Kalyn BelshaKalyn Belsha is a National Reporter for Chalkbeat based in Chicago.From the AuthorCollege and Career ReadinessMany states picked diploma pathways over high school exit exams. Did students benefit?The ESSA tasked K-12 schools nationwide with getting students more prepared for college and career, but many are still figuring out how to do the "career" part well.Mental Health and WellnessLayoffs and leakier pipelines: How Trump’s cuts to mental health grants are likely to affect schoolsAfter Uvalde, school mental health grants had bipartisan support. But after the cuts, schools will likely have to lay off social workers and counselors, and college programs designed to train mental health providers may shut down.Policy and LegislationSupreme Court to rule on right of religious parents to opt kids out of LGBTQ materialOral arguments in the case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, are scheduled for Tuesday, with a decision expected by June.Policy and LegislationHow a Republican plan to cut universal free school meals could affect 12 million studentsChalkbeatGOP lawmakers are considering a trio of proposals that would change nutrition funding eligibility requirements to help offset planned tax cuts.Policy and LegislationED slashes nearly half of workforceChalkbeatEducation Secretary Linda McMahon said the move is a first step toward eliminating the department.Student Achievement and AssessmentNAEP scores show disheartening trends for the lowest-performing studentsChalkbeatThe 2024 results released on Wednesday paint a sobering picture of academic haves and have-nots across the country.Policy and LegislationKids like free school meals. States are trying to reel in the costs.Chalkbeat ChicagoThe number of kids eating breakfast and lunch has jumped in the eight states that now have universal free school meals.Page 1 of 1
