Public News Service

Data from the Electric School Bus Initiative finds Virginia is one of the top states to own and purchase clean school buses. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

Virginia kids are heading back to school in a more environmentally friendly way. School districts and counties statewide are making the switch to …

Los datos de la Electric School Bus Initiative encuentran que Virginia es uno de los principales estados en poseer y comprar autobuses escolares limpios. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

En VA más distritos escolares adoptan autobuses limpios

Los niños de Virginia regresan a la escuela de una manera más amigable con el medio ambiente. Los distritos escolares y los condados de …

A recent report found about 40% of Virginia's kindergarteners still need to build literacy, math and/or social skills. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

New poll: Voters remain concerned about cost of child care

A new poll found voters remain concerned about the high cost of living and want the government to do more to lower their expenses. More than nine in …

Ninety-five percent of people between 13 and 17 report using some form of social media. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Experts offer social media tips as VA kids head back to school

It is back-to-school time, and health experts are offering tips about improving children's physical and mental well-being. The advice comes amid a …

Experts say most work, even in traditional blue-collar fields, will require a bachelor's degree or other post-secondary training. (Kerkezz/Adobe Stock)

Report: Most good jobs will go to people with higher levels of education

Economic opportunities will favor workers with higher levels of education, according to a new report. Researchers found 85% of good jobs will go to …

Virginians ages 35-49 have the most student loan debt in the state, with $16.7 billion in outstanding loans. (Adobe Stock)

VA student borrowers affected by courts pausing SAVE program

Virginia student loan borrowers will feel the effects of federal courts blocking more student loan forgiveness. The Biden administration forgave …

Los habitantes de Virginia de entre 35 y 49 a�os son los que m�s deuda de pr�stamos estudiantiles tienen en el estado, con $16.7 billones de d�lares en pr�stamos pendientes. (Adobe Stock)

Estudiantes endeudados se ven afectados por suspension del programa SAVE en VA

Los estudiantes con préstamos estudiantiles de Virginia sentirán el impacto de los tribunales federales bloqueando más condonaciones…

One in eight undergraduate students at Virginia public colleges is also a parent. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA public college policies can help student parents

A new report examines how Virginia public colleges can help student parents. The Urban Institute report reviews three policies schools can …

1 de cada 8 estudiantes universitarios en las universidades p�blicas de Virginia son padres estudiantes. (Adobe Stock)

Políticas de universidades públicas de VA pueden ayudar a padres estudiantes

Un nuevo informe examina cómo las universidades públicas de Virginia pueden ayudar a los padres estudiantes. El informe del Urban Institute …

The Vera Institute estimated more than 760,000 incarcerated people became eligible for Pell Grants when access was reinstated in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

VA can bolster higher education access for incarcerated people

Virginia advocates believe more can be done to make higher education accessible to incarcerated people. Only a handful of community colleges partner …

Seg�n una estimaci�n del Instituto Vera, m�s de 760,000 personas encarceladas pasaron a ser elegibles para recibir los subsidios Pell cuando se restableci� el acceso en 2023. (Adobe Stock)

VA podría reforzar el acceso a enseñanza superior de personas encarceladas

Los defensores de Virginia creen que se puede hacer más para que la educación superior sea accesible para las personas encarceladas…

As of June 2023, the World Resources Institute estimates there are 2,277 electric school buses on order, delivered, and operating in the U.S. (Adobe Stock

VA school districts, parents working to get electric school buses

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

Polls show 71% of voters across party lines oppose book bans and challenges at their local library. From Jan. 2023 to Aug. 2023, 1,915 unique book titles were subject to challenges. (Adobe Stock)

Public libraries take censorship battles to the ballot box

Libraries across Virginia and the nation are fighting back on censorship issues. So far this year, 100 bills are pending at the state and federal …

Part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's budget proposal calls for a $24 billion public school investment. This is coupled with an almost $1 billion increase to support teachers, students and parents, up from the previous budget. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Proposed VA budget doesn’t meet community needs

Virginia advocates feel Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed budget isn't meeting community needs. Youngkin's 2024-2026 budget is built around numerous …

One industry where Virginia is seeing sharp workforce declines is health care in the Department of Veterans Affairs. A state Inspector General report found 3,118 roles with

VA organization takes ‘human side’ of workforce development

By Victoria Lim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News …

A Lumina Foundation/Gallup poll finds one in four Hispanic students

Poll: Many Hispanic college students consider dropping out

A majority of Hispanic community college students tell pollsters they've wanted to leave school. The Lumina Foundation-Gallup poll finds 50% of …

Una encuesta de Lumina Foundation/Gallup encuentra que uno de cada cuatro estudiantes hispanos

Muchos estudiantes universitarios hispanos consideran abandonar sus estudios

La mayoría de los estudiantes hispanos de colegios comunitarios dicen a los encuestadores que querían dejar la escuela. La encuesta de la …

