Weekend Reads: Why childhood disadvantages hurt young boys more than girls

A new poll suggests that a large majority of Americans think that the country should do more to expand access to early childhood and a plurality think we should invest more in early learning than in college. (The Atlantic)
A decade after the first state run school district was started in Louisiana, the track record for existing turnaround districts is mixed, but more may be on the way. (Hechinger Report)
New research suggests that childhood disadvantages such as poverty or an unstable family life hurt boys more than girls. (The Upshot)
The flap over language a McGraw Hill textbook used that described slaves as “workers” reveals larger problems with the way history is taught in American classrooms. (The Atlantic)
In their latest philanthropic effort in education, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, former teacher Priscilla Chan, are opening a private school aimed at counteracting the toll that poverty takes on children. (San Jose Mercury News)
For many first year teachers, October and November are the hardest months, but some programs are working to get teachers through the fall rough patch. (NPR Ed)
Sesame Street’s new puppet character with autism is unusual because she’s a girl, a decision that the show’s creators made intentionally to combat impressions that most kids with autism are boys. (L.A. Times)
If you didn’t already know that education–only news outlets do amazing reporting, the story of how Catalyst Chicago broke open the story that eventually led to the former Chicago schools chief pleading guilty to fraud charges should give you an idea. (Columbia Journalism Review)