Education – Page 65 –

Cole Rogerson works on a graphic organizer during a seventh-grade English language arts class on Sept. 25, 2026, at Hinckley Big-Rock Middle School in Big Rock. The school banned cellphones and aims for their students to do more work on paper. (Dominic Di Palermo/for the Aurora Beacon-News)

In the age of AI and social media, one west suburban school district goes analog

By Molly Morrow

October 12, 2026 at 9:27 a.m.

After instituting a cellphone ban two years ago, Hinckley-Big Rock School District 429 has now...

The East Aurora School District Administrative Center is at 310 Seminary Ave. in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Fewer than half of East Aurora elementary and middle school students on track in reading and math, data shows

By Molly Morrow

October 11, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The district says it's taking steps to address gaps in student readiness like offering professional...

Chicago school board incumbent Karen Zaccor District 4A, left, with challengers Ellen Sherratt, center, and Angel Alvarez respond to a questions during a forum in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, Oct. 5, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the baiduhai)

A North Side race tests competing visions for Chicago’s new elected school board

By Kate Armanini

October 12, 2026 at 10:53 a.m.

Two North Side candidates are in a race that has become a microcosm of a...

Volunteers bring food to a vehicle during a drive-thru event at Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry in Aurora in November. The pantry is moving its weekly drive-thru service to Saturdays beginning this weekend. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)

Partnering with West Aurora School District, Aurora food pantry moves drive-up service to Saturdays

By Molly Morrow

February 25, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

The food pantry is working with the school district to promote food access to families.

FILE- Larry Summers speaks during a panel on the second day of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

Larry Summers will resign from teaching at Harvard during review of Epstein ties, university says

By Collin Binkley

February 25, 2026 at 1:06 p.m.

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers will resign from teaching at Harvard University amid a...

From left, Bryce Graham, 18; Hammond Area Career Center Skill Advisor Scott Ciupak; and student Alex Waszak, 18, work on building a plant stand on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Hammond. Graham, who attends Griffith High School; Waszak, of Highland; and two other Highland High School seniors graduated with a carpentry certification and competed nationally in Atlanta, Georgia. (John Smierciak / for the Post-Tribune)

The AI boom may mark the return of the shop class

By Gerald Bradshaw

February 25, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The kid who learns to run conduit and terminate high-voltage panels in a well-funded high...

Sarah Jessica Parker arrives at the Golden Globes Golden Eve on Jan. 6, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Sarah Jessica Parker will be Northwestern’s commencement speaker

By Doug George

February 24, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker will deliver the graduation commencement speech in June for Northwestern's Class...

Teacher Heather Debby collects cellphones in a classroom at Disney II Magnet School in Chicago on March 13, 2025. Students have the option to place their device in a phone locker or keep them in their backpacks, in addition to not allowing students to take their phone to the bathroom. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker renews call to ban cellphones in schools across Illinois after effort fell short last year

By Jack O'Connor

February 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The latest bill would require schools to adopt a “bell-to-bell” policy for K-12 students, while...

New report highlights state education policies

By Carole Carlson

February 23, 2026 at 4:41 p.m.

A new nationwide study gives high marks to Indiana for preparing students for life after...

The Elmhurst University Jazz Band is one of over 40 student bands that will perform and be adjudicated by professional jazz musicians at the Elmhurst University Jazz Festival, Feb. 26-March 1. (Sarah Nader)

Elmhurst Jazz Festival features over 40 bands over four days

By Myrna Petlicki

February 23, 2026 at 3:59 p.m.

Nearly 40 student jazz bands will have a chance to perform and be critiqued by...

Dozens of residents came out to surround McPherson Elementary School in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago for dismissal after there were reports of ICE activity in the area on Oct. 24, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Poll shows Illinoisans oppose ICE near schools, school funding a critical issue

By Hope Moses

February 23, 2026 at 3:37 p.m.

A majority of Illinoisans are opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers near schools, according...

Treiva Mandela, of Calumet Park, is pursuing a career in electrical work after participating in an Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program at Bethel Family Resource Center in Chicago Heights. (Treiva Mandela)

Chicago Heights-based employment training program gets state funding boost

By Janice Neumann

February 23, 2026 at 4:58 a.m.

A pre-apprenticeship program at Bethel Family Resource Center in Chicago Heights offers an introduction to...

Hammond Central High School students make their way around the school parking lot as they participate in an anti-ICE walkout on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Walkouts provide lessons for students, schools

By Carole Carlson

February 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

As student walkouts over federal immigration policies ramp up across Northwest Indiana, local school leaders are receiving...