Education / Public News Service

A 2017 report in the New England Journal of Medicine found, among participants with coronary artery disease, fluctuation in body weight was associated with higher mortality and a higher rate of cardiovascular events, independent of traditional risk factors. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Friday, December 8, 2023

Post-holiday 'yo-yo' diets: risk factors for heart health

The holiday season is filled with recipes passed down from years before, and feasting with family and friends. But think again before you have …

Since 2005, research shows the number of journalists employed by newspapers has declined by 60%, a loss of 43,000 reporters and editors. (junce11/AdobeStock)

Friday, December 8, 2023

Study: Shuttered small-town newspapers sink community vitality

Three million residents in more than 200 U.S. counties don't have access to a single local news source, according to a new study. In New Mexico…

Some worry the push to drop sociology from general education requirements comes after a new law, part of Senate Bill 266, Florida's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion law, which forbids institutions of higher education from spending state funds on DEI programs or initiatives. (Pixabay)

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Why is sociology on the chopping block in Florida?

Another controversial move in Florida's education system is a proposal to drop sociology, the study of social life and the causes and consequences of …

A recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League found nearly three in four Jewish students in the U.S. have experienced or witnessed antisemitism this school year. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights has also opened investigations into alleged Islamophobic incidents at least a half-dozen colleges and universities. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

University presidents testify on rise of antisemitism on college campuses

College presidents testified before a congressional committee Tuesday on the rise of antisemitism on college campuses since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led …

The average cost in Ohio for college tuition and fees is around $10,049 per year, according to the Education Data Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Ohio borrowers navigate student-loan payment restart riddled with errors

A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finds the repayment process for federal student loans has been filled with errors…

According to the latest MLA survey, college-level enrollments in languages other than English peaked in 2009 at almost 1.7 million. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Colleges see big drop in foreign-language enrollments

Fewer college students are taking foreign language courses, and a new report warns this could affect how well students are prepared for a globalized …

The Wisconsin Policy Forum said the state's teacher turnover rate last year included both the highest levels on record of teachers moving between districts and the second-highest levels of those leaving the profession. (Adobe Stock)

Can collective-bargaining case help with WI teacher shortage?

A lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's collective near-total bargaining ban for most public workers is by some seen as a way to bolster the state's beleagu…

The proportion of rural American adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 5% in 1960 to 35% in 2019, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s rural communities find new solutions to expand student resources

Rural schools in Ohio are finding local solutions to ensure their students have the resources and skills they need to be successful. Grand Valley …

The cost to attend public colleges in Massachusetts is increasing faster than it is in any other state, while the average graduate in Massachusetts carries more than $33,000 in debt. (Adobe Stock)

Student loan payment restart riddled with errors for MA borrowers

A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found the repayment process for federal student loans has been filled with errors…

The ongoing Israel and Hamas conflict is affecting student organizations in Florida and across the country. (hosnysalah/Pixabay)

FL student groups defend Palestinian rights with lawsuits against state officials

The Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at the University of Florida and the University of South Florida are filing lawsuits against the deacti…

PA schools could soon be powered by sun as solar bill advances to Senate

Bipartisan legislation that proposes the installation of solar panels in schools across Pennsylvania awaits a vote in the state Senate. The Solar …

In Alabama correctional facilities, prisoners are allowed a total of four books, to include a Bible or equivalent religious study book, an educational dictionary, a law book, and/or novel, at any one time. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama bookstore works to break barriers for people in prison

An Alabama bookstore is working to make sure people in prison have access to books. The Burdock Book Collective in Birmingham is on a mission to …

YouthTruth Student Survey finds 74% of the class of 2023 wants to go to college while 66% expect to go to college. The survey also finds the gap is further exacerbated when factoring in race and ethnicity. (Adobe stock)

Illinois high school seniors face big college application challenges

Illinois high school seniors have new hurdles to overcome to get to college. High school students are waiting several extra weeks to get their hands …

Washington's Running Start program, offering college credit to high school students, began in 1990. (BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock)

Running Start lets WA high schoolers explore college courses

A program giving high school students a taste of college and college credits along the way is celebrating its 33rd year of operation in Washington sta…

As of 2018, 66% of California high school graduates had enrolled in a two-year or four-year college program. (Luckybusiness/Adobe Stock)

Report: Almost 3 in 4 future jobs will require some college

More than two million jobs will be created in California each year through 2031 - and 72% of them will require more than a high school diploma…

A recent report found by 2031, 70% of jobs in Oregon will require education greater than a high school degree. (Journey Studio7/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: Jobs in 2031 will likely require postsecondary education

Degrees and credentials after high school will become increasingly important in the job market, a new report found. Analysis from the Georgetown …

