National Teaching & Classroom Student Voices

High schoolers: How important is this year’s election? Tell us.

| February 22, 2024, 7:00pm UTC

An illustration with small details showing books, computers, graduation caps and election symbols surround a large green backpack on a white background. — The 2024 U.S. presidential election will dominate conversations. Chalkbeat and The New York Times want to hear from high school students about how this moment feels inside your classrooms. (LeeAndra Cianci / The New York Times)

Dear high schoolers,

This year’s U.S. presidential election will dominate conversations worldwide. This fall, American citizens will once again cast their votes, and the two leading contenders are poised to be the same ones from four years ago. 2024 might feel eerily similar to the tumultuous 2020 presidential election and its aftermath.

Once again, inside your classrooms, history is being taught at the very moment it’s being made.

Educators: How are you planning to teach about the 2024 presidential election?

Since this could be the first election you’ll have a chance to vote in, we’re eager to know how important this moment feels in your classes and to you and your friends. Are you closely following the campaign? Or does it feel not that connected to your life?

The New York Times’ Headway team and Chalkbeat want to hear directly from you. Take a moment to complete our questionnaire below, and we’ll be in touch with you soon.

The Latest

After debate, Chicago Board of Education adopts calendars for next two school years

After debate about when the first semester should end, the school board ultimately chose to adopt calendars in which the semester would end after winter break.

Reema Amin

| Today, 10:14pm UTC

2 schools spared: See the revisions to Philadelphia’s school closure plan

Members of the City Council have expressed concerns about the district’s sweeping facilities plan.

Rebecca Redelmeier

| Today, 10:00pm UTC

Financial troubles deepen for Chicago charter network ASPIRA

The network’s leaders have insisted two high schools they operate will remain open at least until the end of the school year. But CPS officials say they have run out of patience with ASPIRA’s failure to provide financial documents and a plan showing it can stay open.

Reema Amin

and

Mila Koumpilova

| Today, 5:31pm UTC

Here’s the NYC schools chief’s plan in response to an uproar over a parent’s racist remark

Kamar Samuels’ proposals represent the school system’s first concrete policy response after a Manhattan mom’s racist comment drew widespread condemnation.

Alex Zimmerman

| Today, 8:14pm UTC

Philly school district wants to close schools, spurring community uproar. Here’s why tonight’s board meeting matters.

Superintendent Tony Watlington has said the plan will need $2.8 billion in funding. The people who control that money take issue with what he wants to do.

Carly Sitrin

| Today, 5:31pm UTC

Is democratic local control of schools overrated? Why this political scientist thinks so.

Vladimir Kogan argues school governance is built around adult incentives, not student learning. He lays out three fixes — from election timing to growth data.

Matt Barnum

| Today, 12:02pm UTC