Erin Richards
USA TODAY
Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Past articles by Erin:
Amid COVID surge, these schools have stayed open. Leaders explain how they're doing it.
As thousands of schools close classrooms, some districts have managed to keep disruptions to a minimum. Here's what they're getting right. → Read More
Not 2020 again? Tell that to parents where COVID cases, test shortages are closing schools
Locally, schools are trying to stay open. But several Columbus, Reynoldsburg schools went remote earlier this week due to staffing, other issues. → Read More
Rapid tests, lots of rapid tests: How US schools plan to reopen amid omicron-fueled COVID surge
School districts across the U.S. are adopting new COVID-19 testing plans to avoid infections, quarantine and remote learning amid omicron surge. → Read More
TikTok rumors of school violence threats put people on edge after Michigan shooting
TikTok posts hinting at school violence nationwide Dec. 17 may be a hoax, but buildings closed, attendance was down, and parents worried about safety. → Read More
How the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines became the standard for kids + COVID
The American Academy of Pediatrics helped parents understand COVID, with faster guidelines than the CDC's. Here's what the AAP says on kid vaccines. → Read More
Culture wars have taken hold of school board elections. Students say their well-being is at risk.
School board races have been catalyzed this fall by newcomer candidates and support from national political groups, especially Republicans. → Read More
Did America’s schools open safely? We crunched the latest data on COVID-19 and kids.
Was school reopening a success? Did masks or vaccines make a big difference? Here's what the latest stats say about COVID-19 and kids. → Read More
The pandemic changed American education overnight. Some changes are here to stay.
COVID-19 disrupted education. Some pandemic changes to schools could be permanent. → Read More
'Terrorism and hate crimes': School boards say death threats, unruly meetings require FBI
The unruly and violent conduct at school board meetings, plus death threats, has risen to a form of domestic terrorism, school boards said this week. → Read More
'Terrorism and hate crimes': School boards say death threats, unruly meetings require FBI
The unruly and violent conduct at school board meetings, plus death threats, has risen to a form of domestic terrorism, school boards said this week. → Read More
'Terrorism and hate crimes': School boards say death threats, unruly meetings require FBI
The unruly and violent conduct at school board meetings, plus death threats, has risen to a form of domestic terrorism, school boards said this week. → Read More
'It's limbo': Parents stuck between two COVID worlds as young kids remain unvaccinated
As the world returns to normal, fully vaccinated parents feel left behind with their young children who are unprotected against the coronavirus. → Read More
Transgender students protected at school by Title IX, Department of Education says
The ruling on discrimination comes amid a debate over whether transgender athletes can compete in sports that match their gender identities. → Read More
After a tough year, schools are axing virtual learning. Some families want to stay online.
Most schools are planning to reopen fully this fall. But even though many kids struggled online, some parents are asking for a virtual option. → Read More
'We're all in': Second-largest teachers union calls for reopening all schools in the fall
The 2nd-largest teachers union in the U.S. is calling for fully reopening schools this fall, lifting a key barrier to a traditional school schedule. → Read More
Day camps, paying teens to study: Summer school looks different. Will it help kids catch up?
Summer school often has low energy and mixed results. Districts are racing to use new federal money to design better academic and social enrichment. → Read More
A year after COVID shut schools, students and teachers share what shook them — and what strengthened them
We asked 30 students and teachers to tell how they learned, lived, played and stayed connected in a year of mostly shuttered schools. → Read More
Biden sends $10 billion to schools for COVID testing as part of largest K-12 federal funding push
States learn their share of the $122 billion in K-12 money in the new relief package, and Biden offers $10 billion more for COVID-19 screening. → Read More
Can schools require teachers to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Probably, but most aren't – yet.
Districts are unlikely to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for staff right now. The bigger problem is all the teachers who want the shots but can't get them. → Read More
Biden's education pick Miguel Cardona says 'reopen schools.' Here's where he stands on other issues
Teachers should be vaccinated, but schools can open safely if they aren't, says Miguel Cardona, who is likely to be the next education secretary. → Read More