Peter Medlin

A new Illinois law mandates all school staff receive training on how to identify and support homeless students. Peter Medlin has more…

Before they can get a teaching license, students spend months working in classrooms as “student teachers.” But they typically don’t get paid. WNIJ’s Peter Medlin reports on several bills in the Illinois General Assembly looking to change that.

In 2017, Illinois changed how it funded K-12 education. Now, the Illinois Commission on Equitable Public University Funding has released its recommendations on how the state could shift how it funds public universities too. WNIJ's Peter Medlin spoke with commission member & Advance Illinois president Robin Steans about what that would mean for students.

We go behind the grill with the 2022 Pork & Pigskins Champions. Learn more about the savory competition from the Illinois High School Association!

The new Illinois state budget includes $250 million for early childhood programs. Some of that will support “early intervention services” for Illinois’ youngest children with disabilities. WNIJ’s Peter Medlin reports on why it’s so challenging for families to get their kids with disabilities the care they need.

A deadline is fast approaching for preschool providers to help with bringing preschool to underserved areas.

In the past decade, the number of Illinois high schoolers earning early college credit from Advanced Placement or Dual Credit courses has skyrocketed.

“The internet allows us to connect to a lot of really great important information, and kids are less likely to access it if they know that they're being surveilled," says Cody Venzke at the Center for Democracy & Technology. But school technology officials say the benefits outweigh the concerns.

State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala says student growth slowed dramatically during the first years of the pandemic. But in 2022 it bounced back and student growth was -- on average -- even slightly faster than it was in 2019.

“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!”