Posted inEducation, K-12, Partner Content

How Do We Teach Black History in Polarized Times? Here’s What It Looks Like in Three Cities.

This story about Black history in schools was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. One day this spring, Victoria Trice’s high school students in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, peered through virtual reality headsets as part of a lesson on […]

Posted inEducation, K-12, Partner Content

We need to rethink discipline in schools

This story was produced in partnership with Vox as part of the discrimination issue of The Highlight. For many Black children, their first encounter with the discrimination that will trail them their whole lives comes from the school system — a system where they are five times more likely to attend a segregated school than their white counterparts.  […]

Posted inEducation, K-12

The Surprising Gap in How Democratic- and GOP-led School Districts Talk About Diversity

Classrooms have reemerged as sites of political conflict over discussions about identity — and these tensions are reflected in how public school districts frame their educational values to students, according to an analysis released this week by the Pew Research Center. Pew found that in Democratic-voting areas, 56% of districts note their diversity, equity, and […]

Posted inEducation, K-12

What’s Missing in Financial Literacy Courses in School? Experts Explain.

At least 15 states have joined the growing movement to make financial literacy a requirement for high school graduation.  Utah became the first to require a half-credit financial literacy class as a graduation mandate in 2004. Today, eight states require a stand-alone course that provides students with an understanding of personal finance and skills to […]

Posted inEducation, K-12

GOP States Are Targeting AP Black Studies. Here’s How Kids Can Learn It Outside of School.

This story has been updated. At least four Republican-led states are considering whether a new African American Studies course is in compliance with its laws that restrict lessons on race, following Florida’s ban on the proposed course last month.   Officials in education departments in Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Virginia are reviewing the advanced placement […]

Posted inEducation, K-12

‘These Kids Can’t Wait’: The Struggle to Address the Black Youth Mental Health Crisis

At first, Mira Ugwuadu felt a sense of relief when her high school transitioned to remote learning in 2020, allowing her to work on advanced placement courses at her own pace. But soon, the 17-year-old found herself studying outside of school hours, unable to separate academics from her home life.  When her classmates went back […]

Posted inEducation, K-12

Florida’s Rejection of Af-Am Studies Reflects the Historical Fight for Black Education

Florida officials have rejected a new Advanced Placement course on African American Studies, calling it “woke indoctrination” that “significantly lacks educational value.”  The state education board released a list of their concerns with the new course, which, like others in the AP program, allows high school students to earn college credit through an advanced curriculum […]

Posted inEducation, K-12

How Race Became the Central Issue in Many School Board Elections

The impending midterm elections could have a dramatic impact on several hot-button issues, from reproductive rights to immigration. But further down the ballot, another battle is brewing. In school board elections, contentious matters of race and identity have become defining issues in many local campaigns. Conservative groups have been funneling money into school board races […]