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Education

A principal is fired, invited to Italy after students are shown Michelangelo's 'David'

One parent complained about the nudity in the Renaissance sculpture, comparing it to pornographic material. Franco Origlia/Getty Images hide caption

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Franco Origlia/Getty Images

A principal is fired, invited to Italy after students are shown Michelangelo's 'David'

A picture of the Renaissance statue is shown each year to sixth-grade art students at Tallahassee Classical School in Florida, but this month it drew fury. Italians, though, are praising the educator.

A principal is fired, invited to Italy after students are shown Michelangelo's 'David'

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What a House GOP messaging bill could spell for 2024 culture war campaign

Rep. Elise Stafanik, R-N.Y., Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., held an event to introduce the Parents Bill of Rights Act at the U.S. Capitol on March 1. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Politics

What a House GOP messaging bill could spell for 2024 culture war campaign

Although the GOP-led "Parents Bill of Rights" likely won't advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate, the messaging bill highlights Republican priorities as lawmakers eye the 2024 election cycle.

Plot twist: Activists skirt book bans with guerrilla giveaways and pop-up libraries

Florida teacher Adam Tritt and his group, Foundation 451, led the launch of a "Banned Book Nook" at a Ben & Jerry's ice cream store in Melbourne, Fla. Mikey Holland hide caption

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Mikey Holland

National

Plot twist: Activists skirt book bans with guerrilla giveaways and pop-up libraries

This year is expected to set a record for the number of book bans by public school libraries, so many people are finding creative ways to make banned books available to young readers outside schools.

Plot twist: Activists skirt book bans with guerrilla giveaways and pop-up libraries

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6 things to know about U.S. teacher shortages and how to solve them

First-grade teacher Kimberly Pate is 52 and worked for nearly two decades as a classroom assistant. She is a student in the Mississippi Teacher Residency where she'll get a master's degree plus dual certification in elementary and special education, all for free. Imani Khayyam for NPR hide caption

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Imani Khayyam for NPR

6 things to know about U.S. teacher shortages and how to solve them

There are more teachers now than before the pandemic, so why did almost half of U.S. schools still have teacher vacancies weeks into this school year? Here's what to know.

Amid teacher shortages, Mississippi embraces a movement to grow their own

To address chronic teacher shortages, school districts across the country are creating residency programs to better recruit and train new teachers. One program in Jackson, Miss., is already paying off.

Amid teacher shortages, Mississippi embraces a movement to grow their own

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The body of a Denver high school shooting suspect is found near his car

A parent hugs a student as they are reunited after a school shooting at East High School Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver. Two school administrators were shot at the high school Wednesday morning after a handgun was found on a student subjected to daily searches, authorities said. David Zalubowski/AP hide caption

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David Zalubowski/AP

National

The body of a Denver high school shooting suspect is found near his car

The Park County coroner said the body found Wednesday was Austin Lyle, the student who was accused in the shootings of two administrators of the Colorado high school that he attended.

What we do (and don't) know about teacher shortages, and what can be done about them

First-grade teacher Kimberly Pate, 52, worked for nearly two decades as a classroom assistant. Through the Mississippi Teacher Residency, she'll earn a master's degree plus dual certification in elementary and special education, all at no cost. "How could you pass that up?" she laughs. Imani Khayyam for NPR hide caption

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Imani Khayyam for NPR

What we do (and don't) know about teacher shortages, and what can be done about them

Limited national data suggest teachers are plentiful, but many districts that serve some of the most vulnerable students would beg to differ.

What we do (and don't) know about teacher shortages, and what can be done about them

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Can moderates survive state politics? In Montana, they may be going extinct

Republican state Rep. Mallerie Stromswold votes on a bill on the House floor of the Montana state Capitol on Jan. 13, 2023. Thom Bridge, Independent Record hide caption

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Thom Bridge, Independent Record

National

Can moderates survive state politics? In Montana, they may be going extinct

Montana Public Radio

Across the country, parties are consolidating political power in states and squeezing out the moderate middle. In Montana, that squeeze is changing political representation and whose voice counts.

Can moderates survive state politics? In Montana, they may be going extinct

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Demonstrations, protests mark first day of LA school strike

Max Arias, Executive Director of the SEIU Local 99 union speaks to members of the press and community at a demonstration outside of Robert F. Kennedy Community School in Koreatown. Behind him is Cecily Myart-Cruz, the president of the UTLA teachers union, and U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). Sequoia Carrillo/NPR hide caption

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Sequoia Carrillo/NPR

Demonstrations, protests mark first day of LA school strike

Support staff in the nation's second-largest school district walked out over stalled contract negotiations. Teachers joined them in support.

Demonstrations, protests mark first day of LA school strike

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Student Podcast Challenge

6 early entries we love from the NPR Student Podcast Challenge

Listen to these podcasts from middle and high school students, selected from entries submitted on or before March 3.

6 early entries we love from the NPR Student Podcast Challenge

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Only New Mexico lawmakers don't get paid for their time. That might change this year

Former state lawmaker Kay Bounkeua takes a break from her work as her daughter Ryla Bounkeua plays with Kay's stepdad Jeffrey Strong in Rio Rancho, N.M, March 13. Alice Fordham/KUNM hide caption

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Alice Fordham/KUNM

National

Only New Mexico lawmakers don't get paid for their time. That might change this year

KUNM

Most states pay or offer some financial compensation to state lawmakers for their work. Not New Mexico. That can be a barrier for many people trying to enter politics. A new bill could change that.

Only New Mexico lawmakers don't get paid for their time. That might change this year

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Students want this women's college to rethink its notion of gender in admissions

Wellesley College, in Massachusetts, was founded in 1870 to educate women. Its students are now pushing for more inclusive policies in admissions and communications. Education Images/GHI/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images hide caption

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Education Images/GHI/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Students want this women's college to rethink its notion of gender in admissions

Wellesley College currently admits only some transgender and nonbinary applicants. Students voted for a non-binding referendum pushing for more inclusive admissions and communications policies.

Stanford University investigates swastikas and Hitler image left on student's door

People walk on the Stanford University campus beneath Hoover Tower in Stanford, Calif., on March 14, 2019. Stanford University says it is investigating after multiple swastikas and an image of Adolf Hitler were found on a door Saturday at a Stanford student residence hall. Ben Margot/AP hide caption

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Ben Margot/AP

National

Stanford University investigates swastikas and Hitler image left on student's door

News of the instance of antisemitism is one of several hate incidents reported on Stanford's campus this academic year.

Very few architects are Black. This woman is pushing to change that

Pascale Sablan was once told she'd never become an architect because she's Black and a woman. Now she works for one of the world's most prestigious firms and she wants more people who look like her to join the field. Aundre Larrow/Pascale Sablan hide caption

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Aundre Larrow/Pascale Sablan

Architecture

Very few architects are Black. This woman is pushing to change that

Pascale Sablan was told she'd never become an architect because she's Black and a woman. Now she works for one of the world's top firms and she wants more people who look like her to join the field.

A partial Malcolm X quote that sparked protest is removed from a university building

Workers remove a partial quote by Malcolm X from the facade of the main library at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I.. University of Rhode Island via AP hide caption

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University of Rhode Island via AP

National

A partial Malcolm X quote that sparked protest is removed from a university building

The University of Rhode Island removed the inscription from the facade of its library 30 years after Black students protested because they said it misrepresented the fuller meaning his message.

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