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Crazy time: Illinois schools will test students' mental health
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.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 4, 20252 min read
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It all starts with Miss Rumphius and the Ugly Duckling
Kids' picture books build vocabulary, knowledge of the world and a sense of how stories work.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 2, 20252 min read
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Mystery of the missing middle-schoolers
Seeking stronger academics and less disruption, parents are choosing private schooling and homeschooling over public middle schools.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 25, 20251 min read
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You don't have to be Christian (or conservative) to love parental rights
Parental rights to control their children's upbringing apply to progressives, not just to religious parents.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 15, 20252 min read
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Eat your spinach and do your homework: Rigor is unpopular
Everyone says they value a rigorous education -- but many don't want to do the work.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 14, 20253 min read
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Homeschool keeps growing -- and becoming more diverse
Homeschooling has attracted a broader mix of parents.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 11, 20251 min read
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States spent more, kids learned less: Will choice revive education?
Politics undercut turn-of-the-century education reforms, but new choice programs could make a difference.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 10, 20252 min read
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What does it mean to be a good man? Boys need fathers -- or male mentors
Boys growing up without a father -- and there are more of them -- have few male role models.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 9, 20252 min read
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Get your own soapbox
After a few DEI workshops, an elementary teacher decides to teach settler colonialism, climate change, slavery and gender norms in music class.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 8, 20252 min read
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Lazy days of summer
Stressed, overparented teens can benefit from a lazy, unenriched summer.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 5, 20252 min read
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Let educational freedom ring: Voucher families are buying a la carte classes
Choice scholarships let parents pay for a la carte classes, rewarding schools that serve their needs.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 3, 20252 min read
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Public schools must be neutral on politics (and religion)
Public schools must work to regain public trust by focusing on academics, not politics.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 28, 20252 min read
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One step forward, one step back: Why ed reform donors are frustrated
Education reformers -- and donors -- have lost heart because it's so hard to create and scale long-term change

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 23, 20252 min read
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IQ matters: All things equal, some students will learn more than others
Improving schools won't narrow achievement gaps: Some kids are better able to take advantage of learning opportunities.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 22, 20252 min read
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Choose fatherhood: Babies are 'super fun' and not that hard
Fatherhood isn't as hard as they say, and it's a lot more fun.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 15, 20253 min read
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Microschools are growing
Microschools are booming as parents seek a middle ground between homeschooling and traditional schooling.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 9, 20253 min read
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Fear and self-loathing in the classroom
Teaching children the world is "bad and broken" undermines their confidence and curiosity.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 1, 20252 min read
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Chaos: Is ADHD an excuse for punching classmate and a teacher?
Special-ed rules make it hard to suspend students for fighting, if parents know their rights.

Joanne Jacobs
May 22, 20253 min read
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It's Mormons: Low-spending Utah is #4 for education
Utah spends less on public schools and has larger class sizes, but ranks #4 for education, according to U.S. News.

Joanne Jacobs
May 12, 20251 min read
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Single cat ladies vs. tradwives: Is motherhood right wing?
Baby-making is now seen as right-wing, and possibly racist.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 27, 20253 min read
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