Editor’s Note:
After nearly three and a half years, more than 650 editions, and 30,000+ articles, this is my final edition of What We're Reading. It's been a privilege to curate this newsletter for all of you, and I'm truly grateful to every reader who made it part of their day.
I'm excited to hand the reins to my wonderful colleague, Thomas Rodgers, who will share more about his plans for the newsletter in tomorrow's edition. I'll still be at W/A, so please keep in touch.
Happy reading,
Kelly
Highlights
Urged to speak out, education researchers face a high-stakes choice - The Hechinger Report - 30 March 2026
New study finds special education changes students’ academic trajectories for the better - Chalkbeat - 30 March 2026
How a SCOTUS decision on birthright citizenship could impact education access - NPR - 30 March 2026
W/A Webinar — tomorrow!
Building Student Fluency in Math and Literacy: From Theory to Implementation
What does fluency really mean in math and literacy? 📚✨➗ Join us tomorrow, April 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET for a CGCS Instructional Spotlight webinar exploring how leading districts are moving beyond speed and memorization toward a more complete vision of fluency. Moderated by W/A Vice President Hillary Rinaldi, you’ll hear from Dr. Jennifer Bay-Williams, Carey Swanson of Student Achievement Partners, and Dr. Carolyne Quintana of Teaching Matters about what it it takes to build strong foundations and support effective teaching and learning at scale.
Federal Policy & Politics
Bipartisan Appeal to House Appropriators: Protect Pell - The EDU Ledger - 30 March 2026
Changes to Native tuition waiver could expand access to higher education for thousands - Associated Press - 27 March 2026
Education Department resumes reviewing loan discharges for defrauded borrowers outside settlement - Politico Pro (subscription model) - 30 March 2026
DOJ lawsuit dismissed over Minnesota tuition and aid laws for undocumented students - Higher Ed Dive - 30 March 2026
Education Department union files complaint over 'hazardous' conditions at Labor headquarters - Politico Pro (subscription model) - 31 March 2026
Gov. Tony Evers vetoes Wisconsin participation in federal school choice tax credit program - Wisconsin Examiner - 30 March 2026
K-12 Education
3 state education chiefs share how they’re leading innovation efforts - K-12 Dive - 30 March 2026
Higher Education
More college students will need private loans to pay for school — but 40% of Americans won’t qualify, according to a new report - MarketWatch (subscription model) - 31 March 2026
Some of the most popular graduate degrees don’t pay off financially, study finds - The Washington Post (subscription model) - 31 March 2026
Amid War in Iran, Campuses Close and Study Abroad Trips End - Inside Higher Ed - 31 March 2026
A college instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI-written work and teach life lessons - Associated Press - 31 March 2026
Educator Talent & Staffing
Apprentice Program Offers ‘Student Teaching On Steroids’ To Help Fill Special Ed Shortages - Disability Scoop - 31 March 2026
Opinion: ‘This Isn’t Working’: Educators Share Unsolicited Advice for District Leaders - Education Week (subscription model) - 31 March 2026
Technology & AI
Students Embrace AI but Fear False Accusations - Inside Higher Ed - 31 March 2026
The AI Use Case Question Teachers Are Still Asking - EdSurge - 27 March 2026
From “Hello, World!” to AI: What Skills Actually Prepare Students for the Future? - EdSurge - 30 March 2026
Workforce & Career Pathways
More Self-Employed Workers Than Employees Hold Quality Jobs - Gallup - 31 March 2026
Skills-Based Volunteering: The Smarter Way to Give Back in 2026 - Success - 27 March 2026
School Choice
Education Trust Fund heads to Alabama Senate as CHOOSE Act is set to become universal - Alabama Reflector - 31 March 2026
State & Local News
DC | How D.C. Public Schools Elevate Student Voice to Drive Change - The 74 - 30 March 2026
Louisiana | Schools have the upper hand when accused of special education shortcomings. That might change. - Louisiana Illuminator - 30 March 2026
Missouri | Missouri pilots new standardized test model for public schools with faster results - Missouri Independent - 27 March 2026
Missouri | New guidance on student screen time passes Missouri House after loosening restrictions - Missouri Independent - 30 March 2026
New Jersey | Gov. Sherrill targets state aid to public colleges to push to narrow deficit - New Jersey Monitor - 31 March 2026
Chicago | Chicago Board of Education approves Macquline King as permanent CPS CEO - ABC 7 - 30 March 2026
Job Opportunities
Looking for your next opportunity in education? W/A Jobs features 3,500+ career opportunities from 300+ organizations across the education industry. Today’s featured role is:
InStride is hiring a Senior Marketing Specialist to drive brand-building content and demand, while supporting sales enablement across campaigns.