Philadelphia charter schools bracing for big cuts

Philadelphia's school district may request charters to return some already-allocated funding and will change the amount of per-pupil spending going forward.

By Stephen Noonoo • March 15, 2017

Experts warn against teaching to learning styles in K-12

A group of experts from various disciplines is encouraging educators to stop teaching to abandon popular "neuromyths" and focus on evidence-based practices. 

By Stephen Noonoo • March 15, 2017

Are teachers K-12's greatest untapped innovation engines? [SXSWedu 2017]

Two administrators and a teacher shared their thoughts on how school and district leaders can facilitate game-changing ideas in the classroom.

By Roger Riddell • March 14, 2017

Ed Dept releases new template for state reports under ESSA

The department's interpretation of what information is "absolutely necessary" will reduce reporting burden for schools, but may increase disparities in student outcomes.

By Autumn A. Arnett • March 14, 2017

District expands employee wellness program to focus on better care

An employee wellness program at Polk County Public Schools in Florida has grown to include more services and target preventative care.

By Stephen Noonoo • March 14, 2017

Researchers calculate real cost of high school suspensions

California is actively attempting to reduce suspensions as part of a new accountability framework that considers factors other than test scores.

By Stephen Noonoo • March 13, 2017

AP courses may hold key to getting more students ready for college

A coordinated effort by school leaders in Spokane, WA, is pushing more students to undertake rigorous AP courses before completing high school. 

By Stephen Noonoo • March 13, 2017

NYC's Fariña talks equity and creating future educator pipelines [SXSWedu 2017]

The chancellor of the nation's largest district sees a critical role for K-12 schools in fostering the next generation of teachers.

By Roger Riddell • March 10, 2017

Rural Wyoming districts mull the idea of guns in schools

The state legislature in Wyoming voted to give boards of education the right to allow certain school employees or volunteers to carry guns.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 9, 2017

Senate follows House in scrapping Obama accountability regulations

The measure now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 9, 2017

NYC school matches reveal slow progress on increasing diversity at the top

Selective high schools remain predominantly white in a city with a 68% black and Latino population.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 9, 2017

Enforcement of 'gainful employment' regulations halted

Enforcement of the Obama-era policies has been pushed back from March 10 to July 1 to give the U.S. Department of Education more time to "review the regulations and their implementation."

By Jarrett Carter • March 9, 2017

Study finds refugee children have limited access to education

A Teachers College, Columbia University study of national laws and policies governing education of refugees as well as on-the-ground practice found troubling barriers to services.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Arkansas bill to give charters preference with unused school buildings advances

The Arkansas Senate has already approved a bill that would give charters special rights to unused or underutilized space in public schools and the House advanced the bill out of committee.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

IL forces schools to use Title I funding to offset pension debt

School districts outside of Chicago are losing at least $59 million of their federal Title I allocation because of a state requirement to contribute a large chunk of the money to the pension system.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Erie, PA, district frustrated by lack of financial help from state

The Erie School District finds itself stuck following a rejection from the state Department of Education of its financial recovery plan that asked for $31.8 million to rescue it from insolvency.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Colorado districts present plans to turn around failing schools

The lowest-performing districts in Colorado have had five years to turn themselves around or face state intervention and now Adams County School District 14 is presenting a plan to the state to avoid takeover.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Kansas debate over public school quality turns to vouchers as potential solution

After the state supreme court ruled Kansas’ public school funding levels were unconstitutional, Gov. Sam Brownback urged a school choice model to give families a way out of under-performing schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Looking ahead, schools prepare for requests from immigration officials

While official practice among immigration agents is to stay away from schools as “safe zones,” families are bringing their worries to district officials and administrators have had to respond.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Evidence of high lead levels in PA school's water was suppressed by admins

Summit Elementary School has closed and three administrators have resigned since a school board member brought to light a scandal about high lead and the district’s lack of response.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Florida district offers incentives for graduates with degrees outside of teaching

Bay District Schools in Florida has begun offering bonuses to teaching candidates who didn’t go to college for education as well as veteran teachers who will work in new subject areas to fill gaps.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 8, 2017

Illinois districts skirt borrowing limits with help from the legislature

A small school district north of Chicago is lobbying legislators to approve a bill that would allow them to go over debt limits to build a new school, issuing bonds voters have already approved.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 7, 2017

Teacher housing as recruitment, retention initiative comes with its challenges

Santa Clara Unified School District has had a teacher housing program for 15 years, offering below-market rent to new employees for up to seven years, but replicating that success across the state proves difficult.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 7, 2017

Resolution to transgender bathroom case won't come this term

The U.S. Supreme Court has sent the case back to a lower court, asking it to make a decision based on federal law, rather than the Obama administration’s interpretation of it.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 7, 2017

New book outlines how autism is reshaping special education

School districts have long been asked to create appropriate curricula, but now there is a call for additional approaches that lead to success.

By Tara García Mathewson • March 6, 2017