Kalyn Belsha, Chalkbeat

Kalyn Belsha

Chalkbeat

Chicago, IL, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • Chalkbeat
  • GovExec
  • WFAE
  • The Chicago Reporter

Past articles by Kalyn:

School psychologist, counselor hiring lags nationwide even as student mental health needs soar

Several big school districts had fewer psychologists or counselors this fall than they did before the pandemic, leaving students waiting for much-needed help. → Read More

Schools across the U.S. have turned to Paper’s online tutoring. Some worry it’s falling short.

Schools have turned to Paper’s on-demand, online tutoring platform. But educators say the service can frustrate students and often goes unused by those who need the most help. → Read More

Remote learning not ‘primary’ driver of academic losses, new analysis suggests

Districts that stayed virtual longer saw greater academic losses than others in their state, but remote learning may be just a “small piece” of what affected student outcomes. → Read More

Sweeping research effort tackles big question: How to get tutoring that works to more kids

A new $10 million initiative will study a mix of in-person and virtual tutoring efforts. The goal is to help schools better invest their time and money. → Read More

Why are students missing so much school? The answer may lie in the chronic absenteeism ‘black box’

More schools are beefing up attendance tracking, but many lack the details that would tell them what last year’s absences truly mean. → Read More

With COVID aid, schools try something new: giving students jobs

Federal funding is allowing schools to hire students as tutors and coaches, benefiting teens looking for work and schools in need of staff. → Read More

New test data: Young readers, middle school math students struggling

Students who struggled before the pandemic are having the toughest time catching up. → Read More

Kids Are at Low Risk for Monkeypox, but Schools Can Take Precautions, CDC Says

Schools should clean and disinfect classrooms as usual and monitor students for symptoms if they’ve been exposed. → Read More

Kids are at low risk for monkeypox, but schools can take precautions, CDC says

Many of the precautions the CDC suggests schools take will sound familiar after two and a half years of following COVID protocols. That includes routinely cleaning and disinfecting classrooms, asking students and staff to regularly wash their hands and providing personal protective equipment to staff who care for sick students. → Read More

Staffing, attendance, behavior: 7 big issues facing schools this year

Addressing staffing shortages, chronic absenteeism, student mental health challenges, and academic needs is top of mind for schools this fall. → Read More

Chilling effect: 1 in 4 teachers told to limit class talk on hot-button issues

As more states pass laws restricting lessons on racism and sexism, 1 in 4 teachers say they’ve been told to limit class conversations on tough topics. → Read More

Why schools are still struggling to hire bus drivers, custodians, tutors

On a new federal survey, many principals said they expected it would still be hard to fill key support staff roles this fall. → Read More

Without free school meals for all, many fear lunch debt will return ‘with a vengeance’

A pandemic provision gave free meals to all students. Now, some kids may rack up debts if their families don’t realize they have to fill out paperwork to qualify. → Read More

Feds urge schools to reexamine discipline of students with disabilities, calling it ‘an urgent need’

Schools need to make sure students aren’t being disciplined for behavior related to their disability, especially as the effects of the pandemic drag on. → Read More

More student fights and classroom disruptions this past year, data show

1 in 3 principals say they saw an increase in fights between students that they believed was due to the pandemic and its effects, a federal survey found. → Read More

Schools are spending millions on new virtual tutoring. Is it working?

Some schools have struggled to get students who need the most help to participate. → Read More

Meals to go, fresh veggies: What the extension of meal waivers means for schools

New federal legislation means schools will have more money to run school meal programs. It will also make it easier to get food to kids this summer. → Read More

‘A loud message’: LGBTQ students protected from discrimination, proposed rules say

Title IX protects LGBTQ students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, new rules proposed by the Biden administration say. → Read More

Sticking around: Most big districts will offer virtual learning this fall, a sign of pandemic’s effect

At least half of the nation’s 20 largest school districts will offer more full-time virtual schooling this fall than they did before the pandemic. → Read More

In wake of Texas shooting, some want schools to ‘harden.’ In many cases, that’s already happened.

After the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas politicians are again calling for more school security. Schools have already spent hundreds of millions in recent years on “hardening” measures. → Read More