New laws to limit instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity leave teachers confused, scared and uncertain

This is a weekly newsletter. Sign up for a free subscription, and invite a friend to subscribe ([link removed]) . 📬
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
Support for this newsletter comes from
[link removed]
The Report
A newsletter from The Hechinger Report
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed] https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fhechingerreport.org%2Fteachers-deputized-to-fight-the-culture-wars-are-often-reluctant-to-serve Tweet ([link removed] https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fhechingerreport.org%2Fteachers-deputized-to-fight-the-culture-wars-are-often-reluctant-to-serve)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])
Liz Willen Dear reader,

It’s no secret that America’s teachers face enormous pressure right now and that many may be considering leaving the profession. It’s not just the pandemic: Teachers are also having to take on an unexpected and often fraught role ([link removed]) many feel unprepared for – as cultural cops forced to police what they and their students can and cannot say.

Also this week, we take a deep look at pandemic-related learning challenges, reporting from a high school ([link removed]) in West Philadelphia to see why experts worry that ninth and tenth graders will join older high schoolers and find themselves off track — and in danger of dropping out. And we are looking at ways higher education can do a better job of serving adult students; with fewer traditional students enrolling, many say colleges and universities will have no choice. ([link removed])

Higher education must also identify strategies to help such students find their way: In 2020, there were 39 million adults who had dropped out of college and never finished ([link removed]) their degrees. We take a look at some efforts to lure this population back to campuses and help them gain a footing in the workforce.

One thing that could make a difference all around: helping the youngest Americans access the direct aid they need. Nearly one in five of our country’s 11.4 million babies are being raised by families in poverty, with vastly unequal access to direct support ([link removed]) from their states. Those are among the topics on our minds this past week, along with some very good news: We received seven award nominations ([link removed]) from the Education Writers Association, adding to the long list of recognition for our 12 years of high-quality journalism. What’s on your mind? We love to hear from readers.

Liz Willen, Editor

Main Idea


** Teachers, deputized to fight the culture wars, are often reluctant to serve ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
New laws to limit instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity leave teachers confused, scared and uncertain of their relationships with some of their most vulnerable students
Reading List


** Communities hit hardest by the pandemic, already struggling, could face a dropout cliff ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
At West Philadelphia High School, administrators and teachers have tried to cushion the pandemic’s impact and keep students engaged in school



** PROOF POINTS: Lessons from college dropouts who came back ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
A staggering 39 million U.S. adults started but didn’t finish college



** Early Childhood: Impoverished families with babies face uneven access to direct aid ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Differences in state policies place support out of reach for many



** OPINION: Students will move forward post-pandemic if we give them new pathways and opportunities ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Let’s help them become leaders in charge of their own learning



** OPINION: With college enrollment tumbling, new strategies are urgently needed ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Four-year colleges must take notice — and reach out to nontraditional students
Was this newsletter forwarded to you?
Click here to subscribe! ([link removed])
👋 Contact Nichole Dobo at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to give feedback on The Hechinger Report’s newsletters. Did you know we produce newsletters on early childhood ([link removed]) , education research ([link removed]) , the future of learning ([link removed]) and higher education ([link removed]) ? And it helps us if you recommend our newsletters to a friend.
You made it to the bottom of this free newsletter. Will you support our nonprofit newsroom with a gift?
Donate Now ([link removed])
Give today ([link removed]) to make this message go away.
============================================================

** Twitter ([link removed])
** [link removed] ([link removed])
** Our newsletters ([link removed])

Copyright © 2022 The Hechinger Report, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up at our website The Hechinger Report.

Our mailing address is:
The Hechinger Report
525 W 120th Street
Suite 127
New York, NY 10027
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.