Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

New York

Early Childhood

Examining the push to get kids starting school strong.

Pre-K payoff

New York
1 day ago

Mayor de Blasio touts higher test scores for NYC students in universal pre-K

Students who attended Pre-K for All programs in the 2014-15 school year outperformed their peers who were not on this year’s New York state exams, officials said.

first steps

Indiana
1 day ago

Kindergarten has become a critical year of learning, but Indiana still doesn’t require it

For all of its importance, kindergarten is still not required in Indiana.

growth plans

New York
August 19, 2019

As pre-K teachers celebrate pay raises, day care union seizes the moment to reach more schools

On the heels of a labor agreement to boost teacher pay, and with a merger with its much larger counterpart, DC 1707 is seizing the moment to try to grow.

How I Teach

Chicago
August 16, 2019

No worksheets here: This Chicago kindergarten teacher wants to bring play back to classrooms

The misconception that play cannot be rigorous and meaningful robs students of their opportunity to learn in a developmentally appropriate manner.

expanding early childhood

Tennessee
August 15, 2019

Porter-Leath announces partnership with University of Memphis as part of major early childhood expansion

A Memphis pre-K giant plans to build three new childcare academies over the next three years. One of them will be in partnership with the University of Memphis.

early childhood

Indiana
August 13, 2019

Indianapolis ends preschool program, leaving 3-year-olds without access to scholarships

Hundreds of 3-year-olds in Indianapolis will no longer qualify for preschool funding now that the city is ending its scholarship initiative.

How I Teach

New York
August 13, 2019

This Flushing pre-K teacher uses WeChat and dumpling-making to connect with his students and their families

Andy Yung is one of the few men nationwide who teaches pre-K. He puts extra effort into connecting with his students and their families, many of whom are immigrants.

early learning

Chicago
August 9, 2019

With 8,000 vacancies across city pre-Ks, Lightfoot urges Chicago families to apply

With the start of school three weeks away, Mayor Lori Lightfoot took the podium at a West Humboldt Park center to urge more families to apply for preschool.

pre-k problems

National
August 8, 2019

A new study questions whether Head Start still produces long-run gains seen in past research

“We’re using methods that have been accepted for a long time ... and now we’ve got a bunch of negative results,” said Dylan Lukes, a Harvard graduate student.

More seats

Colorado
August 7, 2019

This California startup thinks it can help stem Colorado’s child care shortage

A California-based company recently expanded to Colorado with the goal of minting new home-based child care providers in the Denver area.

Early Childhood

New York
August 6, 2019

Here’s what NYC parents can do if they’re concerned about lead exposure in classrooms

Two pediatricians who have worked with children exposed to lead spoke with Chalkbeat about the dangers of lead and offered tips on what parents can do.

Pay Parity

Chicago
August 5, 2019

Educators trusted with babies and toddlers don’t make a living wage — Illinois wants to change this

Across Illinois, early childhood educators are paid far less than their counterparts in K-12 schools. Under the proposal, teacher pay would start at about $40,000 a year.

early arts

Detroit
August 5, 2019

Inside 45 minutes of Detroit fun: How artists are helping toddlers dance from home care into kindergarten

The Living Arts Detroit Wolf Trap program is now bringing professional artists into in-home child care programs in Detroit's Brightmoor neighborhood.

drilling down

Tennessee
August 2, 2019

Pre-K benefits faded in Tennessee — but not for the reasons you think, says new study

A new study says long-lasting pre-K benefits depend on more than just the quality of the pre-K program.

done deal

New York
August 2, 2019

Union members approve a contract deal that includes massive raises for some pre-K teachers

Some preschool teachers will see their pay increase by as much as $20,000 after union members voted Thursday night to approve a labor agreement.
‹