Can friendlier, clearer parent letters curb absenteeism?

Changing the tone and appearance of letters addressed to parents has helped reduce chronic absenteeism by 15% in California's San Mateo County and 11% in Chicago and Philadelphia.

By Amelia Harper • June 12, 2019

Teacher attrition demands new approaches to leadership, preparation

Experts say demanding rigorous preparation, building a career ladder, and facilitating teacher collaboration are some ways to address ongoing shortages and high turnover rates.

By Naaz Modan • June 12, 2019

With growing calls for more mental health services, states tackle school counselor caseloads

A 250-to-1 ratio is recommended, but it's much higher in many states — Arizona peaks at 905-to-1. And funds aren't always available to help lower the numbers.

By Linda Jacobson • June 6, 2019

Report highlights difficulty achieving equity for rural schools

High poverty, opioid addiction, limited healthcare and tech access, and a lower tax base contribute to challenges in lifting rural schools, according to the Tennessee Educational Equity Coalition.

By Amelia Harper • June 4, 2019

School social media surveillance raises privacy infringement questions

Districts say keeping students safe is their main concern, but surveillance may cross privacy lines as some efforts flag unrelated adults in the community for otherwise harmless posts.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 3, 2019

10 districts seceded from larger ones during past 2 years

17 more are trying to secede, though research shows such a move can rob lower-income schools of tax revenues and lead to divides among race and class.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 31, 2019

Years of inadequate funding have left many school facilities neglected

A federal study found 53% of the nation’s schools are in need of repairs and upgrades, and estimates for addressing those needs range from $197 billion to $542 billion.

By Amelia Harper • May 31, 2019

US children better off today than in 2000

Save the Children’s global report shows declines in the dropout and teen birth rates, but the U.S. is still not in the top 25 countries on eight measures of child well-being.

By Linda Jacobson • May 28, 2019

Recovery high schools offer hope to students fighting substance abuse

Though the concept has been around for decades with a track record of success, these schools are still few and far between.

By Amelia Harper • May 24, 2019

Los Angeles district will report extensive data on foster youth

The school board also directed Superintendent Austin Beutner to create partnerships with higher education institutions to help students in foster care transition into college.

By Linda Jacobson • May 23, 2019

Ed Dept to implement Obama-era equity rules in IDEA policy

Two months after losing a court battle over the issue, the department is telling states to follow the original 2016 regulations.

By Amelia Harper • May 23, 2019

Snooze but don't lose: Study confirms academic benefits of later school start times

Starting elementary students first would result in a "small academic cost," the researchers say, but those negative effects would disappear as students get older.

By Linda Jacobson • May 22, 2019

Should teachers have to pay for their own substitutes?

As teachers strike for better pay and benefits, districts need to examine the fairness of sick leave policies.

By Amelia Harper • May 22, 2019

New York reconsidering Regents exams

Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa has opened the door for discussion as more states drop graduation requirements for high school exit exams.

By Amelia Harper • May 21, 2019

Ed Dept official: US ed spending now in 'full recovery' after recession

Data shows poorer districts are also now better-funded than their more affluent counterparts in 40 states, helping to compensate for the additional resources needed for low-income students.

By Amelia Harper • May 16, 2019

Analysis: California charters affect spending at district schools — but not by much

The paper comes as the California Teachers Association is pushing for state lawmakers to approve a package of bills that would set limits on the growth of charter schools in the state.

By Linda Jacobson • May 15, 2019

Study: School segregation persists 65 years after Brown decision

Despite dramatic shifts in demographics, research from the UCLA Civil Rights Project indicates school segregation has worsened since 1988.

By Amelia Harper • May 14, 2019

School immunization and vaccine exemptions: How states stack up

This year's measles outbreak is the largest in 25 years, reigniting the debate over whether students need to be vaccinated to attend school.

By Jessica Campisi • May 13, 2019

Florida passes law allowing armed public school teachers

The bill, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires those teachers to undergo a psychological exam and at least 144 hours of approved training.

By Amelia Harper • May 10, 2019

Maryland district turns to P3s to tackle $8.5B construction, maintenance backlog

Amid overcrowding, broken air conditioning and aging buildings, Prince George's County Public Schools would reportedly be the nation's first district to hire a private company to build and maintain several schools.

By Kim Slowey , Jessica Campisi • May 9, 2019

Roundup: Curriculum in state education policy

Sex education and school choice are two of the top subjects up for debate in state legislatures. Education Dive has updates on key proposals.

By Jessica Campisi • May 8, 2019

Betsy DeVos blasts teacher activism, calls Obama guidance an 'overreach'

At the Education Writers Association's National Seminar Monday, the education secretary said "it's important that adults have adult disagreements on adult time and not ultimately hurt kids in the process."

By Jessica Campisi • May 7, 2019

Stipends, mentorship programs among Colorado proposals to address rural teacher shortage

Loan forgiveness and a $2,000 stipend for mentors working with student teachers are among the education proposals up for debate in the state legislature this year.

By Amelia Harper • May 7, 2019

More than half of Americans think teachers ill-equipped to handle disruptive students

Along with releasing survey results, experts gathered in Washington, D.C., to discuss the federal government's role in school discipline.

By Linda Jacobson • May 2, 2019

Survey: Funding remains top concern for principals nationwide

Attendance, teacher morale, student behavior and teacher professional development are also pressing issues for around 800 principals nationwide in an annual survey from MCH Strategic Data.

By Roger Riddell • May 2, 2019