Youth Issues / Public News Service

Lawmakers estimate providing Arkansas students free breakfast could cost an estimated $14.7 million (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

All AR students to receive free breakfast in upcoming school year

Workers in the fight against hunger in Arkansas are celebrating the passage and signing of Senate Bill 59. The legislation makes free breakfast …

Food insecurity worsens as Indiana slips in child well-being

Indiana leaders are working to improve children's lives, as the state's national ranking for child well-being has slipped. The latest report showed …

A total of 195,972 Arkansas households are impoverished and another 366,907 are defined as ALICE. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

More AR families rely on Child Tax Credit

By Wesley Brown for the Arkansas Delta Informer.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Delta Informer-Wi…

Researchers say although federal relief money is no longer available, states could be targeting federal Title I and state funding to implement intervention programs. (insta_photos/Adobe Stock)

COVID-19 learning loss still being felt in TX schools

Texas ranks 31st among states in terms of the change in math achievement between 2019 and 2024, and 8th in reading. That's according to a study that …

Many community health centers offer mental health services to help children cope with stress related to immigration enforcement. (Oksana/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 24, 2025

CA children’s advocates speak out against impending immigration raids

California is bracing for large-scale immigration raids - and groups that advocate for children are speaking out against the climate of fear…

Participants in the Nebraska RAICES teacher training program receive leadership development and mentoring designed to support them in their teaching careers. (Adobe Stock)

Federal cuts jeopardize rural NE teacher training program

The future of a teacher training program in rural Nebraska is in danger since the Trump administration has cut diversity-related grants in its effort …

According to Senate Bill 34, the state Department of Education will provide local school boards with instructional materials, models and curricula to guide the development of violence prevention, conflict resolution and mediation programs. (Adobe Stock)

AL Senate committee advances bill to teach middle schoolers conflict resolution

An Alabama Senate committee has approved a bill that would require middle-school students to take a course on conflict resolution before high school…

Continuous glucose monitors are now used by most of the estimated 300,000 people in the United Staates who are younger than age 20 and living with Type 1 diabetes, according to health experts. (Adobe Stock)

Schools struggle to keep up with diabetes tech, leaving parents to fill gaps

By Phil Galewitz for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Serv…

According to state data, as of February 2025 there were 8,262 children in Kentucky's foster care system. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Kentucky foster kids with nowhere to go are sleeping in DCBS offices

Foster children with nowhere to go are spending up to a week or more in Kentucky office buildings, according to a preliminary report from the state…

School Meals for All programs consistently show nutritional and behavioral improvements in students. (School Meals for All Coalition)

Bill extending free food to all OR public schools has broad support

New legislation that would ensure every Oregon public school student has access to free breakfast and lunch has widespread, bipartisan support…

Research shows community involvement is key to decreasing absenteeism. Mayors, employers and other community leaders can help students recover. (AnnaStills/Adobe Stock)

Report: AR students still struggle with COVID-19 learning loss

Arkansas ranks 23rd among states in terms of the change in math achievement between 2019 and 2024, and 19th in reading, according to the Education …

Research shows hands-only CPR can be just as effective in the first few minutes as conventional CPR for heart attacks. (Platoo Studio/Adobe Stock)

New bill would bring cardiac emergency plans to OR schools

New legislation backed by the American Heart Association would require all Oregon schools to have cardiac emergency response plans in place. …

According to the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, rural children under age 5 make up 24% of children eligible for child care services in the country, yet 55% of them live in areas considered to be child care deserts. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Rural steering committees help to close WV learning gaps

Appalachian counties are expanding efforts to help ensure children are off to the right start in their education. Research shows attending a high-…

Nebraska proposal would fund housing for domestic abuse survivors

The Nebraska Legislature is considering a bill that would provide nearly $1 million to help survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking pay for em…

Federal pandemic relief for K-12 schools sent more than $680 million to Idaho. (Rob Seibel/Adobe Stock)

Report: ID students still recovering from pandemic slump

Idaho students still have not caught up to pre-pandemic levels in education, according to a new report. The third annual Education Recovery …

With the inclusion of workforce certificates and certifications, South Dakota's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 16.9% since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Degree attainment numbers in SD look good; more progress sought

South Dakota has made notable progress in boosting the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. That's …

With the inclusion of workforce certificates and certifications, North Dakota's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 15.4% since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

ND sees more gains in degree attainment as workforce demands shift

North Dakota has made notable progress in boosting the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. That's …

Tuition costs can be an insurmountable barriers for some students when it comes to college access. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

