Peter Medlin

“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!”

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.