Andrew Ujifusa
@andrewujifusa.bsky.social
I'm an editor at Chalkbeat, a national nonprofit news organization and a division of Civic News Company. I previously worked at Education Week's Politics K-12 vertical, and also at Maryland and Mississippi newspapers. I taught at two high schools in Japan.
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Andrew Ujifusa
@andrewujifusa.bsky.social
· Nov 27
Grant Ujifusa, 82, Dies; Lobbied for Redress for Japanese Americans (Gift Article)
He helped sway Ronald Reagan to sign a bill offering cash and an apology to Japanese Americans who had been imprisoned during World War II.
www.nytimes.com
My dad had a great American life. It had Americana: milking cows at dawn as a kid, starting at QB for the state champs. It also had civic triumph: helping remedy racial injustice, receiving the equivalent of a Japanese knighthood. The @nytimes.com featured it here: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/u...
Two Catholic parishes asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a lower court decision that said parish preschools participating in Colorado’s state-funded preschool program couldn’t deny admission to LGBTQ children or children from LGBTQ families. www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
Catholic parishes appeal to Supreme Court in Colorado universal preschool case
Two Catholic preschools that wanted to join Colorado’s state-funded preschool program but not admit children from LGBTQ families have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Two Catholic parishes asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a lower court decision that said parish preschools participating in Colorado’s state-funded preschool program couldn’t deny admission to LGBTQ children or children from LGBTQ families. www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
"They say the company’s parent consent form raises concerns about the possible use of student data to develop its product in violation of the state’s online student privacy law." www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Chicago virtual therapy for students faces scrutiny from privacy, mental health advocates
Chicago Public Schools brought in for-profit Hazel Health to offer free sessions to high schoolers, but some advocates have questions about the services.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"They say the company’s parent consent form raises concerns about the possible use of student data to develop its product in violation of the state’s online student privacy law." www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Tennessee teacher suspended over Charlie Kirk social media post is reinstated: www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/20...
Tennessee district reinstates teacher suspended over Kirk social media post
Williamson County administrators suspended the teacher over a satirical post about Charlie Kirk on a private social media account. Now the district says she didn’t violate any rules, and it wants a fe...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Tennessee teacher suspended over Charlie Kirk social media post is reinstated: www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/20...
"Pennsylvania will require schools to adopt evidence-based reading curriculum by the 2027-28 school year and institute new literacy instruction training for teachers." www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Here’s how much money Pennsylvania will spend to boost student literacy
About 1 in 3 Pennsylvania fourth graders could read at a proficient level last school year, according to national test scores. The new state budget puts more money toward boosting literacy rates.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Pennsylvania will require schools to adopt evidence-based reading curriculum by the 2027-28 school year and institute new literacy instruction training for teachers." www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Christian law firm’s search for test case led to religious public school in Colorado, emails suggest: www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
Christian law firm sought Colorado test case for religious public schools, emails suggest
Alliance Defending Freedom approached a Colorado lawyer about starting a school in Colorado to spark a legal test of publicly funded religious education, according to an email authored by the lawyer.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Christian law firm’s search for test case led to religious public school in Colorado, emails suggest: www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
“They don’t have to be alone with those thoughts or those fears in the aftermath of gun violence,” said Kiki Leyba, who ushered his students to safety during the 1999 Columbine High School shooting ... “There are others out there who they can connect with.” www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
These teachers survived school shootings. Now they’re offering help to their peers.
