Education

In this 2011 photo, Hu Jintao, then China's president, visits the Confucius Institute at the Walter Payton College Preparatory High School in Chicago. China established more than 100 Confucius Institutes, which provide language and culture programs, at U.

As Scrutiny Of China Grows, Some U.S. Schools Drop A Language Program

12:31pm July 17, 2019

by Greg Myre

At least 13 U.S. universities have shut down their Confucius Institutes, which are funded by China's government. Critics say the program could be used to recruit spies or steal university research.

Oklahoma Among States Setting Higher Reading Expectations For 3rd-Graders

5:47pm July 14, 2019

by Alexandra Starr

Oklahoma is one of almost 20 states that require third-graders to show reading proficiency before going to fourth grade. That means higher expectations for younger kids, like kindergartners.

Nineteen states have adopted "mandatory retention" policies, which require third-graders who do not show sufficient proficiency in reading to repeat the grade.

States Are Ratcheting Up Reading Expectations For 3rd-Graders

5:26pm July 13, 2019

by Alexandra Starr

Almost 20 states have passed laws requiring third-graders who aren't proficient in reading to repeat the grade. The policy started in Florida 17 years ago.

Education

Tips For Keeping The Benefits Of Pre-K

8:26am July 13, 2019

by Priska Neely

Researchers say preschool can give kids from low-income families a boost. Those benefits don't always make it through the transition to kindergarten, but there's a lot parents can do to help.

University Of Texas President Greg Fenves Discusses Free Tuition Plan

4:17pm July 12, 2019

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Greg Fenves, president of The University of Texas at Austin, about a new program to cover full tuition for students from families making under $65,000 a year.

Will Your Job Still Exist In 2030?

7:33pm July 11, 2019

by Alina Selyukh

New research finds automation widening the gap between urban and rural areas and dramatically affecting people who didn't go to college or didn't finish high school.

Amazon said it will invest $700 million to train 100,000 employees for higher-skilled jobs by 2025. Training programs will be offered to workers throughout all levels of the company.

Education

From The Warehouse To IT: Amazon Offering 100,000 Workers Tech Training

4:59pm July 11, 2019

by Amy Scott

Amazon plans to invest $700 million to train a third of its U.S. workforce for higher-skilled jobs. The company acknowledged that workers could use their new skills to seek jobs outside Amazon.

Janelle Menzel is a high school math teacher in Brainerd, Minn. After contacting her loan servicer repeatedly, trying to find a way to appeal, a call center worker told her, "Look, you just need to give up."

Broken Promises: Teachers Sue U.S. Over Student Loans That Weren't Forgiven

1:35pm July 11, 2019

by Chris Arnold

One of the biggest U.S. teachers unions is suing the Department of Education, alleging a loan forgiveness program for millions of public service workers violates federal law and the Constitution.

Queue Listen Now

News Brief: Acosta Defends Plea Deal, Student Loan Lawsuit, Tension in Strait of Hormuz

5:22am July 11, 2019

Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta is defending a plea deal he oversaw nearly a dozen years ago as a U.S. attorney in Florida. Also, a major teachers' union is suing the U.S. Department of Education.

Queue Listen Now

The University of Texas-Austin announced Tuesday it is offering full tuition scholarships to in-state undergraduates whose families make $65,000 or less a year.

University of Texas-Austin Promises Free Tuition For Low Income Students In 2020

7:32pm July 10, 2019

The governing board voted to offer full tuition scholarships to in-state undergraduates whose families make $65,000 or less a year. They also extended financial assistance to middle class students.