Chalkbeat
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Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news network covering schools and education policy across the U.S. Follow our education journalism at chalkbeat.org. Have a news tip? Here's how you can reach us: ckbe.at/contact-chalkbeat or email us at community@chalkbeat.org
Reading proficiency dropped 5 percentage points statewide while math inched up. The unusual drop in reading scores raised eyebrows among testing experts.
New York reading scores fell sharply on state tests. The dramatic swing is unusual, experts said.
Reading proficiency dropped 5 percentage points statewide while math inched up. The unusual drop in reading scores raised eyebrows among testing experts.
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Illinois families will have 10 days to enjoy the temporary relief in shopping costs.
The grand total on your back-to-school shopping haul in Illinois might be lower than normal. Here’s why.
Illinois families will have 10 days to enjoy the temporary relief in shopping costs.
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The two people who won Michigan’s gubernatorial primary elections on Tuesday have different ideas about fixing the state’s schools.
Education will be a key topic as Benson and James head into the November election
The two people who won Michigan’s gubernatorial primary elections on Tuesday have different ideas about fixing the state’s schools.
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Studies in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Texas point in the same direction: Four-year college often helps students with modest high school records.
The research on who benefits from college may surprise you
Studies in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Texas point in the same direction: Four-year college often helps students with modest high school records.
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Newark K-4 students can get two tutoring sessions a week this summer.
Newark lacked free tutors outside of schools. Now they’re ready, and parents can still sign up.
Newark K-4 students can get two tutoring sessions a week this summer.
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Check out our list of free backpack giveaways, haircuts, health screenings, and more for the back-to-school season.
Need free school supplies in Philly? Here’s where to get them.
Check out our list of free backpack giveaways, haircuts, health screenings, and more for the back-to-school season.
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The DPSCD operating millage would generate $2,400 of the $10,300 in per pupil funding the district is set to receive for the coming school year.
Detroiters get their chance to decide fate of a crucial tax proposal for DPSCD
The DPSCD operating millage would generate $2,400 of the $10,300 in per pupil funding the district is set to receive for the coming school year.
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Even after an infusion of COVID relief dollars and a donation from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, about a quarter of Philadelphia’s district schools still won’t have air conditioning in the 2026-27 school year.
Philly once wanted all schools to have air conditioning by 2027. That goal seems to be out of reach.
Even after an infusion of COVID relief dollars and a donation from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, about a quarter of Philadelphia’s district schools still won’t have air conditioning in the 2026-27 school year.
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The free program for 2-year-olds is a key part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s affordability agenda. The program is expected to grow by 10,000 seats next year.
2-K offers are out: 2,000 NYC toddlers get spots, 5,700 apply
The free program for 2-year-olds is a key part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s affordability agenda. The program is expected to grow by 10,000 seats next year.
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DPSCD held a virtual meeting Monday to answer an influx of questions about its contracting process and school conditions. Another will be held in-person Wednesday.
Social media critical of Detroit schools went viral. Now, the district is addressing community questions.
DPSCD held a virtual meeting Monday to answer an influx of questions about its contracting process and school conditions. Another will be held in-person Wednesday.
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As MSCS faces leadership changes, recent school closures sent some students to new schools. Plus, overall enrollment increased.
Memphis schools open with reassigned students, persistent teacher vacancies
As MSCS faces leadership changes, recent school closures sent some students to new schools. Plus, overall enrollment increased.
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The program will now exist in nearly 10% of Chicago’s district-run public schools. A Chalkbeat analysis previously found that student outcomes are mixed at schools in the program, and many have underspent the money they’re allotted.
15 more CPS campuses will join the Sustainable Community Schools program
The program will now exist in nearly 10% of Chicago’s district-run public schools. A Chalkbeat analysis previously found that student outcomes are mixed at schools in the program, and many have underspent the money they’re allotted.
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We went on a shopping trip to Teachers Pay Teachers and looked for classroom materials that appear to have been generated by AI. Here are the strange resources we found.
Education’s version of Etsy may have an AI slop problem
We went on a shopping trip to Teachers Pay Teachers and looked for classroom materials that appear to have been generated by AI. Here are the strange resources we found.
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After years of uneven responses to school-avoidant students, NYC will mandate school liaisons, staff training, and clearer rules to help students return to class.
Under new agreement, NYC schools to adopt systemwide rules to support school-avoidant students
After years of uneven responses to school-avoidant students, NYC will mandate school liaisons, staff training, and clearer rules to help students return to class.
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The Chicago Board of Education passed a budget that aims to restore job cuts with money that isn’t guaranteed, drawing dire warnings from CPS leadership. Chalkbeat breaks down the critical questions about what’s next.
Here’s what parents and staff need to know about this year’s Chicago Public Schools budget drama
The Chicago Board of Education passed a budget that aims to restore job cuts with money that isn’t guaranteed, drawing dire warnings from CPS leadership. Chalkbeat breaks down the critical questions about what’s next.
