Explainers
Go deeper on the latest education issues with these explainers from Education Week
Education Issues, Explained
Browse research-based background explainers on the most important education issues.
English Learners
Explainer
Undocumented 69´«Ã½ Have the Right to a Free Education. This Is Why
A landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling protected undocumented students' access to free public education. Some lawmakers seek to overturn it.
Recruitment & Retention
Explainer
4 Things to Know About the Messy Landscape of Grow-Your-Own Teacher Prep
From residencies and apprenticeships to disparate grow-your-own programs, locally focused teacher preparation is in flux.
Federal
Explainer
The U.S. Department of Education, Explained
There's a lot of talk—again—about eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Here's what it does and how it works.
Special Education
Explainer
Talking to 69´«Ã½ About Their Learning Differences: A Guide for Teachers
Teachers who talk to kids about why learning is difficult equips students to understand themselves and become their own advocates.
School Choice & Charters
Explainer
How States Use Tax Credits to Fund Private School Choice: An Explainer
Twenty-one states have programs that give tax credits for donations to organizations that grant private-school scholarships.
Education Funding
Explainer
How One Grant Can Help 69´«Ã½ Recover From Shootings
69´«Ã½ can leverage a little-known emergency grant to recover from violence or a natural disaster. Here’s how.
Assessment
Explainer
What Is Standards-Based Grading, and How Does It Work?
69´«Ã½ can retool to make instruction more personalized and student-centered. But grading is a common sticking point.
Policy & Politics
Explainer
Education Debates You'll Likely Hear About in the Election, Explained
Brush up on key education policy issues that could show up in national, state, and local races.
Equity & Diversity
Explainer
Religion in Public 69´«Ã½, Explained
Public schools cannot promote any particular religion, and they must respect the individual religious beliefs of students and staff.
School & District Management
Explainer
What's Going On With Public School Enrollment? All the Big Questions, Answered
Districts across the country are contemplating a future with fewer students. What are the trends, and how did this happen?
Federal
Explainer
What Is Title IX? 69´«Ã½, Sports, and Sex Discrimination
Title IX, the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, is undergoing changes. What it is, how it works, and how it's enforced.
School Climate & Safety
Explainer
Restorative Justice in 69´«Ã½, Explained
What is restorative justice, and how can it be implemented in schools?
Equity & Diversity
Explainer
These LGBTQ+ Terms Can Help Create A Safe School for 69´«Ã½
To create a safe environment for LGBTQ+ students in schools, here are some terms that educators should know.
Ed-Tech Policy
Video
Cellphone Policies in 69´«Ã½, Explained
Educators have multiple factors to consider when deciding how to handle cellphones in schools. Education Week breaks them down.