Essential education reporting across America

Politics & Policy

Students walk through the lobby of P.S. 89, with ornate murals on the walls and light blue doors.
From Chalkbeat New York COVID Stimulus
Most NYC schools are losing funding. See what’s happening at your school.
Chalkbeat created a lookup tool examining changes to Fair Student Funding, a major source of funding for schools.
By Reema Amin
 
A woman with curly brown hair smiles for a portrait, standing on a balcony with the Colorado State Capitol behind her.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Universal preschool
5 challenges facing Lisa Roy, Colorado’s new early childhood chief
Colorado’s new early childhood chief said it’s time to “stop the madness” and increase state reimbursement rates to reflect the true cost of child care.
By Ann Schimke
 
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Politics & Policy Politics & Policy
Overturn of Roe v. Wade could add to child poverty
Experts also expect some increase in teen births and decreases to women’s educational attainment, but the magnitude is hard to predict.
By Jessica Blake
 
A man in a white shirt, holding a microphone stands in front of a crowd of people outside of Chicago Public School headquarters in downtown.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Chicago Board of Education approves $9.4 billion budget for 2022-23
The approved budget includes $8 billion in operational expenses, $645 million in school building improvements, and $769 million to pay off debt.
By Mauricio Pena
 
A group of people look on as gretchen whitmer holds a paper up to the camera and smiles
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Whitmer signs Michigan child care bills that cut red tape, aid providers for infants and toddlers
The package contains minor procedural fixes and major changes in how the state supports small, home-based providers.
By Koby Levin
 
A man wearing a mask and knit cap walks past the Chicago Public Schools headquarters.
From Chalkbeat Chicago Politics & Policy
Chicago delays plan for new Near South Side high school amid mounting concerns
Board members and community members have raised concerns around community engagement and adverse impacts on other schools in the face of CPS enrollment declines.
By Mauricio Pena
 
A student wearing a white shirt talks to a teacher wearing a black shirt inside of a classroom.
From Chalkbeat Newark Politics & Policy
Newark school board approves changes to attendance, discipline, graduation policies
Under new guidance, teachers and attendance monitors can provide the causes for absences, including crisis or bereavement.
By Catherine Carrera
 
Seven people hold up a blue and white banner with the name “Add B. Anderson School” written in white.
From Chalkbeat Philadelphia Community & Wraparound Programs
Philly adds community schools to connect more families to social services
Mayor Jim Kenney said the program will expand to 20 schools next year.
By Dale Mezzacappa
 
Scores of supporters of Donald Trump scale the walls of the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th Capitol Riot.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Teaching & Classroom
Dismissing Jan. 6 probe, Tennessee governor says students should be taught attack was about ‘lawlessness’
Meanwhile, one education leader warns against sweeping history under the rug
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
The United States Supreme Court building is reflected in a pool of water as it stands in the background of the image.
Vouchers Vouchers
Supreme Court says religious schools can’t be singled out for exclusion from public dollars
But the decision won’t turn on a money spigot for religious private schools.
By Matt Barnum
 
Two women stand behind a lectern in front of a school.
From Chalkbeat New York Politics & Policy
Chaotic end to NYC school year: Rage over budget cuts
Due to recently announced budget cuts, parents fear they’ll see programs discontinued in the fall, and teachers are worried about their jobs.
By Marcela Rodrigues-Sherley
 
High school students look at each other mid-conversation as they sit at a table that has papers scattered all over.
From Chalkbeat Newark Politics & Policy
Newark board considers changes to discipline, absence policies
Superintendent Roger León said the recommended changes seek to educate, not punish students.
By Catherine Carrera
 
A preschool teacher points to song lyrics written on a big piece of paper as two young students look on. The teacher is wearing a face mask.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Denver board reverses parts of controversial innovation schools policy
A controversial March decision had unintended consequences that limited some innovation school flexibility, board members argued.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs a bill, sitting at a finished wooden desk in an office.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Curriculum and instruction
Financial literacy requirement becomes law for Michigan students
Law has the backing of business groups, but critics worry about tradeoffs
By Tracie Mauriello
 
A preschool teacher in a white flowery dress looks at a little girl sitting next to her who is also smiling.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Universal preschool
With universal preschool, can Colorado boost workforce pay?
Preschool teacher pay varies wildly in Colorado — from around $13 to $70 an hour, depending on the region, setting, and employee credentials.
By Ann Schimke
 
