Education / Public News Service

Other states in the FutureReady States initiative include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. (CarlosBarquero/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

National program to increase short-term workforce credentials in TX

Texas is one of 12 states in a new national program to increase the number of Americans who have a college degree or short-term workforce credential…

The FutureReady States initiative will collaborate with a dozen states to assess the return on investment and its effect on each state's economy, when they improve job training programs. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

FutureReady initiative aims to align LA education with workforce needs

A new initiative aims to help adults get high-quality job credentials which can lead to economic prosperity, in Louisiana and 11 other states…

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Colorado joins FutureReady States workforce training initiative

Colorado now has backup for its efforts to get more working age adults into high demand, good-paying jobs. FutureReady States, a new Lumina …

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Federal private school tax incentive draws mixed reviews

Mixed responses continue to swirl about the new federal law offering tax incentives to people who donate to organizations providing scholarships to pr…

The Indiana Commission on Higher Education says almost 268,000 students enrolled in at least one funded Career and Technical Education course for the 2023-2024 school year. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 14, 2025

IN students want help with higher education choices

Uncertainty about the current job market is influencing high school graduates' choices for a career. Parents are generally the go-to for guidance…

In 2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers. (Nina Lawrenson/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Gender pay gap still a problem for TX women

Women who recently graduated from college are earning significantly less than their male counterparts. A new study reveals that women from Texas and …

The recommended ratio of students to counselors is 250 to 1, Washington is over that at 363 to 1. (Christoph Burgstedt/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Gen Z teens don’t know their options after high school

Most Gen Z high school students and their parents are unaware of the range of options available to kids after graduation, according to a new survey…

Nationwide the recommended ratio of students to counselors is 250 to 1, Oregon is over that number at 330 to 1. (Adobe Stock)

Survey finds gaps in how high school students learn about post-grad options

Most Gen Z high school students and their parents are unaware of the range of options available to kids after graduation, according to a new survey…

The Trump administration considers programs focusing on any facet of diversity, equity or inclusion to be a violation of federal anti-discrimination law. (Adobe Stock)

IL school districts serving immigrants work to stay low-key

The Trump administration has made it clear it will cut funding from schools continuing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and with record …

The Indianapolis Public School district is the state's largest, with a student enrollment of about 31,000, according to its website. (Adobe Stock)

IN parents seek better transportation, more funding for student success

School funding is ranked as the top education priority in a spring survey of 850 Marion County voters by the education organization RISE Indy…

The federal government has not released a timeline for disbursing $6.8 billion in grants to school districts nationwide. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)<br />

CA school budgets in disarray after Trump freezes federal funding

Panic has set in at school districts across the Golden State as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. Tony Thurmond…

State governments await guidance on whether or when $6.8 billion dollars in federal grants to school districts will be released. (Insta_photos/Adobe Stock)<br />

Freeze on federal grants squeezes WA school budgets

Panic has set in at school districts across Washington state as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. Chris Reykdal…

The U.S. Department of Education has not said if or when it will release $6.8 billion in federal grants to school districts. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

NV schools face budget emergency as Congress impounds federal funds

Panic is setting in at school districts across the Silver State as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. State data show the …

Pennsylvania gets $4.3 billion yearly for SNAP, helping 1.9 million people but the reconciliation bill could cut benefits for 401,000 Pennsylvanians, according to the Center for American Progress. (Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock)

PA educators warn federal cuts threaten health care, food benefits

As the Senate passes President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill and sends it back to the House, Pennsylvania educators warned in its current form…

North Dakota classrooms sit empty right now but when they fill up in late August, K-12 students and parents might notice more districts trying to juggle staff to help with lingering teacher shortages. (Adobe Stock)

ND school districts get no 'summer break' from budget maneuvering

It is only early summer but North Dakota school districts are preparing for the fall. As in recent years, some administrators are performing what …

Constance Meadors, director of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, said an $800,000 NASA grant will help develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators in Arkansas. (PhotoSpirit/Adobe Stock)

