Education / Public News Service

Immigrants make up 9.7 percent of Pennsylvania's workforce and play a vital role in strengthening the state's economy in various ways. (Pressmaster/Adobe)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Educators voice concern of PA immigrant student protections

Immigration policy changes under the Trump administration are instilling fear in Pennsylvania schools, as educators and advocates warn of their …

The American Federation of Teachers says schools must be safe havens, welcoming places of learning and free from racism, discrimination and the threat of deportation. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

TX teachers prepare to protect immigrant students

School districts across Texas are grappling with ways to keep migrant children safe and engaged in class now that the Trump administration has made it…

According to the American Council on Immigration, nearly half of Georgia's immigrant community are naturalized citizens, with 10.8% of residents foreign-born and 6.5% having an immigrant parent. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Advocates push for GA student protections amid possible immigration raids

A nationwide immigration crackdown is raising concerns in Georgia classrooms as families navigate new enforcement policies. With the Trump …

Cincinnati Public Schools serves approximately 35,000 students, with more than one in 10 being English learners who do not speak it as their first language. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Educators, Ohio leaders react to new ICE rules

A new federal policy allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into public schools has sparked concerns nationwide, including here in Ohio…

About 25% percent of children in Illinois are foreign-born or live with at least one parent that is, according to data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

IL schools urged to push back against new immigration policies

As Illinois parents and children continue to be on high alert amid fears of school immigration raids, school officials are publicly advocating for …

According to the nonprofit Feeding Texas, one in six households in the state are food insecure. (Stella/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

$450 million available to feed Texas kids this summer

The final deadline is approaching for members of the Texas Legislature to decide on participating in the Summer EBT program, which provides grocery …

Florida's recently passed TRUMP Act allocates $500 million to enhance state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement but Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes the bill, arguing it undermines his executive authority by shifting oversight to the agriculture commissioner. (Pixabay)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Educators sound alarm over immigration policy affecting FL schools

Immigration policy changes under the Trump administration are instilling fear in Florida schools, as educators and advocates warned of their effects …

Approximately one in 12 children in Oregon lives with at least one undocumented family member. (Manny DaCunha/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

OR schools, advocates react to possible ICE raids

Oregon's largest school district has affirmed it will continue to enforce Oregon's sanctuary laws by not providing information to Immigration and Cust…

About 13% of the state's residents were born in another country and 16% of residents are native-born Americans with at least one immigrant parent, according to the American Immigration Council. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Education advocates respond to possible immigration raids in AZ schools

Arizona's largest high school district has stated it will not voluntarily help the Trump administration with its immigration promises by declaring its…

Utah's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 22.5 percentage points since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Report: Utah sits well above national average for adults' degree attainment

Utah has made noteworthy progress in increasing the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. Credentials are …

Among Wyoming Republican voters surveyed, 86% believe state funding should be provided to public school systems to prevent cuts in services to existing students and to prevent tax increases to local taxpayers, according to a poll from the Wyoming Education Association. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Poll: 68% of Wyoming Republicans oppose universal school vouchers

A Wyoming bill to expand a school voucher program passed the House last week, despite a new survey showing most Republican voters in the state oppose …

Arizona's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 20.8 percentage points since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Report: AZ above national average for degree attainment among adults

Arizona has made notable progress in increasing the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. According to …

California's state attorney general recently released guidance that ICE agents must have a judicial warrant to enter school property. (Mehaniq41/Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, February 3, 2025

CA's K-12 schools prepare for possibility of immigration authorities on campus

California school districts are working to reassure parents who may be scared to bring their kids to school - since the Trump administration made it c…

The 2024 State of Child report reveals that in 2021, Tennessee families benefited from tax credits, with 24 percent claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit averaging $2,130, and 25 percent claiming the Child Tax Credit averaging $3,128. (Oksana Kuzmina/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Report: 20% of TN children under five live in poverty

Tennessee's "State of the Child" 2024 report shows some progress, but also highlights ongoing concerns. The report from the Tennessee Commission on …

According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 29% of eighth grade students in South Dakota reached the proficient level for reading. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Solutions sought with lack of big turnaround in student test scores

