Gov. J.B. Pritzker names Steven Isoye, former teacher, principal, and superintendent from Chicago suburbs, to chair Illinois state board of education
By Samantha Smylie
 
A man wearing a blue suit stands at a podium facing a judicial panel of three women wearing black robes.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Vouchers
Tennessee asks court to dismiss private-school voucher lawsuit
Plaintiffs challenge speedy rollout, among other things
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
student with glasses and a purple shirt looks down at a computer screen while sitting in a classroom
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
New report spotlights unique needs of Michigan’s rural schools
Researchers: School choice doesn’t help in remote areas that lack options.
By Koby Levin  and Tracie Mauriello
 
The book “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson sits in a windowsill, the cover showing a Black man posing with a bouquet of flowers on his head.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Armed with prayers and sexually explicit passages, activists bring book wars to Michigan school board
Other parents say they trust librarians and teachers to determine what is appropriate for students
By Tracie Mauriello
 
One young child sits at a table, while another stands nearby with classroom artwork hanging on the wall behind them.
From Chalkbeat New York Teaching & Classroom
NYC’s pre-K workers, programs say they’re in limbo after reorganization
The lack of communication about the new plan has sowed confusion and concern among staff and preschool providers.
By Reema Amin
 
A student wearing a blue shirt and red backpack walks down a sidewalk on a college campus.
From Chalkbeat Colorado College and career readiness
Colorado has big gaps in who finishes college. Can a post-pandemic push turn the tide?
Colorado wants to equip residents with college degrees. Over the last decade, the state didn’t make significant progress toward that goal.
By Jason Gonzales
 
Reginaldo Haro-Flores lleva una camisa azul; está parado en la biblioteca entre estanterías.
From Chalkbeat Colorado En Español
Colorado cuenta con grandes brechas de quién termina la universidad. ¿Puede un esfuerzo pospandémico cambiar esta tendencia?
Más coloradenses negros y latinos estaban yendo a la universidad, pero luego llegó la pandemia. Una importante iniciativa busca recuperar el impulso perdido.
By Jason Gonzales
 
A man speaks from a podium while a woman sitting at a desk asks questions.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Charter schools
Hillsdale charter school group faces questions as its first appeal goes before Tennessee commission
State panel will vote on whether to overrule local school boards
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Flags fly outside the Adams 14 school district headquarters. The district logo sits prominently in front of the building. The sky is a clear blue.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
State board restores Adams 14’s accreditation, citing unintended consequences
The state’s decision to restore accreditation doesn’t affect its order for reorganizing Adams 14.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A student wearing a jean jacket and protective mask writes on a piece of notebook paper at her desk.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan education policy
Michigan school board wants to know how charter schools spend money
Democrats want to strengthen transparency rules
By Tracie Mauriello
 
Students walk through the hall at Adams City High School Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 in Commerce City.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
Adams 14 appoints new board member after withholding applicant names
Community members usually have weeks to review applicants for board member vacancies. This time, Adams 14 withheld names until the last minute.
By Yesenia Robles
 
A gavel sits on a white table as shadows loom underneath.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Special education
Colorado school choice law discriminates against students with disabilities, complaint alleges
A complaint filed with the federal Office for Civil Rights says Colorado’s school choice law gives school very broad leeway to turn away students with disabilities.
By Erica Meltzer
 
A row of gray-colored school lockers
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Student & School Performance
Tennessee’s list of lowest-performing schools is out. Is yours on it?
This year’s ‘priority’ designation won’t carry its usual high stakes
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
NYC_20220912_SYEP_MayoralPhotoOffice_001.JPG
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
At 59 NYC high schools, a chance for tech and finance apprenticeships up to $25 an hour
About 3,000 students at 59 schools — generally rising juniors and seniors — will be selected by employers for apprenticeships paying from $15 to $25 an hour.
By Alex Zimmerman
 
Hands with red-painted fingernails hold a cell phone.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Can Michigan students make it seven hours without cellphones and social media?
Lawmaker wants to bar children from using their devices during the school day
By Tracie Mauriello  and Koby Levin
 
Gov. Kathy Hochul, wearing a mask and a dark suit and carrying a briefcase, gives a presentation in a room with curtains and a flag.
From Chalkbeat New York Teaching & Classroom
After months of suspense, Hochul signs NYC class size bill into law
New York City schools will cap kindergarten to third grade classes at 20 students, grades 4-8 at 23 students, and most high school classes at 25 students.
By Reema Amin  and Alex Zimmerman
 
Third-grade students at the Denver Language School do schoolwork on the floor.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Assessment and testing
More Colorado schools and districts earn low state ratings
These are Colorado’s first school ratings based on complete test results since 2019.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Children play on a yellow slide set on the side of a school building.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
A $760 million opioid settlement could help fund Illinois early childhood programs, say advocates
Illinois is set to receive $760 million over the next 18 years after winning a lawsuit against major pharmaceutical companies for their role in the opioid epidemic. Law enforcement officials want part of the money to go to early childhood programs.
By Samantha Smylie
 
Young children sit at a long white table and eat lunch in a school cafeteria.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Illinois families must again prove students need school meals
The Illinois state board of education announced eligibility guidelines for free or reduced-price meals as federal nutrition waivers expire.
By Samantha Smylie
 
A stone sign with the logos of two high schools on it.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
Denver recommends closing a far northeast alternative high school
Montbello Career and Technical High School would close and the growing Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy would take over the building.
By Melanie Asmar
 
A teacher moves from table to table while teaching one of the two combined sixth grade classes in the gymnasium at Skinner Middle School during the first day of the Denver teacher strike.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Teaching & Classroom
Denver teachers union, district reach agreement on 8.7% pay increase
The previous Denver contract was approved after the 2019 teachers strike. District leaders touted the protected planning time and lunches promised in a tentative agreement.
By Erica Meltzer
 
Three people sit at tables in a school library during a meeting in Chicago.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Want to get involved in Chicago’s Local School Councils? 5 things to know.
Chicago’s Local School Councils, a facet of local school governance since 1989, vote on school budgets, approve the school academic plan, and select and evaluate principals.
By Mauricio Peña
 
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