Stateline

Homeless youth say they need more from schools, social services

Research suggests the country is missing its biggest opportunity to prevent youth homelessness—by intervening well before a young person reaches a shelter and years before they are chronically homeless.

4-day school weeks are growing in popularity, despite a lack of data on the effects

Some districts see a shorter school week as a way to attract teaching talent. But many remain skeptical.

School ride-hailing services may be nudging aside traditional buses

National bus driver shortages, worsened by the pandemic, have undercut the traditional school bus. With states strained by federal funding cuts, small-car, ride-hailing and private transport services are stepping in to ferry students.

School systems are remaking the old yellow bus into a high-tech machine

Live cameras, GPS tracking and navigation have reshaped the school bus experience for students and drivers.

More states guarantee students the right to school-day religious instruction off campus

Released time religious instruction is growing, with at least 12 states requiring districts to excuse students for off-campus, faith-based classes if parents request it. Supporters say it expands choice, while critics warn it blurs the line between church and state.

School cellphone bans spread across states, though enforcement could be tricky

Research on social media’s harmful effects has moved lawmakers to bipartisan action on banning cellphones in schools. Some experts warn that the bans might be difficult to enforce or may be outdated before they even take effect.

State, local officials plan for potential immigration enforcement at schools

Some education boards have told schools to ‘welcome’ agents; others advise holding them off.

One-on-one outreach shows promise in cutting school absenteeism

When outreach worker Leah Marks shows up at homes in Sanford, Maine—a small manufacturing city 18 miles inland and a world away from tony Kennebunkport—the kids know it’s time to walk with her to the school bus.