Our team is always seeking the latest news in the field of education. As advocates for a high-quality education for ALL students, we know we have to stay up-to-date on everything that’s going on in the education spheres of our nation…from the White House to the local public school district, from new legislation to the small acts of bravery and kindness made by a single teacher, from the milestones and celebrations to the hazardous injustices affecting many of our nation’s students.

Here are the stories that stood out to us this week.

‘Growing sense of despair’: A wealthy, diversifying school system in suburban D.C. confronts racism and hate in schools via Washington Post

Loudoun County is one of the most affluent places in the country, home to high-caliber schools in the D.C. suburbs. But for some, it is also a place where school leaders ignore racist acts, fostering a “growing sense of despair,” according to a report commissioned by Loudoun County Public Schools that examines equity across a school system that has rapidly grown and diversified in the past decade.

Diverse Students Need Diverse Teachers via MinnPost

Next year is my last in high school, and I have never had a teacher who looks like me — all of my teachers have been white, with a few exceptions. And while I’ve received a relatively well-rounded education, there was always one important thing missing. Today, I wonder what I could have learned or discovered by having a more diverse set of teachers.

“Representation matters in every aspect of our lives. Seeing a teacher who looks like you or a teacher who looks different from you opens your eyes to new ways of learning. And while the solution may not be straightforward, the benefits are.”

Study: Neighborhood conditions can impact pre-K effectiveness via Education Dive

The study also has implications for the ongoing debate over whether public preschool programs should be accessible to all children or targeted to those in poverty or facing other risk factors. Pearman suggests that one way for universal pre-K programs to reach children who would be more likely to benefit is to prioritize high-poverty areas when selecting sites for new centers. Another strategy would be to make sure families in low-income neighborhoods have information about and adequate transportation to centers in higher-income neighborhoods.

One thing to read this weekend

How to Keep Teachers From Leaving the Profession via The Atlantic

“What helps teachers bring out the best in their students,” (Judith) Harper added, “is the ongoing development of a teacher’s ability to see and hear all of her students, translate that information into data, often on the fly, and refine lessons based on that.”

Harper firmly believes that of all the professional activities she has been a part of in the past 38 years, it was her collaborative work with colleagues—veteran mentors and peers—that helped her grow the most.

Did any of these articles particularly speak to you? We would love to hear your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below: