Parents

Education news, analysis, and opinion about how parents and other family members interact with schools and their children’s education
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Families & the Community District Leaders Are Walking a Fine Line on Cellphone Policies. What That Looks Like
Administrators point to strategic ways to design student cellphone policies that parents won't oppose.
Elizabeth Heubeck, September 25, 2023
5 min read
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference to sign several bills related to public education and increases in teacher pay, in Miami, on May 9, 2023.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference to sign several bills related to public education and increases in teacher pay, in Miami, on May 9, 2023.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
States State Laws Restricting Curriculum, Pronoun Use Cause Confusion and Chaos in Schools
Educators say state laws that limit teaching about race, gender identity, and sexuality are vague, with little help from state departments.
Libby Stanford & Ileana Najarro, September 21, 2023
8 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Special Education Opinion 'I Dread Being at This Table.' How to Improve the IEP Process
IEP meetings take an emotional toll on families. But they can be turned into a forum where hope for the possibilities of schooling prevail.
Larry Ferlazzo, September 21, 2023
8 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Families & the Community Letter to the Editor Do Not Platform Extremists
Moms for Liberty's words have no place in this periodical, writes a principal in this letter to the editor.
September 19, 2023
1 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
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School Choice & Charters Opinion It’s OK to Like Both Public Schools and School Choice
Families want more options for their children. That doesn’t mean they dislike their local schools.
Rick Hess, September 18, 2023
3 min read
Illustration of a person hiding their face while jagged shapes and aggressive forms close in around them.
Iryna Vladymyrova/iStock
Student Well-Being LGBTQ+ Students Feel the Weight of a Push for Parents' Rights
States and local school boards are passing laws that specifically target LGBTQ+ youth. It's affecting those students' mental health.
Libby Stanford, September 14, 2023
7 min read
Empty desks within a classroom
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Student Well-Being Q&A What Educators Need to Know About the Intense Anxiety That Keeps Students Home From School
School avoidance contributes to an absenteeism crisis. Here's what an advocate wants schools to know.
Evie Blad, September 8, 2023
5 min read
Karen Lauritzen stands for a portrait on the Millikin University Campus in Decatur, Ill., on August 30, 2023. Idaho’s Teacher of the Year moved to Illinois for a new job due to right-wing harassment over her support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter.
Karen Lauritzen stands for a portrait on the Millikin University Campus in Decatur, Ill., on August 30, 2023. Laurizen, Idaho’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, moved to Illinois for a new job due to harassment over her support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter.
Neeta R. Satam for Education Week
Teaching Profession In Their Own Words 'I Was Not Done': How Politics Drove This Teacher of the Year Out of the Classroom
Karen Lauritzen was accused of being a pro-LGBTQ+ activist. The consequences derailed her career.
Madeline Will, August 31, 2023
6 min read
Education Week Big Idea Protest 082023
Traci Daberko for Education Week
Families & the Community Reported Essay Parents’ Rights Groups Have Mobilized. What Does It Mean for Students?
Parents' rights groups have led the charge to limit teaching about race, sexuality, and gender. What will happen to students who miss out?
Libby Stanford, August 31, 2023
12 min read
California Attorney General Rob Bonta fields questions during a press conference on Aug. 28, 2023, in Los Angeles. California's attorney general sued a Southern California school district Monday over its recently adopted policy that requires schools to notify parents if their children change their gender identification or pronouns.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta answers questions from the media on Aug. 28, 2023, in Los Angeles. Bonta is suing the Chino Valley Unified school district over a policy that requires schools to notify parents if their children change their gender identification or pronouns.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Law & Courts California Sues to Stop District From Disclosing Trans Students' Name Changes or Pronouns
The lawsuit challenges the Chino Valley district's policy requiring schools to notify parents about requests for gender changes.
Mark Walsh, August 28, 2023
5 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
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Families & the Community Opinion How to Reengage Parents in Their Children's Schooling
A healthy partnership between families and schools involves both educators and parents helping each other do better.
Rick Hess, August 28, 2023
3 min read
Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand at their podiums during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand at their podiums during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX News Channel on Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee.
Morry Gash/AP
Federal Broad Calls to Ax Education Department and Take On Teachers' Unions at 1st GOP Debate
Republican presidential candidates also used the first primary election debate to call for expanded school choice.
Libby Stanford, August 24, 2023
4 min read
Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at The Gathering in Atlanta, on Aug. 18, 2023.
Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at The Gathering in Atlanta, on Aug. 18, 2023.
Ben Gray/AP
Federal Ron DeSantis' Campaign Is Struggling. What Does That Say About His Education Platform?
The Florida governor's education agenda may not be as appealing to national voters.
Libby Stanford, August 22, 2023
5 min read
Families & the Community Video Tips From Acclaimed Teachers: Navigating the Family Dynamic
State teachers of the year offer advice on how to build and manage parent and family relationships.
Kaylee Domzalski, August 17, 2023
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