"Black students on our campus are actually showing their faces," says Zyearre Amoah, who works to recruit students in the Black Honors College at Sacramento State. Andri Tambunan for NPR hide caption
October 23, 2026 • As many colleges roll back or eliminate such programs, Sacramento State has expanded its offerings for students of color.
October 20, 2026 • The new scholarship tax credit program could help public school families pay for some educational services, but advocates worry it could do more harm than good.
Fraternities on Cornell's campus will not be allowed to host parties or events for the rest of the academic year. Jeongyoon Han for NPR hide caption
October 13, 2026 • In a letter, Cornell's president apologized for what happened to the student who alleges she was raped by several men at a fraternity house in 2024 and promised 'meaningful action.'
Cora Walsh with her parents, Chris Walsh and Emily Johnson. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption
October 9, 2026 • Middle schooler Cora Walsh of Long Island, N.Y., has won the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge with a story about her journey with dyslexia.
Amit Biligiri (left), with his great-grandfather, B. Raje Urs, on a trip to India. Anand Biligiri hide caption
October 9, 2026 • Why one teen can't let go of the time he ate fries with his great-grandpa.
Every few years, the Civil Rights Data Collection illustrates how students are faring in every public school across the country. Joel Solis/Getty Images hide caption
October 7, 2026 • The federal Civil Rights Data Collection, for the first time in decades, tells us about the teacher workforce and reminds us racial disparities are still stark in American public schools.
Hundreds of disability advocates gathered in New York in 2025 to protest cuts to Medicaid and demand the enforcement of disability rights protections. Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images hide caption
October 1, 2026 • Disability rights advocates are angered by the latest reversal but are rallying behind proposed legislation and working with states to strengthen protections for community integration.
September 30, 2026 • Here are the honorable mentions from this year's Student Podcast Challenge, chosen from nearly 1,500 entries.
September 30, 2026 • We've listened to nearly 1,500 podcasts from all around the U.S. and narrowed them down to 10 middle school and 10 high school finalists.
People walk on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., in 2024. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption
September 29, 2026 • The lawsuit by a former Cornell University student, alleging she was raped in 2024 by seven male students, has renewed long-standing concerns about how colleges deal with sexual assault.
People walk through the Cornell University campus on November 3, 2023 in Ithaca, New York. Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images hide caption
September 28, 2026 • New York prosecutors say they are reopening an investigation into an alleged rape case from 2024 that involved Cornell University students. What do we know about the new allegations - and how is it being felt on campus?
September 28, 2026 • Teachers are using AI to develop lesson plans, and in some districts, AI chatbots give students feedback on their work. Meanwhile, the research around how AI can help students is extremely limited.
"Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission," Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said. Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption
September 24, 2026 • Education staff are being scattered across several other federal agencies. Despite the Trump administration's claims, employees say it's adding bureaucracy and making it harder to serve students.
September 20, 2026 • Tee up those entries: It's time for the next NPR College Podcast Challenge, and hear how the contest changed the lives of past participants.
September 20, 2026 • Students: It's time to turn on the mic and hit 'record.' Send us your podcasts and we'll pick the best ones. It's $5,000 for our grand prize and $500 for our finalists.
September 18, 2026 • In 1966, the federal government commissioned a massive survey aimed at solving educational inequality.
TaNisha Thomas found herself and her young son homeless after she lost her job a few years ago. Head Start provided childcare that allowed her the space and time to find a new job and go to college. Center for Transforming Lives hide caption
September 17, 2026 • A Trump administration proposal would change access to Head Start for children experiencing homelessness and the kind of care they would receive if they do get in.
Lisa Collenbaugh says she still owes the U.S. government $10,389.47 for the certificate program she couldn't afford to finish at UEI College. Jessica Pons for NPR hide caption
September 16, 2026 • Federal data shows many borrowers who aren't paying their loans went to private, for-profit colleges — schools that often market to low-income students and rely on federal financial aid for revenue.
The Department of Education building in Washington, D.C. Robert Knopes/Education Times via Getty Images hide caption
September 9, 2026 • The leader of the Education Department's special education office told employees she is resigning after less than four months in the role and as the agency overall is morphing and shrinking.
Kindergarten teacher Laurie Hansen welcomes new students into her classroom by introducing them to Bono the Monkey. It's been her class mascot since she started teaching almost 3 decades ago to help her students transition to elementary school. Julie Leopo for NPR/NPR hide caption
September 7, 2026 • Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of a new school year.
Gerald Gomez-Reina high-fives new kindergartener Ian Patterson after they track down his cubby just before the first day of school at Micheltorena Street Elementary in Los Angeles. Julie Leopo for NPR hide caption
September 7, 2026 • Fifth graders calm school kindergartners in Los Angeles. Kids take the "bike bus" in Oklahoma. High school students take in a new high school building in Oregon.
September 4, 2026 • The Education Department gathers a massive tranche of civil rights data about public school students. It's now available but harder to parse than in the past.
College Row on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., on Oct. 28, 2017. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images hide caption
September 4, 2026 • The Trump administration wants to end tax-exempt status for universities with certain race-based programs. Wesleyan President Michael Roth says the plan could frighten schools.
FILE - People take photos near a John Harvard statue, left, on the Harvard University campus, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. Steven Senne/AP hide caption
September 4, 2026 • The Trump administration is proposing a rule that would strip private schools and colleges of their tax-exempt status if they provide targeted help to students based on their race.
