Parents

Education news, analysis, and opinion about how parents and other family members interact with schools and their children’s education
Former President Donald Trump addresses the crowd at the Moms for Liberty national summit in Philadelphia on June 30, 2023. Trump is more focused on education during his third presidential run, and has said multiple times that school principals should be elected.
Former President Donald Trump addresses the crowd at the Moms for Liberty national summit in Philadelphia on June 30, 2023. Trump is more focused on education during his third presidential run, and has said multiple times that school principals should be elected.
Matt Rourke/AP
School & District Management Trump Says Parents Should Elect Principals. What Would That Look Like?
The former president says principal elections will let parents take schools back from “radical Marxist maniacs."
Libby Stanford, July 14, 2023
7 min read
Photo of students using laptops and headphones.
Getty
Classroom Technology What Podcasts Did for Student Engagement in These Schools
Educators say the biggest benefit of podcasts in the classroom is that they help students find their voice.
Arianna Prothero, July 10, 2023
6 min read
Moms for Liberty founders Tiffany Justice, right, and Tina Descovich speak at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023.
Moms for Liberty founders Tiffany Justice, right, and Tina Descovich speak at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023.
Matt Rourke/AP
Federal Moms for Liberty's National Summit: 5 Takeaways for Educators
Hundreds of members of the group gathered for a summit that featured former President Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as protesters.
Libby Stanford, June 30, 2023
10 min read
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice speaks at their meeting, in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023.
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice speaks at the group's national summit in Philadelphia on Friday, June 30, 2023.
Matt Rourke/AP
Families & the Community 'Parents Can't Trust Their Schools,' Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Tiffany Justice Says
The co-founder of a national group that's become integral to Republican politics rejects criticism that her organization stokes division.
Libby Stanford, June 30, 2023
6 min read
Photo of girl walking.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
Student Well-Being Addressing Chronic Absenteeism: 4 Takeaways From Educators
Surging absences threaten schools' learning recovery efforts.
4 min read
Illustration of person riding a unicycle on a tightrope over shark infested waters.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images
Families & the Community Opinion Certain Topics Spark Parent Pushback. I’ve Decided to Teach Them Anyway
I found myself wondering how to cover Pride Month and Juneteenth without being targeted by a Facebook frenzy and a vigilante campaign.
Marissa McCue Armitage, June 19, 2023
5 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Families & the Community Opinion How AI and Other Tech Tools Might be Used to Strengthen Family-School Partnerships
Too often, investing in building parent relationships is seen as a frill and not central to student learning.
Rick Hess, June 15, 2023
7 min read
People protesting a planned Pride month assembly and counter-protesters with Pride flags stand outside Saticoy Elementary School in Los Angeles on June 2, 2023.
People protesting a planned Pride month assembly and counter-protesters with Pride flags stand outside Saticoy Elementary School in Los Angeles on June 2, 2023.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Equity & Diversity Most Americans Think Politicians Should Stay Away From Setting Schools' LGBTQ+ Policies, Poll Finds
Most Americans think parents and teachers should have a major influence over such policies in schools, the survey also finds.
Eesha Pendharkar, June 9, 2023
4 min read
Image of dissatisfied, neutral, satisfied.
ThitareeSarmkasat/iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Addressing SEL Skepticism: Tips From Education Leaders for Getting Parents on Board
5 ideas for addressing confusion, disinformation, and questions.
Arianna Prothero, June 7, 2023
6 min read
Mario Willis
Mario Willis
Student Achievement In Their Own Words This Superintendent Raised Grad Rates in His Rural, High Poverty District. Here’s How
Mario Willis grew up in the Mississippi Delta community where he's now the schools chief.
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 6, 2023
6 min read
A crowd gathers at the outside of the Indiana House chamber as the House Education Committee discuss House Bill 1608 at the Statehouse on Feb. 20, 2023, in Indianapolis.
A crowd gathers at the outside of the Indiana House chamber on Feb. 20, 2023, as the House Education Committee discussed the legislation that became a state law that requires teachers to inform parents if their children identify as transgender. Indiana is one of at least nine states that have passed laws targeting transgender students' pronouns.
Darron Cummings/AP
Equity & Diversity Laws on Trans, Nonbinary Student Pronouns Put Teachers in a Bind
Under laws passed in nine states, teachers don't have to use students’ pronouns and names if they don’t align with their assigned sex.
8 min read
Photo of parent and child working on homework.
E+ / Getty
Student Well-Being Teachers Say Improving Students’ Mental Well-Being Begins at Home
Schools are trying a smorgasbord of approaches to address students' deteriorating mental health. Where do parents fit into this equation?
Arianna Prothero, May 23, 2023
4 min read
Illustration of children walking over missing puzzle piece.
SIphotography/Getty
School & District Management How an Elementary School Principal Slashed Chronic Absenteeism
Targeted parent communications, early interventions, teacher check-ins, and out-of-school supports all played a role.
Denisa R. Superville, May 22, 2023
7 min read
Conceptual image of two circles of influence, with one much bigger than the other.
ajijchan/iStock/Getty and Laura Baker/EdWeek
School Choice & Charters Opinion White Parents Say They Want Diverse Schools, But Will They Send Their Kids?
Racial stereotypes and reluctance to be in a racial minority are part of the calculus of how white parents choose schools.
Kathleen Hayes & Cassandra Kaczocha, May 22, 2023
5 min read