NPR Topics: Education https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1013 We've been to school. We know how education works. Right? In fact, many aspects of learning — in homes, at schools, at work and elsewhere — are evolving rapidly, along with our understanding of learning. Join us as we explore how learning happens. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Wed, 20 May 2026 15:15:30 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Education https://www.npr.org/sections/education/ Overworked and understaffed: Special ed teachers turn to AI for help A fast-growing<strong> </strong>number of special educators nationwide are using AI to create customized education plans. Despite the risks, some research shows it could improve the quality of teachers' work. Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5810192/special-education-teachers-ai-ieps https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5810192/special-education-teachers-ai-ieps

A fast-growing number of special educators nationwide are using AI to create customized education plans. Despite the risks, some research shows it could improve the quality of teachers' work.

(Image credit: Talia Herman for NPR)

]]> Jonaki Mehta States sue over new student loan limits on certain nursing and healthcare degrees New York, Arizona, North Carolina, Kentucky and Nevada are among the states challenging a rule that limits federal student loans for graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy and more. Tue, 19 May 2026 12:19:01 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/19/nx-s1-5826688/lawsuit-student-loans-nursing-healthcare-graduate-degree https://www.npr.org/2026/05/19/nx-s1-5826688/lawsuit-student-loans-nursing-healthcare-graduate-degree

New York, Arizona, North Carolina, Kentucky and Nevada are among the states challenging a rule that limits federal student loans for graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy and more.

(Image credit: kieferpix)

]]> Cory Turner High school students learn historic building techniques The U.S. has many buildings that are centuries old, but most modern tradespeople haven't learned how to work on them. A New Hampshire program is teaching high schoolers these old restoration skills. Mon, 18 May 2026 17:01:47 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/nx-s1-5813703/high-school-students-learn-historic-building-techniques https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/nx-s1-5813703/high-school-students-learn-historic-building-techniques The U.S. has many buildings that are centuries old, but most modern tradespeople haven't learned how to work on them. A New Hampshire program is teaching high schoolers these old restoration skills.

]]> Jackie Harris Colleges got more rural students to apply. The challenge is getting them to attend Some of the nation's most selective institutions are slowly increasing their rural enrollment with the help of millions of dollars from a rural alumnus of the University of Chicago. Sat, 16 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/16/nx-s1-5797420/selective-colleges-woo-rural-students https://www.npr.org/2026/05/16/nx-s1-5797420/selective-colleges-woo-rural-students '/>

Some of the nation's most selective institutions are slowly increasing their rural enrollment with the help of millions of dollars from a rural alumnus of the University of Chicago.

(Image credit: Lucy Lu)

]]> Jon Marcus Native kids with disabilities were held in wooden boxes. Sweeping reforms are coming State officials in New York say the Salmon River district's special education program confined young children with disabilities in wooden boxes. Parents weren't notified. Thu, 14 May 2026 17:16:48 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/14/nx-s1-5821682/salmon-river-mohawk-children https://www.npr.org/2026/05/14/nx-s1-5821682/salmon-river-mohawk-children

State officials in New York say the Salmon River district's special education program confined young children with disabilities in wooden boxes. Parents weren't notified.

(Image credit: Used with permision)

]]> Brian Mann Linda McMahon defends dismantling the Education Department, shifting its work The education secretary faced questions about the shrinking of her agency, limits on federal student loan borrowing and oversight of the education of students with disabilities. Thu, 14 May 2026 16:42:29 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/14/nx-s1-5815213/education-secretary-linda-mcmahon-house-hearing https://www.npr.org/2026/05/14/nx-s1-5815213/education-secretary-linda-mcmahon-house-hearing

The education secretary faced questions about the shrinking of her agency, limits on federal student loan borrowing and oversight of the education of students with disabilities.

(Image credit: Eric Lee)

]]> Cory Turner The MAHA movement is coming to school cafeterias. Here's what that means for kids U.S. school districts worry it could get even more expensive to prepare a meal under new federal dietary guidelines, as they also contend with cuts to programs that helped them buy local food. Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/14/nx-s1-5688946/school-lunches-dietary-guidelines-maha https://www.npr.org/2026/05/14/nx-s1-5688946/school-lunches-dietary-guidelines-maha

U.S. school districts worry it could get even more expensive to prepare a meal under new federal dietary guidelines, as they also contend with cuts to programs that helped them buy local food.

(Image credit: Rachel Wisniewski for NPR)

]]> Joe Hernandez Kids' test scores began declining way before COVID. These schools are making gains The annual Education Scorecard shows the nation's schools still rebounding from serious losses in math and reading, but it also found those declines began well before the pandemic. Wed, 13 May 2026 15:52:33 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/13/nx-s1-5812483-e1/kids-test-scores-began-declining-way-before-covid-these-schools-are-making-gains https://www.npr.org/2026/05/13/nx-s1-5812483-e1/kids-test-scores-began-declining-way-before-covid-these-schools-are-making-gains The annual Education Scorecard shows the nation's schools still rebounding from serious losses in math and reading, but it also found those declines began well before the pandemic.

]]> Cory Turner Kids' test scores began declining way before COVID. These schools are making gains Remember those devastating learning losses that began during the pandemic? Turns out, they began years before COVID-19. Some states are finally turning things around. Wed, 13 May 2026 00:01:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/13/nx-s1-5812483/reading-math-scores-data https://www.npr.org/2026/05/13/nx-s1-5812483/reading-math-scores-data

Remember those devastating learning losses that began during the pandemic? Turns out, they began years before COVID-19. Some states are finally turning things around.

]]> Cory Turner Oregon's most unexpected gubernatorial candidate? A pencil with a point Oregon's public schools rank last in fourth-grade reading, according to an analysis of national testing. As a wake-up call for elected leaders, Pencil is running for governor as a write-in candidate. Mon, 11 May 2026 07:14:01 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/nx-s1-5781255/oregon-reading-education-governor-pencil https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/nx-s1-5781255/oregon-reading-education-governor-pencil

Oregon's public schools rank last in fourth-grade reading, according to an analysis of national testing. As a wake-up call for elected leaders, Pencil is running for governor as a write-in candidate.

(Image credit: Eli Imadali)

]]> Dirk VanderHart