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Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news network covering schools and education policy across the U.S. Follow our education journalism at chalkbeat.org. Have a news tip? Here's how you can reach us: ckbe.at/contact-chalkbeat or email us at community@chalkbeat.org
Two Chicagoland state lawmakers introduced proposals Monday that would increase education funding to what Illinois has deemed adequate and fully fund some mandated school district expenditures.
The push to boost state funding for Illinois schools is on
Two Chicagoland state lawmakers introduced proposals Monday that would increase education funding to what Illinois has deemed adequate and fully fund some mandated school district expenditures.
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Two Chicagoland state lawmakers introduced proposals Monday that would increase education funding to what Illinois has deemed adequate and fully fund some mandated school district expenditures.
Joe Borelli, who was appointed to NYC’s school board by former Mayor Eric Adams, used the ‘R-word’ in a social media post referencing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.
NYC school board member faces backlash after using R-Word in Bad Bunny Super Bowl post
Joe Borelli, who was appointed to NYC’s school board by former Mayor Eric Adams, used the ‘R-word’ in a social media post referencing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Joe Borelli, who was appointed to NYC’s school board by former Mayor Eric Adams, used the ‘R-word’ in a social media post referencing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.
NYC is weighing middle school closures and relocations in District 3. Parents say the process feels rushed. The fight is an early test for Mamdani.
NYC parents protest possible middle school closures, testing Mamdani’s promise to listen
NYC is weighing middle school closures and relocations in District 3. Parents say the process feels rushed. The fight is an early test for Mamdani.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
NYC is weighing middle school closures and relocations in District 3. Parents say the process feels rushed. The fight is an early test for Mamdani.
The protest on Friday was part of a wave of school walkouts across Marion County and central Indiana this week.
Shortridge students protest ICE: ‘Hard workers are not the criminals’
The protest on Friday was part of a wave of school walkouts across Marion County and central Indiana this week.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 10:55 PM
The protest on Friday was part of a wave of school walkouts across Marion County and central Indiana this week.
The person elected governor in Michigan later this year will helm the state at a time of great concern about low academic achievement.
Michigan governor candidates talk ICE and ways to stop the state’s academic slide
The person elected governor in Michigan later this year will helm the state at a time of great concern about low academic achievement.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 9:41 PM
The person elected governor in Michigan later this year will helm the state at a time of great concern about low academic achievement.
A proposed state school construction bond could unlock new funding for Newark and other school districts’ longstanding needs for new buildings and urgent repairs.
NJ voters could decide the fate of a new $10.5B school bond, pending state approval
A proposed state school construction bond could unlock new funding for Newark and other school districts’ longstanding needs for new buildings and urgent repairs.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A proposed state school construction bond could unlock new funding for Newark and other school districts’ longstanding needs for new buildings and urgent repairs.
The proposal would prohibit school staff from cooperating with federal immigration agents, allowing students to be questioned, or sharing information about families’ immigration status unless they are court-ordered to do so.
Denver school board could consider policy to protect students and staff from ICE
The proposal would prohibit school staff from cooperating with federal immigration agents, allowing students to be questioned, or sharing information about families’ immigration status unless they are court-ordered to do so.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 4:50 AM
The proposal would prohibit school staff from cooperating with federal immigration agents, allowing students to be questioned, or sharing information about families’ immigration status unless they are court-ordered to do so.
Colorado lawmakers say schools would use the designation to market to students.
Colorado lawmakers want to designate certain colleges and universities as ‘thriving’
Colorado lawmakers say schools would use the designation to market to students.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Colorado lawmakers say schools would use the designation to market to students.
Some parents and students oppose the Trump administration and took issue with McMahon’s visit. But the principal wondered if they could set their ideological differences aside.
McMahon is on a civics tour. This Chicago private school debated whether to host her.
Some parents and students oppose the Trump administration and took issue with McMahon’s visit. But the principal wondered if they could set their ideological differences aside.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Some parents and students oppose the Trump administration and took issue with McMahon’s visit. But the principal wondered if they could set their ideological differences aside.
Of the state’s 179 public school districts, only 55 offer a seal of biliteracy to high school students.
Colorado lawmakers plan expansion of high school biliteracy endorsement
Of the state’s 179 public school districts, only 55 offer a seal of biliteracy to high school students.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Of the state’s 179 public school districts, only 55 offer a seal of biliteracy to high school students.
NYC schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels says he wants families and educators to be part of the decision-making process, especially around safety, academic rigor, and integration.
‘Conversations with the chancellor’: Kamar Samuels embarks on 5-borough tour
NYC schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels says he wants families and educators to be part of the decision-making process, especially around safety, academic rigor, and integration.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 10:25 PM
NYC schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels says he wants families and educators to be part of the decision-making process, especially around safety, academic rigor, and integration.
A top Republican lawmaker says the legislature may need to spend more money to expand a Memphis schools audit. The district says there’s no evidence that warrants further digging.
Tennessee GOP says ongoing Memphis schools audit is ‘concerning'
A top Republican lawmaker says the legislature may need to spend more money to expand a Memphis schools audit. The district says there’s no evidence that warrants further digging.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
A top Republican lawmaker says the legislature may need to spend more money to expand a Memphis schools audit. The district says there’s no evidence that warrants further digging.
Pennsylvania could soon join other states in banning students from using cellphones during the school day. Gov. Shapiro supports the idea.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to ban cellphones in school
Pennsylvania could soon join other states in banning students from using cellphones during the school day. Gov. Shapiro supports the idea.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Pennsylvania could soon join other states in banning students from using cellphones during the school day. Gov. Shapiro supports the idea.