Virginia ranked 48th in the 2023 State of Mental Health report undertaken by Mental Health America. This indicates higher rates of mental illness among the state's youth and little access to care. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA, US Children Need Better Health Supports

A new annual report found children in Virginia and across the U.S. need better health support. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book …

Virginia ranked 48th in Mental Health America's 2023 State of Mental Health report for youth mental health, which indicated higher rates of mental illness among the state's youth and little access to care. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Parents Worried About Student Mental Health

A recent survey from the National PTA found student mental health is a top-of-mind issue for parents across the U.S. The survey showed 72% of …

According to Virginia's Community College System, more than 146,700 students enrolled in community college in fall 2022, a 1.7% increase from the year before when only 144,215 students enrolled. (Virginia's Community College System)

VA Rural Community Colleges Make Comeback After Pandemic

Community colleges across Virginia are rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Virginia Community College System, the fall 2022 …

According to a Gallup poll, only 14% of Republicans have confidence in public schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. This is down from 34% in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Congressional Hearing Re-Examines AFT COVID-19 Pandemic Plan

GOP lawmakers are questioning teacher's unions about school closure policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 26, Randi Weingarten, president …

Seg�n una encuesta de Gallup, solo el 14 % de los republicanos tiene confianza en las escuelas p�blicas despu�s de la pandemia de COVID-19. Esto ha bajado del 34% en 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Audiencia del Congreso vuelve a examinar el plan de pandemia AFT COVID-19

Los legisladores republicanos están cuestionando a los sindicatos de docentes sobre las políticas de cierre de escuelas durante la pandemia …

A report from Generation Hope about child care access for student parents finds 74% of respondents provide over 30 hours of care for their child while attending school. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Student Parents Need Better Access to Child Care

A new report highlights the need for better access to child care for college level student parents. The report, from Generation Hope, finds 92% of …

Un informe de Generation Hope sobre el acceso al cuidado infantil para los estudiantes padres encuentra que el 74 % de los encuestados dedica m�s de 30 horas semanales al cuidado de su hijo mientras asiste a la escuela. (Adobe Stock)

Padres estudiantes necesitan un mejor acceso al cuidado infantil

Un nuevo informe destaca la necesidad de un mejor acceso al cuidado infantil para los padres estudiantes universitarios. El informe, de Generation …

A report by the Virginia Coalition for Open Government finds some reasons state agency websites weren't in compliance with Virginia's Freedom of Information Law is they didn't say what kind of records they maintained, didn't say what records the agency withholds, and there was no link to FOIA on the agency's homepage. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA State Agencies, Public Colleges Not Complying with FOIA

A new report finds Virginia's state agencies are failing to post key Freedom of Information Act links. The report from the Virginia Coalition for …

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 48% of schools surveyed felt inadequate funding was one reason they couldn't effectively provide mental-health services to students. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation Aims to Improve VA School Mental-Health Services

Virginia's General Assembly is reviewing legislation to improve mental health services in schools. Currently, Virginia ranks 48th among states for …

Virginia law says all state agencies and institutions need to take

VA Bill Would Ban Withholding Student Transcripts for Debt Collection

As the Virginia General Assembly begins its new legislative session, one bill will be returning - with the goal of alleviating some student-debt …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 41,500 <a href=

farms operate on more than 7 million acres in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)">

Farmers Educating Kids About Agriculture to Understand Food System

Farmers in and around Virginia are working to educate children about agriculture and provide a deeper understanding of their work. These programs …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youths who bully others are at increased with for substance abuse, academic issues, and experiencing violence in adolescence and as an adult. (Adobe Stock)<br />

As Bullying Prevention Awareness Month Ends, Prevention Efforts Continue

As National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month comes to a close, experts are reminding Virginians to be aware of the patterns within bullying…

According to a 2022 report from the American Heart Association, there are more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the United States each year, 90% of which are fatal. (Adobe Stock)<br />

CPR Education Helps VA Student Save Family Member’s Life

A Virginia high school student has found that the CPR training required for graduation is more helpful than she realized. Anjalia Bryant, a junior …

The American Library Association estimates between 82 and 97 percent of book challenges go unreported. (Adobe Stock)

Censorship in VA Highlighted During Banned Books Week

Controversial books are nothing new, but the incidence of book challenges and bans has increased substantially in recent years. This week marks the …

A leak of thousands of internal documents to journalists in 2021, detailing how social media giant Facebook handled everything from the January 6th insurrection to mental health issues among young women and girls. (Adobe Stock)

Facebook Whistleblower, Health Experts Discuss Social Media's Impact on Kids

Last year, a whistleblower at Facebook lifted the curtain on how the platform, and its sister companies, impact young kids' mental health. Frances …

About 10% of students at Virginia's Community Colleges responded to a survey on food insecurity and homelessness in 2021. The data is informing today's decisions to increase assistance. (Adobe Stock/Elena Shi)

Food Insecurity, Mental Health are Challenges for VA College Students

Community college students in Virginia still face food insecurity a year after survey data shows the COVID pandemic created greater challenges due to …

