Puerto Rico
News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in Puerto Rico
School & District Management
Puerto Rico's Education Secretary Steps Down After Divisive Tenure
Julia Keleher is leaving her position as Puerto Rico's top K-12 official, but will serve as an adviser at the island's education department to help with the leadership transition and ongoing policy changes.
Education
The Leadership of Puerto Rico's Schools Is in Turmoil
The replacement of one interim education secretary with another highlights ongoing uncertainty about the U.S. territory's public schools, which educate more than 300,000 students.
Education
In Swift Reversal, Julia Keleher No Longer Adviser to Puerto Rico Ed. Department
Days after stepping down as the U.S. territory's education secretary and transitioning to a role as a paid adviser at the island's education department, Keleher said she was leaving that new role.
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Puerto Rico's Outgoing Education Secretary: 'We Need the Help of Mainland Educators'
Hurricane Maria created hard decisions, scarce resources, and an opportunity for the island's Department of Education, writes Julia Keleher.
Education
Puerto Rico's Education Secretary Julia Keleher Is Stepping Down
Julia Keleher is leaving her position as Puerto Rico's top K-12 official, but will serve as an adviser at the island's education department to help with the leadership transition and ongoing policy changes.
Education
Possible Conversions to Charter Schools Mark Puerto Rico's Latest Education Fight
The island's teachers' union says decisions about changing traditional public schools to charters are being made in the dark, but the education secretary says that's a misinterpretation of the process.
Education
What's the Price Tag for Fixing Up Puerto Rico's Schools? Try $11 Billion
Puerto Rico's education secretary warned that if President Donald Trump diverts disaster-recovery funds to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, she doesn't have other money to conduct school repairs.
School & District Management
Photos
Education Week’s Photos of the Year for 2018
Parkland. Santa Fe. Teacher walkouts and teacher strikes. 2018 was a year of unspeakable tragedy and passionate political action.
Education
Paul Pastorek, Louisiana Schools Chief After Katrina, Gets Contract in Puerto Rico
Pastorek, who helped lead the overhaul of New Orleans' schools after Hurricane Katrina, will help the island with everything from ESSA to philanthropic support as its schools recover from Hurricane Maria.
Education
Top DeVos Deputy: Puerto Rico Will Be a 'Beacon' of School Choice
In a Heritage Foundation speech, Frank Brogan said the federal government would make Every Student Succeeds Act accountability a top priority.
School Choice & Charters
A Look Inside Puerto Rico's First Charter School
Charter schools were not legal in Puerto Rico until a sweeping education reform law was enacted earlier this year in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Now, as the first charter opens on the island, and two more are slated to do so next school year, some educators are warning against privatization.
Education
How Traumatized Are Puerto Rico's Children, and What's Being Done to Help?
Earlier this year, Puerto Rico surveyed schools to measure the mental health needs of students and educators after Hurricane Maria. They're using results to help schools with the greatest needs.
School Choice & Charters
Video
Puerto Rico’s First Charter School
Charter schools were illegal in Puerto Rico, until now. ‘Vimenti’ is run by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico and has a comprehensive approach to education. In addition to rigorous academics, the school also does health screenings and even trains students’ parents for jobs. Teachers in this school make more than other public school teachers in Puerto Rico. But the government has faced a lot of opposition in allowing charter schools to operate on the island. Both teachers’ unions and many residents say this “privatizes” public education.
Federal
Key Democrat: Congress Wouldn't Find Puerto Rico School Conditions Acceptable on Mainland
Traumatized students in need of counseling. Schools without electricity. That's the picture of life in schools in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands painted by witnesses at a forum organized by House Democrats.