Explainers
Go deeper on the latest education issues with these explainers from Education Week
Education Issues, Explained
Browse research-based background explainers on the most important education issues.
Federal
Explainer
Miguel Cardona, Twelfth U.S. Education Secretary: Background and Achievements
Background and highlights of Miguel Cardona's tenure as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education.
Classroom Technology
Explainer
A Clubhouse Explainer: What Educators Should Know About the New Audio Chat App
Educators are flocking to Clubhouse, an emerging invitation-only social app for iPhone users—even as social media experts warn of red flags.
Standards & Accountability
Explainer
Will There Be Standardized Tests This Year? 8 Questions Answered
Educators want to know: Will the exams happen? If so, what will they look like, and how will the results be used?
School & District Management
Explainer
Will New COVID-19 Strains Mean More Cases in Schools? An Explainer
Three new, more contagious strains of coronavirus may force schools to rethink the calculus on reopening.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Explainer
COVID-19 Vaccines and Schools: Your Questions Answered
Will teachers get priority? Can shots be required? EdWeek answers educators' frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
States
Explainer
School Employees May Get Early COVID-19 Vaccinations. Here's How States Will Decide When
State and federal leaders face a host of questions in allocating the scarce vaccine even among "essential workers," like those in education.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Explainer
Will a COVID-19 Vaccine Be Mandatory for Students?
Early answers to some of the biggest questions about public school students and vaccines.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Explainer
How Should Schools Quarantine Students Exposed to Coronavirus? An Explainer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is changing its quarantine guidelines for people who had close contact with COVID-19.
Teaching Profession
Explainer
Did COVID-19 Really Drive Teachers to Quit?
An Education Week analysis shows that the predicted wave of leavers has not yet materialized across the nation.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Explainer
Do Face Shields Protect Against COVID-19? A Mask and Shield Explainer
While transparent face shields help teachers better communicate with students, they are less effective at controlling coronavirus spread.
Equity & Diversity
Explainer
Closing COVID-19 Equity Gaps in Schools
Education Week talked to dozens of educators and parents about how to infuse equity into learning plans. Here's what they said.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Explainer
Teaching Social-Emotional Skills Amid COVID-19
There are ways to attend to students’ social-emotional growth even when they are learning remotely or sitting in a classroom six feet apart.
Student Achievement
Explainer
High-Dosage Tutoring Is Effective, But Expensive. Ideas for Making It Work
Individual or small group tutoring is the most powerful strategy schools can use to respond to pandemic learning losses.
Student Achievement
Explainer
Overcoming COVID-19 Learning Loss
Halting erosion to learning is critical as the new school year begins. Well-known practices backed by research are the best solution.