Contradicting health guidance, White House pressures schools to reopen

National school leaders say the administration is ignoring thoughts on reopening and lacks details on how districts could cover extra expenses.

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020

Pitting mental health against safety, national leaders point to SEL in school reopening debate

Schools' ability to provide mental health support is taking center stage as some say it's not immediately feasible, while others say there's a middle ground. 

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020

Survey: Students relatively positive on distance learning, but obstacles remain

A YouthTruth survey of 20,000 students finds Black and Latinx students report more obstacles to learning, and female and nonbinary students experience more mental health struggles.

By Roger Riddell • July 7, 2020

'Notable' June job gains don't include public education employment

An increase of 70,000 local public education jobs was partially offset by 25,000 job losses in state government education. Private ed gained 93,000 jobs.

By Naaz Modan • July 6, 2020

Will climbing coronavirus cases derail school reopenings?

In a Senate committee hearing, lawmakers and health experts said while reopening schools is important, increasing COVID cases are cause for concern.

By Naaz Modan • July 1, 2020

Despite Espinoza decision's 'seismic shock' to public schools, context may vary by state

Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling allows states to enact choice programs that include religious options, but it may not fully clear the path for them due to the specifics of state constitutions.

By Linda Jacobson • June 30, 2020

Supreme Court: Public money can be used for religious education

Writing for the majority in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, Chief Justice John Roberts said no "historic and substantial" tradition supports disqualifying religious schools from government aid.

By Linda Jacobson • June 30, 2020

States move toward waiving standardized tests for 2020-21

Some state and local superintendents and legislators are expressing a need for testing waivers — a potentially long-term change for high-stakes assessments.

By Naaz Modan • June 29, 2020

Ed Dept's final rule on CARES funding partially backtracks earlier guidance

In a final rule effective immediately, districts must choose between funding only low-income students or all schools, public or private, with CARES aid. 

By Naaz Modan • June 25, 2020

Chamber of Commerce report breaks down education, other opportunity gaps by the numbers

The compilation of research seeks to promote "targeted, data-driven, and sustainable solutions" to expand equal opportunity through policy and the private sector.

By Roger Riddell • June 25, 2020

Report: California schools see drop in suspensions for minor offenses

Rates have declined most for Black students, but Black and Native American students with disabilities still lose the most days of instruction, according to a Civil Rights Project analysis.

By Linda Jacobson • June 23, 2020

As states cut budgets, racial funding gaps between districts could widen

In a House hearing Monday, experts testified education cuts amid the fallout of the pandemic will likely disproportionately impact low-income districts serving students of color.

By Naaz Modan • June 23, 2020

A Supreme Court ruling keeps DACA in place for now — but what's next?

The possibility of a future challenge remains, and awareness is growing of the program's impact on tax revenues and district staffing.

By Naaz Modan • June 19, 2020

Amid concerns of widening equity gaps, Black educators suggest a starting point

While some students and educators are itching to reenter the classroom, superintendents report their Black students prefer to stay home in a culturally reflective and safe environment. 

By Naaz Modan • June 18, 2020

Supreme Court signals willingness to consider bathroom rights in LGBT job discrimination ruling

In a 2018 NPR Ed survey of 79 transgender and gender-nonconforming teachers, 56% reported facing harassment or discrimination at work. 

By Roger Riddell • June 15, 2020

Uncertainty persists around fall school meal distribution

Current USDA waivers are set to expire, complicating reopening as plans lean toward staggered schedules and concerns rise about a second wave of COVID.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 15, 2020

Efforts to close digital divide top states' plans for emergency relief funds

States are also prioritizing training for teachers in deciding how to distribute a total of almost $3 billion for pandemic-related needs.

By Linda Jacobson • June 15, 2020

Alexander: 'Schools should plan for COVID to last at least a year'

A Senate education committee hearing Wednesday highlighted challenges schools face and the burden of additional costs while planning to reopen and bracing for more disruption.

By Naaz Modan • June 11, 2020

Amid protests, districts re-examine police contracts, policies

Minneapolis Public Schools and others have dropped, or are considering dropping, contracts with local police as equity concerns rise.

By Naaz Modan • June 10, 2020

California (finally) considers a way to measure student growth

With 48 states already tracking growth, experts say the move is "long overdue" and that measuring progress is especially important to see which schools "beat the odds in this crisis."

By Linda Jacobson • June 10, 2020

Public ed employment falls significantly as private ed rises

Numbers for May show losses in local government education employment, accounting for almost two-thirds of government job losses overall.

By Naaz Modan • June 8, 2020

17 states, DC challenge new Title IX regulations' impact on schools

The lawsuit, filed by Democratic attorneys general, suggests districts won't have enough time to implement requirements, and that it could take away from planning for distance learning and fall reopenings.

By Naaz Modan • June 5, 2020

School nutrition group to USDA: Provide free meals for all students in 2020-21

The call comes as additional waivers for grab-and-go sites are set to expire at the end of June.

By Linda Jacobson • June 4, 2020

Title IX regulations impose new requirements on K-12 districts

A former Illinois executive inspector general writes that K-12 school districts will need to make substantial changes to how they address sexual harassment.

By Maggie Hickey, Anthony-Ray Sepúlveda and Mariam Chamilova • June 4, 2020

'A different kind of horrific' for K-12 as states anticipate revenue shortfalls

Less than half of states have warned districts about shortfalls, but researchers suggest districts plan now for budget cuts or face steeper impacts in the fall.

By Naaz Modan • May 29, 2020