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A Senate committee vote to reverse some of Trump’s moves to break up the Education Department shows even some Republicans don’t support a major piece of his education agenda.
Only Congress can abolish the Education Department. A bipartisan bill shows why that won’t happen.
A Senate committee vote to reverse some of Trump’s moves to break up the Education Department shows even some Republicans don’t support a major piece of his education agenda.
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Workforce Pell provides low-income students grant money to attend short-term workforce training programs.
Workforce Pell is here. Now comes the challenge of selecting eligible Colorado training programs.
Workforce Pell provides low-income students grant money to attend short-term workforce training programs.
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Simone Hawkins will leave the Education Department just as Mayor Zohran Mamdani's free childcare program for 2-year-olds is getting off the ground.
The NYC official leading Mamdani's new childcare rollout is stepping down
Simone Hawkins will leave the Education Department just as Mayor Zohran Mamdani's free childcare program for 2-year-olds is getting off the ground.
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Across Detroit, a number of events throughout August offer parents free school supplies for their children, and they give kids a chance to have fun.
Need school supplies for your kids? Here’s where to get them for free in Detroit.
Across Detroit, a number of events throughout August offer parents free school supplies for their children, and they give kids a chance to have fun.
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Around 20,000 unaccompanied minors nationwide are set to lose legal services when the federal government ends a contract Friday. One NYC immigration court shows us what that will look like.
Inside the NYC courtroom where detained children face deportation without attorneys
Around 20,000 unaccompanied minors nationwide are set to lose legal services when the federal government ends a contract Friday. One NYC immigration court shows us what that will look like.
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CPS leaders warned the school board’s amended budget could still hurt their ability to borrow to meet payroll in September and could lead to midyear cuts.
Chicago school board narrowly approves a budget that reverses layoffs by assuming more state money
CPS leaders warned the school board’s amended budget could still hurt their ability to borrow to meet payroll in September and could lead to midyear cuts.
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Iris Taylor filed for reelection a week and two days before her death, with goals of continuing the Detroit school district’s progress
Iris Taylor, longtime healthcare leader and Detroit school board member, dies at 74
Iris Taylor filed for reelection a week and two days before her death, with goals of continuing the Detroit school district’s progress
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Unite Here Local 1, the union representing lunchroom staff in Chicago schools, has been negotiating a new contract with the district for the past year.
‘Fighting for them and for myself’: CPS lunchroom workers just moved closer to going on strike
Unite Here Local 1, the union representing lunchroom staff in Chicago schools, has been negotiating a new contract with the district for the past year.
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Preschool leaders and advocates say the state officials should establish clear quality standards for Colorado’s state-funded preschool program.
Preschool providers and advocates say state officials should establish clear quality standards for Colorado’s universal preschool program.
Preschool leaders and advocates say the state officials should establish clear quality standards for Colorado’s state-funded preschool program.
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Community members demanded DPSCD sell or lease the vacant properties. Now, the board wants to hear ideas for repurposing them.
The Detroit school board wants to consider alternatives to demolishing four buildings after community pushback
Community members demanded DPSCD sell or lease the vacant properties. Now, the board wants to hear ideas for repurposing them.
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At the same time CPS is cutting funding for Whole School Safety Plans, the district plans a new push to help all schools implement a 2024 policy that requires social-emotional learning, maintaining at least one security guard, and other programs.
Chicago to slash funding earmarked for schools that replaced police with restorative justice programs
At the same time CPS is cutting funding for Whole School Safety Plans, the district plans a new push to help all schools implement a 2024 policy that requires social-emotional learning, maintaining at least one security guard, and other programs.
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Veteran teachers left, principals cycled through too, and high-poverty schools likely faced the greatest strain. Here’s what years of churn did to classrooms.
A ‘lost generation’ of teachers left the classroom. Schools are still dealing with the consequences.
Veteran teachers left, principals cycled through too, and high-poverty schools likely faced the greatest strain. Here’s what years of churn did to classrooms.
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Public spaces feel off-limits to Philadelphia kids. They say more welcoming spaces for teens could mean fewer large gatherings, and less fighting.
Can third spaces prevent youth fighting and rowdy teen takeovers? These Philly kids say yes.
Public spaces feel off-limits to Philadelphia kids. They say more welcoming spaces for teens could mean fewer large gatherings, and less fighting.
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With the threat of a state takeover still overhead, MSCS leaders are making changes to boost attendance and math achievement. And more school closures are likely on the way this year.
5 Memphis schools stories to watch in 2026-27 school year
With the threat of a state takeover still overhead, MSCS leaders are making changes to boost attendance and math achievement. And more school closures are likely on the way this year.
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⚠️ TODAY ⚠️ When many teachers leave, the whole school community is affected, and student achievement often declines. What are potential ways to bolster teachers and schools, while supporting students? There's still time to RSVP for this discussion: ckbe.at/4p2oXLs
