All Education
First LookA comeback for cursive? More states encouraging penmanship in school.Support for the handwriting style has declined in recent decades, but now more states aim to bring it back into fashion.
After Trump issues executive order backing HBCUs, work remains for their supportersBlack leaders and outside experts say that these schools help African-Americans compete on a playing field that’s still tilted against them. While Tuesday’s news is encouraging, they also see a need for improvements that go beyond a shake-up in the federal bureaucracy.
First LookHarvard officials allegedly stole $110,000 meant for students with disabilitiesA duo of former administrators at Harvard are facing charges that they stole the money from an account meant to help students with disabilities and used it to purchase electronics, jewelry, and other personal items.
First LookCould Betsy DeVos be an ally for transgender students? It's complicated.The new education secretary has a history of quietly supporting LGBT rights, and reportedly objected to the Trump administration's decision to revoke the previous administration's guidance for schools on what bathrooms transgender students should be allowed to use.
US student debt tops $1.31 trillion: Does Betsy DeVos have a plan?The growth of student loans drove or a substantial increase in household debt last year, say experts.
First LookWhy Yale reconsidered Calhoun College’s white supremacist tiesThe university announced on Saturday it will rename the residential college, reversing a controversial decision in April.
Protest or engage: What should Betsy DeVos opponents do next?Now that Ms. DeVos has been confirmed as secretary of Education, her opponents need to decide whether or not to engage with her in the hopes of moderating her stances.
First LookSan Francisco will offer free college tuition to residentsUnder a deal made with the city, City College of San Francisco will offer free tuition to San Francisco residents, but some observers worry that the deal leaves out some undocumented residents.
First LookVice President Mike Pence breaks tied Senate vote in DeVos confirmationThe vice president cast a historic, record-breaking tie vote in the Senate for the cabinet confirmation.
Wheaton College offers refugee scholarship in response to Trump travel banThe Massachusetts liberal arts college also called on other academic institutions to create similar programs aimed at helping refugees.
U.S. Senate support for Trump education nominee weakensTwo Republican senators have said they would not vote for Betsy DeVos. With Democrats expected to oppose her as a block, the chamber is split 50-50 on her confirmation.
First LookDid Betsy DeVos plagiarize some answers in her Senate questionnaire?In her written responses to questions from Senate Democrats, education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos seems to have lifted quotations from an Obama administration official.
First LookWhat happens when schools get their own police officers?Police in schools can help shape students’ lifelong view of law enforcement. But racial bias and criminal punishments for small infractions may damage the very relationships they hope to build, critics say.
- Why Michigan pays assistant football coaches $1 million each
The University of Michigan has the first state-run college football program with three assistant coaches earning more than $1 million a year.
Philadelphia teachers plan 'Black Lives Matter week': Does BLM belong in the classroom?Teachers in Philadelphia are encouraged to incorporate curriculum and activities related to the Black Lives Matter movement into their lesson plans this week, raising questions about how to talk about the movement in the classroom.
First LookNorth Carolina video puts police in schools back in the spotlightOfficials are investigating a video showing a school police officer slamming a student to the ground, echoing similar incidents in recent years.
First LookAdvice from Fed chair Janet Yellen: Get a college degreeSpeaking at a ceremony at the University of Baltimore, the Fed reserve chief said that there are plenty of good jobs out there, but they require degrees.
Gardendale, Ala. wants its own schools. A return to segregation?Gardendale officials say they simply want to control the city's tax dollars and school buildings. But the county school system and Department of Justice argue the move would lead to resegregation.
First LookHead Start's state-to-state gaps noted in most comprehensive report card yetA new report looking at Head Start programs in every state found that quality varies widely, and called for increased investments to improve services.
High ROI: Why preschool programs are a good investment for societyInvesting in high quality preschool programs can yield up to a 13 percent annual return, according to a new study that measured the economic impact of such programs over decades.
