The Controversy of Michelle Rhee

Technology has become a mainstay in most of our society today, but it remains conspicuously absent in many primary and secondary classrooms across the country. To reach our tech-savvy students most effectively, we need to switch from our traditional methods of teaching and embrace technology, integrating it into our classroom and beyond. Some innovative educators are working to achieve this end by introducing technology tools that enhance their teaching and student learning. By combining personal classroom teaching with online instruction, teachers are using innovative methods to reach students who crave technology in learning. Through the innovative instruction of blended learning, some schools are working to expand course selection for students while cutting costs. We will explore the new and growing field of blended learning to ascertain how it works and discover the far-reaching benefits this classroom style might offer for students.

What is Blended Learning?

According to the Detroit Free Press, blended, hybrid, or flipped learning combines classroom interaction between teacher and students with online content and delivery systems for a robust and diverse teaching curriculum. Students conduct some of their class time with an instructor, while the rest is performed on a laptop from home. This mix of classroom and Internet instruction varies from program to program, but both elements must exist for it to be considered a true “blended learning” environment. While blended learning on the surface may look like a less personalized approach to the learning process, this system actually allows teachers

The debate over prayer in public schools has been raging for many years now, both in political arenas and courthouses across the country. The latest battle has been waged in Virginia, where two delegates in the state house introduced a bill to allow prayer on public property, including public schools. This bill has received plenty of attention across the state of Virginia and across the country, as other states have watched to see exactly how Virginia would handle such a controversial piece of legislation.

The Prayer on Campus Bill: HJ 593

The bill, HJ 593, would add the following to the Virginia constitution, according to a report on the Gazette Virginian:

"Amends current free exercise of religion provisions of the Virginia Constitution to permit prayer and the recognition of religious beliefs, heritage and traditions on public property, including public schools in order to secure further the people's right to acknowledge God. The amendment also prohibits (i) the composing of school prayers by the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, and (ii) requiring persons to join in prayer or other religious activity. The current free exercise of religion provisions of the Virginia Constitution mirror those in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and provide for the free exercise of religion and prohibit compelling persons to participate in religious activity."

The bill was introduced by co-patrons Del. James E. Edmunds II and Del. Charles W. Carrico. Carrico has clearly stated that he intends for this amendment to allow for

Desegregation through busing has been a regular occurrence since 1954, when the Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional. Today, many school districts across the country bus children across towns in hopes of maintaining racial and economic diversity and ensuring a higher quality of education for all students. However, one school district in North Carolina has recently come into the public spotlight because of their decision to stop the practice, leaving children to attend school in their own neighborhoods.

Wake School Board Supporting Student Reassignment

According to a report in the News and Observer, the Wake school board recently approved a plan to reassign around 3,500 students to schools closer to their homes. The proposal will have the biggest impact on Southeast Raleigh, where most students will switch to schools in their own neighborhoods, shaving up to 10 miles off bus rides in the mornings and afternoons. However, the plan will also send more students into higher poverty schools and could reduce the available spots for suburban students at the popular magnet schools in the district.

The plan is in response to a policy change that was set in motion last year, which stresses sending students to schools close to their homes, rather than using diversity as a factor in student school assignments. In addition to the students approved for the move this week, the district may move another nearly 200 students this coming fall. A public hearing is scheduled for

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Free breakfasts at public schools have become an increasingly important part of the effort to support student health, equity, and academic success. What began as a targeted assistance program has evolved in recent years, with many states and districts expanding access to ensure that all students can start the school day ready to learn.

Today, school breakfast programs are not only addressing hunger but also contributing to improved attendance, better academic performance, and reduced disparities among students.

How Free Breakfast Programs Work

The primary source of funding for free breakfasts at public schools is the federal School Breakfast Program (SBP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Schools receive reimbursement for meals served, with higher rates for students from low-income households.

In recent years, participation has expanded through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows high-poverty schools to offer free meals to all students without requiring individual applications.

According to the USDA, more than 15 million students participated in the School Breakfast Program daily in 2024, reflecting continued recovery and growth following pandemic disruptions.

The Rise of Universal Free School Meals

A major shift since 2024 has been the expansion of universal free meal programs at the state level. Several states, including California, Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota, now provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students regardless of income.

These policies aim to:

• Eliminate stigma associated with free meals
• Simplify administrative processes
• Ensure consistent access to nutrition

Other states are piloting similar programs or expanding eligibility