Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

In the Classroom

Snapshots of the teaching and learning that take place inside schools
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…

How I Teach

National
June 13, 2018

How the 2018 national teacher of the year manages a classroom with 12 languages with a white board and a paper clip

Mandy Manning explains how she connects with immigrant and refugee students when they don't speak the same language and what she's going to do with her platform.

First Person

Tennessee
June 8, 2018

If teachers aren’t equipped to help trauma victims, students suffer. Learn from my story.

I thought that if I could find a different way to ask him to get back on task, maybe he would not become so aggressive.
Indiana
June 5, 2018

How this Indianapolis high school teacher won the trust of her most skeptical student

The teacher and her student participated in a recent story slam sponsored by Chalkbeat, Teachers Lounge Indy, WFYI Public Media, and the Indianapolis Public Library.

one year later

Detroit
May 30, 2018

A year after superintendent’s arrival, a skeptical Detroit teacher has become a believer — almost

A year ago, it was hard for teacher Rynell Sturkey to believe that life in her overcrowded, understaffed, poorly equipped classroom would ever improve. This past school year, however, Sturkey has been pleasantly surprised by improvements.

How I Teach

Detroit
May 29, 2018

This Detroit teacher helped her students make a movie about trash. It’s part of how they learn.

A student's question about a local incinerated led to a teaching unit and a short film made with help from a local artist.

‘It feels like losing a family’

Tennessee
May 24, 2018

This Memphis poetry team is the best in the state. But they will scatter as their school closes.

A student poetry team at GRAD Academy Memphis was named the best high school poetry team in Tennessee this month. But they will scatter to different schools after GRAD closes.

First Person

New York
May 17, 2018

As historians and New York City educators, here’s what we hope teachers hear in the city’s new anti-bias training

New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza and Mayor Bill de Blasio just committed $23 million over the next four years to support…

First Person

National
May 8, 2018

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, 8 essays from educators who raised their voices this year

Teachers are often on the front lines of national conversations, kickstarting discussions that their students or communities need to have.
Indiana
May 4, 2018

Her motto was ‘There’s no crying in teaching’ … until she actually became a teacher

Allissa Impink, now a teacher at Cold Spring School in IPS, was one of eight educators and students who participated in a recent story slam at Central Library.

testing testing

Tennessee
May 2, 2018

Inside a Memphis school dealing with the fallout of TNReady problems

Student anxiety, last-minute schedule changes, and hour-long holds with customer service hotline were common.

How I Teach

Colorado
May 1, 2018

This award-winning Colorado educator teaches computer gaming (Shhh, it’s actually math)

A computer gaming teachers talks about what turned her into math-lover, why she builds forts with her students, and how off-task behavior is like a canary in a coal mine.

New tools

Detroit
April 25, 2018

Eight things to know about Detroit’s big math and reading curriculum shift

Here’s what we know about the new materials and what we’ll be watching for in the months ahead.

making plans

New York
April 25, 2018

Push to curb academic segregation on the Upper West Side generates a backlash — and support

“We are not offering all students equity and access across all the district,” said District 3 Superintendent Ilene Altschul. “We need to do something.”

discipline paradox

National
April 20, 2018

Do charter schools suspend students more? It depends on how you look at the data.

Charters have a higher overall suspension rate than traditional public schools. But when you break down suspensions by race, charters actually post slightly lower rates.

Homework

Detroit
April 17, 2018

The Detroit district’s first homework policy is in the works. See how much homework it recommends your child do every night.

Detroit students who are drowning in homework — or unable to complete it because of challenges at home — could soon find relief in a…

First Person

Detroit
April 16, 2018

Let’s solve the right problems for Detroit’s students with disabilities — not recycle old ones

I’ve spent 25 years both studying and actively trying to improve schools for students with disabilities. Segregated settings aren't the answer.

How I Teach

Tennessee
April 13, 2018

Why this Memphis history teacher seeks to create a ‘calming slice of Africa’ in his classroom

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…

How I Teach

Colorado
April 4, 2018

This Colorado teacher admitted she didn’t know all the answers – and students responded

Here, in a feature we call How I Teach, we ask educators who’ve been recognized for their work how they approach their jobs. You can…

behind the music

New York
April 2, 2018

‘Connecting kids with who they are’: Why school diversity advocates are optimistic about Chancellor Richard Carranza

In New York City, advocates who have pushed for more diverse and inclusive schools are hopeful Carranza’s record will carry over.

School supplies

National
March 28, 2018

28,000 American teachers benefiting from cryptocurrency after company funds their DonorsChoose requests

The donation only temporarily offsets the many needs American teachers cite for their classrooms — and frequently fund out of their own pockets.

By the numbers

New York
March 27, 2018

More gifted programs join New York City’s school diversity efforts

Enrollment in the city's gifted programs is almost the reverse of the overall demographics in the school system.
Indiana
March 22, 2018

How an Indianapolis teacher is making fourth grade more like a video game

Amanda Moore uses adventures to entice students to practice math and reading skills.

thrown for a loop

National
March 21, 2018

Elementary school teachers sometimes follow a class of students from year to year. New research suggests that’s a good idea.

A new study shows that students improve more on tests in their second year with the same teacher and the benefits are largest for students of color.
Colorado
March 15, 2018

Crazy contraptions, Chemistry Cat, and climbing stories: How this Colorado science teacher connects with kids

A science teacher from northeastern Colorado talks about what she did when a mother began to criticism a student and why she loves Rube Goldberg contraptions.

behind the music

New York
March 14, 2018

‘We just wanted to help the movement’: Meet the NYC teacher whose students wrote a #NeverAgain anthem

We checked in with Kyle Fackrell, Lavelle Prep's longtime music teacher, to learn about the song, his students, and their ambitions.

Parents in school

Tennessee
March 13, 2018

English class for parents at one Memphis school fuels sense of community

Kate Bond Elementary offers a model for Shelby County Schools, where a growing immigrant population is compounding longtime challenges with parent involvement.

Repairing harm

Colorado
March 13, 2018

Inside one of three Denver schools serving as a national model for how to do discipline differently

Restorative justice is an approach to school discipline that focuses on repairing harm rather than doling out punishment.
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