Kindergarten readiness varies by household income. Publicly funded preschool programs are helping close the gap. “I’m giving them something that I never got,” one preschool teacher said.
There are big gaps in which children are ready for kindergarten, data shows
Kindergarten readiness varies by household income. Publicly funded preschool programs are helping close the gap. “I’m giving them something that I never got,” one preschool teacher said.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Kindergarten readiness varies by household income. Publicly funded preschool programs are helping close the gap. “I’m giving them something that I never got,” one preschool teacher said.
There’s no single answer, and debate continues about whether students should be ready for school or schools should be ready for students.
What does it mean to be ready for kindergarten?
There’s no single answer, and debate continues about whether students should be ready for school or schools should be ready for students.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
There’s no single answer, and debate continues about whether students should be ready for school or schools should be ready for students.
MSCS used up all of its built-in snow days for the year as of Wednesday. Thursday’s closure means the district could shorten scheduled breaks or add days in the summer to make up for missed class time.
Memphis schools close for ninth day in a row due to unsafe roads
MSCS used up all of its built-in snow days for the year as of Wednesday. Thursday’s closure means the district could shorten scheduled breaks or add days in the summer to make up for missed class time.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 11:31 PM
MSCS used up all of its built-in snow days for the year as of Wednesday. Thursday’s closure means the district could shorten scheduled breaks or add days in the summer to make up for missed class time.
The state’s board of education confirmed Lily Laux as acting commissioner of education, a procedural move that allows her to take over before Senate approval.
NJ governor’s pick to lead education department is one step closer to taking the role
The state’s board of education confirmed Lily Laux as acting commissioner of education, a procedural move that allows her to take over before Senate approval.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 11:05 PM
The state’s board of education confirmed Lily Laux as acting commissioner of education, a procedural move that allows her to take over before Senate approval.
Tara Becker-Utess, a Mason High School administrator, is part of a statewide program to boost Michigan’s college success rate, starting with her own students.
Here’s how this Michigan assistant principal is trying to boost college success
Tara Becker-Utess, a Mason High School administrator, is part of a statewide program to boost Michigan’s college success rate, starting with her own students.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Tara Becker-Utess, a Mason High School administrator, is part of a statewide program to boost Michigan’s college success rate, starting with her own students.
She traded the glamorous world of cosmetics for a classroom in the Bronx. Now she’s helping write New York state Regents exams and building ‘living labs’ for her students.
From cosmetics to the classroom: A Bronx teacher’s journey to bringing earth science to life
She traded the glamorous world of cosmetics for a classroom in the Bronx. Now she’s helping write New York state Regents exams and building ‘living labs’ for her students.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 8:10 PM
She traded the glamorous world of cosmetics for a classroom in the Bronx. Now she’s helping write New York state Regents exams and building ‘living labs’ for her students.
Four Philly schools that narrowly avoided closure in 2013 are once again on the list of schools the district wants to shut down. Will community activism save them again?
How closures from 13 years ago haunt Philly’s new plan to shutter 20 schools
Four Philly schools that narrowly avoided closure in 2013 are once again on the list of schools the district wants to shut down. Will community activism save them again?
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Four Philly schools that narrowly avoided closure in 2013 are once again on the list of schools the district wants to shut down. Will community activism save them again?
Leaders of Riverstone Academy, which backers have called “Colorado’s first public Christian school,” agreed to close the school’s building in Pueblo County “effective immediately.”
Colorado’s ‘first public Christian school’ closes building ‘effective immediately’
Riverstone Academy officials closed the school’s building to students Monday after Pueblo County officials warned they would disconnect the utilities.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Leaders of Riverstone Academy, which backers have called “Colorado’s first public Christian school,” agreed to close the school’s building in Pueblo County “effective immediately.”
The Philadelphia school district’s efforts to increase racial diversity at magnet schools like Masterman may be discriminatory, an appeals court ruled. The U.S. Supreme Court has let similar policies in other school districts stand.
What a Philly lawsuit on high school admissions means for diversity at elite schools
The Philadelphia school district’s efforts to increase racial diversity at magnet schools like Masterman may be discriminatory, an appeals court ruled. The U.S. Supreme Court has let similar policies in other school districts stand.
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 9:45 PM
The Philadelphia school district’s efforts to increase racial diversity at magnet schools like Masterman may be discriminatory, an appeals court ruled. The U.S. Supreme Court has let similar policies in other school districts stand.
Democrats opposed to the bill argued prominent displays of religious texts would violate the U.S. Constitution and open schools up to lawsuits.
Tennessee lawmakers push forward bill to allow Ten Commandments displays in public schools
Democrats opposed to the bill argued prominent displays of religious texts would violate the U.S. Constitution and open schools up to lawsuits.
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Democrats opposed to the bill argued prominent displays of religious texts would violate the U.S. Constitution and open schools up to lawsuits.
Philadelphia’s schools would get $151 million more under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal. But it’s far from a done deal.
What’s in Shapiro’s budget for Philly education? Here’s a breakdown.
Philadelphia’s schools would get $151 million more under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal. But it’s far from a done deal.
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Philadelphia’s schools would get $151 million more under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal. But it’s far from a done deal.
One legal expert said even up until recently, “it would have been pretty unthinkable” for ICE to come onto school grounds like agents did at Roosevelt High in Minneapolis.
ICE is ‘at the school yard gate.’ Here’s what it means that agents are getting closer.
One legal expert said even up until recently, “it would have been pretty unthinkable” for ICE to come onto school grounds like agents did at Roosevelt High in Minneapolis.
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 8:16 PM
One legal expert said even up until recently, “it would have been pretty unthinkable” for ICE to come onto school grounds like agents did at Roosevelt High in Minneapolis.