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Politics & Policy

Students sit at desks in a classroom while a teacher provides instruction. A bulletin board behind her is covered with Spanish vocabulary words such as ayer, anoche, bien, and lunes.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan Legislature
¿Hablas HTML? Michigan bill would give students world-language credit for coding courses
Critics worry about technical education crowding out cultural studies
By Tracie Mauriello and Isabel Lohman, Bridge Michigan
 
NYC_Department_of_Education_05.jpg
From Chalkbeat New York Diversity & Equity
NYC education panel approves school funding formula after last month’s rejection
By Reema Amin, Reporter, Chalkbeat New York
 
Empty desks and posters promoting social distancing at Lincoln Elementary in Dolton, Illinois, on Feb. 28, 2021.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Aurora Public Schools
Aurora school board votes to close two schools, keep Blueprint plan
A majority of the Aurora school board voted to close two elementary schools just two months after voting to keep them open.
By Yesenia Robles, Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
Five candidates sit at a long folding table in a high school cafeteria. Each candidate has a microphone in front of them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Meet the 5 applicants to fill a seat on the Denver school board
The applicants are vying to replace Brad Laurvick, who will step down next month.
By Melanie Asmar, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro makes hand gesture while speaking at a podium.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Gubernatorial candidate Shapiro backs case for more, fairer school funding
The Democratic state attorney general says the General Assembly is violating the state constitution.
By Dale Mezzacappa, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Philadelphia
 
A student works at a laptop in her room.
From Chalkbeat New York Teaching & Classroom
New York to increase weekly instruction for medically fragile students
By Reema Amin, Reporter, Chalkbeat New York
 
High school students wearing masks sit several feet apart at desks in a classroom,
From Chalkbeat New York Assessment and testing
Proposal would make it easier for NY students to pass Regents exams
By Reema Amin, Reporter, Chalkbeat New York
 
A view of the Philadelphia City Hall from Market Street in downtown Philadelphia.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Panel names eight candidates for two Philadelphia school board vacancies
Mayor Jim Kenney has 10 days to ask for new names, or 20 days to make his choices.
By Dale Mezzacappa, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Philadelphia
 
The Colorado state seal adorns a gate in front of the offices of the Colorado Department of Education, with 201 East Colfax above the doors to the building.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Adams 14 School District
Adams 14 resists reorganization, neighboring districts pledge support
The united front suggests Colorado will face an uphill battle in its efforts to force change on the Adams 14 community.
By Yesenia Robles, Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
A teacher talks with three high school students who are sitting at their desks.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Teaching & Classroom
Michigan’s teacher shortage: What’s causing it, how serious is it, and what can be done?
More than 60% of Michigan’s teaching workforce is over the age of 40, and the pipeline of new candidates is running low.
By Tracie Mauriello and Lori Higgins
 
A male teacher stands in front of students at desks. A poster of Elvis Presley is on the wall behind them.
From Chalkbeat Indiana Politics & Policy
What should middle schoolers learn about history? Indiana debates civics standards
Education advocates say the proposed middle school civics standards need more specificity, especially in regards to the history of Black Americans and other people of color.
By Aleksandra Appleton, Reporter, Chalkbeat Indiana
 
Dos estudiantes se sientan en sus escritorios. El superintendente, vestido en traje de negocio, está a pie y habla con ellas. Todos llevan tapabocas.
From Chalkbeat Colorado En Español
El superintendente del DPS propone un plan para invertir en cuatro iniciativas
El distrito de Denver ahorrará millones de dolares por el corte de 76 puestos. Así se propone gastarlos.
By Melanie Asmar, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
a man in a suit and orange striped tie speaks and gestures at a table while Betsy DeVos wearing a checked suit looks on in the background
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
How a lawsuit could make way for DeVos’ bid to end Michigan’s public-private school funding divide
The lawsuit aims to eliminate a clause in Michigan’s constitution that could be used to challenge the ballot initiative.
By Koby Levin, Reporter, Chalkbeat Detroit
 
A lone senator walks down the center aisle of the Colorado State Senate. Desks are arrayed in a semi-circle facing an elaborate dais.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado General Assembly
New limits on student seclusion, restraint pass Colorado legislature
A Colorado school discipline reform bill limits handcuffing, requires parents be told when students are restrained, and makes more data publicly available.
By Erica Meltzer, Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
A man in a suit clasps his hands together in front of a lectern with microphones. To the right, is another man in a suit.
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
Mulgrew wins UFT re-election with lowest victory margin since taking office
By Alex Zimmerman, Reporter, Chalkbeat New York
 