Across the 44 states that funded a preschool program in 2021-2022, only 32% of 4-year-olds and 6% of 3-year-olds were enrolled, which is still 8% below a pre-pandemic enrollment high, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of state-funded preschool leaves NH children lagging behind peers

Education experts say children in New Hampshire are at risk of falling behind their peers in other states with well-funded preschool programs…

Volunteers for Big House Books distributed 557 packages containing more than 1,671 books to Mississippi correctional facilities in September and October. (Lightfield Studios/Adobe Stock)

Prison Book Program fosters literacy behind bars in Mississippi

A Mississippi-based organization is providing free books to incarcerated individuals to promote literacy and pave the way for prison reform. Prison …

Public schools and colleges are working together to build a pipeline of homegrown talent to help address the teacher shortage in Montana's K-12 classrooms. (Working Nation)

Creating a local pipeline for Montana teaching jobs

By Victoria Lim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Big Sky Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Collabora…

Opponents of a proposal to use public funds for religious or secular private schools cite concerns about the separation between church and state. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Signature-gathering begins for CA private school savings account ballot initiative

California has just given approval for signature-gathering for a proposed state ballot measure to create education savings accounts, with $17,000 a …

By August 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is expected to establish a streamlined pathway to certification for educators who earned their certification outside Pennsylvania. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

A call for 'bold action' to address PA school funding disparities

During a public hearing on improving school funding, the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission heard from people who stressed the need to …

States wanting to implement Summer EBT this coming summer need to have plans in place by early 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Special session could boost food security for kids in summer

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has called a special legislative session after voters rejected plans to provide property tax relief. Polis says he also …

Lawmakers in several states, including Texas, continue attempts to subsidize private school tuition with taxpayer dollars through voucher programs. (Austockphoto/Adobe Stock)

Battle over school vouchers lingers in Lone Star State

A top legislative priority for Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott did not get across the finish line last Friday, despite a fourth special session called this …

Ohio is home to an estimated 60,000 English learner students. Spanish is the main language of almost 40% of Ohio's English learners, along with 90 other home languages, according to state data. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Ohio schools haven’t kept pace with growing number of English learners

Ohio schools are stepping up to meet the needs of a growing number of English learners. Nearly 40% of around 60,000 English learners in the state …

A new Keystone Research Center report highlightsd initiatives like

Report: Federal funding would ignite apprenticeships, create job pathways

Pennsylvania needs more economic opportunities and a new report from the Keystone Research Center showed federal investments in climate and infrastruc…

Despite middling scores for how immigrant students feel in school, a YouthTruth/Re-Imaging Migration survey finds most immigrant children enjoy school and feel prepared for college level courses. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Immigrant students feel invisible to teachers and peers

A new survey found immigrant students need better help in school. The YouthTruth, Re-Imagining Migration survey was designed to examine the …

Nebraska's school librarians serve an average of 600 students, compared with nearly a third of states where they serve 1,500 or more. (Adobe Stock)

There's a lot going on in NE school libraries

This last day of American Education Week is a great time to highlight school librarians. Nebraska's school libraries have probably changed since you …

Panelists discuss the 33rd edition of Kentucky Youth Advocates County Data Book, which looks at how Kentucky kids are faring in terms of economic security, education, health, family and community. (Adobe Stock)

Report: KY faces workforce crisis in sectors that support children

New county-level data show Kentucky is facing a severe shortage of workers in sectors supporting children, including teachers, counselors, child care …

WGU Indiana stresses existing partnerships and creating new partnerships between higher education and employers will create a jobs pipeline of educated talent. (Adobe Stock)

New urgency to close skills gap between college and employment

Preparing students to find a job straight out of college is not always easy in Indiana. However, barriers graduates must jump to successfully …

The Washington Library Association sponsors or supports five book awards for young readers in the state. (Sergey Nivens/Adobe Stock)

American Education Week: WA libraries inspire reading

It's American Education Week and school librarians' role in students' lives are in the spotlight. Elizabeth Roberts, a teacher, librarian and …

American Education Week was established in 1921 by the National Education Association, to serve as a reminder that education is a collaborative effort involving teachers, parents, students and communities. (Przemek Klos/Adobe Stock)

Alabama educators spotlight school libraries in student education

It is American Education Week, a time to commemorate and reflect on the achievements of students, educators, and parents. In Alabama, educators are …

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition and fees for a graduate program in the 2019-20 academic year cost $12,410 for public institutions and $28,430 for private institutions. (Adobe Stock)

AL college offers tuition-free graduate degrees to incoming freshmen

As college costs continue to skyrocket, many students find themselves unable to afford tuition. In response, some schools are taking proactive …

Community-based organizations applied for grants from $5,000 to $20,000, to support and actively promote the Healthy School Meals for All program locally. (Adobe Stock)

