Foreign language education provides diplomatic benefits, more

The United States has moved away from a commitment to foreign language acquisition in recent decades, but employers care about bilingualism and research shows it has positive effects.

By Tara García Mathewson • Sept. 6, 2016

DC schools' celebrated PE policy goes largely ignored

Only 10 of more than 200 public schools are in compliance with the DC Healthy Schools Act's requirements, according to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

By Tara García Mathewson • Sept. 2, 2016

Mental health disorders common among students, but support is limited

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate as many as one in five kids experience a mental disorder in a given year, but school staffs are swamped.

By Tara García Mathewson • Sept. 2, 2016

Lead contamination presents uncontroversial ed opportunity for private donors

Ryan Cooper, a national correspondent for The Week, suggests lead abatement could be an uncontroversial school reform strategy that is likely to improve student performance.

By Tara García Mathewson • Sept. 2, 2016

Top-rated Chicago elementary principal resigns in public letter to Emanuel

Troy LaRaviere, a vocal critic of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s education policies, published a letter of resignation this week, surrendering to a coordinated ouster by the mayor’s administration.

By Tara García Mathewson • Sept. 1, 2016

SmartAsset ranking identifies best places to be a teacher

The personal finance technology company has issued its second annual ranking of the 140 largest metro areas based on how good teachers have it, and those in Pennsylvania and Ohio rise to the top.

By Tara García Mathewson • Sept. 1, 2016

Ed Dept releases 'supplement not supplant' rules

The U.S. Department of Education outlined draft regulations for how school districts can allocate Title I dollars, and the criticism was quick and fierce from educators and lawmakers.

By Tara García Mathewson • Sept. 1, 2016

Poll shows split in perception of public ed's purpose

Phi Delta Kappa International’s 48th annual public poll about education revealed a lack of consensus over the role of public schools and perspectives that do not align with policy.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 31, 2016

Data mining, other tactics help administrators tackle absenteeism

An initial review of attendance data can help administrators figure out which students are chronically absent, or on their way to that designation, and take steps to get them to class.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 31, 2016

NLRB says two charters are private, not public

The National Labor Relations Board decided cases involving charter schools in New York and Pennsylvania last week, concluding both are private corporations for the purposes of labor law.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 31, 2016

Report suggest strategies for diversifying teacher ranks

Research from the Brookings Institution outlines the scope of the diversity problem in K-12 schools and the best ways to address it, based on their projected impact.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 31, 2016

Supreme Court considers hearing New Mexico textbook case

Public school parents sued the New Mexico Public Education Department and several private schools in 2012, arguing the constitutionality of using public dollars for private school textbooks.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 30, 2016

Tennessee district focuses instruction on 7 common goals

When Chris Marczak became superintendent of the Maury County School District, he did a listening tour with all 22 schools and community stakeholders to develop shared goals for students.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 30, 2016

High opt-out states preparing for federal sanctions

As the opt-out movement pushes on, states are expecting penalties from the US Department of Education, which requires that districts test at least 95% of students.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 29, 2016

'Hidden' homelessness presents difficult challenge for schools, districts

Students who have poor attendance, do not do their homework and fall asleep in class may be homeless, not just disengaged, and they may not want their schools to know. 

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 29, 2016

Unlearning and workforce development: The week's most-read education news

Stay ahead of the class with the latest on diversifying the teacher workforce and more here.

By Roger Riddell • Aug. 26, 2016

Justice Dept sues Georgia over treatment of students with disabilities

The lawsuit alleges illegal segregation by a state-run program.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 26, 2016

Black community sees split over charter schools

The NAACP and the Movement for Black Lives have both recently called for a moratorium on charters, passing resolutions saying they have worsened segregation — but not all agree.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 26, 2016

Average score lowers as more students take ACT

A smaller share of test-takers were considered college-ready at the end of the 2015-16 school year than the prior year, but the dip in scores was expected.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 25, 2016

New York State Ed Dept names first privacy officer

Temitope Akinyemi will be expected to develop policies and procedures that keep data of students, parents and educators safe, and then implement and oversee their adoption. 

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 25, 2016

EdBuild ranks nation's most segregating school district borders

The nonprofit focused on issues of school funding analyzed all of the bordering districts in the country, naming 50 as the most dramatically segregated by poverty rates.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

School takeovers leave parents without a voice

When states swoop in to take over failing schools, they strip local school boards of their power, leaving many parents feeling like they have no reason to be involved.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Federal judge blocks Title IX enforcement in bathroom battle

US District Judge Reed O’Connor of Texas blocked the Obama administration’s directive that schools accommodate transgender students by allowing them to use the bathroom of their choice.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Tenure protections upheld in Vergara v. California

The state Supreme Court voted not to hear an appeal following a lower court decision that tenure and other job protections for teachers were not to blame for educational inequity.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Los Angeles charter battle could revert El Camino Real to district control

The school has been fairly successful academically but is under the microscope because of alleged financial mismanagement since becoming a charter in 2011.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 22, 2016