Nirvi Shah

7 insights about chronic absenteeism, a new normal for American schools Five years after the start of the pandemic, one of the most surprising ways that school has profoundly, and perhaps permanently, changed is that students aren’t showing up. Here are some insights from a May symposium at the American Enterprise Institute where scholars shared research on the problem of widespread absenteeism. 1. Chronic absenteeism has come down a lot from its peak in 2021-22, but it’s still 50 percent higher than it was before the pandemic. Roughly speaking, the chronic absenteeism rate nearly doubled after the pandemic, from 15 percent of students in 2018-19 to a peak of almost 29 percent of students in 2021-22.

7 insights about chronic absenteeism, a new normal for American schools

Five years after the start of the pandemic, one of the most surprising ways that school has profoundly, and perhaps permanently, changed is that students aren’t showing up. Here are some insights from a May symposium at the…

Anti-abortion lawmakers push to get fetal development education in public schools This story about fetal development was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. Last August, Republican Rep. Gino Bulso looked out at a room filled with dozens of fellow state lawmakers as he touted new legislation he had just helped become a reality in Tennessee. Under the law, a fetal ultrasound or a video of a computer-animated fetus developing in the womb had become mandatory viewing for students in the state’s sex education classes.

Anti-abortion lawmakers push to get fetal development education in public schools

This story about fetal development was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. Last…

The new anti-abortion strategy: fetal development videos in schools Anti-abortion lawmakers in at least 22 states have proposed fetal development-education bills, and seven have passed them. Many anti-abortion advocates hope that getting their message in front of stud...

Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, there have been more abortions, more public support for access to them — and more legislation requiring schools to play videos critics say manipulate students’ emotions. @sarahbutro.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org:
hechingerreport.org/anti-abortio...

Suddenly sacked Former education stats chief describes her final days under DOGE

Of note: Before firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trump fired the head of the National Center for Education Statistics: hechingerreport.org/proof-points... via @jillbarshay.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org ⬇️

The details behind the first national school voucher program Here are 10 things to know about Trump’s school choice program — the first national tax-credit scholarship program — was signed into law July 4, 2025, as part of the Republican tax bill.

There will soon be a national tax credit scholarship program. Say what? Neal Morton explains for @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/whats-a-tax-... #vouchers #K12 #OBBBA #Congress

Federal cuts threaten a major career path for young adults This story about AmeriCorps jobs was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. Lily Tegner didn’t know what she wanted to do when she graduated from Oregon State University with a chemical engineering degree five years ago. She entered the workforce at a point when unemployment briefly skyrocketed and companies were freezing hiring because of the Covid pandemic. “I didn’t have a very clear direction as far as where I was going in life,” she said.

Federal cuts threaten a major career path for young adults

This story about AmeriCorps jobs was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. Lily Tegner didn’t know what she…

Schools and colleges nationwide face Trump investigations The Trump administration is investigating allegations of antisemitism and racial discrimination against white students at dozens of colleges. The agency also has begun investigating policies related t...

Which schools and colleges are being investigated by the Trump administration? via @sarahbutro.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/which-school...

$50 a week for 40 weeks: How no-strings cash changed the lives of teens NEW ORLEANS — Kapri Clark used the $50 to help pay for her braces. Lyrik Grant saved half of it, and used the rest for dance classes. Kevin Jackson said he squandered the cash, on wings, ride shares for dates and some DJ equipment he later tossed. For the past five years, Clark, Grant, Jackson and hundreds of high schoolers in New Orleans have shopped — or saved — as part of a project to explore what happens if you give cash directly to young people, no strings attached. “That was the most helpful thing ever,” said Clark, now a student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, who said she could still use that extra cash.

$50 a week for 40 weeks: How no-strings cash changed the lives of teens

NEW ORLEANS — Kapri Clark used the $50 to help pay for her braces. Lyrik Grant saved half of it, and used the rest for dance classes. Kevin Jackson said he squandered the cash, on wings, ride shares for dates and some DJ…

Suddenly sacked Former education stats chief describes her final days under DOGE

And the exact circumstances of her dismissal were chilling -- both figuratively and literally. Please read if you have some time today. (3/3)
hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

High school sleuths search fish guts for clues to plastic pollution The Science Research Mentoring Program at the American Museum of Natural History prepares high school students for science careers.

High schoolers sleuth for microplastics in fish guts -- and learn to love science in the process. hechingerreport.org/high-school-...

Mahmoud v. Taylor decision could have widespread effects on school curricula In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court sided June 27 with a group of Maryland parents who said they wanted to opt their children out reading storybooks featuring LGBTQ+ themes and characters.

I don't get to write much any more, but last week I pulled together a piece on Mahmoud v. Taylor, which happens to be my child's school district. Thanks so much to @scribnerumcp.bsky.social and author Sarah Brannen for taking the time to speak with me.

hechingerreport.org/supreme-cour...

After outcry from tribes, federal agency scales back tribal school choice plan Trump’s order expanding school choice to Indian Country met resistance from parents and educators who worried it would undermine tribal sovereignty.