AR Space Grant Consortium receives $800,000 NASA grant

The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will use an $800,000 NASA grant to train students in STEM education a…

The growing demand for artificial intelligence specialists has prompted more universities to offer specialized AI degrees. (MissIrine/Adobe Stock)

NM university to offer state's first artificial intelligence degree

Artificial intelligence is expected to significantly change people's lives and New Mexico State University is meeting the challenge by offering the st…

Meals are free to kids in Texas during the Summer Food Service Program. They are paid for by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

TX summer meal programs keep kids fed while out of school

Statistics show one in five children in Texas struggles with hunger. Approximately 10,000 students a day are getting a nutritious meal through the …

The student enrollment figure at Indiana's four-year colleges and universities in 2024 was nearly 172,000, according to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. (Adobe Stock)

IN students weigh politics, mental health factors for college choices

University officials in Indiana are rewriting guidelines for on-campus protests to address a tense political backdrop. More students are watching …

In 2023, rural hospitals in Pennsylvania created $17 billion in economic impact and supported more than 80,000 jobs statewide. (Alexander Raths/Adobe Stock)

PA rural hospitals, seniors at risk if Congress cuts Medicaid

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has hit a roadblock. The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that a key Medicaid provider tax change violates chamber …

Report: Gen Z considers politics, mental health in choosing a college

Nearly 30% of "Gen-Z" college students decided where they would attend school based at least partly on political reasons, according to a new report…

Around 58% of U.S. school districts have cut back on instructional programs due to budget constraints. <br />(Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Michigan education bills disregard students' needs, says policy group

The Michigan League for Public Policy is warning recently passed education budget bills may appear to boost funding but ultimately fall short…

Treehouse, an organization helping foster children graduate high school, lost a third of its funding due to state budget cuts. Graduation rates for foster kids have gone up in recent years but cuts could reverse the trend. (Diego Cervo/Adobe Stock)

WA budget cuts hit orgs serving at-risk youth

Washington nonprofits supporting vulnerable youth have faced large state funding cuts this year and are calling on communities to help keep the progra…

Students at San Luis Coastal Unified School District discuss topics like college and career readiness in a workshop to develop campus leadership.(Ruby Wallau)<br />

Meet the Californians redefining school governance from the ground up

Two California nonprofits are working to make school boards more effective, diverse, and inclusive, to counter the weaponization of cultural issues …

Ho-Chunk, Inc. is a major economic driver in Nebraska, North Dakota and Iowa, generating annual revenue of $417 million, according to its annual report. (Adobe Stock)

Ho-Chunk launches summer internship program, offering path to career success

Ho-Chunk has kicked off its summer internship program in Nebraska after sifting through 600 applicants. It is opening pathways to higher education …

Each week, participants in Ohio State University-Lima's

Drumming through Parkinson’s at The Ohio State University

A drumming program at Ohio State University-Lima is helping people dealing with Parkinson's disease improve coordination, memory, and overall …

As the nation's political tensions rise, Ohio poll workers have faced fentanyl-laced letters, bomb scares at the Secretary of State's office, and online harassment, leading officials to implement bullet-proof glass, panic buttons and address protections. (Wikimedia Commons)

As political violence rises, Ohio grapples with growing threats to democracy

Ohioans can't help but feel the emotional weight of political violence after last weekend's assassination of a top Democratic state lawmaker in Minnes…

Dr. Tierney Brosius' friend, professor and fellow artist, Wendy DesChene, and her husband helped to photograph insects for an eight-foot-tall display. (Wendy DesChene)

'Dr. Beetle': Local biology teacher uses art to pique curiosity about bugs

By Jonathan Feakins for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News S…

The City of Philadelphia hosts several events today (Thursday) in celebration of Juneteenth, a holiday observed nationwide with storytelling and community gatherings honoring Black history, culture and resilience. (reham/Adobe Stock)

Juneteenth: Celebrating Black literacy and artistic freedom

A Pennsylvania literacy organization is commemorating the Juneteenth holiday by highlighting the history and contributions of Black people in the Unit…