NC higher education combats costs with free tuition

With cost at the forefront of prospective students' minds, higher education institutions in North Carolina are rethinking how to overcome one of the …

The Texas Department of Agriculture hopes to reach children in rural areas who haven't previously participated in Summer Meal Programs because of transportation barriers. Eligible sponsors in those areas can apply to distribute meals outside of the required group settings and meal service times. (chomplearn_2001/Adobe Stock)

Sponsors needed for TX Dept. of Ag summer feeding programs

The Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting sponsor applications for its 2025 Summer Meal Programs. The Summer Food Service Program and the …

More than 11,500 scholars were served in CDF Freedom Schools over 36 states and nearly 200 program sites during 2023. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month

As Black History Month continues, advocacy groups in Ohio are pushing for policies that benefit children from all backgrounds. They emphasize the …

In 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act 55, funding free menstrual products for students. Schools can use the funds for purchases made between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. (Adobe Stock)

PA advocate: Defunding Planned Parenthood threatens affordable health care

By Rebekah Sager for the Pennsylvania Independent.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Pennsylvani…

Prospective foster parents must be at least 21 years old and undergo extensive background checks, including criminal and child abuse clearances for all household members, age 14 and older. (Motortion/Adobe Stock)

Easing tough transitions: PA organizations help teens exit foster care

Pennsylvania nonprofits are working with teens in foster care to ensure they have the resources they will need to navigate life once they are out of t…

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., offered a resolution to protect public education, which was backed by the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, the Parent Teacher Association and many others. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Lawmaker: Dismantling Education Dept. would harm OR schools

After introducing a resolution condemning attempts to defund public education, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., was denied access to the U.S. …

The percentage of adults in the U.S. between ages 25 and 64 with college degrees, certificates or industry-recognized certifications has increased 17 percentage points since 2008, according to Lumina Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA boosts high degree attainment rate but students question affordability

Massachusetts remains a national leader in educational degree attainment, according to a new report. The latest data from Lumina Foundation showed 63…

According to Save the Children, poverty in rural America impacts more than one in five children. In 39 states, rural children are more likely to grow up in poverty than non-rural kids.(masterstudio/Pixabay)

Mississippi communities find local solutions to rural education challenges

In rural Mississippi, where education disparities run deep, community leaders are stepping up to fill the gaps left by limited resources and …

People who earn professionally recognized certificates or college degrees beyond high school are more likely to see significant long-term financial, social and health benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado tops in nation for residents with education beyond high school

Colorado is number one nationally, tied with Massachusetts, for its percentage of residents who have a credential or degree beyond high school…

Sex education programs including information on both abstinence and birth control have a better track record, according to Planned Parenthood. (AI generated: anaumenko/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

NM could buck trend of states scaling back sex ed in schools

A coalition of New Mexico groups is supporting a bill this session to require "Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education" for public school students…

There are 278 school districts in Nebraska with a student-to-teacher ratio of just under 14 to 1, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress report card. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska reading and math scores fall, mirror national trend

Despite kids being back in the classroom after the COVID pandemic, the latest numbers from the National Assessment of Education Progress aren't …

According to a Pew Research Center survey, 72% of U.S. high school teachers consider student distraction due to cellphones a major problem in their classrooms. (insta_photos/Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan MO bills seek to limit student cellphone use in schools

If some Missouri lawmakers have their way, cellphone use in schools will be restricted. Supporters of the proposal argued student "phone addiction" …

A Lumina Foundation report noted undergraduate and graduate degree attainment for minorities living in Connecticut has slowly grown between 2009 and 2023. However, the increases started occurring around 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT ranks high for degree attainment but lacks opportunity for all

A new report found Connecticut ranks high for undergraduate and graduate degree attainment. The Lumina Foundation's Stronger Nation report noted the …

Data show that just under a quarter of California 4th and 8th graders are considered proficient in science. (Viacheslav Yakobchuk/Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: CA students make modest improvements, but lag after pandemic

California's 5.8 million public school kids have made small gains in 4th grade math and reading since 2022. They're still behind pre-pandemic …

Schools in the Arkansas Farm to School Institute will receive $5,000 to plant a community garden. (NVB Stocker/Adobe Stock)

Arkansas schools have chance to expand 'farm to school' programs

School districts across Arkansas have until February 28 to apply to participate in the Farm to School Institute. The yearlong program, through the …

Adrian and Shane Potter adopted siblings Isaiah, Jordan and Sophia in 2021. (Photo courtesy of The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Collaboration helps TX foster kids find forever homes

