Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

In the Classroom

Snapshots of the teaching and learning that take place inside schools

talking SHSAT

New York
16 hours ago

Love or hate the specialized high school test, New York City students take the exam this weekend

The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test has been both lauded as a fair measure for who gets accepted to the city’s most coveted…

Teacher's tale

Detroit
2 days ago

Video: This Detroit teacher explains how she uses her classroom to ‘start a real loud revolution’

Silver Danielle Moore doesn’t just see teaching as way to pass along information to students. She views teaching as a way to bring about change.
Tennessee
October 12, 2018

How Memphis students came face to face with the painful history in their school’s backyard

“I can’t believe that this history is right outside our school,” one student said.
Indiana
October 11, 2018

How an Indianapolis district became a national model for teacher leadership

The TAP System was developed as a strategy for improving instruction and it is popular in Indiana.

How I Teach

New York
October 11, 2018

In New York City, sea urchins and horseshoe crabs help lead the class

How do teachers captivate their students? Here, in a feature we call How I Teach, we ask great educators how they approach their jobs. You…
Chicago
October 9, 2018

Can a program designed for British diplomats fix Chicago’s schools?

Senn High senior Shrda Shrestha is attending her neighborhood high school in Edgewater against pretty much everybody’s advice. “When I…

How I Teach

Indiana
October 9, 2018

How being a black woman in engineering shaped the Indiana Teacher of the Year’s classroom career

She talked to Chalkbeat about bringing the real world into the classroom, and how everyone has experience with engineering — even if they don’t realize it.

Master Class

New York
October 5, 2018

After fanfare, inside the Bronx classroom of New York’s Teacher of the Year

Twelfth graders at the International Community High School in the South Bronx were pumped when they watched their social studies teacher, Alhassan Susso,…

Sensitive conversations

Chicago
Updated October 5, 2018

Chicago teachers encouraged to talk with students about Van Dyke verdict but to ‘stay neutral’

As the trial of the police officer accused of fatally shooting Chicago teenager Laquan McDonald reached its dramatic conclusion, public schools sought to…

How I Teach

Colorado
October 3, 2018

This gifted and talented teacher made an 11th-hour decision that changed a student’s life

This Colorado teacher talks about one of the best decisions she ever made, how she helps combat student anxiety and why some gifted students should be clustered together.
Indiana
September 24, 2018

Actress or teacher? A string of ‘failures’ showed this Indianapolis educator where she belonged

Stratton and other educators and students told their stories at this fall's teacher story slam.

How I Teach

Indiana
September 20, 2018

How this Indiana teacher helps hospitalized students transition back to school

"I have my patients for about a week typically, so trying to provide enough support and education to patients, family, and school staff can be very challenging."

future of work

Chicago
September 20, 2018

How Chicago schools are using cool classes like aviation and game design to repopulate neighborhood schools

Schools see career-education classes as a means of attracting students who had fled local schools and also of teaching fundamental skills and concepts.
National
September 20, 2018

How I Teach: Virtual classroom, real-life teacher

Welcome to the September edition of our “How I Teach” newsletter! I’ve always wondered how exactly teachers of online classes do their jobs. Do they…

take note

Colorado
September 19, 2018

Aurora is rolling out new curriculum to catch up with how teachers teach writing

Aurora discovered that about 40 percent of its third-through-eighth-graders earned zero points on certain writing sections of the state test.

Talent office

Chicago
September 14, 2018

With the alarm sounded statewide over shortages, Chicago forges ahead with a teacher experiment

Katrina Johnson was working as a special education classroom assistant in a Greater Grand Crossing school when she received an email several…
Indiana
September 13, 2018

‘It takes a lot of intentionality’ for this Indiana online school teacher to get to know students

Lacy Spears, a middle school reading interventionist at the Insight School of Indiana, shares how much of her work at an online school takes place off-line.

Asked and answered

Chicago
September 11, 2018

Teachers’ union chief Jesse Sharkey on school closings, contract battles, and life after Rahm

What the CTU president says about Chicago schools chief Janice Jackson, being called out by investigator Maggie Hickey, and union challenges post-Janus.

Peek into schools

Chicago
September 10, 2018

Following lead of their tweeting CEO, Chicago schools take to social media

For teachers and administrators who embrace social media, it's a crucial means of communicating with students and giving families a peek into hallways and classrooms.

How I Teach

Indiana
September 7, 2018

Why this Indianapolis teacher assigned less homework after visiting her students’ homes

Every year, I get to visit each of my students at their house to spend time with their family, play games, and take a tour of their rooms (which they normally clean for me!).

new school

Chicago
September 7, 2018

A new school in Bronzeville says a lot about what parents want

The first day of school, Nicole Spicer woke up at 4 a.m., put on a kelly-green blouse that matched her school colors, and…

Top shelf

Colorado
September 6, 2018

Meet Colorado’s six finalists for 2019 Teacher of the Year

Six teachers have been chosen as finalists for Colorado’s 2019 Teacher of the Year award, with the winner set to be announced by Nov. 1.

First Day

New York
September 4, 2018

New York City teachers head #backtoschool, both in real life and on Twitter

New York City teachers returned to school Tuesday and were busy with meetings and classroom prep ahead of Wednesday’s first day of classes. But many…

Education Funding

Chicago
Updated September 4, 2018

What crowdfunding is telling us about the future of Chicago education

Cushioned seating, compost bins, standing desks, even a science kit for forensic investigation — these are some of the things Chicago teachers are…

First Person

Chicago
August 30, 2018

We’ve come a long way in addressing student stress and trauma. I could use help, too.

There’s an old adage, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” But as a paraprofessional in Chicago, my cup is almost drained.

