Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Indiana

Charters & Choice

open or closed?

Indiana
July 22, 2019

Open or closed? Parents and students at troubled Indiana virtual schools receive mixed messages

Confusion is swirling over whether two beleaguered online schools, at odds with the state and their oversight agency, are still operating, potentially leaving thousands of…

southwest detroit

Detroit
July 18, 2019

A Detroit charter school was evicted. These influential funders say its likely replacement could improve student learning.

Influential funders are backing a replacement with a reputation for producing high test scores.

Teacher vacancies

Detroit
July 17, 2019

Detroit schools get creative to fill teacher vacancies

There's less than two months before the school year begins, and Detroit school leaders are searching for ways to fill their classrooms with dedicated teachers.

Public dollars

Indiana
July 12, 2019

State cuts off funding to Indiana Virtual School and sister school. But will Indiana get its money back?

Indiana is withholding funds from Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy until it recovers more than $47 million from the two schools combined.

Charter contract review

Tennessee
July 12, 2019

Memphis superintendent wants to play a bigger role in improving charter school performance

The review under the new superintendent could signal a continuation of the district’s effort to collaborate more with its charter schools.

Air pollution awareness

Colorado
July 12, 2019

Many Denver schools with high asthma rates aren’t participating in a new air quality monitoring program

One goal of this program is to help school nurses identify asthma triggers and then develop individual health plans for students who have the chronic breathing condition.

Air pollution awareness

Colorado
July 12, 2019

Will a new program monitoring air quality at Denver schools make a difference for students?

Ten Denver schools are getting highly localized air quality sensors. The data goes live this fall.

Charter schools

Tennessee
July 12, 2019

As Tennessee gives its turnaround district a hard look, fates of other takeover districts show struggles aren’t unique

Seven years later, Tennessee’s achievement district has not seen large gains. Nevada closed its turnaround district, and the other two states are struggling to launch.

money matters

Tennessee
July 11, 2019

Tennessee governor promises ‘funding will be there’ for early voucher start

The legislature approved $770,000 for startup expenses this year while setting a two-year deadline to enroll students in the program. 

School funding

Detroit
July 11, 2019

Gym or curriculum? Michigan schools with the neediest students face choices that “aren’t good for kids.”

Officials at this school say a tight budget forced them to choose between an adequate gym and much-needed curriculum.

Project Manager

Tennessee
July 11, 2019

Schwinn taps deputy with voucher experience to build Tennessee’s program

Amity Schuyler, who became deputy commissioner of Tennessee’s education department in May, is named project manager.

Accelerated

Tennessee
July 10, 2019

Tennessee’s governor wants education voucher program to launch a year ahead of deadline

The controversial new program could begin in the fall of 2020 instead of 2021.

where the money goes

Indiana
July 10, 2019

‘How did we miss this?’ Indiana officials blast lack of oversight in $40M virtual school scandal

The schools’ oversight agency, Daleville Community Schools, bore the brunt of the board’s blame for the online schools’ alleged abuse of millions in public dollars.

Charters & Choice

Indiana
July 10, 2019

Betting on Indianapolis “innovation” schools, The Mind Trust names three new fellows

All three innovation fellows were previously charter school principals.

Gifted Education

Detroit
July 9, 2019

Detroit officials hope their new initiative for gifted children avoids equity issues that plague other cities

The Detroit school district is working to change its approach to identifying and teaching gifted children.