Research

Education news, analysis, and opinion about research about education

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The State of Teaching, 2026
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The desktop of a student at the Wells Preparatory Elementary School reflects the literature they are studying in Charlotte Owens' fifth grade class on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Chicago. In Chicago Public Schools, the average reading score went up by the equivalent of 70% of a grade level from 2022 to 2023. Math gains were less dramatic, with students still behind almost half a grade level compared to 2019. Chicago officials credit the improvement to changes made possible with nearly $3 billion in federal relief.
The desktop of a student at the Wells Preparatory Elementary School reflects the literature they're studying in Charlotte Owens' fifth grade class on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Chicago. Research supports children reading over the summer—but not specifically assigning reading lists or holding kids accountable for completing them.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo
Reading & Literacy Is Required Summer Reading a Good Idea? What the Research Says
Studies show benefits for summer reading in general. But little evidence supports assigning specific books.
Sarah Schwartz, July 30, 2026
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4 min read
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Seniors line up during their graduation rehearsal at the Capital City Public Charter School in Washington on June 11, 2026. A new analysis breaks down the number of students in each state who could qualify for financial awards under the new federal tax-credit scholarship program launching next year. The awards could cover private school tuition as well as certain expenses for traditional public and charter school students.
Marvin Joseph/Education Week
School Choice & Charters Vast Majority of Students Could Qualify for Trump's School Choice Program
Although most students are expected to be eligible, four factors will shape its ultimate size.
Matthew Stone, July 30, 2026
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7 min read
English learner students in Jeremy True's class work on a reading assignment on Nov. 10, 2022, in Mason City, Iowa.
English learner students work on a reading assignment on Nov. 10, 2022, in Mason City, Iowa. Reclassification criteria can affect older English learners' access to advanced coursework.
Abby Koch/Globe-Gazette via AP
English Learners How State Reclassification Rules Impact Long-Term English Learners
Research shows how the reclassification of older English learners in Texas carries varied outcomes.
Ileana Najarro, July 29, 2026
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4 min read
Second-grade teacher Eric Langsev helps a student with a reading lesson at Global Academy in New Brighton, Minn. on Nov. 10, 2025. More than half of the students there are English learners, and many are new to the U.S.
Second-grade teacher Eric Langsev helps a student with a reading lesson at Global Academy in New Brighton, Minn. on Nov. 10, 2025. More than half of the students there are English learners, and many are new to the United States. Not all states offer tests in newcomers' home languages.
Anthony Soufflé/The Minnesota Star Tribune via TNS
English Learners Why Standardized Tests in English Fall Short for English Learners
The Migration Policy Institute found 35 states and the District of Columbia offer native language assessments.
Ileana Najarro, July 29, 2026
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3 min read
A girl uses her smartphone at home in Arizona on June 16, 2023.
A girl uses her smartphone at home in Arizona on June 16, 2023. A new survey of 1,000 young people ages 9-17 highlights the advice they seek from AI chatbots and their experiences online.
Darryl Webb/AP
Artificial Intelligence Data Most Kids Use AI Chatbots, Some Seeking Advice on Sensitive Topics
A new survey of young people highlights how they use AI chatbots and their experience with deepfakes.
Jennifer Vilcarino, July 28, 2026
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2 min read
Hudson, 7, left, Callahan, 13, middle, and Keegan Pruente, 10, right, stand outside their school on their first Monday home during the new four-day school week on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in Independence, Mo. Hundreds of school systems around the country have adopted four-day weeks in recent years, mostly in rural and western parts of the U.S. Districts cite cost savings and advantages for teacher recruitment. Still, some experts question the effects on students who already missed out on significant learning during the pandemic.
Three siblings stand outside their school on their first Monday home during a new four-day school week in Independence, Mo., on Sept. 11, 2023. Four-day school weeks have risen in popularity in recent years, though states have started to limit when school systems can switch to the abbreviated schedule.
