Education / Public News Service

About 31% of Idahoans have earned a bachelor's or associate degree. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Report: ID Makes Big Jump in Higher-Education Attainment

Idaho and the rest of the country are making progress getting higher education to more people. A new report from Lumina Foundation finds nearly 54% …

More than half of all public schools in the U.S. reported being understaffed at the start of the 2022-23 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

NC Colleges Work to Fill Teacher Pipeline

Schools across North Carolina report grappling with severe staff shortages. Districts began the year down more than 4,000 teachers, according to data …

For the 2021-2022 school year, Communities in Schools served 75,697 K-12 students in the state of Nevada. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

NV Nonprofit Celebrates 94% Grad Rate for Students in Program

A Nevada nonprofit is celebrating a 94% graduation rate among its high school seniors for the 2021-2022 school year. Tami Hance-Lehr. CEO and state …

A yearlong study of the use of seclusion and restraint in U.S. schools found that some states track both, some track only the use of restraint, and some track neither. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

MO Schools' Seclusion, Restraint Incidents Shared for First Time

Missourians can now see how often their schools use seclusion and restraint to address student behavior. A 2021 law requires that schools report …

According to data from the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading scores for New York fourth graders declined by six points from 2019. Meanwhile, eighth graders' reading scores remained unchanged. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Students Still Struggle with Pandemic Learning Loss

Students are still struggling with learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. A study from the research group NWEA showed 2022 test scores are not …

The Center for State Policy Analysis found the Massachusetts millionaires' tax would raise about $1.3 billion in 2023 alone, and do so in a

MA Advocates of Higher Ed Set Goals for Fair Share Revenue

Advocates for higher education in the Commonwealth will gather today to collaborate on how to use revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment which …

South Dakota's dual-credit program allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn credit toward a diploma, while racking up college credits ahead of schedule. (Adobe Stock)

SD Plan: More Students Could 'Make the Grade' in Career Readiness

Like other states, South Dakota has a program allowing high school students to take courses offered at universities and technical colleges. Now…

The U.S. District Court of New Hampshire recently ruled in favor of allowing a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of New Hampshire and teachers' unions against the

NH Businesses, Public School Backers: Repeal 'Divisive Concepts' Law

Advocates for public education in New Hampshire are asking state lawmakers to repeal what's known as the "divisive concepts" law, which educators say …

Experts say school-based grief groups are a good way for grieving students to learn coping skills. (Adobe Stock)

Supporting Students Through the Grief Process

Knowing how to approach the grief of others can be difficult, although things can get more complicated when addressing the grief of students in …

The American Teachers Act of 2022, filed in the U.S. House of Representatives in December, would make $60,000 the minimum salary for public school teachers. But it's sitting in a House committee. (Adobe Stock)

CT Educators Want Prompt Action to End Teacher Shortage

Connecticut, along with most of the United States, faces a teacher shortage. The shortage has caused class sizes to increase and teachers to …

Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation dubbed the

AP African American Studies Course Blocked in FL Schools

The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has rejected plans to expand an Advanced Placement African American Studies course for high schools…

According to a poll by the American Federation of Teachers, 85% of those surveyed want the new Congress to focus on providing resources and support to public schools, instead of carrying our political investigations. 15% felt otherwise. (Adobe Stock)

New AFT Poll Shows Parent, Voter Priorities for Public Education

A new poll shows parents and voters want improved public education and stronger building blocks for those students. According to the poll, from the …

Child poverty rates worsened nationwide in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but improved slightly in New Mexico. (Rawpixel.com/AdobeStock)<br />

Report: NM Child Well-Being Fared Better Than Expected During Pandemic

New Mexico's Voices for Children has released its latest Kids Count Data Book - noting some quality-of-life improvements despite COVID, but also …

There are about 3.2 million public school teachers in the United States. Some 74.3% are female, while 25.7% are male. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Poll: Voters Reject Tuition Vouchers, Voice Public School Support

A new poll commissioned by the American Federation of Teachers finds most voters strongly oppose private school vouchers, which allow families to …

Last fall, the American Library Association said the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries was on track to exceed record counts from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Enters Fray Surrounding Content Ban for Libraries

North Dakota is expected to see continued debate in the coming weeks over a plan to ban certain items from public libraries. While the plan has its …

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has expressed support for a congressional investigation into whether public schools stayed closed too long during the pandemic, and whether the federal government has promoted

Education Poll: Parents Reject Culture War; Want to Get Back to Basics

Congressman Kevin McCarthy from Bakersfield announced in his first address as U.S. House Speaker that he wants to combat what he describes as "woke …

In fall 2020, among four-year universities and community colleges nationwide, male freshmen enrollment declined 1.3%, while female freshmen enrollment fell 3.2%. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Ahead of National Curve on Women Seeking Degrees, Certificates