South Dakota saw mixed results in a new national report measuring academic progress. Key voices in the world of education hope troubling trends seen …

Community action agencies are celebrating 50 years of the Earned Income Tax Credit. On average, eligible taxpayers received $2,743 from the credit in tax year 2023, according to the Internal Revenue Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, February 3, 2025

Expanded tax credits, free tax service help MA families get ahead

Community action agencies in Massachusetts called the state's expanded tax credits "powerful antipoverty tools" and they are offering free tax prep se…

The number of of working-age adults with degrees or credentials continues to grow, according to new data from Lumina Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, February 3, 2025

More than half of Kentuckians have a college degree or credential

Kentucky is inching closer to its goal of having 60% of residents equipped with a college degree or credential by 2030. The latest data from Lumina …

Data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce showed, of the 2,540 students in Akron City who use EdChoice, almost 88% are

Monday, February 3, 2025

Debate intensifies over OH school vouchers as Trump advocates expansion

As Ohio's private school voucher program nears $1 billion in funding, the Trump administration is pushing to expand school choice nationwide by …

The National Assessment of Educational Progress provides an overview of students' reading and math knowledge and performance over time. In 2024, about 117,900 fourth graders and 115,200 eighth graders took the math assessment. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

MO student test scores remain steady but concerns remain

Missouri students are keeping pace with their peers nationwide, according to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress but there are …

In December, the Montana Supreme Court ruled a 2023 law restricting life-saving gender-affirming care for transgender youth was unconstitutional. Lawmakers have introduced a slate of related bills in the 2025 session. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

‘A dangerous proposition’: MT lawmakers could decide on three gender bills

Montana lawmakers are considering three bills on gender. They are all versions of previous bills, which either failed or were struck down in court…

Some 40% of fourth grade public school students in Arkansas reported confidence in their math knowledge and skills. (AdobevStock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Nation's Report Card: Student test scores not budging in Arkansas

Arkansas kids are still feeling the negative educational impacts of the pandemic, even though it was declared over a year-and-a-half ago. New data …

Studies show that mental-health literacy and life skills decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and help children succeed. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

Mental health access critical for MI students

Some 125,000 children in Michigan struggle with major depression, which can hinder learning, behavior and relationships, according to a recent survey…

In its 2024-25 budget, Pennsylvania boosted its commitment to equitable education with a $100 million increase in special education funding, aiming to enhance resources and support for students with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

PA Democrats push school funding, new revenue sources

Pennsylvania lawmakers return to Harrisburg on Monday, facing renewed pressure to address long-standing issues, including improving the economy and …

A Minnesota high school student gets an in-person learning experience about aspects of construction work after taking an online elective course now being offered. (Photo courtesy Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota)

Through virtual academy, MN high schoolers get sneak peek of the trades

Choosing a career path can be hard for high schoolers, especially if their district can't provide additional learning opportunities that move them in …

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey warned any freeze of federal funding would be

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MA educators cite chaos, fear following Trump’s directives

Massachusetts educators say President Donald Trump's threat to pause all federal grant programs has created instability for schools and their students…

High school students with depression are more than twice as likely to drop out than their peers. (Adobe Stock)

School services could help IL further address youth mental health

About half of youths experiencing depression in Illinois are not receiving treatment. While the state ranks fairly well nationwide when it comes to …

Bill author Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger, said she does not believe the state budget could support a larger raise for teachers. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana lawmakers back $45K minimum teacher pay

By Garrett Bergquist for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Serv…

The National Association of School Psychologists and other organizations have declared a national youth mental health emergency, with Florida's trends reflecting the broader crisis. (sasint/Pixabay)

Florida schools struggle to fund mental health services amid growing demand

With Florida facing a youth mental health crisis, outdated Medicaid reimbursement policies are leaving schools struggling to meet growing demands…

A Rockefeller Institute study of New York's school funding formula finds changing the state poverty measure to the more recent three-year average, without other changes, will cut New York City school funding by $392 million. (Adobe Stock)

