education
In reading, the nation’s students are still stuck in a pandemic slump
New 2025 testing data shows third- through eighth-graders scored far below 2019 levels in reading. In math, some grades have made gains, but all are lagging compared to before the pandemic.
The government has long researched high school experiences. Then DOGE cut the effort
The federal government has long surveyed high schoolers to help track how their academic choices may have influenced the course of their lives. The Trump administration put an end to that effort.
‘We survived, we are resilient’: Remembering U.S. Indian boarding schools
Tuesday is Orange Shirt Day, when communities honor the survivors of U.S. Indian boarding schools and their descendants.
What schools stand to lose in the battle over the next federal education budget
Education researchers warn budget proposals from the White House and House Republicans would impose steep cuts on some of the nation's most vulnerable students and disadvantaged school communities.
A student’s winning podcast looks back to a way of life she never knew
Avani Yaltho, this year's high school winner in NPR's Student Podcast Challenge, brought three generations of her family together to talk about their shared history.
NPR’s middle school champion: A moving podcast about Japanese incarceration
For the first time, NPR's Student Podcast Challenge has a returning champion: a California fifth grader who explored a dark chapter in U.S. history during World War II.
‘Monster Madness’: A sixth grader sent us this delightful podcast about Bigfoot
With help from his brother and some creative sound effects, an 11-year-old made us smile with his podcast. It's a finalist in this year's NPR Student Podcast Challenge.
U.S. Education Dept. unites conservative groups to create ‘patriotic’ civics content
The group of more than 40 conservative organizations met for the first time on Wednesday. The initiative is aimed at celebrations of the nation's founding next summer.
RFK Jr. wants to end mental health screenings in schools. Experts say it’s a bad idea
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon are against schools giving kids standardized questionnaires about their mental well-being. But experts say they are wrong.
A new Nation’s Report Card shows drops in science, math and reading scores
It's the first Nation's Report Card since the Trump administration began making cuts to the U.S. Education Department. The scores reflect the state of student achievement in early 2024.
Today is the last day for many Education Department workers. Here’s what they did
Employees across multiple divisions agree: They can't imagine how the department will fulfill its legal obligations with roughly half its staff gone.
‘It’s such a dream’: Top high school performers step out on Broadway
With a billboard in Times Square and a night on Broadway, the year's top high school performers are ready for their big moment at the Jimmy Awards.
People told my dad not to bother educating his 4 daughters. He didn’t listen
On Father's Day, Esther Ngumbi thinks of the sacrifices her Kenyan dad made to ensure that not only his son but his four daughters got an education. He'd say, "I choose to educate you, my girls."
In hearings, McMahon faces questions about the shrinking federal role in schools and colleges
In separate hearings on Capitol Hill this week, the Education Secretary answered questions about a range of issues, from student loans to mental health programs.
Trump cuts could hurt after-school programs that serve low-income students
Schools in Maine have been at the center of a political battle with the Trump administration. Now, many fear after-school programs, critical for low-income communities, could be lost.
This award-winning podcast explores finding happiness as a young, single person
From hundreds of entries, our judges chose one student's intimate telling of the value of lifelong friendships and being single as the grand-prize winner of the NPR College Podcast Challenge.
More states are allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees
Diminishing access to four-year universities and majors has been holding rural students back. Community colleges say they can bridge the gap.
Trump signs executive actions on education, including efforts to rein in DEI
The directives include new efforts to curtail DEI programs at colleges, and discipline guidance for public schools.
Higher ed war heats up as Trump threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status
The president's comments came after the administration froze $2 billion in federal grants for Harvard after the university rejected what it saw as illegal government demands.
Harvard rejects Trump administration’s demands for deep changes
The university refused to make changes it said would "dictate what private universities can teach" and "whom they can admit and hire," among other things.
Alabama Senate passes record education budget
There's one thing Alabama lawmakers are required to do each session -- that's pass the budgets. Legislators spent time this week working toward that goal as the Senate approved a record-setting education budget. We hear about that other legislative happenings with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Bienvenidos! Some colleges are targeting a long-neglected group: Hispanic students
Colleges are recognizing the importance of this growing pool of potential students.
Education Dept. warns schools: Eliminate DEI programs or lose funding
The department sent a letter to state leaders threatening the loss of funds for K-12 schools that don't follow its interpretation of civil rights laws.
As enrollment in online college grows, students wonder: Why does it cost more?
Rather than lowering the price, some universities use online courses to subsidize everything else.
State Dept. staffers get mixed messages on how to serve international students
A State Department program meant to convince international students to pursue higher education in the United States can't seem to get answers on whether they're allowed to talk about increasing diversity in U.S. classrooms.
Linda McMahon led WWE and the SBA. The U.S. Education Dept. may be next
McMahon has a limited background in education, and a long career as a business executive. She'd be stepping into an agency the president hopes to dissolve.
Crime and education on the agenda for the 2025 legislative session
The 2025 legislative session in Alabama kicks off Tuesday, Feb. 4 with plenty on the agenda. Education, public safety, and of course the budgets are expected to come up. We get a preview of what's ahead with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Girls Rock Birmingham gives future artists the spotlight
Picture a rock band and chances are it’s a bunch of men. But Girls Rock Birmingham, a local youth organization, is fixing that spotlight on girls by giving them the chance to take the stage to rock out.
Alabama committee advances ban on LGBTQ+ pride flags in classrooms
The Senate Education Policy Committee voted 5-2 for the House-passed bill, putting the proposal in line for a possible final passage in the last four days of the legislative session.
What to expect in this year’s legislative session
Alabama lawmakers will be back in Montgomery Tuesday to kick off the 2024 legislative session. State leaders are already talking about an array of issues from education to the economy.
Alabama governor defends dismissal of education leader
Gov. Kay Ivey replaced a Cabinet member who oversaw the state's award-winning prekindergarten program because of a teacher training book with language about inclusion and combatting structural racism, she said Thursday.
Alabama education director ousted over book’s stance on race
Barbara Cooper was forced out as as head of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education after Ivey expressed concern over the distribution of the book to state-run pre-kindergartens.