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services are working together to find homes for foster-care childre…

Illinoisans are more likely to be forced out of network for mental health care than for primary health care, which contributes to significant mental health disparities such as unequal access to care. (Adobe Stock)

IL shortages a barrier to meeting mental health crisis

As a national mental health crisis continues, advocates are calling for improved response systems but Illinois continues to face a shortage of staff …

During the pandemic, Congress temporarily expanded the federal Child Tax Credit, with experts noting it helped cut child poverty rates nearly in half. However, a permanent expansion failed to gain traction and states like Minnesota have moved forward with their own credit. (Adobe Stock)

MN's Child Tax Credit has a new twist in year two

Poverty-fighting groups in Minnesota are joining the wave of officials reminding low-income households to take advantage of the state's Child Tax Cred…

As of last October, 775,000 Washington state students have access to school meals. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Free school meals for all WA students on table this session

Legislation in Olympia would make school meals free for every student. Senate Bill 5352 would ensure every student has access to free breakfast and …

Gov. Josh Shapiro's Pennsylvania state budget proposal would strengthen efforts to reintroduce vocational education into Pennsylvania classrooms, with a $5.5 million boost for Career and Technical Education. (Adobe Stock)

PA budget proposal boosts public education, student-teacher stipends

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

A Lumina Foundation report revealed 712,000, or almost 44% of Marion County adults, have either an associate's or bachelor's degree, or some type of professional certification. (Adobe Stock)

Study shows IN working adults want more education, employable skills

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

About 25% percent of children in Illinois are foreign-born or live with at least one parent that is, according to data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

IL schools urged to push back against new immigration policies

As Illinois parents and children continue to be on high alert amid fears of school immigration raids, school officials are publicly advocating for …

Adverse childhood experiences may cause an increase in gun crimes by when children reach adulthood. In 2022, Iowa reported 367 gun deaths, including 65 homicides and 288 suicides. (Adobe Stock)

Traumatized Iowa kids commit more gun crimes as adults

New research by social scientists showed children who suffer traumatic experiences growing up are more likely to use firearms defensively as adults…

There are around 1.5 million children, or 1 in 49, living with a parent in prison, according to the advocacy group Prison Fellowship. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY lawmakers propose alternatives to incarceration for primary caregivers

A bill introduced by Kentucky lawmakers would increase alternatives to prison or jail for parents convicted of nonviolent offenses. Most of the …

The American Federation of Teachers says schools must be safe havens, welcoming places of learning and free from racism, discrimination and the threat of deportation. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)

TX teachers prepare to protect immigrant students

School districts across Texas are grappling with ways to keep migrant children safe and engaged in class now that the Trump administration has made it…

According to the American Council on Immigration, nearly half of Georgia's immigrant community are naturalized citizens, with 10.8% of residents foreign-born and 6.5% having an immigrant parent. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates push for GA student protections amid possible immigration raids

A nationwide immigration crackdown is raising concerns in Georgia classrooms as families navigate new enforcement policies. With the Trump …

Cincinnati Public Schools serves approximately 35,000 students, with more than one in 10 being English learners who do not speak it as their first language. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Educators, Ohio leaders react to new ICE rules

A new federal policy allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into public schools has sparked concerns nationwide, including here in Ohio…

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, Mississippi has the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation. (Katerina Holmes/Pexels)

MS families face hardship as state rejects federal summer food aid again

Mississippi families struggling with food insecurity are bracing for another difficult summer after state officials declined millions in federal fundi…

Immigration advocacy groups said they are monitoring reports about ICE agents detaining parents while walking their children to school. They said it complicates efforts to limit the impacts of enhanced deportation efforts under the Trump administration. (Adobe Stock)

Awareness builds in MN about possible ICE activity in schools

Information is flowing through Minnesota schools about the best way to handle new federal immigration policies as enforcement ramps up under the Trump…

Approximately one in 12 children in Oregon lives with at least one undocumented family member. (Manny DaCunha/Adobe Stock)

OR schools, advocates react to possible ICE raids

Oregon's largest school district has affirmed it will continue to enforce Oregon's sanctuary laws by not providing information to Immigration and Cust…

Recent data from KFF Health show 90% of Americans said there is a mental health crisis in the country. Alaska's geography and racial and cultural diversity makes providing adequate mental health services especially challenging. (Adobe Stock)

Addressing Alaska's 'staggering' mental health care crisis

Advocacy groups said the country needs a better national system for responding to mental health emergencies. In Alaska, the absence of services for …

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