Critics: Proposed NYS funding formula shortchanges districts

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2026 education budget proposal changes school funding, and some critics say it's unfair. The formula hasn't changed in …

Alabama ranks 44th nationwide in BroadbandNow's annual assessment of internet coverage, speed, and availability. (Adobe Stock)

Report highlights how Alabama can unlock rural infrastructure, broadband

A new report highlighted how regional commissions are helping improve infrastructure in rural America. According to the Brookings Institution…

The North Carolina Legislature heads back to the Capitol this Wednesday. The 2025 session lasts to the end of July. (Farragutful/Wikimedia Commons)

NC lawmakers prioritize school vouchers over Helene relief, critics say

Programs like school vouchers have become a higher priority for lawmakers than Hurricane Helene relief for western North Carolina schools, critics …

Fruitland School District and other rural Idaho school districts say they are battling underfunding from state government. (Henryk Sadura/Adobe Stock)

School choice debate could impact funds for ID's rural schools

Idaho lawmakers are looking to expand options for students to go to schools other than public ones, but that could impact funds for rural schools…

In Pennsylvania, charter schools and cyber charter schools are required to operate as public, nonprofit organizations. (Adobe Stock)

Is AI curriculum the future of education in PA 'cyber charters?'

A new virtual charter school offering two hours of artificial intelligence-based learning wants to expand into Pennsylvania. The Unbound Academy …

The 2025 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being website includes an interactive tool to compare county-level data on 40 indicators. (Vasyl/Adobe Stock)

CA county scorecard reveals struggles in education and foster care

A majority of California children are failing to meet educational standards, according to this year's County Scorecard on Children's Well-Being…

The MTA says ensuring minimum salaries for teachers to meet the cost of living will help improve retainment and recruitment. The job listing site SchoolSpring lists more than 3,500 open teacher positions across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Educator pay, medical leave top MA teachers union legislative priorities

Establishing minimum salaries for educators and school staff will be a top priority for the Massachusetts Teachers Association this legislative sessio…

A 2022 report from the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable found one school psychologist for every 548 students, one school social worker for every 580 students and one school counselor for every 457 students. In the years since, this has only grown because of a workforce shortage. (Adobe Stock)

CT school services aid kids' mental health despite staff shortages

Connecticut schools are helping kids address mental health issues. Some experts feel they are a frontline system in the ongoing crisis and help link …

Even in a digital age, advocates for public libraries say branches continue to prove their worth, including online databases for research, as well as free Wi-Fi in areas with broadband gaps. (Adobe Stock)

SD library services on state budget chopping block

South Dakota lawmakers will soon resume debate on a budget-cutting plan targeting library services within the state. Legislative committees are …

Free lunch, breakfast could soon come to all VA students

Free school lunch and breakfast may soon be the law in the Commonwealth. House Bill 1958 would require local school boards to participate in federal …

Nationwide, at least 17 public universities and colleges in 2024 faced existential crises and considered merging or shutting down, according to the Hechinger Report. (Christopher Ziemnowicz/Wikimedia Commons)<br /><br />

WV communities grapple as public colleges merge, close

By Jon Marcus, Brianna Atkinson, Molly Minta and Amy Morona for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News …

Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, who authored the bill, said every year 101 young Hoosiers lose their lives to alcohol-related deaths. (Adobe stock)

Bill aims to broaden Indiana Lifeline Law

Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with plans to expand the state's Lifeline Law, which protects those seeking emergency help in alcohol-related …

The hottest year on record was 2024, as average global temperatures continue to rise due to the use of fossil fuels. (Adobe Stock)

Worker's coalition aims to address climate emergency, economic inequality

As President Donald Trump abandons a promise the U.S. made in Paris nearly a decade ago, organized workers across Colorado are joining forces to …

A $3.3 million Rutgers University grant was part of a Biden era Department of Education initiative to expand access to school-based mental health services nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

NJ spending on student mental health is up, challenges remain

While New Jersey has made gains in K-through-12 mental health support, advocates said the state needs to do more. In recent years New Jersey has …

A report card from the group Inseparable found Pennsylvania has one school counselor for every 369 students, while the recommended ratio is 1 to 250. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Pennsylvania lagging in school-based mental health support

