Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Future of Schools

Following the ongoing efforts to improve struggling schools.
Indiana
3 days ago

Indiana teachers union spends big on Indianapolis Public Schools in election

But public disclosures do not capture the full spending on the election.

Innovation zone

Colorado
3 days ago

Two more Denver schools win additional freedom from district rules

The schools will create a new “innovation zone,” bringing the district’s number of quasi-autonomous zones to three.

all clear

Newark
3 days ago

Newark’s North Star Academy charter schools are cleared after discipline probe

New Jersey’s largest charter-school network did not violate state regulations when it disciplined students with disabilities, according to a state investigation triggered by an advocacy…

down ballot

Detroit
3 days ago

A guide to the critical education race you’ve never heard of

It’s no secret that school closures are on the ballot in Michigan this November, with candidates for the state’s highest office taking different…

Academic Accountability

Chicago
3 days ago

Coming soon: Not one, but two ratings for every Chicago school

Starting this month, Chicago schools will have to juggle two ratings — one from the school district, and…
Chicago
3 days ago

Eve Ewing explains why some communities just can’t get over school closings

If Chicago schools are so bad, why do people fight to keep them from closing? Eve Ewing’s new book “…

working toward proficiency

National
October 18, 2018

Maine went all in on ‘proficiency-based learning’ — then rolled it back. What does that mean for the rest of the country?

The latest developments suggest that Maine may become a cautionary tale rather than the successful proof point advocates had hoped for.

Election 2018

Tennessee
October 18, 2018

It’s not just the governor’s race. Here’s what Tennessee’s big legislative turnover could mean for education.

This year's large number of legislative departures, especially by House education leaders, leaves a void waiting to be filled.

50 years later

New York
October 18, 2018

A Chalkbeat roundtable: What New York City is still learning from its teacher strikes of 1968

Eight historians and scholars of education to reflect on a historic moment and the questions it still raises, including: Who will teach the city’s children, and how?

Test Results

Newark
October 17, 2018

Newark’s PARCC scores inch up, setting baseline for new superintendent

Just over 34 percent of Newark students passed the PARCC English tests this year, and about 23 percent passed math.

New mayor

Chicago
October 17, 2018

Illinois charter PAC ready to spend millions in Chicago elections

Well-funded political action committee supporting charter schools poised to campaign for mayor, aldermen candidates — with potentially enough to sway elections.

Big speeches

Chicago
October 17, 2018

Emanuel tries to shore up education legacy in final budget address

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel choked up twice during his final budget address to Chicago’s City Council Wednesday morning: once when he talked about…

Schola Latina

Detroit
October 16, 2018

With school board approval, new Detroit Latin School plans to enroll students as soon as next fall

The new Detroit Latin school, which hopes to eventually serve students in grades K through 12, won approval from the Detroit school board Tuesday night to enter into a 99-year, $1 lease for an abandoned school on the city’s west side.

Revisiting CTE

Indiana
October 16, 2018

How a new career program has put these Indianapolis students to work as nursing assistants

The program is part of Indianapolis Public Schools’ effort to revamp education for high school students.

bus woes

New York
October 16, 2018

After school bus horror stories, New York City council members propose fixes

After the school year began with a record number of complaints concerning bus delays and treacherously long routes, schools Chancellor Richard Carranza promised…

join us

National
October 16, 2018

Chalkbeat’s 2018 summer interns were awesome. Get to know them, then apply to join us in 2019.

As colder temperatures set in, summer has started to feel like a distant memory. Fortunately for us at Chalkbeat, we have warm memories of last…

Miseducation

National
October 16, 2018

What our local education reporters learned when we collaborated with ProPublica to look at equity data

Opportunities continue to depend in many cases on where students live and the color of their skin, but educators and policy makers are trying to increase equity.

Miseducation

Newark
October 16, 2018

In Newark, reporting lapses hide thousands of student suspensions from public view

Newark schools suspended thousands of students in 2015-16. But inaccurate state reports have masked the suspensions.

Miseducation

Colorado
October 16, 2018

In Colorado’s high-poverty schools, many teachers are just starting their careers

The percentage of Colorado’s teachers in their first or second year in the classroom is among the highest in the nation. That has consequences for students and teachers.

Miseducation

Chicago
October 16, 2018

In one Chicago neighborhood, three high schools offer dramatically different opportunities

This story is part of a partnership between Chalkbeat and the nonprofit investigative news organization ProPublica. Using federal data from Miseducation, an interactive database built…

Miseducation

New York
October 16, 2018

‘You try to triage’: NYC is spending big on counseling, but staff on the front lines say needs are going unmet

This story is part of a partnership between Chalkbeat and the nonprofit investigative news organization ProPublica. Using federal data from Miseducation, an interactive database built…

public comment

Chicago
October 15, 2018

Chicago sets community meetings on controversial school inventory report

Chicago Public Schools is hosting a dozen workshops for community members focused on a controversial…

testing questions

New York
October 15, 2018

‘The needle hasn’t moved’: Regents sound off on racial gaps in 2018 test scores

New York State’s top education policymakers raised concerns Monday about whether the state is doing enough to address persistent racial gaps on state…

Regents rundown

New York
October 14, 2018

As elections approach, New York’s top education policymakers begin to outline legislative priorities

The Regents will kick off the discussion Monday by reviewing last year’s priorities.

2018 SPF ratings

Colorado
October 12, 2018

Fewer Denver schools earn top ratings as the district raises the bar for quality

Now, to get the district's highest ratings, schools need to show that more of their students can read, write, and do math at grade level.