Free Healthy School Meals for Public School Students Underway

After Colorado voters approved a measure to provide free meals to all public school students regardless of their ability to pay last year, 41 …

School librarians are facing shortages in Connecticut and nationally. Connecticut has faced shortages in multiple subject areas for some time, and the national decline predates the pandemic, with 1,800 librarian positions lost between 2016 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)

CT school librarians celebrate reading during American Education Week

During American Education Week, Connecticut school librarians are highlighting their value in molding young minds. Valerie DiLorenzo, a school …

South Dakota's Thunder Valley Development Corporation is recruiting teens and young adults to help mentor children on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The organization's summer leadership academy also gives local youth a chance to learn critical thinking skills. (Photo courtesy of Thunder Valley)

Some SD Native American youth get a helping hand from peers

November is Native American Heritage Month, and a South Dakota organization is working to help establish leadership skills for Indigenous youth…

First-generation students make up one-third of all college students, but only 27% will attain a degree within four years. (MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

NM's first-generation students inspire siblings to pursue college

First-generation college students face a host of expectations and challenges - and that's why New Mexico State University will spotlight their accompl…

Studies show math and reading scores are higher in schools staffed with full-time certified librarians. (CulturaAllies/Adobe Stock)

Librarians often 'unsung heroes' at Texas schools

Starting in the early years and continuing through 12th grade, it's often the school librarian students know best - seeking them out for help with …

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has about 6,800 students. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Two AK schools focus on remedies for second-year college 'stop-outs'

A group of colleges is exploring ways to keep students enrolled in their first two years - the time period when they're most likely to drop out…

To qualify for Head Start's preschool program, a family must be below the Federal Poverty Level, which is just under $15,000 for a single person, or $30,000 for a family of four. (Rawpixel.com)

CA advocates criticize proposed cuts to Head Start preschool programs

Children's advocates are slamming a budget proposal to slash funds for Head Start, the program providing free preschool for children in low-income …

Just like community libraries, Wisconsin's school libraries blend traditional reading with technology. The Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium says more than 200 K-12 school districts provide more 50,000 e-books and audiobooks to over 400,000 kids, for $1.65 per student. (Adobe Stock)

School libraries no longer just defined by Dewey Decimal System

American Education Week is underway, and those who work with Wisconsin school libraries are highlighting the value they provide to students. School …

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy say MassReconnect could ultimately help more than 1 million people further their education, and will be paid for by revenue from the new

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Community college faculty in MA demand contract funding

The union representing faculty and staff at Massachusetts's 15 community colleges are demanding a pay raise. They're asking the state legislature …

Second-graders in South Portland are designing their own Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons to take part in a popular lesson based on the children's book,

Beyond book checkouts, ME librarians teach “digital citizenship”

School librarians in Maine are teaching students the importance of "digital citizenship." The concept is similar to civics education but helps stude…

The University of Tennessee System saw an increase in enrollment this fall with more than 58,000 students enrolled in the system's five campuses, representing a 4.8% increase from last fall.<br />(Rido/AdobeStock)

UT System rolls out guaranteed admission for top high-school grads

As a bold step to attract academically gifted students, the University of Tennessee System is implementing a guaranteed admissions program. This …

Among all tobacco products, youths perceived e-cigarettes to be the least harmful, according to the Texas Youth Tobacco Survey. yta/AdobeStock)

CDC: mixed success on tobacco reduction among school kids

Cigarettes may not appeal to America's youth like they did in the 1960s, but a significant number still experiment with e-cigarettes. The Centers …

A report by Advocates for Children of New York found the highest rate of student homelessness was in The Bronx, where one in six students was homeless from 2022 to 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NYC student homelessness continues to rise

A new report found a little more than 119,000 New York City students are homeless. The group Advocates for Children of New York said 61% were …

Leaders at Minnesota's Normandale Community College say the pandemic reshaped the lives of many students, prompting them to consider whether to keep pursuing a degree. (Adobe Stock)

MN college joins national 'stop out' prevention initiative

Minnesota's largest community college is one of nearly 12 schools that will be part of a national pilot project to boost student outcomes and retentio…

In 2023, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation awarded students a combined total of $589,000 in scholarship funds. (Adobe Stock)

NC credit unions help students break barriers with scholarships

College application season is in full swing, when prospective students are focused not only on where to enroll but how to pay for it. College can …

As of 2023, there are 3,800 staff vacancies in early child care programs. Staffing shortages are preventing programs from enrolling enough kids to break even. Only 32.3% of child care centers reported positive cash flow. (Adobe Stock)

CT child advocates hope to blunt impacts of new education law

Child advocates across Connecticut are imploring Gov. Ned Lamont to increase state funding for subsidized preschool and child care slots. It would …

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