Editions of Chalkbeat's biweekly Ideas newsletter
Viral testimony blamed school-provided screens for learning declines. The evidence is hardly clear, but neither is the value of ed-tech.
Mar 17, 2026
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8 min read
Plus AI cheating, teachers strikes, gifted gaps, and seat time. A Chalkbeat Ideas roundup
Mar 12, 2026
9 min read
A new study finds they’re far less likely to graduate. It’s not the last word in the retention debate, but it adds a concerning data point
Mar 10, 2026
7 min read
A new report defends the Education Department’s research arm but also calls for changes. In this Q&A, author Amber Northern discusses the future of the Institute of Education Sciences.
Mar 5, 2026
The Trump administration is trying to close the Education Department — but it’s also expanding the scope of federal power over schools in other ways
Mar 3, 2026
Political scientist Vladimir Kogan says public education is geared towards adults, not students. Here’s what he’d do to address that.
Feb 26, 2026
Not necessarily, but the future is uncertain and the trade-offs are real
Feb 24, 2026
A new study shows that top teachers’ performance deteriorates when they’re paid to move into struggling schools
Feb 17, 2026
A discussion with The Argument’s Kelsey Piper
Feb 12, 2026
13 min read
Not many more, according to a careful parsing of recent data.
Feb 10, 2026
Research suggests that a few snow days probably won’t set students back academically. If schools go virtual, teachers should be wary of introducing new material.
Jan 29, 2026
Limited testing data could leave policymakers and parents in the dark.
Jan 27, 2026
Emanuel’s ideas are gaining traction in part because no one else is offering a clear vision.
Jan 22, 2026
Officials want to close the Education Department but keep its programs. It’s not entirely clear what that accomplishes.
Jan 20, 2026
6 min read
A Q&A with Chalkbeat reporter Ann Schimke who has chronicled what some have called Colorado's "first public Christian school"
Jan 13, 2026
10 min read
Experts (and everyone else) have theories but no definitive answers just yet.
Jan 8, 2026
A Chalkbeat Ideas roundup
Jan 6, 2026
Leaked emails show the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools landed a meeting with the Labor Secretary, who assuaged short-term concerns. Long-run worries remain though.
Dec 18, 2025
A Q&A with the education historian turned critic of testing and charter schools.
Dec 16, 2025
It’s concerning that some students at top colleges struggle with basic math, but simply changing admissions standards could backfire.
Dec 9, 2025
No Child Left Behind likely improved math scores, but it also brought about widespread frustration from teachers and parents.
Dec 2, 2025
11 min read
Nov 25, 2025
The effect on schools will probably be small, but it represents something big.
Nov 20, 2025
Yet the party faces challenges on the issue, including greater learning loss in blue states.
Nov 18, 2025
We’ve got answers to that and other questions from a new tranche of state testing data.
Nov 13, 2025
