Education

Cursive makes a comeback—by law—in public schools

‘Keyboarding’ pushed cursive out of favor, but some lawmakers miss the script.

Education linked to better employment prospects upon release from prison

People who get an education while serving time are less likely to return to prison and more likely to enter the job market, an analysis finds.

FCC wants to improve cyber protections for schools, libraries

Faced with a growing number of cyberattacks on school districts nationwide, the agency announced a three-year pilot program to gather data on the best cyberdefenses.

Why advocates for transgender rights are so thrilled with election results

After years of putting transgender issues at the center of the culture wars, several anti-trans candidates were defeated in Tuesday’s state and local elections. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

Student loan repayments will likely crimp tax revenue

Because borrowers will have less discretionary income, states and cities will likely see less tax revenue, a recent Pew report says.

The hazards of facial recognition in schools

New York has banned the emerging technology in its schools, arguing that the concerns surrounding it “are not outweighed by the claimed benefits.” Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

Amid a youth mental health crisis, teachers get schooled

Educators, who are on the front lines of the issue, are increasingly being trained in how to recognize signs of mental distress in their students.

In unique approach, one county utilizes a P3 to build public schools

Instead of it taking six years to build six schools, it took three. The first-of-its-kind project saved Prince George’s County, Maryland, millions of dollars—and includes 30 years of maintenance.

An Illinois plan for ending book bans? Republican senators aren’t on board

A tense hearing on Capitol Hill showed partisan divisions over who should decide what books libraries and schools offer.

In many schools this fall, free meals for all are back on the menu

States and school districts are moving to provide every kid with a free breakfast and lunch, after a popular pandemic-era program from the federal government expired.

Will Texas’ new fentanyl awareness curriculum for public schools succeed where other anti-drug messaging failed?

Historically, anti-drug messaging in schools has failed to acknowledge the mental health reasons that youth self-medicate. Without that key lesson, advocates worry House Bill 3908 will be another D.A.R.E. campaign.

Feds prioritizing on-site K-12 cybersecurity reviews this school year

The nation’s cyber defense agency is aiming to work with schools “where they’re at instead of where they should be.” 

‘IGNITE’ing an educational fire in U.S. jails

An initiative launched in a Michigan county jail has been embraced as a national model for reducing jail violence and inmate recidivism.

How to buy ed tech that isn't evil

As schools look to educational technology to enhance student learning, administrators must first consider the safety and effectiveness of any product before bringing it in the classroom.

Plagued by teacher shortages, some states turn to fast-track credentialing

Critics worry that the faster credentialing programs could do a disservice to young students.

How book-banning campaigns have changed the lives and education of librarians

COMMENTARY | Librarians are defending the rights of readers and writers in the battle raging across the U.S. over censorship, book challenges and book bans. That conflict has even changed how librarians are trained.

SCOTUS: Race cannot be considered in college admissions

The ruling will affect both public and private colleges and universities in states that have not already barred affirmative action in admissions.

Schools Struggle to Implement New Laws on Sexually Explicit Books

Local school boards must interpret the state laws, which are sometimes vague and come with loose guidance. It has had a chilling effect on school decision-makers, who become overly cautious.

Staffing Challenges Spur Another Look at Four-Day Workweeks

School districts think shorter weeks could attract more teachers, while one Colorado city hopes they can help address chronic staffing shortages at its police department.

Federal Covid Changes Helped Feed Twice as Many Kids During Summer

Some advocates say the summer feeding programs could be more flexible even when there’s not a national emergency.