Nick Ingram/AP
States States Start to Crack Down on 4-Day School Weeks
Measures limiting when schools can adopt shortened schedules center on maintaining academic achievement.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, July 28, 2026
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4 min read
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The hallways of a school in Birmingham, Ala., on April 2, 2026. A new tool developed by the American Enterprise Institute allows schools to input student attendance data and other information to gauge their risk of chronic absenteeism—early in the school year before absences have piled up.
Will McLelland/AL.com via TNS
Student Absenteeism A New Tool Can Predict Absenteeism—Before It's Chronic
A researcher-made tool takes student data into account to predict the risk of chronic absences.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, July 24, 2026
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4 min read
Fifth grade teachers from left, Traci Meyers, Autumn Mayer, Lakisha Smith and Allison King take part in training to teach math at West Forest Intermediate School in Opelika, Ala., on Nov. 4, 2021.
Fifth grade teachers from left, Traci Meyers, Autumn Mayer, Lakisha Smith, and Allison King take part in training to teach math at West Forest Intermediate School in Opelika, Ala., on Nov. 4, 2021. New research suggests anxiety about teaching math could affect students' achievement in the subject.
Julie Bennett | preps@al.com via TNS
Mathematics When Teachers Fear Math, Their Students Suffer the Consequences
Elementary teachers tended to experience more math anxiety—and the effect on student learning can compound.
Evie Blad, July 24, 2026
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4 min read
A look at the state of teaching with English learner students in Antioch, Tenn.
A teacher works with English learner students at Mt. View Elementary School in Antioch, Tenn., on Dec. 3, 2025. A new survey by the EdWeek Research Center shows that schools continue to struggle to find qualified teachers to work with the population.
William DeShazer for Education Week
English Learners From Our Research Center How Schools Are Navigating the English-Learner Teacher Shortage
EdWeek Research Center survey data found schools continue to struggle staffing for English learners.
Ileana Najarro, July 23, 2026
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4 min read
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Research confirms what many educators know: chronic absenteeism undermines student academic recovery. A view of an empty classroom at a school in Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 12, 2026.
Kevin Mohatt for Education Week
Student Absenteeism Chronic Absenteeism Is Linked to Slower Academic Recovery in Math, Reading
A new study adds to the evidence base suggesting attendance is a key to raising student achievement.
Sarah Schwartz, July 22, 2026
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3 min read
Front view of a group of wooden cubes with icons representing persons. The main focus is on an angry person who has a cube over his head with a thought bubble full of insults
Education Week + iStock/Getty
School & District Management Q&A School Leaders Face More Parental Threats Than Teachers
Parental violence went up after the pandemic, directed most towards school administrators.
Olina Banerji, July 21, 2026
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5 min read
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Third grade teacher Anne Harris checks her watch before the start of the school day on April 24, 2026, at Glenfair Elementary in Portland, Ore.
Beth Nakamura via TNS
Reading & Literacy Can the Prospect of 3rd Grade Retention Improve Early Literacy? Yes, Study Says
The findings add another wrinkle to an ongoing debate over retention policies tied to reading scores.
Sarah Schwartz, July 21, 2026
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5 min read
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San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su, right, testifies during a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing on parental rights and school content policies on June 10, 2026 in Washington. More superintendents are pointing to financial pressures and enrollment as top concerns.
Kevin Wolf/AP Photo
School & District Management Why Superintendents’ Top Concerns Changed Fast in 2026
Budgets and enrollment are now top of mind for district leaders, a big change from last year.
Evie Blad, July 21, 2026
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3 min read
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Kindergarten students work in class at Munger Elementary-Middle School on May 7, 2026, in Detroit. Some educators believe it is easier to teach social-emotional learning skills to elementary school youngsters than older middle or high school kids.
Paul Sancya/AP Photo
Student Well-Being & Movement From Our Research Center Support for Teaching SEL Skills Remains Steady Despite Political Pushback
Survey tracks how educators rate SEL’s effect on students’ academic performance and social skills.
Arianna Prothero, July 20, 2026
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6 min read