Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

National

Betsy DeVos

Fact check

National
2 hours ago

Betsy DeVos says schools are strapped for cash because of well-paid bureaucrats. Here’s why that’s misleading.

Despite DeVos' claim otherwise, highly paid administrators simply don’t account for a particularly big slice of school spending.

Accountability

Tennessee
September 10, 2019

A renewed debate in Tennessee: Should schools be judged by how much students know, or how much they grow?

Commissioner Penny Schwinn's agenda may include changes to how Tennessee schools are evaluated.

Betsy Devos

Indiana
August 14, 2019

Betsy DeVos visited a ‘model’ coding program for Indiana incarcerated youth. Here’s why.

DeVos called the program a “good model” for second-chance education, saying it’s “very consistent” with President Donald Trump’s criminal justice reform agenda.

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

National
May 6, 2019

Betsy DeVos’s explanation for negative voucher results: Program was ‘not very well conceived’

Her response is surprising — and doesn't explain why programs in other states and Washington, D.C. appear to be hurting scores, too.

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.
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