As young people struggle with mental health issues, schools often provide the best avenue for getting them help. However, Pennsylvania has fallen …

University of North Texas students must be an approved volunteer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to take the class with incarcerated people at the Bridgeport Correctional Center. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

North TX college students participate in prison exchange program

University of North Texas students are participating in the national Inside Out Prison Exchange program. In its third year at the college, the …

In Peoria, Ill., 42% of the population has a credential beyond high school, although almost 65% of the jobs available in the area require a post-high school credential. (Adobe Stock)

Peoria prioritizes education to fill workforce, poverty gaps

By Laura Aka for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Servic…

Wyoming ranked 43rd in the nation for youth mental health in 2022. Lawmakers are struggling to agree on the role schools should play. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming lawmakers debate school’s role in youth mental health

In Wyoming, lawmakers are split on the role schools should play in improving children's mental health, although experts said they are pivotal…

A 2022 report found New York State has one school psychologist for every 648 students, one school social worker for every 773 students, and one school counselor for every 288 students, far exceeding recommended ratios. (Adobe Stock)

NY schools working to improve kids’ mental health

Schools in New York and nationwide continue to play an important role in bolstering kids' mental health. New York made a $1 billion investment in …

A 2022 report found Washington state had one school counselor for every 465 students, far higher than the recommendation of one for every 250 students. (Synthex/Adobe Stock)

WA falls behind in school-based mental health support

As young people struggle with mental health issues, schools often provide the best avenue for getting them help. However, Washington state has fallen …

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Education

Educators voice concern of PA immigrant student protections

TX teachers prepare to protect immigrant students

Advocates push for GA student protections amid possible immigration raids

Educators, Ohio leaders react to new ICE rules

IL schools urged to push back against new immigration policies

$450 million available to feed Texas kids this summer

Educators sound alarm over immigration policy affecting FL schools

OR schools, advocates react to possible ICE raids

Education advocates respond to possible immigration raids in AZ schools

Report: Utah sits well above national average for adults' degree attainment

Poll: 68% of Wyoming Republicans oppose universal school vouchers

Report: AZ above national average for degree attainment among adults

CA's K-12 schools prepare for possibility of immigration authorities on campus

Report: 20% of TN children under five live in poverty

Solutions sought with lack of big turnaround in student test scores

Expanded tax credits, free tax service help MA families get ahead

More than half of Kentuckians have a college degree or credential

Debate intensifies over OH school vouchers as Trump advocates expansion

MO student test scores remain steady but concerns remain

‘A dangerous proposition’: MT lawmakers could decide on three gender bills

Nation's Report Card: Student test scores not budging in Arkansas

Mental health access critical for MI students

PA Democrats push school funding, new revenue sources

Through virtual academy, MN high schoolers get sneak peek of the trades

MA educators cite chaos, fear following Trump’s directives

School services could help IL further address youth mental health

Indiana lawmakers back $45K minimum teacher pay

Florida schools struggle to fund mental health services amid growing demand

Critics: Proposed NYS funding formula shortchanges districts

Report highlights how Alabama can unlock rural infrastructure, broadband

NC lawmakers prioritize school vouchers over Helene relief, critics say

School choice debate could impact funds for ID's rural schools

Is AI curriculum the future of education in PA 'cyber charters?'

CA county scorecard reveals struggles in education and foster care

Educator pay, medical leave top MA teachers union legislative priorities

CT school services aid kids' mental health despite staff shortages

SD library services on state budget chopping block

Free lunch, breakfast could soon come to all VA students

WV communities grapple as public colleges merge, close

Bill aims to broaden Indiana Lifeline Law

Worker's coalition aims to address climate emergency, economic inequality

NJ spending on student mental health is up, challenges remain

Pennsylvania lagging in school-based mental health support

North TX college students participate in prison exchange program

Peoria prioritizes education to fill workforce, poverty gaps

Wyoming lawmakers debate school’s role in youth mental health

NY schools working to improve kids’ mental health

WA falls behind in school-based mental health support