Birmingham (Alabama) schools will offer a $500 prize to two lucky families at each school -- if they get their child to school on the first day.

Illinois will screen all students for mental health issues, despite evidence that universal programs school-based programs don't improve mental health or academic outcomes.

Kids' picture books build vocabulary, knowledge of the world and a sense of how stories work.

Seeking stronger academics and less disruption, parents are choosing private schooling and homeschooling over public middle schools.

Parental rights to control their children's upbringing apply to progressives, not just to religious parents.

Everyone says they value a rigorous education -- but many don't want to do the work.

Homeschooling has attracted a broader mix of parents.

Politics undercut turn-of-the-century education reforms, but new choice programs could make a difference.

Boys growing up without a father -- and there are more of them -- have few male role models.

After a few DEI workshops, an elementary teacher decides to teach settler colonialism, climate change, slavery and gender norms in music class.

Stressed, overparented teens can benefit from a lazy, unenriched summer.

Choice scholarships let parents pay for a la carte classes, rewarding schools that serve their needs.

Public schools must work to regain public trust by focusing on academics, not politics.

Education reformers -- and donors -- have lost heart because it's so hard to create and scale long-term change

Improving schools won't narrow achievement gaps: Some kids are better able to take advantage of learning opportunities.

Fatherhood isn't as hard as they say, and it's a lot more fun.

Microschools are booming as parents seek a middle ground between homeschooling and traditional schooling.

Teaching children the world is "bad and broken" undermines their confidence and curiosity.

Special-ed rules make it hard to suspend students for fighting, if parents know their rights.

Utah spends less on public schools and has larger class sizes, but ranks #4 for education, according to U.S. News.