Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

U.S. Department of Education

National award

Tennessee
May 9, 2018

Memphis student among 161 high school seniors named as U.S. Presidential Scholars

A Memphis senior is headed to Vanderbilt University in the fall, but first, she will make a stop at the White House.

In talks

Tennessee
May 4, 2018

Does Tennessee’s emergency response to testing problems conflict with federal ed law? Stay tuned.

While legislation to address TNReady woes has eased concerns in school communities, it's raised a flurry of new questions about Tennessee’s plan under ESSA.

the fight continues

New York
January 22, 2018

New York officials vow to keep fighting for controversial testing rules after federal agency rejects them

New York is “not giving up” on its testing waiver requests, the state's education commissioner said Monday.

Construyendo puentes

Tennessee
October 26, 2017

Communicating with Spanish-speaking parents is a challenge in Memphis. Meet the former teacher who’s taking it on.

Talia Palacio is transforming how Shelby County Schools interacts with Hispanic families.

All-clear on ESSA

Tennessee
August 31, 2017

Tennessee and feds strike a balance in how to track historically underserved students

The change enables the state to intervene when any racial group of students fall far behind their peers.

Detroit week in review

Detroit
August 11, 2017

Week in review: A hurry-up-and-wait moment for Detroit’s landmark education lawsuit and more in this week’s school news

If the suit does move forward, it’s likely to take years to have any real effects on local schools.

Tough talk

New York
March 16, 2017

New York education experts call Trump’s proposed budget cuts ‘irresponsible’ and ‘devastating’

President Donald Trump’s budget blueprint, unveiled Thursday, drew instant ire from education experts in New York state.

leadership matters

Tennessee
December 7, 2016

Meet the leader behind one Memphis school’s Blue Ribbon success

Principal Yolanda Heidelberg turned a high-poverty school with a lot of English language learners into one of the district's fastest-improving schools.

Teaching materials

Tennessee
November 10, 2016

Tennessee joins campaign to #GoOpen with educational resources

Tennessee joins 18 other states recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for its commitment to offering free online educational resources in schools.

Rethinking school

Tennessee
October 11, 2016

How Tennessee might drastically change testing, and other potential changes to the state’s schools

State officials share their takeaways from nearly six months of discussions on how Tennessee should adapt to the sweeping new federal education law.

Big win

New York
Updated September 29, 2016

U.S. Education Secretary John King awards 10 New York City schools Blue Ribbon status

Nine New York City public schools earned a Blue Ribbon designation this year, an honor given to just 329 schools nationwide.

money to grow

Colorado
September 28, 2016

Denver’s DSST charter network, in the midst of major expansion, lands $4 million grant

The money will go toward expanding the growing network.

College path

Tennessee
September 14, 2016

U.S. education chief highlights tools to reduce barriers to college during Memphis visit

John King talks up college opportunity and resources to get there during his first visit to Memphis as U.S. education secretary.

tech talk

New York
September 14, 2016

Six questions for the U.S. Department of Education’s ed tech chief

"We talk about technology as a tool for innovation which it is, but it’s a powerful tool for equity."

Littlest learners

Tennessee
August 22, 2016

Tennessee preschool selected as national model for fixing racial discipline gap

A Nashville preschool is one of two schools nationwide selected for $1 million grants, the U.S. Department of Education announced last week.

hold on wait a minute

Colorado
August 5, 2016

Colorado to U.S. Department of Education: Your proposed rules will stifle us

In a strongly worded letter, interim Education Commissioner Katy Anthes told the federal government they should restart the regulation process from scratch.

Under investigation

Tennessee
July 20, 2016

Shelby County Schools subject of federal civil rights probe over migrant students

Shelby County Schools is being investigated for discrimination of migrant students, the U.S. Department of Education has confirmed.

