Peter Medlin

“Some of [the concerns] were very silly, but some of them were things I wouldn't know unless I was getting out there and involved. Like, they're speaking to me about their lunch period. I think it's about 30 minutes and if you're a child who's at the end of lunchtime, you only get like three minutes for recess. And I'm like, that's an inequity!”

One rural school needs a science teacher. The other can't offer AP classes. Leaders say combining into a brand-new district could solve both problems and more. It would be the first consolidation in five years.

They came to the conclusion that the word is a racial slur and its use should not only be retired at the school but also that use of the word is a violation of the student handbook that prohibits derogatory slurs.

Schools don't have enough short-term teachers to fill in the gaps. School districts in Illinois are now holding one-day online training to get short-term subs, even ones without teaching backgrounds.

“I said, ‘Hey, there might be a chance that we might not come back in person.’ I just wanted to let them know," said 3rd-grade teacher Jorge Alfaro.

Learn more about how the 2,000-year-old mummy got there, who it was and what the school has been doing with her all these years.

The deadline to meet the mandate was pushed back several weeks to allow teachers to get a shot or find regular testing.

Illinois high schools will soon be required to offer media literacy classes. This school is already teaching the skills across every class.

Illinois will require news literacy courses at every high school. The hope is that the classes will provide the next generation with tools to maneuver the internet's misinformation minefield.

We discuss concerns about the Delta variant as cases rise. The governor announced masks must be worn by all individuals in state facilities. Also, schools are trying to determine the best approach with classes set to begin in a few weeks. Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger was on the national stage as hearings into the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol got underway. What does his participation mean for his political future?