Weekly Update

A newsletter from The Hechinger Report

High school students find common ground on the debate stage

Macon Smith was one of more than 7,000 middle and high school students to compete in the National Speech and Debate Tournament this summer in Iowa, run by an organization that is celebrating a century in existence.

In that time, the National Speech and Debate Association has persevered through economic and social upheaval. It is entering its next era, one in which the very notion of engaging in informed and respectful debate seems impossible. The organizers of this event see the activity as even more important in a fracturing society.

“I don’t think there’s an activity in the world that develops empathy and listening skills like speech and debate,” said Scott Wunn, the organization’s president. “We’re continuing to create better citizens.”

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Get smart about New York schools at City & State’s Education in New York Summit: Shaping Tomorrow’s Schools Through Innovation on August 14. Curious about our keynote speakers? Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner, NYS Dept. of Education, & Melissa Aviles-Ramos, Chancellor, NYC Public Schools are both on the line-up!

Register now.

Apprenticeships for high schoolers are touted as the next big thing. One state leads the way

Elkhart County is at the forefront of a movement slowly spreading across Indiana and the nation to make apprenticeships a common offering in high school.

In 2019, as part of a plan to boost the region’s economic prospects, county leaders launched an effort to place high schoolers in apprenticeships that combine work-based training with classroom instruction. About 80 students from the county’s seven school districts participated this academic year, in fields such as health care, law, manufacturing, education and engineering. In April, as part of a broader push to revamp high school education and add more work-based learning, the state set a goal of 50,000 high school apprentices by 2034.

Tim Pletcher, the principal of Jimtown High, said students are often drawn first to the chance to spend less time in class. But his students quickly realize apprenticeships give them work-based learning credits and industry connections that help them after graduation. They also earn a paycheck.

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Release of NAEP science scores delayed

The repercussions from the decimation of staff at the Education Department keep coming.

Education policymakers have been keen to learn if science achievement had held steady after the pandemic or tumbled along with reading and math.

Reading list

International students are critical to US colleges. See which schools could be hit hardest by a ban

The Trump administration has vowed to make it harder for foreign students to get visas

How theater can teach kids about climate change

‘The Pocket Park Kids,’ which my 4-year-old and I saw together, intends to make it fun for kids to learn how to save the planet

Tracking Trump: His actions to dismantle the Education Department, and more

The president is working to eliminate the Education Department and fighting ‘woke’ ideology in schools. A week-by-week look at what he’s done

$6 billion school funding freeze sparks outcry over ‘cruel betrayal’ of students

Education leaders warn of layoffs, larger classes and slashed services as the Trump administration withholds federal K-12 funding — hitting California and Texas hardest

OPINION: A college degree opens doors, but only when we remove obstacles for young people

America’s future depends on more first-generation students from underestimated communities earning an affordable bachelor’s degree

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