Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Betsy DeVos

How I Teach

National
May 15, 2019

How the National Teacher of the Year offers history lessons plus ‘love and care and comfort’

Two teachers boycotted the annual White House ceremony celebrating the nation’s top teachers. But Rodney Robinson, the national teacher of the year, wasn’t one

voucher verdict

National
May 15, 2019

D.C. voucher students don’t see test score gains, but are less likely to be frequently absent, latest research shows

The results are a mixed bag, but offer good news compared to earlier studies of D.C.’s program.

Charters & Choice

Detroit
May 6, 2019

Betsy DeVos: Michigan doesn’t have enough school choice

A powerful advocate of school choice in Michigan says it hasn't gone far enough.

devos watch

Tennessee
May 6, 2019

Betsy DeVos praises Tennessee’s voucher program, but won’t say whether undocumented immigrants should be excluded

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said she was “thrilled” Tennessee has passed a voucher program, and that it was up to the state to work out if immigrant and undocumented students qualify for it.

devos watch

Chicago
May 3, 2019

Three things Betsy DeVos said in Chicago — and one big topic she didn’t address

Betsy DeVos talked about two kinds of vouchers and pushed for vocational education, but skirted mentioning Illinois' pushback against tax credits for school choice.

reform legacy

Colorado
May 2, 2019

Michael Bennet left a complex mark on Denver schools. Now he’s running for president.

Michael Bennet's commitment to education reform could draw fire from the left, but he's also been a sharp critic of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

DeVos in NYC

New York
Updated May 2, 2019

Betsy DeVos targets de Blasio’s education policies at black-tie dinner, saying they ‘renewed nothing’

Criticism from DeVos, who is highly unpopular among Democrats, will likely be welcomed by de Blasio, who is mulling a run for president.

High drama

Tennessee
Updated May 1, 2019

Tennessee legislature approves compromise voucher proposal aimed at Memphis, Nashville

Gov. Bill Lee plans to sign compromise legislation affecting students and districts in Tennessee’s two largest cities.

shift

Tennessee
Updated April 25, 2019

Days after historic House vote, education voucher plan clears Tennessee Senate

The Senate’s 20-13 vote on Thursday delivered Gov. Bill Lee a significant victory.

Breaking school-to-prison pipeline

Tennessee
April 12, 2019

This program helps put arrested Memphis teens on track. Now its funding is in jeopardy.

The $1.2 million federal grant for Project Stand expires this summer and Shelby County Schools has not yet decided if the district will pick up the tab.

Round Two

Tennessee
April 5, 2019

Is Tennessee governor’s voucher plan in trouble? Senate leader says it needs work.

Sen. Dolores Gresham is working on another version of the bill that has early momentum in the House but raises significant concerns for her chamber.

charters and college

National
April 2, 2019

Federal study finds charter middle schools didn’t help students earn college degrees

The results are a disappointing data point for charter advocates who hoped the publicly funded, privately run schools would improve students’ college prospects.

Guest List

Tennessee
April 2, 2019

Here’s who Betsy DeVos and Gov. Bill Lee heard from in their closed-door meeting in Tennessee

The 30 or so people at the table were unlikely to challenge the points of view of their powerful hosts.

School choice

Tennessee
Updated April 1, 2019

Betsy DeVos joins Tennessee governor in full-court press for expanded school choice

While U.S. education chief Betsy DeVos isn't convincing members of Congress to expand education choices for families, she found a more receptive audience in Tennessee.

Fact check

National
March 26, 2019

Three misleading claims Betsy DeVos made before Congress

As DeVos restated her positions on school choice initiatives and skepticism of spending more money on education, she also reprised a number of misleading claims.
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