More than a thousand book titles, most addressing racism and LGBTQ issues, have been banned from U.S. classrooms and school libraries in the last nine months, many under pressure from conservative parents and officials.

Despite a wave of new laws that hit schools this week, a majority of adults oppose banishing sexual orientation or gender identity topics from U.S. classrooms.

Student voice surged in importance pre-COVID as educators sought new ways to engage learners. Now, a growing number of districts is making student voice a key strategy in recovering from the pandemic.

Among the lasting impacts of the pandemic experience in Chelsea Public Schools, which is 87% Latino, are the bilingual liaisons who are now working more closely with families.