Massachusetts

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Massachusetts
Kindergarten and preschool students play on the school’s recently renovated playground during recess on Taft Early Learning Center in Uxbridge, Mass., on March 12, 2025.
Kindergarten and preschool students play on a recently renovated playground at Taft Early Learning Center in Uxbridge, Mass., on March 12, 2025. Research out this year examines the patterns behind enrollment decline in Massachusetts schools, which the researchers say likely apply nationwide.
Brett Phelps for Education Week
School & District Management Where School Enrollment Is Declining the Most: What New Research Shows
A new analysis finds enrollment declines are more pronounced in certain types of districts.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, November 18, 2025
3 min read
A student takes a break from soccer during recess at Perkins K-8 School on Nov. 13, 2025, in San Diego.
A student takes a break from soccer during recess at Perkins K-8 School on Nov. 13, 2025, in San Diego.
Gregory Bull/AP
School & District Management Immigrant Student Enrollment Is Dwindling at Schools Amid Stepped-Up Enforcement
In many school systems, the biggest factor is that far fewer families are coming from other countries.
The Associated Press, November 17, 2025
6 min read
Ed Week Guiding
Eglė Plytnikaitė for Education Week
English Learners The Critical Role States Play in English Learners’ Education
States set guidance for schools working with English learners. That role is key now, experts say.
Ileana Najarro, September 22, 2025
7 min read
Liam Morrison, pictured in the "There Are Only Two Genders" shirt at the heart of his Supreme Court case, L.M. v. Town of Middleborough.
Liam Morrison, pictured in the "There Are Only Two Genders" shirt at the heart of his Supreme Court case, <i>L.M.</i>&nbsp;v.&nbsp;<i>Town of Middleborough</i>.
Courtesy of Alliance Defending Freedom
Law & Courts Supreme Court Won’t Hear ‘Two Genders’ Student T-Shirt Case
Over two justices' dissent, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case of a student barred from wearing an anti-transgender T-shirt.
Mark Walsh, May 27, 2025
6 min read
Side view of young  African girl programming electric toys and robots at classroom.
E+
Science AP's Newest Computer Science Course Has Attracted More Diverse Students
In schools where the course is offered, more girls, Black students, and Latino students take an AP computer science exam, a new study finds.
Sarah Schwartz, April 15, 2025
5 min read
People Waiting In Line Before Brass Scale On Blue Background
E+
Law & Courts Religious Charters, LGBTQ+ Books, and More: A Winter Legal Roundup
This winter, key court cases tackled school desegregation, parental rights, religious charters, LGBTQ+ policies, and education funding.
Mark Walsh, March 19, 2025
7 min read
A person holds up LGTBQ+ pride flags during the Pride Parade in New York, June 24, 2018.
LGTBQ+ pride flags during the Pride Parade in New York City in 2018. A federal appeals court has rejected a parental rights claim against a Massachusetts district's policy of supporting students' gender transitions.
Steve Luciano/AP
Law & Courts Parents Lose Appeal Over School’s Gender Identity Notification Policy
A federal appeals court ruled for a district in the case of a 9th grader who did not want officials to notify parents of gender transition.
Mark Walsh, February 19, 2025
6 min read
A student uses their cell phone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day at Bayside Academy on Aug. 16, 2024, in San Mateo, Calif.
A student uses a cellphone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day at Bayside Academy in San Mateo, Calif., on Aug. 16, 2024.
Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
Ed-Tech Policy More States Are Moving to Ban Cellphones at School. Should They?
While cellphone bans are popular with many educators, some researchers say there's not much evidence yet that these policies work.
8 min read
School kids placing putting phones away during class
Dobrila Vignjevic/E+
Ed-Tech Policy What Schools Look Like Without the Cellphone Distraction
Student behavior has improved and disciplinary referrals have gone down, administrators say.
Olina Banerji, February 4, 2025
7 min read
First grader Makai Parker practices reading skills at Eastern Elementary School in Washington, N.C. The state of North Carolina is taking measures to improve reading rates in elementary schools, including this first grade classroom at Eastern Elementary in Washington, N.C.
First grader Makai Parker practices reading skills at Eastern Elementary School in Washington, N.C. The state of North Carolina is taking measures to improve reading rates in elementary schools, including this first grade classroom at Eastern Elementary in Washington, N.C.
Kate Medley for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Video Video: Why Are Parents Suing Lucy Calkins and Fountas & Pinnell?
All you need to know about the lawsuit targeting popular literacy gurus Lucy Calkins, Irene Fountas, and Gay Su Pinnell.
Stephen Sawchuk & Lauren Santucci, December 17, 2024
5:00
The Supreme Court is pictured, Oct. 7, 2024, in Washington.
The Supreme Court is pictured, Oct. 7, 2024, in Washington. The court on Monday declined to take up a case about the Boston district’s facially race-neutral admissions policy for selective magnet high schools.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP
Law & Courts High Court Won't Review School Admissions Policy That Sought to Boost Diversity
The U.S. Supreme Court refused a case about whether race was unconstitutionally considered in admissions to Boston's selective schools.
Mark Walsh, December 9, 2024
5 min read
An elementary student reads on his own in class.
An elementary student reads on his own in class.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Reading & Literacy Here's What Happens Next on the Calkins, Fountas & Pinnell Curriculum Lawsuit
The reading series were deceptively marketed as backed by research, despite omitting key instructional elements, the lawsuit claims.
Sarah Schwartz, December 6, 2024
7 min read
Two students in a combined second- and third-grade class read together.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Reading & Literacy 4 Things to Know About the Literacy Lawsuit Targeting Lucy Calkins and Fountas & Pinnell
A novel lawsuit could open a new front in the reading wars. Here's what you need to know.
Evie Blad, December 5, 2024
6 min read
Volunteer teacher reading to a class of preschool kids, preschool age; school children; students.
iStock/Getty
Reading & Literacy Parents Sue Lucy Calkins, Fountas and Pinnell, and Others Over Reading Curricula
A first-of-its-kind lawsuit targets creators of whole-language reading curricula.
Evie Blad, December 4, 2024
6 min read