https://desksandbells.com/2026-08-21https://desksandbells.com/share-home.svg https://desksandbells.com/news/nyc-mayor-sues-city/2026-08-21https://desksandbells.com/share-nyc-mayor-sues-city.svgBooks, literature, knowledge, education, school, reading. Schools EducationThe NYC Mayor has sued the City Council over a law giving $10,000 bonuses to paraprofessionals, claiming it violates the collective bargaining process (Source: The 74) https://desksandbells.com/news/workforce-pell-grants-help/2026-08-21https://desksandbells.com/share-workforce-pell-grants-help.svgColorful arrangement of oil pastels in various hues stacked closely for creative art projects...The US government has introduced new Workforce Pell Grants to help students pay for career training programs, making it easier for them to acquire skills and enter the workforce without incurring... https://desksandbells.com/news/head-start-system-turmoil/2026-08-21https://desksandbells.com/share-head-start-system-turmoil.svgA teacher and student exchanging a high five during a classroom session in Yalova, Türkiye. SchoolsHead Start providers are facing significant challenges due to federal staff cuts and regional office closures, leading to uncertainty and disruption in the system. (Source: The 74) https://desksandbells.com/news/dismantling-dyslexia-industrial-complex/2026-08-21https://desksandbells.com/share-dismantling-dyslexia-industrial-complex.svgVibrant macro shot of colorful, sharpened pencils arranged diagonally on a white background...The Science of Reading has transformed the understanding of literacy, but implementation remains a challenge, leading to a reliance on external systems and a fragmented approach to literacy... https://desksandbells.com/news/supportive-teachers-key-trans/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-supportive-teachers-key-trans.svgColored pencils, art, pencils, stationery, free background, draw. Schools EducationA new report highlights the importance of supportive teachers in helping trans students thrive in school, with affirming identities and creating inclusive environments leading to higher grades and... https://desksandbells.com/news/student-journalists-discuss-impact/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-student-journalists-discuss-impact.svgNotebook, hand, pen, write, writing, taking notes. Schools EducationStudent journalists share their experiences with AI and its effects on their writing and newsrooms (Source: The 74) https://desksandbells.com/news/proposed-reforms-head-start/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-proposed-reforms-head-start.svgSchool, learning, back-to-school package, education, brushes, paint. SchoolsA former Head Start student and program leader expresses opposition to proposed reforms, citing concerns that they would weaken the program's core mission and reduce quality early education for... https://desksandbells.com/news/efforts-protect-students-immigration/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-efforts-protect-students-immigration.svgYearbook, vietnamese students, ao dai students, high school students, student friends, school...As the new school year begins, educators and advocates are working to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on or near school properties, citing concerns for student safety... https://desksandbells.com/news/head-start-programs-may/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-head-start-programs-may.svgColored pencils, colorful, full of color, wood, yellow, school. Schools close upA recent report suggests that proposed federal changes to Head Start programs could lead to a decline in quality and safety standards. (Source: K-12 Dive) https://desksandbells.com/news/developing-writing-skills-age/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-developing-writing-skills-age.svgColorful array of pencils in a store display, showcasing vibrant shades. Schools close upEducators emphasize the importance of personal attention and encouragement in helping students craft strong college essays and personal statements. (Source: K-12 Dive) https://desksandbells.com/news/florida-quietly-removes-climate/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-florida-quietly-removes-climate.svgThe teacher, kitsch, humor, teacher, profession, education. Schools EducationFlorida education officials have made changes to science textbooks, removing or watering down content about the climate crisis. The changes were made without consulting the authors or... https://desksandbells.com/news/us-kindergarten-vaccine-rates/2026-08-20https://desksandbells.com/share-us-kindergarten-vaccine-rates.svgWrite, child, school, learn, pencil, draw. Schools close upNew data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a decline in vaccination rates among kindergartners, with 4.2% of students exempt from one or more vaccines during the... https://desksandbells.com/news/york-portrait-graduate-initiative/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-york-portrait-graduate-initiative.svgAsian, student, book, child, girl, nature. Schools EducationThe New York State education system has adopted the Portrait of a Graduate framework, aiming to redefine student success beyond standardized tests. However, early adopters across the country have... https://desksandbells.com/news/fcc-review-rate-program/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-fcc-review-rate-program.svgA vintage classroom with wooden desks and bookshelves filled with books, creating an academic...The Federal Communications Commission's review of the E-Rate program has left school districts on edge, with some advocates planning a 'very loud' protest to protect the program. (Source: The 74) https://desksandbells.com/news/ai-thinking-partner-how/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-ai-thinking-partner-how.svgStudents learning in a bright, diverse classroom setting, engaged and attentive. SchoolsA week-long AI pilot program with refugee students in Chicago revealed that AI tools designed to encourage