Students gather outside of Sam Tasby Middle School on a bright, sunny day.
Diversity & Equity Diversity & Equity
What you should know about Plyler, the case protecting undocumented students’ education rights
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants to overturn this Supreme Court case, a bulwark against laws targeting undocumented students’ education.
By Matt Barnum, National Reporter
 
Four teenage students look down at workbooks, along with an adult holding a pencil, all sitting at a circular table. A whiteboard behind one of the students reads “Bright MINDS” in stylized, colorful letters with a lightbulb drawn to the left.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado reading
Life is hard for middle- and high-schoolers who struggle to read. This Colorado public school aims to help.
A new program in the Jeffco district is one of the few inside a public school focusing on middle and high school students with dyslexia.
By Ann Schimke, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
School milk cartons in milk crates.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Healthy schools
Colorado voters to decide on free school lunch expansion
School lunch programs grew during the pandemic. With federal waivers set to expire, lawmakers are asking voters to maintain that progress.
By Erica Meltzer, Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
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
Changing course, State Board orders reorganization of Adams 14 district
Colorado’s State Board of Ed last month let Adams 14 develop its own improvement plan. Unhappy with the result, members now want to reorganize the district.
By Yesenia Robles, Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
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From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
Adams makes his case for mayoral control of NYC schools to Albany — from City Hall
A four-year extension of mayoral control of city schools seems out of the picture for Mayor Eric Adams as he makes his pitch to Albany lawmakers.
By Reema Amin and Josefa Velasquez, THE CITY
 
Six students at Kepner Beacon Middle School sit at long tables and work on an assignment. One girl holds a pencil. A male teacher stands in the background. Behind them is a purple wall with banners saying “Curiosity” and “Leadership,” a whiteboard, and a poster listing character traits.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Compromise on Denver innovation zone bill moves forward at state Capitol
The amended bill gives semi-autonomous innovation zones some recourse when they disagree with school district decisions while preserving local control.
By Melanie Asmar, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
A man and a woman stand in front of the steps of the Michigan capitol in Lansing.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Michigan House votes to boost school funding, ban transgender athletes
Next step: Negotiations with senators who budgeted $2 billion less.
By Tracie Mauriello, State Education Policy Reporter
 
A woman with short brown hair who is wearing a dark blazer and a necklace stands in front of a bulletin board with drawings and photos of children on it.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Lisa Roy named sole finalist to lead Colorado’s new early childhood agency
Lisa Roy, who led early childhood education programming in the Denver school district from 2016 to 2019, was named sole finalist for the new department’s top job Friday.
By Ann Schimke, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
Children in coats pretend to cook at an outdoor play stove made out of wood using leaves as pretend food
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Home-based preschool hits roadblock in Michigan budget talks
Michigan has a financial cushion thanks to federal stimulus funds and stronger-than-expected state revenues. But education spending is a sticking point.
By Koby Levin, Reporter, Chalkbeat Detroit
 
Child holds a sack lunch at a Denver grab-and-go meal site.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
How Denver is spending $9 million freed up by central office cuts
Among the uses: opening six community hubs serving students and families, raising hourly wages, and more.
By Melanie Asmar, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
Dozens of people sit at desks or mill around a large legislative chamber.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Politics & Policy
No education issue was too big — or small — for Tennessee lawmakers this year
From funding formulas to cell phone policies, legislation ran the gamut
By Marta W. Aldrich, Senior Statehouse Correspondent, Tennessee
 
A smiling girl with dark hair pops some food in her mouth as she sits with friends in a crowded lunchroom.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado General Assembly
Free school lunch expansion could be decided by Colorado voters
All Colorado students have had access to free lunch for the last two years. Lawmakers are considering a ballot measure to continue that benefit.
By Erica Meltzer, Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
Students raise their hands in a classroom with a bulletin board that says “American History.”
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Diversity & Equity
‘Age-appropriate’ books, history, and CRT: What you need to know about the Tennessee curriculum debate
Here is everything you need to know about how critical race theory has shaped the Tennessee curriculum debate up to this point — and what may be on the horizon.
By Chalkbeat Staff, Author
 
A view of the Philadelphia City Hall from Market Street in downtown Philadelphia.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Politics & Policy
Philadelphia City Council questions district on projection for lower enrollment
By Dale Mezzacappa, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Philadelphia
 
Men and women in business attire and masks sit at a long table in a conference room. They have microphones and name plates in front of them.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
Denver school board vacancy draws 5 applicants
The board is looking to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of member Brad Laurvick, who represents northwest Denver.
By Melanie Asmar, Senior Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado
 
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