Elizabeth Shockman
@eshockmanwrites.bsky.social
Journalist at MPR News, reporting on K-12 education. Author of "Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia." Parent. Minnesotan.
Pinned
Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia
This book an unflinching, complex, and compassionate true tale of the first American ballerina to sign a contract with the Bolshoi Ballet Theater in Moscow, Russia. The narrative is drawn from mor...
rowman.com
My book is out today! "Behind the Red Velvet Curtain" took me 12 years to report and write. You can request it at the library, buy online or at Subtext or come get a signed copy at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis next month! rowman.com/ISBN/9781538...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Via @annabjournalist.bsky.social: Alabama's new state Senate map was designed by an 18-year-old University of Alabama freshman who submitted his proposals, unsolicited, to a federal court hearing a lawsuit over the districts.
University of Alabama freshman draws state's court-ordered Senate map | Alabama Reflector
TUSCALOOSA — Daniel DiDonato says he’s been passionate about elections since he was a young child. He submitted six maps to a federal court.
alabamareflector.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Via @annabjournalist.bsky.social: Alabama's new state Senate map was designed by an 18-year-old University of Alabama freshman who submitted his proposals, unsolicited, to a federal court hearing a lawsuit over the districts.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Breaking News: The Trump administration announced an aggressive plan to continue dismantling the Education Department.
Trump Administration Announces Steps to Dismantle Education Department
Responsibilities for K-12 and college programs, among others, will be moved to other federal agencies.
nyti.ms
November 18, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Breaking News: The Trump administration announced an aggressive plan to continue dismantling the Education Department.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Fire in the sky.
What we just saw Tuesday night was a once in a lifetime northern lights event for many Minnesotans.
Here are more remarkable photos & explainers on what just happened last night.
There's a (lesser) chance we could see more tonight.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
What we just saw Tuesday night was a once in a lifetime northern lights event for many Minnesotans.
Here are more remarkable photos & explainers on what just happened last night.
There's a (lesser) chance we could see more tonight.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Fire in the sky: Remarkable once in a lifetime northern lights show dazzles Minnesotans
A powerful geomagnetic storm caused one the best best northern lights displays of a lifetime for many Minnesotans. There is a chance for more northern lights Wednesday night.
www.mprnews.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Fire in the sky.
What we just saw Tuesday night was a once in a lifetime northern lights event for many Minnesotans.
Here are more remarkable photos & explainers on what just happened last night.
There's a (lesser) chance we could see more tonight.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
What we just saw Tuesday night was a once in a lifetime northern lights event for many Minnesotans.
Here are more remarkable photos & explainers on what just happened last night.
There's a (lesser) chance we could see more tonight.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Since the start of the Trump administration, the Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and filled only a fraction of the vacancies amid hiring freezes, delays, and a shortage of qualified candidates.
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit — and few are replaced
The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.
wapo.st
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Since the start of the Trump administration, the Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and filled only a fraction of the vacancies amid hiring freezes, delays, and a shortage of qualified candidates.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
“It’s kind of a shocking number."
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
“It’s kind of a shocking number."
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
"More than half of Minnesota school districts that asked voters to approve operating levies and bond questions to pay for K-12 education costs got the support they were looking for this election cycle." www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Minnesotans backed more than half of school finance requests
More than 60 percent of the school districts asking voters to approve funding questions got support on election night. Districts requesting help with day-to-day operating costs and smaller capital pro...
www.mprnews.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
"More than half of Minnesota school districts that asked voters to approve operating levies and bond questions to pay for K-12 education costs got the support they were looking for this election cycle." www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Six candidates are facing off over three seats this fall on the Anoka-Hennepin school board, and the money flooding into the races to oversee the state’s largest school district has far outpaced normal spending for a down-ballot election. (By @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social)
Election spending spikes for school board races in Anoka-Hennepin district
Six candidates are vying for control of three seats on the six-member Anoka-Hennepin School District board. Campaign money is flooding in from unions and national political groups in what are supposed...
www.mprnews.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Six candidates are facing off over three seats this fall on the Anoka-Hennepin school board, and the money flooding into the races to oversee the state’s largest school district has far outpaced normal spending for a down-ballot election. (By @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social)
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore funds meant to bolster school-based mental health care created in response to the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Judge orders Trump administration to restore school mental health grants
A judge ordered the Trump administration to restore mental health grants after 16 states sued over the cuts.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore funds meant to bolster school-based mental health care created in response to the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The government shutdown means there is, essentially, no Education Dept. The Trump administration has laid off hundreds of the employees, leaving few workers to enforce special education and civil rights laws — two of the agency's core functions. Here's what has been cut and what might be restored.