First Person

Chicago
August 24, 2018

What happened when my daughter came home singing a deportation song — and how I’d handle it in my classroom

As the beginning of the school year inches closer, teachers are preparing to meet their students with the usual questions: “How was your summer?”…
Chicago
August 21, 2018

Chicago schools want to delay plan for tackling the gifted gap

Chicago Public Schools wants to delay for a year a plan to make gifted services available to more children outside of selected enrollment,…
National
August 16, 2018

How I Teach: From tragedy, a career in education

Welcome to the August edition of our “How I Teach” newsletter! In keeping with back-to-school season, today’s issue features a Colorado English teacher who felt…

yeshiva findings

New York
August 16, 2018

After 3-year probe into yeshivas, city admits it was blocked from visiting many schools, found little instruction in math and English

In a letter sent to the state education commissioner on Wednesday, schools Chancellor Richard Carranza asked the state for guidance.
New York
August 15, 2018

Carranza aims to speed up anti-bias training for educators, calling it a ‘cornerstone’ of school improvement

The chancellor's goal is to compress the original four-year roll out of the anti-bias training to two.

outside the box

Chicago
August 14, 2018

How one Chicago principal is leaning on data to help black boys

Test scores were rising at Fuller Elementary School when Marilyn McCottrell took over in 2016. Yet troubling trends loomed behind the numbers.

How I Teach

New York
August 8, 2018

Don’t just help students graduate. Prepare them for what’s next, says high school teacher

An environmental engineer-turned-teacher shares how she helps students learn to love math and get prepared for university.

Detroit Story Booth

Detroit
August 6, 2018

Watch this Detroit student read his poem about teachers who thought his differences were ADHD

This Detroiter's poem deals with how his teachers treated him when they thought he had ADHD or autism.

pursuit of education

Indiana
August 3, 2018

This Burmese refugee is using her own experience to guide others on a path toward success

Pency Engmawii is using her own unique experience as a refugee from Myanmar to mentor and tutor other students who are new to the English language.

suit up

New York
August 1, 2018

New York City schools agree to bullying reforms in wake of lawsuit

A legal settlement calling on the education department to do more to address bullying in schools was approved this week by a judge,…

How I Teach

Colorado
August 1, 2018

How this Colorado English teacher connected with a mom everyone said was impossible

An English teacher talks about how he communicates with parents, why he feels heartbroken when district tax levies fail, and how Metallica music fits into his lessons.
Chicago
July 25, 2018

Just like their parents, Chicago students will soon have to learn cursive

For Chicago students, learning how to write will soon get more complicated. Starting this school year, Chicago Public Schools students will…

Race and equity

Chicago
July 24, 2018

Here’s some advice for CPS’ future Chief Equity Officer in year one

When a small group of central office staff met earlier this year at Chicago Public Schools headquarters to discuss a grant, the conversation…
National
July 18, 2018

How I Teach: Teaching English, typos and all

Welcome to the third installment of our “How I Teach” newsletter! Erik Catellier isn’t necessarily the first person you’d expect to become an English teacher.

How I Teach

Tennessee
July 16, 2018

Belittled as a child, this Memphis teacher sets a high bar for her students

Some 20 years ago, Ginny Terrell’s third grade math teacher called her “stupid.” Now, Terrell laughs as she names her current position: a…

First Person

Chicago
July 12, 2018

I’m a principal who thinks personalized learning shouldn’t be a debate.

This is the first in what we hope will be a tradition of thoughtful opinion pieces—of all viewpoints—published by Chalkbeat Chicago. Have an idea? Send…

Facilities

Chicago
July 4, 2018

These 102 schools failed latest round of ‘blitz inspections’

Chicago Public Schools said Tuesday that 102 schools will require reinspection for cleanliness before students return to class in the fall. The district…

regulation roll back

National
July 3, 2018

DeVos presses pause on special education rule, highlighting ongoing discrimination debate

The Department of Education halted a rule designed to stop students of color from being over-identified as having a disability wading into a complicated research dispute

summer learning loss

Indiana
July 3, 2018

This Indiana summer program is fighting summer learning loss. Here’s how

A central Indiana summer program is trying to reverse summer learning loss, which research has shown can be equivalent to two to three months of lost reading ability.

Classroom Lessons

Detroit
June 20, 2018

They saw life inside Detroit classrooms — and now some of them want to teach

City Year Americorp members finished the school year with lessons that inspired them to become teachers and counselors
Chicago
June 20, 2018

Five award-winning teachers talk recharging over the summer

As Chicagoland students rejoice at the end of school, teachers also approach the summer with excitement – to be able to relax and…

First Person

New York
June 19, 2018

I fight for integrated schools in New York City. I’m also Asian-American. Mayor de Blasio, let’s talk.

Shino Tanikawa explains why she's concerned about the rollout of the mayor's plan to integrate New York City's specialized schools — and how the process can be salvaged.
Indiana
June 18, 2018

Bodily fluids and belly buttons: How this Indianapolis principal embraces lessons learned the hard (and gross) way

Rembert is the principal at Francis W. Parker School 56 in Indianapolis Public Schools.
Indiana
June 14, 2018

Known for ‘no excuses’ discipline, Tindley charter network loosens policies to reduce suspensions

After 14 years and some of the highest out-of-school suspension numbers in the state, the Tindley charter network is relaxing its controversial, unapologetically tough approach to discipline.
National
June 14, 2018

How I Teach: Meet Mandy, America’s teacher of the year

Welcome to the second issue of Chalkbeat’s “How I Teach” newsletter! Today, I’m excited about our interview with Mandy Manning, the 2018 National Teacher of…
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