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Editions of Chalkbeat's biweekly Ideas newsletter
This Chalkbeat Ideas roundup also explores shaky education research, Democrats’ standing on schools, free books, and college closures.
Apr 28, 2026
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4 min read
Critics warn it will drain students from public schools — but that won’t necessarily mean less funding.
Apr 23, 2026
3 min read
A new study finds public education helps narrow resource gaps for children in poverty. But disparities persist in housing, health care, nutrition, and informal education.
Apr 21, 2026
Many advocates are trying. Here’s why they might succeed — and why they might not.
Apr 14, 2026
9 min read
Khan Academy’s OpenAI-powered chatbot was a “non-event” for most students, Khan said in an interview.
Apr 9, 2026
7 min read
Seventh-grade math teacher Dylan Kane says dropping screens has been more work for him and students. That might be why it’s working.
Apr 7, 2026
8 min read
Yes, with a caveat, according to a new study.
Mar 30, 2026
6 min read
Nearly every Virginia school district agreed to block undocumented students from accessing federally funded career-technical education programs. The policy was reversed following Chalkbeat inquiries.
Mar 27, 2026
11 min read
And with AI and demographics challenges, can the enrollment boom continue?
Mar 24, 2026
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
Plus AI cheating, teachers strikes, gifted gaps, and seat time. A Chalkbeat Ideas roundup
Mar 12, 2026
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
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
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