The Colorado Way

Colorado
November 20, 2015

Colorado schools spared tough sanctions from high testing opt-out rates under new federal waiver

The OK from Washington comes a little more than a week after the State Board of Education begrudgingly signed off on the state's application.
Colorado
October 26, 2015

Colorado ahead of the game on Obama’s suggested test reforms

Presidents Obama’s call for less standardized testing spurred lots of national chatter, but many of his specific proposals involve steps that Colorado already has taken.
Tennessee
October 7, 2015

New study will examine role of teacher evaluation in student improvement

An upcoming study from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education is funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Indiana
October 2, 2015

Arne Duncan resigns as education secretary, former New York schools chief to take over

Duncan, Obama's only education secretary over his two terms, will head home to Chicago. He has recently had a lot to say about Indiana.

change at the top

Colorado
October 2, 2015

Meet the former N.Y. education chief who will take over for Arne Duncan as education secretary

Former New York State Education Commissioner John King will take over the federal education department in President Barack Obama’s final year in office, the president…

Five questions

Tennessee
October 1, 2015

Shelby County educator on being a U.S. Teaching Ambassador Fellow

In a Chalkbeat interview, Josalyn Tresvant McGhee shares what drew her to K-12 education and what she plans to do with her newest opportunity to represent teachers.

Charter leader

Tennessee
September 10, 2015

Education Pioneers’ Maya Bugg named Tennessee Charter School Center’s CEO

The new leader will support Tennessee's growing charter sector through advocacy and advice, bringing in new high-quality charter schools, and helping charter schools work together.
Colorado
August 10, 2015

State inches closer to federal approval of new testing system

Colorado’s plan to ease testing burdens for 10th graders may well get federal approval, but the state has to jump through some hoops before the change is a done deal.
Indiana
August 3, 2015

With its jackpot $28.5 million grant, Warren Township pushes career programs, online learning and teacher training

Warren Township was one of just 16 districts nationwide to win big dollars to improve its facilities, boost teaching and reinvent student learning.

School accountability

Tennessee
July 23, 2015

Waiver lets state focus more on school improvement than on punishment

The U.S. Department of Education announces that Tennessee will continue to receive flexibility from certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Indiana
May 7, 2015

A-to-F changes pass after more state board drama

The state board approved changes to Indiana's A-to-F accountability model that would use gains on tests as well as passing rates. The changes would result in fewer A's.
Indiana
April 27, 2015

Legislature poised to shift more power from Glenda Ritz to state board

A bill could cost Superintendent Glenda Ritz her primary role overseeing school A-to-F grades along with the guarantee that she lead the Indiana State Board of Education.
Indiana
April 15, 2015

No clarity yet on competing visions for Indiana state testing

The Indiana House and Senate passed two bills with competing visions for Indiana's future state tests with just a week left to find common ground before the session ends.
Indiana
April 6, 2015

Could the battle over ISTEP put Indiana's NCLB waiver in jeopardy?

A showdown is brewing this week over the future of ISTEP, but expect a new question to be raised: could changes to state tests could put…
Indiana
February 11, 2015

Pence says he and Ritz will cooperate to shorten ISTEP

Shifting away from Monday’s sharp criticism of state Superintendent Glenda Ritz, Gov. Mike Pence today said the two would work with legislative leaders to shorten…
Indiana
February 2, 2015

These 9 education changes could move ahead in the legislature — but 6 others probably won't

There's no question a huge battle will take place over the role of state Superintendent Glenda Ritz on the Indiana State Board of Education. But of the 122 education-focused bills the Indiana General Assembly is expected to consider, just a fraction will make it through to Gov. Mike Pence's desk in April to become law.
Tennessee
January 8, 2015

Federal guidelines updated for teaching English language learners

Districts and states must identify English language learners in a timely and reliable manner and ensure that they receive the same quality education as students speaking English as a first language.
Indiana
January 8, 2015

Feds: Schools must serve English language learners better

A new set of guidelines, released Wednesday by the federal Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, sets out to clarify districts’ and states’ obligations to English learners.
Indiana
October 22, 2014

Feds extend preschool grant deadline to Friday (updated)

