A student’s anxiety attack upon returning to school in a small New England city last month is a stark reminder of how fragile pandemic recovery can be for thousands going back to classrooms after months of online learning. Even more fraught are the choices parents must make and that’s why Sarah Carr’s detailed on-the-ground reporting on middle schoolers who returned and those who stayed home is a must read.
 
This week, we also examine the latest research on reading comprehension (hint: it may be deteriorating) and the importance of play for the littlest learners and offer expert tips on navigating parent-teacher conferences. Finally, I spoke with Generation Hope CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis and wrote a column about her latest book and the case for helping student parents get to and through college. As always, we hope you take time to read our work, share it with friends and let us know what you think.

Liz Willen, Editor

As a district re-opens, one middle schooler returned to school and another remained home

COLUMN: ‘This is our moment,’ says the author of a new book on student parents

Twenty-six studies point to more play for young children

PROOF POINTS: Why reading comprehension is deteriorating

Some colleges stop holding transcripts hostage over unpaid bills

OPINION: Investments in child care facilities are critical to building a more equitable system of care

OPINION: Here’s how we can make difficult pandemic parent-teacher conferences better

OPINION: Neither heroes nor villains, teachers must be recast as vital partners

OPINION: We should not leave Black students out of any debate to reinvent schools