“They don't have to be alone with those thoughts or those fears in the aftermath,” said Kiki Leyba, who was teaching at Columbine High School during the 1999 mass shooting.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
“They don’t have to be alone with those thoughts or those fears in the aftermath of gun violence,” said Kiki Leyba, who ushered his students to safety during the 1999 Columbine High School shooting ... “There are others out there who they can connect with.” www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
"Chicago Public Schools staffers took 'questionable, excessive, and even exorbitant' trips to South Africa, Egypt, Finland, and elsewhere — complete with wildlife safaris, a hot air balloon ride, and camel rides at the district’s expense." www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Chicago Public Schools travel expenses flagged as “excessive, even exorbitant” by watchdog
The district implemented a freeze on almost all employee travel unrelated to student activities and launched a committee to come up with a better approach to approving and monitoring travel.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"Chicago Public Schools staffers took 'questionable, excessive, and even exorbitant' trips to South Africa, Egypt, Finland, and elsewhere — complete with wildlife safaris, a hot air balloon ride, and camel rides at the district’s expense." www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
"Community colleges’ costs are very low and they have not been at the center of the cultural and political backlash to higher education. ... What explains the two-year college decline, then?" www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/11/i... featuring @joshua-goodman.com @bakerdphd.bsky.social and others
Is college enrollment plummeting?
Reports of the death of the bachelor’s degree have been greatly exaggerated.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
"Community colleges’ costs are very low and they have not been at the center of the cultural and political backlash to higher education. ... What explains the two-year college decline, then?" www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/11/i... featuring @joshua-goodman.com @bakerdphd.bsky.social and others
Reposted by Andrew Ujifusa
Most of the conversation about whether Mamdani can deliver universal child care has focused - rightfully - on cost. But I've been curious (as a reporter and parent of an infant + toddler) what it would take operationally. So I talked to lots of knowledgable ppl: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Mamdani pledged universal child care for NYC. What will it take to get there?
Mamdani will face an array of logistical and operational challenges in standing up new public infrastructure for hundreds of thousands of youngsters.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Most of the conversation about whether Mamdani can deliver universal child care has focused - rightfully - on cost. But I've been curious (as a reporter and parent of an infant + toddler) what it would take operationally. So I talked to lots of knowledgable ppl: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
‘We have set money on fire’: Pennsylvania budget impasse costs Philadelphia school district millions: www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Philadelphia schools on the hook for millions in interest as state budget delay drags on
The Philadelphia school district has borrowed more than $500 million to make up for missing state funding as Pennsylvania’s budget impasse has hit four months. Even once lawmakers reach a deal, the di...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:11 PM
‘We have set money on fire’: Pennsylvania budget impasse costs Philadelphia school district millions: www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
"Dramatic increases in immigration arrests could be hurting students in the classroom, including U.S. citizen students from Spanish-speaking households." www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
ICE arrests could hurt student test scores, study says — and not just for immigrants
A study of a large Florida school district found that the effects of immigration enforcement on students’ academic performance was concentrated in high-poverty schools. The test score declines also oc...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
"Dramatic increases in immigration arrests could be hurting students in the classroom, including U.S. citizen students from Spanish-speaking households." www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
A former New York City schools chief is one of the two finalists for the job of Chicago Public Schools’ next CEO, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the situation: www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Former NYC schools chancellor in the running for head of Chicago Public Schools
Meisha Ross Porter, who led New York City Public Schools until 2021, will interview with Chicago Board of Education members, a community panel, and the mayor next week.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
A former New York City schools chief is one of the two finalists for the job of Chicago Public Schools’ next CEO, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the situation: www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
"Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sued Indianapolis Public Schools over its policies on federal immigration enforcement, claiming the district thwarted an attempt in January to deport an IPS student’s father." www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
"Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sued Indianapolis Public Schools over its policies on federal immigration enforcement, claiming the district thwarted an attempt in January to deport an IPS student’s father." www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
"Roughly 3,000 Hoosier students are repeating third grade this school year, due to the state’s retention law. ... Statewide, over 84,000 students were tested, and 10,663 didn’t pass the IREAD by the end of third grade." www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
How many students were held back due to Indiana’s retention law?
This is the first school year Indiana students were held back under a 2024 law that aims to make sure students pass the IREAD before going to fourth grade.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Roughly 3,000 Hoosier students are repeating third grade this school year, due to the state’s retention law. ... Statewide, over 84,000 students were tested, and 10,663 didn’t pass the IREAD by the end of third grade." www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
“Changing the curriculums constantly is not a good thing for us.” www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
How NYC education advocates are responding to Zohran Mamdani’s election victory
Teachers unions, charter school leaders, and education advocates are moving quickly to help shape Mamdani’s education agenda.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“Changing the curriculums constantly is not a good thing for us.” www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
“They didn’t just walk in chasing one person, they went into multiple rooms asking and looking for teachers while children were present.” www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Families "horrified" after daycare teacher pulled out of school by federal agents.
