US children are struggling with reading. Can communities help? Volunteers in West Virginia are on a mission to reengage struggling readers. They are among those modeling the idea that it takes a community, and a cultural shift, to develop strong readers.

What if communities treated reading like sports? Could a hype squad propel kids to better literacy skills?

A volunteer-led group in West Virginia employs that mindset in its approach.

www.csmonitor.com/USA/Educatio...

From the ashes: After wildfire, can this Olive Avenue family move forward? Wildfire turned vibrant Altadena to rubble. The Monitor is following what comes next on one block. How neighbors rebuild, how communities change, and how resilience appears in the aftermath of disaste...

The Eaton wildfire took their house on Olive Avenue. They don’t want it to take away the block’s neighborly spirit, too.

But many unknowns lie ahead. Here’s a glimpse into one Altadena family’s post-natural disaster journey so far: www.csmonitor.com/Environment/...

Here’s how Trump has remade US immigration policy in just 1 month One month after inauguration, President Trump’s flurry of executive action on immigration has dramatically changed U.S. policy. Critics say justice is at risk.

What a month. We try to capture the breadth of immigration policy changes under Trump 2.0 so far:
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

America’s struggling students are falling further behind in math and reading.

The nation’s latest test results paint a grim portrait of student learning.

www.csmonitor.com/USA/Educatio...

With Trump returning to the White House, what’s next for school choice? Voters rejected a trio of school choice ballot measures in November. But momentum seems anything but stalled, especially with an advocate returning to Washington.

A school within walking distance of the Mississippi River may represent the future of the school choice movement.

What’s on the horizon after voters rejected a few ballot measures but elected to bring Donald Trump back to the White House?

www.csmonitor.com/USA/Educatio...

Why does Trump want to dismantle the Department of Education? When Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20, his agenda includes disbanding the federal Department of Education. What is his motivation – and what would that change mean?

President-elect Trump’s inauguration is weeks away.

What does that mean for the potentially endangered Education Department, and — more importantly — what does that federal agency do?

www.csmonitor.com/USA/Educatio...

Reading, writing, and the Ten Commandments? Why some public schools teach the Bible. As states mandate Bible lessons and posting the Ten Commandments in public schools, religious conservatives challenge separation of church and state.

The Bible in Oklahoma schools. Ten Commandments in Louisiana classrooms. Christianity-infused lessons in Texas.

What does all this say about the perceived separation of church and state — and where it’s headed? (Hint: likely the U.S. Supreme Court)

www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

Moody chickens? Playful bumblebees? Science decodes the rich inner lives of animals. New science shows that farm animals and other creatures exhibit signs of conscious experience. How should this make us see them – and ourselves?

I’m late sharing, but my colleague Stephanie Hanes’ story is super thought-provoking, especially for animal loves.

Should our furry, scaled, and feathered friends be viewed as sentient beings with feelings?

www.csmonitor.com/Science/2024...

Thanks, Yvonne 🥹🥹

Hello! Just getting started over here. I’m a K12 education writer for the Christian Science Monitor. If you’re a student, parent, teacher, or someone who just really cares about kids, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line with thoughts, ideas, etc!
📧 valleyj@csmonitor.com

Howard University hoped to make history. Now it’s ready for a different role. Kamala Harris hoped to declare victory at Howard University on election night. Today, students at one of America’s top HBCUs wrestle with the fallout.

Kamala Harris hoped to declare victory at Howard University on election night. That didn’t happen. So many students at one of America’s top Black universities are turning to the question: “Where do we go from here?” Harris #HowardUniversity #politics