No Education Department? No Problem, Trump’s Education Secretary Says.
The shutdown means there is, essentially, no Education Department. The latest round of layoffs would leave few workers to enforce special education and civil rights laws.
nyti.ms
October 21, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The government shutdown means there is, essentially, no Education Dept. The Trump administration has laid off hundreds of the employees, leaving few workers to enforce special education and civil rights laws — two of the agency's core functions. Here's what has been cut and what might be restored.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
According to the investigative report, Eagan band teacher Brett Benson had a “pattern of predatory grooming behaviors … with numerous students” going back a decade in two school districts.
Teacher showed ‘predatory grooming behaviors’ with Eagan High girls, police detective concluded
Minnesota has layers of state laws and procedures designed to prevent inappropriate relationships between teachers and students. The case of one former Eagan educator raises questions about how well t...
www.mprnews.org
October 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
According to the investigative report, Eagan band teacher Brett Benson had a “pattern of predatory grooming behaviors … with numerous students” going back a decade in two school districts.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The Minneapolis Federation of Educators said in a statement that negotiations have been “stagnant,” after several months of talks. The union has a mediation session scheduled for Tuesday, and says it’ll hold a strike vote if they can’t reach an agreement with the district in that session.
Amid impasse in contract talks, Minneapolis teachers may hold strike vote
Minneapolis teachers say they plan to vote this week on whether to authorize a strike, if they don’t reach an agreement with the district on a new contract.
www.mprnews.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The Minneapolis Federation of Educators said in a statement that negotiations have been “stagnant,” after several months of talks. The union has a mediation session scheduled for Tuesday, and says it’ll hold a strike vote if they can’t reach an agreement with the district in that session.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
This @the74.bsky.social @laurenwreports.bsky.social recap of an @nctq.bsky.social report highlights something you hear All. The. Time. from burned out special educators: Principals often know very little about special ed and, instead of fostering inclusion, regard it as place to send certain kids.
Report: 6 Ways States Can Improve Special Education, English Learner Workforce
From mentorship to preparation and pay, new analysis highlights policy areas states should consider for addressing shortages of these teachers.
www.the74million.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This @the74.bsky.social @laurenwreports.bsky.social recap of an @nctq.bsky.social report highlights something you hear All. The. Time. from burned out special educators: Principals often know very little about special ed and, instead of fostering inclusion, regard it as place to send certain kids.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer. @nicolefoy.bsky.social
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer. @nicolefoy.bsky.social
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Current* conditions near Isle Royale NP, MI:
October 16, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Current* conditions near Isle Royale NP, MI:
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
But this study shows that there can be academic spillover benefits from high-quality and well-implemented SEL lessons. A list of them is linked to in my story. (5/5) hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
Some social emotional lessons improve how kids do at school, Yale study finds
Reading and math gains from soft skill instruction
hechingerreport.org
October 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
But this study shows that there can be academic spillover benefits from high-quality and well-implemented SEL lessons. A list of them is linked to in my story. (5/5) hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
"Preteens using increasing amounts of social media perform poorer in reading, vocabulary and memory tests in early adolescence compared with those who use no or little social media." www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Kids who use social media score lower on reading and memory tests, a study shows
Data from a large, ongoing study of adolescents shows a link between increasing social media use and lower cognition and memory in teens.
www.npr.org
October 13, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"Preteens using increasing amounts of social media perform poorer in reading, vocabulary and memory tests in early adolescence compared with those who use no or little social media." www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The federal government has long surveyed high schoolers to help track how their academic choices may have influenced the course of their lives. The Trump administration put an end to that effort.
