Lead Story
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Cellphone Ban in School Classrooms
Illinois would join more than half of U.S. states in restricting cellphone usage in classrooms. School districts are required to create their device policy over the next year.
Today's Coverage
Texas State Takeover of Local School Districts Expands, Raising Concerns
No state has taken over as many local public school districts as Texas. Just since 2020, the Texas Education Agency has installed its own hand-picked leaders in eight districts.
Parents’ Consent at the Heart of Ed Tech Lawsuits
The uprising against ed tech received a boost from the federal government last month when the U.S. surgeon general advised schools to “help reduce the role of screens in the lives of our nation’s children.” To Lila Byock, one of two California moms suing Curriculum Associates over its product i-Ready, the advisory was…
California Superintendent of Public Instruction Race: Live Election Results
The June 2 California primary election will determine which two candidates advance in the race for state superintendent of public instruction.
Nysut Teachers Union Wants Ban on AI Screens for Young Students
The state teachers union approved a resolution calling for no individual screen use through second grade, limits on AI chatbots, and paper testing options as schools rethink education technology.
Oklahoma Eases School Penalties for Chronic Student Absences
“Taylor dropped a new album.” “Resting up from my vacay.” “Netflix binge last night.” Those were among the “lame excuses” for missing school that Oklahoma’s Union Public Schools featured during the 2024-25 school year, part of a humorous campaign intended to reduce chronic absenteeism. Behind the comical posters, howev…
Watch: A Candid Exit Interview With Baltimore’s Schools Chief Sonja Santelises
What does it take to run one of the largest urban public school districts in the nation? Dr. Sonja Santelises, longtime CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, sat down April 29 for a frank and memorable exit conversation with Bellwether Co-Founder (and 74 Board Member) Andrew Rotherham, reflecting on her 10-year tenure…
Rob Sand Is Running for Governor Focusing on Iowa School Vouchers Esa
Auditor Rob Sand says Iowa’s voucher-like ESA program lacks oversight and diverts money from public schools. His campaign shows one way Democrats are approaching education politics.
Character Education in Action: How a Rural Elementary School Uses Global Competencies to Grow Life-Ready Learners
A few weeks into the school year, after a morning meeting on empathy and poverty, first graders set out to learn what their community needed for the winter. After interviewing a local community organization, they learned socks were a major...