educational equity

The National Assessment of Education Progress found Missouri and other states made small gains in some areas, but students are struggling to return to pre-pandemic math and reading levels.

In our series “Unhoused/Unschooled,” The Midwest Newsroom and its regional partners explored the complicated federal system designed to support K-12 public school students experiencing homelessness, particularly in rural communities.

Academic performance at most public schools has improved, but attendance is not back to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report from the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.

MidAmerica Nazarene University will study the Madam C.J. Walker School, which was the subject of an important desegregation lawsuit in the 1940s.

States had until the end of September to distribute federal rescue funds to school districts to help students struggling with housing get equal access to education. Barring extensions, most states will leave money on the table — including several in the Midwest.

Some Kansas lawmakers say police are not doing enough to address crime stemming from homelessness — but advocates say making more arrests will actually make the problem worse. Plus: Rural Midwest school districts don't have enough funding to fulfill their promises to educate homeless students.

More than 4,800 students are considered homeless in Nebraska, and school districts can do only so much to help. Many rely on partnerships with local organizations to support student needs outside of school.

Parents play a vital role in a student's success. In her new book "Building Parent Capacity in High-Poverty Schools: Actions for Authentic," Topeka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson shares how to remove barriers that prevent parents from being involved in a student's education.

Three years after federal aid was earmarked to ensure homeless students get an education, millions of dollars remain unspent in the Midwest and around the country. In September, what’s left of the one-time funding will be returned to the U.S. Treasury.

May 17, 2024, marked the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Black students in Topeka who attended segregated elementary schools gathered over the weekend to reflect on their experiences there.

The 1954 landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education marks its 70th anniversary today. While lead plaintiff Oliver Brown is the most well-known figure in the desegregation case, there were 12 Black women alongside him. Plus: A small Kansas college is trying something unique to recruit Black baseball players.

For young Kansas City actors with autism, a new play creates space to "connect with others." Vanessa Severo’s “Rubik" tells the story of neurodivergent teens on the cusp of a new phase of life.