After outcry from tribes, federal agency scales back tribal school choice plan

Governors in 13 states reject funding for summer food program Thousands more children are expected to go hungry this summer as a growing number of states and cities decline federal summer food dollars.

Young children may go hungry as summer begins

From gangs to college High school staff often treat students they suspect of gang involvement differently, tracking them into classes that leave them unprepared to matriculate and counseling them out of applying to four-ye...

This degree of success is rare for a student-support initiative, and it owes to the program’s employment of “credible messengers,” -- people who’ve lived it and get it. hechingerreport.org/from-gangs-t...

From gangs to college High school staff often treat students they suspect of gang involvement differently, tracking them into classes that leave them unprepared to matriculate and counseling them out of applying to four-year...

From gangs to college

Help us tell the story of how the Trump administration is changing higher education - The Hechinger Report We want to know how the Trump administration is affecting higher education and life on your campus.

Help us tell the story of how the Trump administration is changing higher education

How Trump is changing higher education: The view from 4 campuses At universities in California, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, students report changes to campus clubs and activities, diminished research opportunities and fears for international students’ safety.

How Trump is changing higher education: The view from 4 campuses

15 years of The Hechinger Report - The Hechinger Report The Hechinger Report was among the first nonprofit news outlets to focus on a single topic, in our case, education. We launched in 2010, and our site has become a deep repository of some of the best education...

15 years of The Hechinger Report

More schools are adopting a 4-day school week. One Montana town tried to fight it - The Hechinger Report When the Florence-Carlton district considered a four-day school week, parents felt it disregarded possible drawbacks and reneged on ensuring a quality education.

More schools are adopting a 4-day school week. One Montana town tried to fight it

Thrilled to work with such amazing colleagues. @hechingerreport.org won 6 of 17 categories at the @edwriters.bsky.social 2024 awards! 🥂 to @jackiemader.bsky.social @lizhech.bsky.social @sarahbutro.bsky.social @jonmarcusboston.bsky.social and...

Columbia and N.Y.U. would lose $327 million in tax breaks under proposal - The Hechinger Report Bills proposed by two New York state legislators would require Columbia and N.Y.U. to start paying full annual property taxes and for that money to be redistributed to the City University of New York,...

One of the first calls I received after joining @hechingerreport.org was from retired Rep. Charlie Rangel, who was moved into action by a story from @merkolodner.bsky.social, co-reported with the NYT. hechingerreport.org/columbia-and....

A school district singled out by Trump says it it’s not backing down from teaching ‘whole truth history’ After the deadly 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia’s Albemarle County school system set out to combat racism by teaching about discrimination, resistance and resilience

A school district singled out by Trump says it teaches ‘whole truth history’

Were you a part of #Americorps? Did you volunteer in a school? Write me: shah@hechingerreport.org or NirviShah.14 on Signal

Las instituciones de enseñanza superior recurren estudiantes hispanos para compensar disminución en la matrícula Históricamente, a las universidades y escuelas superiores no les ha ido bien a la hora de matricular a estudiantes hispanos. Ahora su propio éxito puede depender en gran medida de ello, pero antes hay...

Universidades recurren estudiantes hispanos para compensar disminución en la matrícula

Student loan repayment: What borrowers need to know The Trump administration has restarted collections on all student loans that are in default, ending the pandemic-era pause that began in 2020

The return of student loan debt collection: What borrowers need to know

Student loan repayment: What borrowers need to know The Trump administration has restarted collections on all student loans that are in default, ending the pandemic-era pause that began in 2020

The Trump administration is pushing borrowers into repayment -- clipping income tax refunds, and eventually your paycheck if you don't comply. Here's what you need to know: hechingerreport.org/the-return-o... via @merkolodner.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org #highered #studentloans

Tracking Trump: His actions to dismantle the Education Department, and more The president has said he wants to eliminate the Education Department while fighting ‘woke’ ideology in schools. A week-by-week look at what he’s done

In-state tuition for undocumented students is a new target of the Trump administration: hechingerreport.org/tracking-tru... via @hechingerreport.org #highered #college #tuition

Education Department restarts online library ERIC New contract slashes budget in half, but library will continue to operate

ERIC, the online library of education research, went dark last week. It has come back to life, @jillbarshay.bsky.social reports for @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

Education Department restarts online library ERIC New contract slashes budget in half, but library will continue to operate

Successful pushback to DOGE cuts. Funding had run out for the Education Dept's online library ERIC last week, but funding has restarted. But only half as much. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

Tracking Trump: His actions to dismantle the Education Department, and more The president has said he wants to eliminate the Education Department while fighting ‘woke’ ideology in schools. A week-by-week look at what he’s done

Cuts to NAEP, an investigation into Berkeley, texts to Barnard faculty and staff about whether they are Jewish... this and a lot more in @hechingerreport.org tracker on the Trump administration's actions on education hechingerreport.org/tracking-tru... #K12 #highered #education