‘Opportunity’ knocked — and stayed: The debate over private school vouchers

The successes and shortcomings of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program are a microcosm of the broader voucher movement nationwide.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 22, 2023

HHS proposes rule aiming to boost Head Start workforce

Some 65% of Head Start grant recipients say vacancies remain higher than usual, with compensation cited as a driving force.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 22, 2023

‘Opportunity’ knocked — and stayed: Successes and flaws of DC’s private school voucher program

While some credit the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program as a "lifeline" for thousands of low-income students, others are pushing for its demise.

By Kara Arundel , Shaun Lucas , Julia Himmel • Nov. 21, 2023

Portland teachers’ strike lingers on, canceling classes for nearly a month

As of Sunday, however, negotiations were moving in a “positive and productive” direction, according to the Portland Association of Teachers.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 20, 2023

‘Opportunity’ knocked — and stayed: Two decades of private school vouchers in the nation’s capital

As private school choice programs increase across the U.S., the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program gets credit, and blame, for leading the way.

By Kara Arundel , Shaun Lucas , Julia Himmel • Nov. 20, 2023

Ed Dept calls on more states to develop innovative assessments

In a letter to state education leaders, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says assessments can "maximize the quality of and returns on instructional time."

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 20, 2023

How has substitute teacher staffing changed since the pandemic?

Teacher shortage solutions and pandemic adjustments to substitute pay and entry requirements have had impacts on the sub pool.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 17, 2023

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From the latest data tracking school shootings to federal COVID-19 emergency fund extensions, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Nov. 17, 2023

Continuing resolution secures federal education funds through Feb. 2

The congressional deal avoids a government shutdown for the second time since September.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 17, 2023

Schumer calls for USDA investigation into nationwide milk carton shortage

The New York senator is calling for help “to find packaging alternatives” and resolve the issue.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 16, 2023

California joins small, growing number of states requiring K-12 media literacy

Other states to adopt the requirement across every grade level include Delaware, New Jersey and Texas.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 15, 2023

Child Medicaid disenrollments top 2M

Children account for nearly 40% of the 10.6 million Medicaid disenrollments reported by states as of Nov. 14, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 15, 2023

Gun violence solutions ‘well within our reach’

Congressional leaders hosted a roundtable Monday seeking answers to the national epidemic of shootings. Here are four key takeaways.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 14, 2023

Senators propose study on effects of cell phone use in schools

The bipartisan bill includes a pilot program for schools to store student phones in secure storage containers during the school day.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 14, 2023

School districts navigate wave of activism in wake of Israel-Hamas war

Students protesting the Middle East situation and teachers’ personal views on the issue have pushed administrators to steer around political divides.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 13, 2023

FCC proposes adding Wi-Fi hotspots to E-Rate program

The proposed rule follows the agency’s recent expansion of the E-Rate program to fund Wi-Fi on school buses.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 13, 2023

Less than 1% of COVID emergency funds approved for spending extensions

The small amount sought for late liquidation in the first two allocations could indicate states and districts were able to spend down their funds.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 13, 2023

2023 school shootings outpace record high from 2022

School shootings — on the overall rise for decades — have broken last year’s record high at 306 shootings with just under two months left to go in the year.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 10, 2023

LGBTQ+ issues increasingly targeted in K-12 censorship bills

In 2021, legislators focused on banning The 1619 Project. This year, LGBTQ+ issues have become the primary target in classroom censorship efforts.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 10, 2023

Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

From supply chain challenges impacting school cafeterias to CDC data on teen vape use, what did you learn from our recent stories?

By Anna Merod • Nov. 10, 2023

House Republicans block controversial Title IX proposed rules in funding bill

A provision would prevent the Education Department from using any of its allocated $67.5 billion to implement proposed LGBTQ+ protections. 

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 9, 2023

Milk carton shortage spills into schools

School nutrition leaders are navigating a widespread milk carton shortage, adding to the persistent supply chain issues impacting school cafeterias.

By Anna Merod • Nov. 8, 2023

Ed Dept calls on schools to address ‘alarming rise’ in Islamophobic, antisemitic incidents

A spike in discrimination against Jewish, Muslim, Israeli and Palestinian American students, among others, has come amid the Israel-Hamas war.

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 7, 2023

CDC: High school vape use declined in 2023

However, the public health agency found no significant change in the use of tobacco products among middle and high school students combined. 

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 7, 2023

Use home visits to strengthen connections for newcomer students

Visits should be prearranged and voluntary for families and educators, with educators ready to listen and learn, experts say.

By Kara Arundel • Nov. 6, 2023