Colorado's workforce development efforts are in sync with the Lumina Foundation's new goal for 75% of America's labor force to have a college degree or professional credential. (Adobe Stock)

Gov. Polis raises bar for Colorado agencies on education

Colorado, already considered a national leader in workforce development, is aiming to raise the bar even higher. Gov. Jared Polis recently issued an …

Nutrient management planning has been around for more than 30 years, traditionally developed for farmers by private sector farm co-ops and agronomists. (Adobe Stock)

WI farmer education collab helps save money, environment

A joint effort is helping Wisconsin farmers protect water quality in their communities by learning more about how to prevent manure and fertilizer spi…

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered audits of state universities to identify potential budget cuts. (Adobe Stock)

Florida universities face budget scrutiny as part of 'anti-woke' push

By Michael Vasquez for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public N…

More than 40% of the 3.4 million Illinoisians enrolled in Medicaid are children. (Adobe Stock)

Potential Medicaid, SNAP cuts could derail IL education system

As Congress considers federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance, groups advocating for Illinois schools are speaking out on how it would …

The Cleveland Clinic says kids ages 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep, and teens ages 13 to 18 need 8 to 10 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

AR parents can help kids maintain healthy sleep patterns during summer

With school out for summer vacation, maintaining healthy sleep habits can be a challenge for parents, caregivers and children. Longer daylight hours …

Research shows students of color are more likely to be suspended and also less likely to receive support with schoolwork while they are out of class. (jovannig/Adobe Stock)

Child rights advocates: New WA school discipline rules roll back protections

Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has revised its public school discipline policies, and advocates for children said …

More than 328,700 students are enrolled in 244 K-12 Nebraska school districts, according to Ballotpedia. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Two-thirds of Nebraska 4th graders not reading proficiently

Nearly two-thirds of Nebraska fourth graders are not reading at grade level and math scores are also lagging. The findings come from the 2025 Kids …

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book found in Minnesota in 2023, 28% of Black children, 16% of Hispanic children, 10% of Asian children and 6% of white children under age 18 lived in families with incomes below the federal poverty level. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

New reports says MN children face troubling health and education disparities

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its findings for Minnesota. The report examines results for children in …

Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book aggregates national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains including economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors, and ranks states according to how children are faring overall. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IL shows mixed results in child well-being despite high ranking

A national report finds mixed results in child well-being in Illinois with improvements in health care coverage for children and poverty rates and dec…

According to 2025 Kids Count Data Book, nationally nearly one in three children live in households burdened by high housing costs and Washington follows the trend. (Louis-Photo/Adobe Stock)

Report ranks Washington down in overall child well-being

Washington state has dropped to 16th in the nation for overall child well-being, according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, a national report …

Wyoming ranks eighth in the nation for children's well-being in the category of family and community, but is 37th in terms of kids' health. (Cavan/Adobe Stock)

Wyoming makes strides on children’s health but ranks low nationally

Wyoming slipped five spots this year in an annual report on children's well-being by state, ranking 23rd in the nation. The 2025 Kids Count Data …

While Oregon ranked poorly for education overall, the 2025 Kids Count Data Book showed high school graduation rates are up in the state, as well as nationwide. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Kids Count report shows Oregon kids falling behind in education

Oregon maintained a troubling ranking, holding at 43rd in the nation for children's education, according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, a national …

In 2022, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to dedicate funds to early childhood education and care. (Bonsales/AdobeStock)

Report: NM's child well-being shows mixed momentum

A traditional marker used to measure child well-being in the U.S. shows New Mexico notched both improvements and declines in several areas. The …

A new annual report finds, despite high housing costs, Rhode Island has fewer children living in high-poverty areas and also fewer living in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Report: RI child well-being falls despite efforts to improve it

A new annual report found children's well-being has slipped in Rhode Island despite previous gains. The state ranks 19th in this year's Annie E…

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2025 Kids Count Data Book shows education is lacking nationwide. Nearly three quarters of fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and 73% of eighth graders are not proficient in math.