A masked woman in a long orange sweater guides a child carrying a pink backpack down a school hall, while a man in a black T-shirt bends down slightly behind the child.
Charters & Choice Charters & Choice
Some states and charter networks slow to spend federal charter money
The new data suggests that the charter sector was experiencing growing pains even before controversial rules proposed by the Biden administration.
By Matt Barnum
 
Five judges in black robes sit in a paneled courtroom.
From Chalkbeat Tennessee Vouchers
Tennessee’s private school voucher law survives local challenge in state Supreme Court
The court order marks another win for Gov. Bill Lee, but more legal challenges loom
By Marta W. Aldrich
 
Quotes from various reader responses including perspectives from students, teachers, parents, and tutors.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Teaching & Classroom
What happens when older students struggle to read? We asked. You answered.
Despite efforts to improve elementary reading instruction, many older students continue to struggle with reading.
By Ann Schimke
 
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From Chalkbeat Colorado Campaigns and elections
Two new seats, high stakes in Colorado State Board of Ed election
Partisan control is at stake as the State Board of Education grows from seven to nine seats. Cultural issues are taking precedence over education reform.
By Erica Meltzer
 
The Colorado Department of Education.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Campaigns and elections
Colorado Primary 2022: Two Republicans compete for CD-8 State Board of Ed
Peggy Propst and Cody LeBlanc are competing to be the Republican candidate for the Colorado State Board of Education 8th Congressional District seat.
By Erica Meltzer
 
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From Chalkbeat New York COVID Stimulus
NYC budget deal cuts school funding amid declining enrollment
Schools will see less money in new budget deal, but Mayor Eric Adams says they’re not cuts. Instead, he sees the funding as reflecting the decreased student population.
By Reema Amin
 
11 high school students look at papers and books while sitting at desks arranged in a large rectangle in an Indiana classroom. Pictures are pinned on a royal blue wall, and more pictures and posters are pinned to bulletin board on a far wall.
Teaching & Classroom Teaching & Classroom
Does class size really matter? A Chalkbeat look at the research.
Students often do better in smaller classes, but there’s no agreement on exactly how much better.
By Matt Barnum
 
Young students in matching school uniforms sit criss-cross-applesauce on a colorful rug. They are facing the camera. A teacher with her back to the camera reads the students a book.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Politics & Policy
Colorado survey shows support for charters, four-day school weeks, more funding
A new poll from Magellan Strategies measures voter attitudes on a range of education issues.
By Erica Meltzer
 
A smiling teacher sits at a table in a school classroom, looking on as a young boy and girl work on writing.
From Chalkbeat Detroit Michigan Legislature
Michigan may waive test for veteran teachers certified in other states
The legislation is one part of a strategy to alleviate a growing teacher shortage in many districts
By Tracie Mauriello
 
Denver Public Schools’ logo, with “Discover a World of Opportunity” imprinted on glass
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
Deeply divided Denver school board appoints Charmaine Lindsay to vacancy
It took nine rounds of voting and several tense exchanges to fill the District 5 vacancy.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Children in a classroom wearing face masks hold out white paper cups to another student, who is pouring a green smoothie from a blender.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Charter schools
Denver school board denies 3 charter applications
The charter schools proposed to replicate the STEM School in Highlands Ranch, provide an education that centers Black students, and offer an arts option for elementary students.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Lunden Augusta, left, Gabriel Watkins, center, and Lucy White watch Philonise Floyd react to the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of his brother, George Floyd, during a discussion between Northfield High School student council officers and members in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
Denver school board may reverse parts of controversial innovation policy
Citing unintended consequences, a majority of Denver school board members support moving forward a proposal to overturn parts of a new policy limiting school autonomy.
By Melanie Asmar
 
Chairs upside-down on a table and two empty chairs sit in an empty classroom.
From Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools
9 charts that explain Denver’s declining enrollment
Declining enrollment is one of Denver Public Schools’ most pressing issues. An annual report takes a deep dive into the numbers. Here’s what it says.
By Melanie Asmar
 
four girls with braids wearing masks over mouth or chin stand in a cluster as one girl dances and
From Chalkbeat Detroit Politics & Policy
Michigan tried preschool for 3-year-olds, but will the idea survive?
Even as Michigan’s state revenues reach record highs, officials appear poised to let the program expire.
By Koby Levin
 
The facade of Pan American High School in Elmhurst is seen behind a chainlink fence as the sun shines on the building.
From Chalkbeat New York COVID Stimulus
NYC educators wrestle with budget cuts for 2022-23 school year
As federal stimulus funding starts to wind down, school leaders are facing tough choices with declining budgets and enrollment.
By Reema Amin
 
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