Nationally, female students have been opting out of college at more than twice the rate of males since 2020, according to a new National Student …

This year's debate over school funding in North Dakota is expected to consider formula changes to deal with declining enrollment. (gpointstudio/freepik)

ND Education Funding Debate Comes Into Focus

Teachers and their advocates said a proposed funding increase for North Dakota's public schools looks promising, but they hope lawmakers take it a …

Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs) educate more than 3.2 million students every year, according to the USDA. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

NMSU Minority Students Get Boost Toward Ag Careers

Students from underrepresented groups are being recruited by New Mexico State University and California State University-Chico for a new program aimed…

Tallahassee U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has blocked the so-called

Higher Ed Braces for DeSantis Attacks on Unions, 'Trendy Ideology'

If it's "woke," "trendy," or has anything to do with race and diversity, it appears Gov. Ron DeSantis wants no part of it in Florida. From signing …

According to ahe Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce survey, among women who have a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism, their median earnings are the same or higher than men's three years after graduation. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Report: Industry Decline Reduces Journalism Jobs

A report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce found the number of journalism jobs will continue to decline over the next d…

According to the National Institute of Justice, childhood abuse or neglect raises the chance of juvenile arrest by 59%. In South Dakota, advocates say that's why it's important to provide more mental health providers to children and young adults so they can avoid entering the juvenile justice system. (Adobe Stock)

Reducing Effects of Childhood Trauma Tied to SD's Juvenile-Justice Efforts

South Dakota has been looking at ways to improve the state's juvenile-justice system. Recommendations could be considered in the new legislative …

More than one-fifth of all college students are student parents, according to the National Center for Education Statistics and Education Trust. (Adobe Stock)

NC Colleges Boost Support for Black, Native Student Parents

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is boosting support for its student parents - with plans to increase access to childcare an…

Half of U.S. parents (52 percent) considered finding a new or different school for at least one of their children within the past year or are currently considering finding a new or different school for at least one of their children. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Governor Makes "School Choice" a Top Priority

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has proposed a measure that would allow Iowa parents to send their kids to private schools and make state money …

In the fall of 2020, among four-year universities and community colleges nationwide, male freshmen enrollment declined 1.3%, while female freshmen enrollment fell 3.2%. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming Bucks National Trend of Women Stopping Out of Higher Education

Wyoming has managed to buck a national trend which has seen female students opting out of college at more than twice the rate of males since 2020…

Virginia law says all state agencies and institutions need to take

VA Bill Would Ban Withholding Student Transcripts for Debt Collection

As the Virginia General Assembly begins its new legislative session, one bill will be returning - with the goal of alleviating some student-debt …

Oregon community college students who completed credentials or transferred within four years increased from 45% to 51% between 2017 and 2021. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Audit: Lawmakers Can Help Improve Oregon Community Colleges

An audit of community colleges in Oregon has implications for the state's legislative session, which started this week. The report from the …

More than 80% of businesses say they hire community college graduates, according to a <a href=

survey by the American Association of Community Colleges and Harvard Business School. (Adobe Stock)">

Working Adults Reskilling, Returning to College Amid Recession Talk

Recession forecasts and lives upended by the pandemic have prompted many working adults in North Carolina to consider going back to college. A 2022 …

Gov. Brad Little made his first State of the State address since being re-elected in November. (Idaho Public Television)

Little's State of the State Address Emphasizes Education Spending in ID

Governor Brad Little kicked off the 2023 legislative session with his State of the State address and an Idaho teachers' organization is applauding his…

The State of Utah used some of its COVID-19 pandemic relief funding to build the internet infrastructure needed for the higher-ed program in its juvenile justice facilities. (Adobe Stock)

College Courses Show Benefits for Incarcerated Youth in UT

Utah is one of a few states where juveniles behind bars can earn college credit. Utah's Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth program lets young …

More than 78,000 Montanans who received Pell grants were eligible for up to $20,000 in student debt relief under President Biden's loan forgiveness program. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

MT Student Borrowers Await Fate of Loan Forgiveness Program

About 120,000 Montanans qualified for the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness program, but the program's future is still in limbo…

Leading up to the pandemic, fewer men were attending college. But the pandemic appears to have prevented more women from enrolling soon after high school. (Adobe Stock)

Fewer Women Enroll in College; Racial Equity a Factor

Higher education experts say a concerning trend has emerged in the pandemic - declining college enrollment among young women. Those pushing for …

A Yale University study showed a majority of Americans (64%) said they are at least

Indiana Schools Adding Climate Change Studies to Science Curriculum

Major changes are coming to Indiana schools, as state educators are adding a new climate change curriculum to science classes. New state science …

Advocates for Colorado's new Healthy School Meals for All program say it can help end lunch-line shaming currently experienced by many students from low-income families. (Adobe Stock)

Some Colorado School Districts on Fence about Free Meals

A new law going into effect this year provides money and other support to help Colorado school districts provide free meals to all students regardless…

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled his 2023 legislative proposals in the State of the Commonwealth Address on Wednesday. (Office of Gov. Andy Beshear/YouTube)

KY Governor Touts Teacher Pay, Remains Silent on Tax Cuts in State-of-State

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a 5% pay raise for teachers in his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night. His Education First Plan …

Students will meet virtually or in-person with their GRIT advisor throughout the academic year. (Photo courtesy of the Phoenix Public Library)

Phoenix High Schoolers Get College-Ready with Access to Tech

The Phoenix Public Library is making navigating going to college easier for first-generation college students. The Arizona Lottery's Give Back …

The federal government provides <a href=

around 8.5% of funding for K-12 public schools, according to the Congressional Budget Office. (Adobe Stock)">

Survey Reveals Sinking Confidence in Public Schools Among Voters

Five in 10 voters say their confidence in the public school system has decreased since the start of the Covid crisis and over the past year, …

Virtual tutoring for K-12 students has shown mixed results, but New Mexico is counting on it to improve academic performance. (Westock/AdobeStock)

New Mexico Turns to Virtual Tutoring To Boost Student Grades

To boost educational outcomes, New Mexico will start the new year with a free, virtual tutoring program - focused on math, language arts, and science …

According to University of Arizona data, 43% of workers at the university make less than $25 an hour. (Adobe Stock)

AZ University Workers Ask for Better Pay, Working Conditions

Unionized workers at The University of Arizona and Arizona State University are calling for the schools to pay all campus workers $25 an hour by 2025…

Some student loan scammers will use a website that mimics the U.S. Department of Education or the borrower's loan servicer, and their correspondence may even have tidbits of the borrower's real information, such as the current payment amount. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Borrowers Inundated with Student-Loan Scams

Scammers targeting student-loan borrowers in Wisconsin and elsewhere are shifting into high gear - spurred by the uncertainty surrounding President Jo…

Tennessee's teacher shortage has been so severe, a law went into effect July 1, 2022, allowing retired teachers to <a href=

return to the classroom to teach without losing their pension benefits. (Johoo/Adobe Stock)">

TN Apprenticeship Program Aims to Address Teacher Shortage

Tennessee is working to overcome the state's teacher shortage, especially in rural areas, with a residency-based program for would-be educators…

study
by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates a gross state product increase of about $25 billion over five-years if the Commonwealth were to eliminate the racial disparities of wages, housing, investments, and wealth. (Adobe Stock) ">

Baby Bonds Aim to Close Racial Wealth Gap in MA

A task force assembled by the state treasurer's office said investing in government-issued Baby Bonds could help close the racial wealth gap in the Co…

cyberbullying victims said the incidents affected their friendships, while 13% said it affected their physical health. (Adobe Stock)">

UNH Center Works to Prevent Online Violence Against Children

The University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center has teamed up with the World Health Organization to help parents learn the b…

Data show students of color are significantly more likely to attend for-profit colleges, where students are less likely to graduate and have much higher rates of debt and default. (Terovesalainen/Adobe Stock)

Groups Press for Debt Cancellation to Lessen Racial Wealth Gap

The U.S. Supreme Court just set a date to consider whether President Joe Biden's student debt cancellation plan is legal - and advocates say Black …

Yemima Rodriguez, a former international student from Guatemala, got connected to Lassen Community College through a soccer coach. (Salgu Wissmath)

Postcards from the College Journey in CA's Central Valley

By Nick Fouriezos for Open Campus Media.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Open Source Media-Public New…

College enrollment totaled 15.85 million undergraduate students nationwide in Fall 2020, a 4.31% decline, according to the Education Data Initiative. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Rural Colleges Cut, Consolidate Classes

Students choosing a college next semester are faced with new challenges and difficult choices. The current economic climate is forcing many higher-…

In 2019, Ty'Lesha Yellowhair worked with the town of Gilbert as its Native American management intern, as part of its Family Violence Unit. (Photo courtesy of Yellowhair)

ASU Grad Wants to Make a Difference for AZ Tribal Members

Arizona tribal communities face inequalities every day, but a recent Arizona State University graduate said she wants to shape public policy to help …

In a 2018 ruling, a state District Court judge found New Mexico was failing to prepare students equally for college and a career, specifically citing a lack of sufficient education for Native Americans. (AdobeStock/mmg1design)

NM's Boost in Early Education Funds Included in Federal Omnibus Bill

New Mexico voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question in November to spend more money on early childhood education and public schools, and now …

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