The U.S. Departments of Education have again extended the deadline for states to apply for the preschool development grants. The applications are now due…
Indiana
October 21, 2014

Preschool advocates hoping for change of heart in Pence as grant deadline extended (updated)

The state already has its application completed and was prepared to submit it last week by the original deadline. But in a last-minute move, Pence decided not to apply because he feared "federal intrusion" in preschool. The move shocked preschool supporters, but was cheered by anti-Common Core and tea party groups in the state.
Indiana
October 16, 2014

Preschool advocates stunned Pence dropped bid for $80 million grant

Indiana's early childhood education advocates say they are "shocked" by Gov. Mike Pence's decision not to follow through on submitting a federal grant application that could have resulted in the state receiving $80 million to support preschool expansion efforts to benefit close to 2,000 low-income children.

Rated "G" for Green

Colorado
September 16, 2014

At Denver Green School project-based learning leads to better test scores, sustainability

Teachers and students who have embraced the school's project-based model of "education for sustainability," are seeing better results on the state's standardized tests, which are tied to both school accountability and teacher effectiveness policies, school leaders said.

Pre-K

Tennessee
September 4, 2014

Tennessee’s largest districts expand focus on pre-K despite Haslam’s hesitancy

Both of Tennessee's largest school districts, in Nashville and Memphis, are pushing not only to expand pre-K, but to make it more effective by increasing standards in Memphis and creating model centers in Nashville.
Tennessee
September 4, 2014

Rise & Shine: Hopson calls teachers back together for more evaluation talks

Indiana
August 28, 2014

Indiana dodges NCLB waiver bullet, for now

Indiana today got a one year reprieve from possible penalties from the U.S. Department of Education. Those penalties, including the loss of control over more than $200 million in federal aid that goes to local schools, won’t happen before June 30 of next year.
Indiana
August 5, 2014

Some townships show ISTEP gains despite challenges of growing poverty

In a few Marion County school districts — especially Pike and Wayne townships — the percentage of students passing ISTEP is growing quickly, even as the families the schools serve have grown considerably poorer.
Indiana
July 30, 2014

School discipline, race data prompt Ballard's study plan

Mayor Greg Ballard’s office is commissioning a study in response to data released in March from the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice showing that American schools disproportionately discipline black students when compared to other racial and ethnic counterparts.
Indiana
July 10, 2014

Ritz, state board battle over board rules, NCLB waiver

Relations between Superintendent Glenda Ritz and Indiana State Board of Education members today reached a new low as board members voted on a series of resolutions that Ritz and her supporters say are no more than politically motivated power grabs from Ritz.
Indiana
July 8, 2014

Ritz blames Pence, CECI for "undermining" her leadership

State Superintendent Glenda Ritz today ripped Gov. Mike Pence’s Center for Education and Career Innovation, saying it is “determined to undermine our work” at the Indiana Department of Education, and charged that the State Board of Education’s proposed actions Wednesday could threaten Indiana’s standing with federal education officials.
Indiana
July 7, 2014

Proposal to rewrite rules for Ritz, state board draws objections

A proposal to again change the rules for how the Indiana State Board of Education conducts its meetings has brought renewed charges from state Superintendent Glenda Ritz’s supporters that it is a thinly veiled effort to limit her power.
Colorado
June 24, 2014

National shift in special ed accountability could impact Colorado

Federal officials have announced a major shift in how states will be held accountable for serving students in special education — and Colorado could be…
Indiana
June 18, 2014

Top Republican, Democrat take opposite views of NCLB waiver concerns

In less than two weeks, Indiana could potentially lose its federal No Child Left Behind law waiver unless state leaders can convince the U.S. Department…
Indiana
June 4, 2014

Indiana's dilemma: Should state test scores count next year?

Indiana could propose letting teachers and schools off the hook from sanctions for poor test scores next year as part of its effort to meet demands from the U.S Department of Education. But state Superintendent Glenda Ritz and the Indiana State Board of Education today faced a series of tough questions they’ve only begun to try to answer about what that could mean for the state’s school accountability system.
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