How I Teach

Detroit
October 12, 2018

Meet the teacher behind a farm-to-cafeteria program powered by Detroit students with disabilities

Here, in a feature we call How I Teach, we ask educators who’ve been recognized for their work how they approach their jobs. You can…

behind the scenes

Indiana
October 12, 2018

The ‘toxic’ politics behind McCormick’s decision to reject a second term as Indiana schools chief

McCormick said she’s “disheartened” by how politics and “behind-the-scenes” conversations have made it difficult to do her job of carrying out education policy.
Indiana
October 12, 2018

Candidates for IPS Board talk budget cuts, closing schools, and more

Eight people are vying for three seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools Board this year.

the bronx plan

New York
October 12, 2018

Bronx schools to get “innovation funds” as part of big New York City investment in the borough

New York City’s proposed contract with its teachers union covers the entire city, but all officials seemed to want to talk about Thursday…
New York
October 12, 2018

Rise & Shine: Teachers crowdfund nearly $200 million nationally for school supplies, other basics

LET’S MAKE A DEAL New York City and its teachers union reached a new three year labor contract, which boosts salaries, reduces how…

the terms

New York
October 12, 2018

More money for New York City teachers in contract deal, but is it a raise? Some are pushing back

“My union agreed to a contract that doesn't keep up with inflation," one teacher tweeted. "Why not push for more?"

Screen Time

New York
October 11, 2018

New York City teachers will be screened for ‘suitability’ under new union contract

If teaching in New York City is going to burn you out, the school system wants to know before you set foot in…

Homestretch

Tennessee
October 11, 2018

Three big differences on Tennessee education heading into Dean and Lee’s final debate

While the first two debates have been polite and cordial, sharp differences are emerging on hot-button education issues in the race to be governor.

tech support

New York
October 11, 2018

With union’s blessing, students at 15 schools in the Bronx will take courses taught remotely

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos recently touted the approach for rural schools in Mississippi.

the terms

New York
October 11, 2018

Most New York City teachers would be observed less often under new contract deal

Under the terms of the tentative contract deal between the city and union, the number of observations required would fall to two for most teachers.

it's a deal

New York
October 11, 2018

United Federation of Teachers, New York City officials agree to a new 2019-2022 contract

New York City’s educators have a new contract that provides extra pay to teachers who work in hard-to-staff schools, tweaks teacher evaluations, and…

discipline disparities

New York
October 11, 2018

Black students in New York City receive harsher suspensions for the same infractions, report finds

The report zeroed in on the top 10 infractions and found that black students were more likely to receive harsher punishments for 8 of them.

How I Teach

New York
October 11, 2018

In New York City, sea urchins and horseshoe crabs help lead the class

How do teachers captivate their students? Here, in a feature we call How I Teach, we ask great educators how they approach their jobs. You…

Out of town

Detroit
October 11, 2018

Just a quarter of Detroit students attend schools in their own neighborhoods. The rest commute.

Two decades after Michigan created dozens of school choice options for students in Detroit, a new report finds that just a quarter of students are now attending the school nearest to their home.

Deadlines

Chicago
October 10, 2018

90 days until no paycheck: Time running out for Illinois child-care providers in subsidy program

It’s hard to dispute the importance of training child-care providers on how to administer CPR or how to properly report suspected child abuse.

getting to know you

New York
October 10, 2018

Next in the Upper West Side and Harlem integration push: encouraging parents to explore their options

Standing before a classroom of parents crammed into child-sized chairs, Principal Claudia Aguirre launched into her pitch for P.S. 149 Sojourner Truth, a…
Chicago
October 9, 2018

Can a program designed for British diplomats fix Chicago’s schools?

Senn High senior Shrda Shrestha is attending her neighborhood high school in Edgewater against pretty much everybody’s advice. “When I…

Boost for charters

Colorado
October 9, 2018

Colorado gets $55 million to support charter school expansion

The five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education will help charter schools with start-up costs and trainings.

To and Through

National
October 9, 2018

At this KIPP high school, a new tactic for getting students to college: bringing college to them

Bard College is enrolling half of KIPP Renaissance’s juniors in a program designed to end with them earning an associate’s degree.

Election 2018

Tennessee
October 9, 2018

Tennessee’s largest teachers group endorses Dean for governor as Lee reportedly snubs invitation

The Tennessee Education Association PAC cites Karl Dean’s record on school funding and his opposition to vouchers.

New Action

New York
October 9, 2018

‘Getting ready to do something’: Carranza hints at action for New York City children still in federal detention centers

Carranza directed sharp criticisms at the federal government’s handling of immigration before saying the city may have a plan for children in federal detention centers.

at odds

New York
October 9, 2018

Carranza says the city could get rid of the SHSAT at 5 specialized schools on its own, contradicting de Blasio

Carranza’s comments, which came during a fiery speech at the Hispanic Education Summit, represent a rare break from the mayor.

Long-term fix

Detroit
October 9, 2018

Detroit district settles on long-term water fix, but major facilities issues remain

Detroit schools are getting new water filtration systems in the next year, a long-term solution to one piece of the district’s staggering school…

Race and policy

Detroit
October 9, 2018

Michigan students of color more likely to struggle, less likely to have teachers who look like them

That lack of diversity among teachers is just one reason why the report finds that children of color are struggling in schools. Faced with challenges related to poverty, including health problems and unstable housing, they’re more likely to have chronic school absences. They’re more likely to change schools frequently, which can affect their ability to succeed. They’re more likely to drop out and to post low scores on state exams.

Early College

Newark
October 9, 2018

‘Doors open because of this’: How one Newark high school is closing the college degree gap

Newark's East Side High School allows students to earn two-year college degrees by graduation, saving some students thousands of dollars in tuition.
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