critical thinking lead to better long-term retention. Students performed better on... https://desksandbells.com/news/odyssey-bridges-storytelling-traditions/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-odyssey-bridges-storytelling-traditions.svgMarine, boat, ship, boat school, old, port. Schools equipmentTeachers and educators discuss the enduring relevance of Homer’s epic in modern classrooms, highlighting its role in fostering empathy, cultural understanding, and critical thinking about... https://desksandbells.com/news/california-schools-return-arts/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-california-schools-return-arts.svgColor pencils, education, drawing, children, school, arts. Schools EducationCalifornia's K-12 schools are returning arts funding due to confusion over spending rules, despite a 2022 voter-approved measure that allocated $1 billion annually for arts education. https://desksandbells.com/news/infrastructure-key-success-career/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-infrastructure-key-success-career.svgLaptop, apple, macbook, computer, browser, research. Schools EducationA recent report highlights the importance of infrastructure in the success of career and technical education programs. The report profiles six work-based learning programs across the United... https://desksandbells.com/news/national-divide-holding-back/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-national-divide-holding-back.svgPaint, acrylic, colors, art supplies, painting, tubes. Schools close upStates and school districts across the US approach retention, or holding back students, in different ways. Some states, like Hawaii, wait until ninth grade or later to retain students, while... https://desksandbells.com/news/ocr-calls-schools-stop/2026-08-19https://desksandbells.com/share-ocr-calls-schools-stop.svgAn empty classroom setup with desks and colorful banners, indicating a school setting. SchoolsThe U.S. Department of Education has issued new school discipline guidance, calling on schools to 'stop racial balancing' and rebuffing previous attempts to reduce discipline disparities for Black... https://desksandbells.com/news/opinion-chess-offers-safer/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-opinion-chess-offers-safer.svgA vibrant top-down view of pencils with colorful erasers, showcasing a variety of hues. Schools...A father shares his experience of how chess helped his twice-exceptional son develop emotional muscles and build confidence. (Source: The 74) https://desksandbells.com/news/oklahoma-students-face-stricter/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-oklahoma-students-face-stricter.svgSchool work, write, still life, assignment, pen, pencils. Schools EducationOklahoma students are returning to school with a focus on literacy, but concerns remain about the impact of new laws on low-scoring readers. (Source: The 74) https://desksandbells.com/news/fcc-opens-comment-period/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-fcc-opens-comment-period.svgBack to school, school enrollment, school, school start, teaching, to learn. SchoolsThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened a public comment period on a proposed rule that could change or discontinue the E-rate program, which provides discounted internet services... https://desksandbells.com/news/writing-skills-get-attention/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-writing-skills-get-attention.svgPeople, outdoors, child, fun, education, school. Schools equipmentA growing concern about students' writing abilities has led to a renewed focus on teaching writing skills in schools. (Source: The Hechinger Report) https://desksandbells.com/news/rural-education-investment-crucial/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-rural-education-investment-crucial.svgBus, school, school bus, education, transportation, elementary. SchoolsA recent opinion piece highlights the importance of investing in rural education to bolster local economies and help students build a future close to home. Community colleges play a vital role in... https://desksandbells.com/news/federal-proposal-alter-head/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-federal-proposal-alter-head.svgColored pencils, wooden pegs, pencils, multicoloured, coloured, to paint. Schools close upThe Trump administration's proposal to change the federally funded Head Start program has raised concerns among providers, who argue that the changes would undermine the program's mission and... https://desksandbells.com/news/federal-loan-caps-graduate/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-federal-loan-caps-graduate.svgBooks, library, school, university, back to school, reading. Schools EducationThe Trump administration's new federal loan caps for graduate students have sparked debate over their impact on access and affordability in higher education. (Source: The Hechinger Report) https://desksandbells.com/news/ten-commandments-laws-challenged/2026-08-18https://desksandbells.com/share-ten-commandments-laws-challenged.svgVintage cameras, film, retro, old, analog, antique. Schools professional photographyTwo prominent challenges to laws requiring school districts to display the Ten Commandments have been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Source: K-12 Dive) https://desksandbells.com/news/universities-sliding-decline-global/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-universities-sliding-decline-global.svgApple, school, book, teacher, education, fruit. Schools close upAmerican academic research and innovation are facing a decline in support, with top scholars leaving and international students dwindling. (Source: The Hechinger Report) https://desksandbells.com/news/slow-math-ai-helps/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-slow-math-ai-helps.svgAdult education, to learn, training, hand, keep, soap bubble. Schools EducationA new study suggests that students may learn more when AI makes them slow down and review their mistakes. (Source: The Hechinger Report) https://desksandbells.com/news/low-screening-rates-autism/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-low-screening-rates-autism.svgGroup, children, boy, education, africa, kenya. Schools EducationDespite recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, many parents in New York are not completing developmental screeners for their young children, potentially missing crucial... https://desksandbells.com/news/california-school-streamlines-sel/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-california-school-streamlines-sel.svgLearning, school, outdoor, asia, book, boys. SchoolsA California elementary school is piloting a multi-tiered system of supports model for social-emotional learning, which includes SEL curriculum, group support, and individual support for students. https://desksandbells.com/news/transforming-science-labs-compliance-cccab8/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-transforming-science-labs-compliance-cccab8.svgSchool times, school school supplies, brushes, crayon, education, school starts. SchoolsScience educators advocate for shifting lab reports from dry, compliance-based exercises to engaging, inquiry-driven experiences that foster critical thinking and creativity. By encouraging... https://desksandbells.com/news/york-city-public-schools-6aa69a/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-york-city-public-schools-6aa69a.svgA classic yellow school bus parked on a city street with a rustic wooden building behind it. SchoolsNew York City Public Schools will introduce liaisons in all school buildings to address school avoidance, a behavior linked to chronic absenteeism and emotional distress. The initiative follows a... https://desksandbells.com/news/miami-dade-ends-free-103139/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-miami-dade-ends-free-103139.svgStudents wearing face masks in a classroom during lessons for safety. SchoolsMiami-Dade County Public Schools will end its district-wide free meal program this August due to federal cuts to safety net programs under the Trump administration. The move follows a decline in... https://desksandbells.com/news/revamping-school-playgrounds-become-7bf7b5/2026-08-17https://desksandbells.com/share-revamping-school-playgrounds-become-7bf7b5.svgAn empty vintage classroom with wooden desks and books on each desk, reflecting a classic...A nonprofit organization is working to transform schoolyards across the United States into welcoming and sustainable spaces for both students and local communities. (Source: The Hechinger Report) https://desksandbells.com/news/dyscalculia-common-yet-overlooked-b58770/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-dyscalculia-common-yet-overlooked-b58770.svgAi-generated, robot, school, class, cute, board. SchoolsDyscalculia, a learning disability affecting number and math processing, impacts as many students as dyslexia but receives far less attention in schools. A recent brief highlights the lack of... https://desksandbells.com/news/unions-sue-education-department-32727d/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-unions-sue-education-department-32727d.svgWoman, teacher, model, board, business woman, chalkboard. Schools professional photographyA coalition of unions, including the American Federation of Teachers, has sued the U.S. Department of Education over its regulatory definition of a 'professional degree', which excludes education... https://desksandbells.com/news/cisa-releases-cybersecurity-guidance-b01c5d/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-cisa-releases-cybersecurity-guidance-b01c5d.svgCheerful girl wearing a blue hoodie smiles in a forest setting. Schools professional photographyThe U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a collection of free K-12 cybersecurity resources to help school leaders mitigate and respond to unique cyber risks. https://desksandbells.com/news/systemic-discrimination-cases-education-751063/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-systemic-discrimination-cases-education-751063.svgStreet, people, students, uniform, teens, school boys. Schools EducationThe U.S. Department of Education has announced it will no longer pursue systemic race-based discrimination investigations under the disparate impact legal theory. This move may impact cases... https://desksandbells.com/news/schools-experiment-approach-purchasing-31f08a/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-schools-experiment-approach-purchasing-31f08a.svgTwo young children in school uniforms playfully pose against a bright blue background with a red...School districts are testing outcomes-based contracting, a method where vendors are paid based on student results, to ensure that educational tools are effective. (Source: The Hechinger Report) https://desksandbells.com/news/stop-teaching-fun-out-edb04c/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-stop-teaching-fun-out-edb04c.svgKids, painting, school, drawing, draw, art class. SchoolsA recent pre-K curriculum has been criticized for over-instructing children on basic skills, such as kicking a ball, and undermining their natural ability to learn through play. https://desksandbells.com/news/improvisation-techniques-english-language-748a54/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-improvisation-techniques-english-language-748a54.svgGirl, english, dictionary, read, reading, studying. SchoolsEducators are using improvisation techniques in English/language arts classes to encourage participation and creativity among students. (Source: K-12 Dive) https://desksandbells.com/news/houston-isd-maintains-rating-f8fdee/2026-08-16https://desksandbells.com/share-houston-isd-maintains-rating-f8fdee.svgSchool enrollment, balloon, back to school, transition, change, school. SchoolsHouston Independent School District (HISD) has retained its B rating for the second consecutive year, reflecting steady improvement since the state of Texas took over in 2023. 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