The incident happened in front of parents and children at Rayito de Sol in North Center, a parent said. They believe the employee, who cares for infants, is legally allowed to work in the United State...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“They didn’t just walk in chasing one person, they went into multiple rooms asking and looking for teachers while children were present.” www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...
Philadelphia district takes page from Eagles special teams playbook, punts on announcing plan for school closures: www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Philly won’t release school closure plan in November
The Philadelphia school district previously said it would share its plan in November concerning which schools should close. Instead, the district will conduct a survey to get further community feedbac...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Philadelphia district takes page from Eagles special teams playbook, punts on announcing plan for school closures: www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Reposted by Andrew Ujifusa
The Philadelphia school district previously said it would share its plan in November concerning which schools should close. Instead, the district will conduct a survey to get further community feedback about its facilities planning process.
Philly won’t release school closure plan in November
The Philadelphia school district previously said it would share its plan in November concerning which schools should close. Instead, the district will conduct a survey to get further community feedback about its facilities planning process.
bit.ly
November 4, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The Philadelphia school district previously said it would share its plan in November concerning which schools should close. Instead, the district will conduct a survey to get further community feedback about its facilities planning process.
"Students’ scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, were essentially the same last year as in 2003. And schools are facing a crisis of chronic absenteeism, with 1 in 3 students missing at least 10% of school last year." www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
NYC mayor election pits Mamdani against Cuomo in a battle over the future of mayoral control
As the fate of mayoral control hangs in the balance, the next NYC mayor inherits a $40 billion school system grappling with low college readiness and high chronic absenteeism.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM
"Students’ scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, were essentially the same last year as in 2003. And schools are facing a crisis of chronic absenteeism, with 1 in 3 students missing at least 10% of school last year." www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
“You become a paranoid person. You distrust every single thing your students give you.” www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/04/t...
Will AI change schools? Yes and no.
The cheating problem isn’t going away. More teachers will use AI as an assistant. But AI will never be a supertutor
www.chalkbeat.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
“You become a paranoid person. You distrust every single thing your students give you.” www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/04/t...
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
‘Food over pencils’: SNAP uncertainty increases demands on Indianapolis food pantries
With families still waiting for SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown, Indianapolis-area schools like in Perry Township have geared up to provide food assistance. About 260,000 children in India...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
"New York City schools with fewer students than projected will not have to give back money midyear ... Enrollment in the city’s K-12 and preschool programs fell by about 22,000, or 2.4%, compared to last year." www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
NYC won’t claw back $250 million midyear from schools as enrollment drops by 22,000
City officials didn't offer an explanation for the enrollment drop, but it’s likely changing immigration patterns played a role.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"New York City schools with fewer students than projected will not have to give back money midyear ... Enrollment in the city’s K-12 and preschool programs fell by about 22,000, or 2.4%, compared to last year." www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
‘Food over pencils’: SNAP uncertainty increases demands on Indianapolis food pantries
With families still waiting for SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown, Indianapolis-area schools like in Perry Township have geared up to provide food assistance. About 260,000 children in India...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
Where to find free food in NYC and Newark as the future of SNAP remains in limbo: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Where students and families can find free food and meals in NYC and Newark
Looking for free food and meals in NYC or Newark? Here’s a list of food pantries and other resources.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Where to find free food in NYC and Newark as the future of SNAP remains in limbo: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
“This was a mistake from the get-go. It’s a job-killer. It’s regressive.” www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Philadelphia councilmembers blast city’s use of soda tax to fund free pre-K
Philly’s controversial soda tax provides key funding for the city’s free prekindergarten program. But some city councilmembers now say they want to overhaul how the tax works.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 2, 2025 at 5:43 PM
“This was a mistake from the get-go. It’s a job-killer. It’s regressive.” www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...