Report: Michigan kids improve in finances and family, lag in education

Michigan kids are making progress when it comes to family life and finances but they are still struggling in school. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's …

A new annual report found more New Jersey teens are working or in school and fewer kids are living in homes with a higher cost burden. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NJ’s improved economy aids child well-being

A new annual report found New Jersey's economic well-being is helping improve the well-being of its children. The state ranked 7th in the nation in …

According to the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book, 16% of children still live in poverty, and nearly one in three children live in households struggling with high housing costs. <br />(Adobe Stock)

Kids Count Data Book: Missouri thrives economically, lacking in education

Missouri ranks 27th in an annual national report on child well-being, with solid marks in kids' economic stability but setbacks in education…

Iowa's fourth grade students score at or slightly above average in national reading assessments but almost two-thirds are not reading proficiently, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Iowans' reading scores teeter, SNAP cuts prompt concern

Iowa kids are doing well overall in new national findings on children's well-being, although they are slipping in a few key areas. The numbers in …

About 387,000 Arizona children have parents who lack secure employment. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ has 2nd-highest rate of uninsured children

Arizona is one of the lowest-performing states for overall child well-being, according to a new national report. This year's Kids Count Data Book …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 16, 2025

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Education

National program to increase short-term workforce credentials in TX

FutureReady initiative aims to align LA education with workforce needs

Colorado joins FutureReady States workforce training initiative

Federal private school tax incentive draws mixed reviews

IN students want help with higher education choices

Gender pay gap still a problem for TX women

Survey: Gen Z teens don’t know their options after high school

Survey finds gaps in how high school students learn about post-grad options

IL school districts serving immigrants work to stay low-key

IN parents seek better transportation, more funding for student success

CA school budgets in disarray after Trump freezes federal funding

Freeze on federal grants squeezes WA school budgets

NV schools face budget emergency as Congress impounds federal funds

PA educators warn federal cuts threaten health care, food benefits

ND school districts get no 'summer break' from budget maneuvering

AR Space Grant Consortium receives $800,000 NASA grant

NM university to offer state's first artificial intelligence degree

TX summer meal programs keep kids fed while out of school

IN students weigh politics, mental health factors for college choices

PA rural hospitals, seniors at risk if Congress cuts Medicaid

Report: Gen Z considers politics, mental health in choosing a college

Michigan education bills disregard students' needs, says policy group

WA budget cuts hit orgs serving at-risk youth

Meet the Californians redefining school governance from the ground up

Ho-Chunk launches summer internship program, offering path to career success

Drumming through Parkinson’s at The Ohio State University

As political violence rises, Ohio grapples with growing threats to democracy

'Dr. Beetle': Local biology teacher uses art to pique curiosity about bugs

Juneteenth: Celebrating Black literacy and artistic freedom

Gov. Polis raises bar for Colorado agencies on education

WI farmer education collab helps save money, environment

Florida universities face budget scrutiny as part of 'anti-woke' push

Potential Medicaid, SNAP cuts could derail IL education system

AR parents can help kids maintain healthy sleep patterns during summer

Child rights advocates: New WA school discipline rules roll back protections

Report: Two-thirds of Nebraska 4th graders not reading proficiently

New reports says MN children face troubling health and education disparities

Report: IL shows mixed results in child well-being despite high ranking

Report ranks Washington down in overall child well-being

Wyoming makes strides on children’s health but ranks low nationally

Kids Count report shows Oregon kids falling behind in education

Report: NM's child well-being shows mixed momentum

Report: RI child well-being falls despite efforts to improve it

Report: Michigan kids improve in finances and family, lag in education

Report: NJ’s improved economy aids child well-being

Kids Count Data Book: Missouri thrives economically, lacking in education

Report: Young Iowans' reading scores teeter, SNAP cuts prompt concern

Report: AZ has 2nd-highest rate of uninsured children