Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Diversity & Equity

Youth suicide

Colorado
February 20, 2019

Younger Colorado students seek access to mental health care, without parental permission

A bill before the Colorado legislature would allow younger children to access confidential therapy on their own to fight mental illness and youth…

Unmet needs

Colorado
February 14, 2019

A social worker in every grade? Perhaps for 10 Colorado elementary schools

Educators, parents, and social workers told of students struggling with depression, younger and younger children attempting suicide, and youths ending up in prison. A bill…

Story time

Tennessee
February 14, 2019

This Memphis teacher’s favorite student didn’t stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. She taught him a powerful lesson.

This Memphis educator had a story to tell. Chalkbeat gave him the stage.

vouchers

Tennessee
Updated February 7, 2019

Lee says ‘parent choice’ education initiative coming soon in Tennessee

Gov. Bill Lee hinted that he soon will introduce a legislative initiative to give parents more education options for their children.

tough sell

Tennessee
February 5, 2019

Rezoning debate highlights gap in opportunities at two Memphis high schools

Some say they aren’t ready to bet on Melrose High School’s upswing in academic achievement as officials consider rezoning 260 students there.

storytelling night

Tennessee
January 31, 2019

This Memphis student has a story to share. Will you come hear it?

The storytelling event will be held at 902 Cooper Street in Memphis on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

The weather outside

Colorado
January 28, 2019

Why the Denver district did not call a snow day

The snarl in the school day Monday wasn’t picketing teachers but 7 inches of fresh snow.

Student Voice

Tennessee
January 24, 2019

‘People migrate to survive’: In moving speech, Memphis student reflects on children who died at the border

"Why is Donald Trump detaining children? Why are we trying to build a wall?"

food fight

New York
January 17, 2019

As government shutdown drags on, New York City vows to protect school food program

The historic partial government shutdown could soon threaten New York City’s school food program, which serves about a million students breakfast and lunch.

universal choice

Colorado
January 14, 2019

Denver’s window for choosing schools opens Tuesday

The district especially encourages families with children going into kindergarten, sixth, and ninth grade to fill out a choice form.

how we got here

New York
January 11, 2019

I’m a white teacher who chose a high-poverty school for my daughter. Here’s why.

I'm not immune to worrying that my daughter will miss out if I don’t fight for entry into schools that get all the buzz. But I know true equity means giving up privilege.

Brain drain

Chicago
January 10, 2019

Illinois officials want to offer student data to help universities recruit high schoolers

A state task force wants to find ways to provide public universities with student data that could help them figure out how to appeal to high schoolers.

chronically absent

Tennessee
January 9, 2019

One in four students are chronically absent in Tennessee’s state-run district. Here’s what educators are doing about it.

The stakes are high for improving student attendance numbers.

priorities

Colorado
January 3, 2019

After modest results, Denver officials looking at ways to bolster school integration pilot

“It’s done what a pilot is supposed to do. You launch a pilot to teach you how to go more and more to scale in more effective ways.”

behind the budget

New York
December 20, 2018

Surprise: Most funding for New York City’s ‘community schools’ going to academics, not social services

Rather than punishing schools when students struggle, the theory went, the city should flood schools with services to combat the problems that hold students back from succeeding.