According to U.S. census data, college enrollment in 2020 fell to its lowest point since before the 2008 recession. (Adobe Stock)

As Higher-Ed Enrollment Drops, Experts Weigh Options

As Virginia and the rest of the nation track a years-long decline in college enrollment, leaders in higher education are weighing the best ways to …

Seg�n los datos del censo de EE. UU., la matr�cula universitaria cay� en 2020 a su punto m�s bajo desde antes de la recesi�n de 2008. (Adobe Stock)

A medida que cae la matrícula universitaria, expertos sopesan opciones

A medida que Virginia y el resto de la nación registran una disminución en las inscripciones universitarias, los líderes en educaci…

Per a 2021 Pew Research poll, a quarter of Republican respondents and 80% of Democrat respondents said placing more emphasis on America's history of racism and slavery was a good thing. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Group Creates Online Resource for 'Divisive' Educational Materials

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has made removing so-called "divisive" lessons on race, history and identity from classrooms a cornerstone of his administration…

In a new poll from Hart Research Associates, 48% of respondents believe teachers' unions have a positive impact on quality of education, but 17% of parents believe unions have had a negative effect. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Majority of Parents Support Schools' Handling of COVID-19

Virginia schools have become a political battleground over mask mandates in recent months, but a new poll indicates a majority of parents support the …

According to the Pew Research Center, about 7% of parents report their children's screen time has diminished since the pandemic began. (Adobe Stock)

VA Department of Education Offers Guidance for Students Learning Virtually

As many Virginia schools pivot back to temporary virtual learning, some students are spending more time in front of screens. In response, the …

A new report from Georgetown University explains that opportunities to explore careers through field trips, career days and other activities should start as early as elementary school. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Build Back Better Could Help Prepare Youth for Employment

RICHMOND, Va. -- The pathway to a career has become more difficult for some in recent years, with many young people not landing the right job until …

A new program will boost support services, such as child care or school counseling, for students of color taking non-degree courses for workforce readiness at community colleges in six states. (Adobe Stock)<br />

VA Community Colleges Gain New Support for Adult Students of Color

RICHMOND, Va. - A new program aims to give underserved students of color extra support to close education and workforce training gaps that have grown …

El nuevo programa impulsar� los servicios de apoyo, como el cuidado infantil o la consejer�a escolar, para los estudiantes de color que toman cursos de preparaci�n a la fuerza laboral, en universidades comunitarias en seis estados. (Adobe Stock)

Colegios comunitarios de VA obtienen nuevo apoyo para estudiantes adultos de color

RICHMOND, Va. -- Un nuevo programa tiene como objetivo brindar apoyo adicional para estudiantes de color y cerrar las brechas de educación y …

Virginia has the fourth-highest student-loan debt per borrower in the nation, totaling almost $39,000. (Adobe stock)

Report: Sinking Under Student Debt, VA Voters Ask Candidates for Relief

RICHMOND, Va. -- With the Virginia governor's race neck and neck, advocates are urging candidates to address easing the burden of student debt after …

Of Arlington, Va., public school students ages 12 to 15, 92% are vaccinated against COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

School Clinics Boost COVID Vaccine Rates for VA Youth

RICHMOND, Va. -- As schools in Virginia face staffing challenges due to COVID-19 outbreaks, Gov. Ralph Northam wants to get more eligible students …

Public schools need to minimize arrests at schools by using emergency mental-health teams instead of police officers to address behavioral incidents at school, according to a Sentencing Project report. (Adobe stock)

Report: Invest COVID Funds to Close School-to-Prison Pipeline

ARLINGTON, Va. -- As a Northern Virginia school system transitions away from using police officers in schools, a new report suggests COVID stimulus …

A new report that examines racial gaps between Black and white Virginians shows 60% of majority-Black neighborhoods in the state have eviction rates greater than 10%, quadruple the national average. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Universities Offer New Cures for Closing Virginia’s Racial Gaps

RICHMOND, Va. - In response to last year's protests against racial injustice across the country, a new report shows cities such as Richmond are …

The American Heart Association recommends schools avoid overly harsh discipline as kids and families readjust to the in-person school schedule during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Protecting Kids' Mental Health Top Priority as VA Schools Reopen

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- With many Virginia schools starting up next week, experts say parents and teachers need to take extra steps to protect …

Men accounted for two-thirds of the enrollment last year in Virginia's workforce grant program, which helps folks get jobs in construction and other industries. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Workforce Grants Help Boost Employment During COVID

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- With many Virginians still experiencing pandemic-related unemployment, students at a state community college were able to get …

About 16% of Latino families with children in Virginia were uninsured in March 2021, compared with 8% of all households in the state, according to the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Virginia Must Improve Child Health Coverage for Latino Families

RICHMOND, Va. -- Children in Virginia are better off than in most states, but a new report said the Commonwealth needs to improve health outcomes…

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VA: Education