Education

New graduates line up before the start of a community college commencement in East Rutherford, N.J., on May 17, 2018.

White House drops free community college from its spending bill

1:37pm October 20, 2021

by Elissa Nadworny

The Biden administration's program to make community college tuition-free will not become a reality in this round of the president's spending priorities, leaving progressive groups disappointed.

This June 11, 2015 file photo shows the state Capitol in Oklahoma City.

Teachers and civil rights groups sue over Oklahoma's ban on critical race theory

8:11am October 20, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

The lawsuit argues that Oklahoma's law banning lessons on gender and race interferes with students' and educators' First Amendment right to learn and talk about those issues in school.

Adults have a lot to say about masks. How do students feel about them?

7:34am October 20, 2021

by Lauren Migaki

Elementary school teacher Katy Wright in Montana decided to ask her students how they feel about having to wear masks in school.

Study abroad is coming back. But with more hurdles

5:36pm October 19, 2021

by Rich Kremer

U.S. colleges are restarting study abroad programs after a year of cancellations brought by the pandemic. But the virus and travel restrictions have added new hurdles to an already complex process.

Kids' mental health crisis is at a critical point, Education Secretary Cardona says

7:12am October 19, 2021

The Education Department wants to revamp mental health access for students and awareness in schools. NPR's Scott Detrow talks to Secretary Miguel Cardona about the guidance.

An adult gestures while participating in a video call while telecommuting during the coronavirus pandemic. Children are playing in the room as the adult works.

1 in 3 working families is struggling to find the child care they desperately need

6:36am October 19, 2021

And more than 1 in 3 adults in households with children say they have experienced serious problems meeting both their work and family responsibilities, according to an NPR poll.

A catamaran is a classroom at this high school for future engineers and captains

5:07pm October 18, 2021

by Noel Gasca

Maritime High School in Washington is preparing future marine scientists and ship captains. Most high schools take the occasional field trip. But few turn a catamaran into a floating classroom.

How Dayton, Ohio, spent its COVID money

4:28pm October 18, 2021

by Tamara Keith

Dayton, Ohio, was once desperate for American Rescue Plan money to help with basic services. Now the city finds itself awash in funds, and looking for creative ways to spend the COVID-19 aid largesse.

Students at Patterson High School in Patterson, Calif., are participating in the one of the first truck-driving programs for students at a non-vocational high school in the country.

High schoolers are training to drive 18-wheelers amid a shortage of truck drivers

8:20pm October 16, 2021

by Jonathan Franklin

The trucking industry is short 68,000 drivers. By 2028, industry officials fear the number could jump to more than 100,000. A California high school allows seniors to learn trucking skills.

Education

The pandemic has left many students months behind in school subjects

5:07pm October 16, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with journalist Jill Barshay of The Hechinger Report to discuss what we know about pandemic "learning loss" and how educators can address it.