The government has long researched high school experiences. Then DOGE cut the effort
The federal government has long surveyed high schoolers to help track how their academic choices may have influenced the course of their lives. The Trump administration put an end to that effort.
n.pr
October 11, 2025 at 11:55 AM
The federal government has long surveyed high schoolers to help track how their academic choices may have influenced the course of their lives. The Trump administration put an end to that effort.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
St. Paul has had only 9 homicides in 2025. Insane.
huge st. paul w www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
St. Paul solved more crimes, had drastically fewer homicides in 2025
A remarkable shift is under way in St. Paul. The city is on track for a 70 percent drop in homicides by the end of 2025. And they’re solving more than 70 percent of crimes.
www.mprnews.org
October 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
St. Paul has had only 9 homicides in 2025. Insane.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
For more than a decade, Minnesota has allowed transgender student athletes to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity with little controversy. But following pressure from federal officials, some school board members are calling for the state to end that policy.
Some school board members urge Minnesota to comply with Trump transgender order
More than 40 school board members from districts across the state are calling on Minnesota to comply with a recent federal finding that the state’s policy letting transgender student athletes compete ...
www.mprnews.org
October 7, 2025 at 10:11 PM
For more than a decade, Minnesota has allowed transgender student athletes to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity with little controversy. But following pressure from federal officials, some school board members are calling for the state to end that policy.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Minneapolis police have revised the total count of victims in the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church to 30. Authorities had previously reported 23 victims. Police said Wednesday they’ve increased their count, as more people have reported injuries.
Authorities increase count of injured in Annunciation shooting
Minneapolis police say 30 people total were injured in the Annunciation shooting — revised from their previous count of 23 victims.
www.mprnews.org
October 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Minneapolis police have revised the total count of victims in the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church to 30. Authorities had previously reported 23 victims. Police said Wednesday they’ve increased their count, as more people have reported injuries.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
According to police, their investigation began after a White Bear Lake resident reported on Sept. 29 that her daughter saw a mugshot circulating on social media. She recognized the 22-year-old man as a fellow student at White Bear Lake Area High School, albeit with a different name.
Man enrolled as White Bear Lake student investigated for ‘possible sexual assault’
Charges have not yet been filed against the 22-year-old man who enrolled at White Bear Lake Area High School as police say they’re investigating the complicated case.
www.mprnews.org
October 9, 2025 at 12:54 PM
According to police, their investigation began after a White Bear Lake resident reported on Sept. 29 that her daughter saw a mugshot circulating on social media. She recognized the 22-year-old man as a fellow student at White Bear Lake Area High School, albeit with a different name.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
*A Republican lawmaker objected to reference to Charlie Kirk holding “often racist and controversial views” in local Alaska news
*The corporate owner took down the story and edited it
*The journalists resigned
This feels like more and more of our media now.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
*The corporate owner took down the story and edited it
*The journalists resigned
This feels like more and more of our media now.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
Journalists at 3 Newspapers Quit Over Edits to a Charlie Kirk Story
www.nytimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM
*A Republican lawmaker objected to reference to Charlie Kirk holding “often racist and controversial views” in local Alaska news
*The corporate owner took down the story and edited it
*The journalists resigned
This feels like more and more of our media now.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
*The corporate owner took down the story and edited it
*The journalists resigned
This feels like more and more of our media now.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
"Armed federal agents in military fatigues busted down their doors overnight, pulling men, women and children from their apartments, some of them naked, residents and witnesses said....U.S. citizens were among those detained for hours." chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Massive immigration raid on Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling: 'I feel defeated'
The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents with Border Patrol, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested 37 people in the raid.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"Armed federal agents in military fatigues busted down their doors overnight, pulling men, women and children from their apartments, some of them naked, residents and witnesses said....U.S. citizens were among those detained for hours." chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
At recess time at Franklin Elementary School in Rochester, students scamper around a new playground area. Franklin is one of five Minnesota schools getting an eco-friendly schoolyard makeover to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Rochester schoolyard remade to reduce impacts of climate change
Franklin Elementary is one of five Minnesota schools getting an eco-friendly schoolyard makeover to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
www.mprnews.org
October 3, 2025 at 11:53 AM
At recess time at Franklin Elementary School in Rochester, students scamper around a new playground area. Franklin is one of five Minnesota schools getting an eco-friendly schoolyard makeover to help mitigate the effects of climate change.