Education

News Brief: Coronavirus Variants, Historic Storm, Student Loan Forgiveness

6:16am February 16, 2021

A new COVID-19 strain appears to have evolved in the U.S. The entire state of Texas is under a winter storm warning. Plus, the Biden administration considers how much student loan debt to cancel.

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Student Loan Forgiveness: Democrats Debate How Much To Cancel

5:47am February 16, 2021

by Elissa Nadworny

The Biden administration is debating how much student loan debt to cancel per person. Who benefits when you cancel $10,000 in student loan debt versus $50,000?

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Education

Online Learning Boom Opens New Avenues To Spread Indigenous Languages

8:32am February 13, 2021

by Savannah Maher

As with almost all kinds of other schooling, the pandemic forced some classes in Indigenous languages to shut down. But it's also spurred development of virtual options to reach and recruit students.

CDC's New School Guidelines May Change Little, Superintendent Says

8:32am February 13, 2021

by Scott Simon

Marian Kim-Phelps, superintendent of the Poway Unified School District in San Diego, tells NPR's Scott Simon the recommendations don't help schools with what they need to reopen: staffing and space.

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Fans watch the high school football game between Davison and Flint Powers Catholic on September 18, 2020 in Davison, Michigan.

Education

To Play, Or Not To Play: Schools Wrestle With CDC's Athletics Recommendations

5:04am February 13, 2021

by Eda Uzunlar

New CDC guidance warns schools about resuming athletic activities, especially indoors, but some districts are still sending their kids to play ball.

Illustration of face protective masks hanging on a coat rack.

CDC Offers Clearest Guidance Yet For Reopening Schools

7:33pm February 12, 2021

The updated guidelines make key changes to earlier language and include a new color-coded chart that divides school reopening options into four zones based on the level of community transmission.

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The moment British actor and comedian Stephen Fry announced Ranjitsinh Disale as the winner of the $1 million Global Teacher prize.

Village Teacher Wins $1 Million Prize For World's Most 'Exceptional' Educator

2:10pm February 12, 2021

by Sushmita Pathak

Ranjitsinh Disale from India has been honored for finding ways to educate girls whose parents don't want them to come to school.

Education

Utah School Reexamines Allowing Parents To Opt Out Of Black History Month Curriculum

8:35am February 12, 2021

by Jon Reed

A school in Utah that allowed parents to opt out of Black History Month curriculum is now backpedaling as activists demand change.

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Education

Schools In Orange County, Fla., Reopened In August. How's It Going?

7:43am February 12, 2021

Reopening schools is a challenge because states have different rules. NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer talks to Barbara Jenkins, superintendent of public schools in Orange County, Fla., about in-person learning.

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Spring Semester Brings In-Person Classes And COVID-19 Spikes For Some Colleges

4:22pm February 11, 2021

by Elissa Nadworny

After delaying the start of an in-person semester, many colleges are now seeing spikes of COVID-19 rates as students return to campus for the spring semester.