What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. Chavous

It's more common than ever now to see adults and children glued to a screen. But when it comes to children and screen time, it is a particularly loaded topic.  A recent study found that since the pandemic, screen time among children has gone up 52 percent globally. This increase has led to concerns about developmental delays, impaired socialization skills, and health issues.  How does screen time...

Now more than ever, nontraditional learning environments are gaining popularity with parents.  In fact, a 2023 parent survey revealed that nearly half of parents said they would send at least one child to a different school for the 2023–2024 school year. And many states are following suit, with a record 20 states saying "yes" to expanding school choice in 2023.  What is the state of the school cho...

 Applying for college is often a stressful and complicated endeavor. Students must manage various deadlines and portals, submit resumes and essays, coordinate test scores and letters of recommendation, and so much more.   A recent survey of 16- to 22-year-olds found that more than half of them said applying for college is their most stressful academic experience. Should we rethink the college admi...

Since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, more than 338,000 students in the United States have experienced gun violence in school. School shootings lead to an increase in student absenteeism, antidepressant drug usage, and lower test scores. Research also shows that students exposed to school shootings are less likely to graduate high school, go to college, and be employed. What challenges...

According to the CDC, more than 800,000 high school students skip school at least once per month due to fear for their safety. And almost 200,000 teens miss school each day due to bullying. From fear of bullying and school shootings to facing mental health and behavioral issues, many students are feeling uneasy when it comes to school. What issues are students experiencing in school, and how can w...

In 2023, Kevin P. Chavous had the privilege to speak with experts, school leaders, teachers, parents, and students about the most pressing issues in education today. The show explored what the future of education could hold and how we can encourage lifelong learning in all students.  To celebrate the end 2023, here are some of our favorite moments from the show this year. Share your favorite momen...

For the past few decades, there's been a large push for students to enroll in a four-year university immediately after high school. But according to a recent survey, almost 70 percent of parents would support their children entering the workforce right after high school. What's causing parents to accept and seek alternative routes for their children? What skills do students need to thrive in today...

Teachers are leaving the profession in droves amid rising school violence, controversies, and burnout. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half of public education employees leaving the profession are not retiring or being laid off—they are resigning. This trend is worsening the already significant teacher shortage across the country. What can teachers do to keep them...

According to a Purdue University Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute report, more than 3.3 million U.S. public school children are labeled as gifted.  The report also noted that as many as 3.6 million more students should be labeled as gifted but have been overlooked.  How do schools identify gifted students? How can schools ensure quality and equity in access to gifted education? Wha...

When we think of apprenticeships, we often think of common fields like manufacturing, construction, and plumbing.  But now, with more than three-quarters of U.S. states experiencing teacher shortages, apprenticeship programs might be the answer.  What do teacher apprenticeship programs look like? How can they benefit our future educators? And can apprenticeship programs alleviate our country's sta...

Heated political debates and culture wars over U.S. history have led to the adoption of new policies and revised curriculum in schools across the country.  These new guidelines are rising concerns among families and educators, many worried about the erasing and rewriting of history.  Why is history still important and needed today? What are the consequences of politicizing history? And how can we...

With many industries facing staffing shortages, some employers have turned to high school students to fill the gaps. Job training programs for high schoolers are on the rise across industries. These programs offer students hands on learning, real world experience and often guarantee employment after successful completion of the program.   What do these training programs look like and what are the...

Families often seek the best of the best when it comes to where to send their children to school. Whether it's innovative teaching techniques, outstanding academic achievements, or unwavering leadership, many of today's schools are seeking to provide best-in-class education to their students.  But what makes a school "the best?" How can we celebrate the schools that are meeting, and exceeding our...

The COVID-19 pandemic affected student learning across the board. While almost all students declined academically, a report from The Center for Learner Equity found that students with disabilities were especially impacted. Students with disabilities often face wide and persistent achievement gaps. With the more than 7 million young people with disabilities in the United States, it begs the questio...

According to a recent Parents survey, 70 percent of parents want better sex education for their kids and believe it should be mandatory in school s .      Teaching our children about sex can be difficult and controversial leaving many parents and educators struggling to navigate the topic.    What should sex education look like in the classroom? How can parents tackle this complicated topic at hom...

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly 20 percent of youth in the United States age 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder and suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10- to 14-year-olds. With so many youth struggling today, most parents are left feeling helpless and concerned. In fact, a report found that mental health is the greatest concern among parents. H...

According to Feeding America, more than 9 million children faced hunger in 202 1. T hat's 1 in 8 children .  Children facing hunger are more likely to repeat a grade in elementary school , have social and behavioral problems and experience diminished language and motor skills.    What impact does nutrition have on learning? How can we encourage nutrition among our students and in our schools ? A n...

More than 30,000 students across the country are using Education Savings Account programs. Supporters say these programs give families the freedom to pursue education options best suited for their children's needs. Others say ESAs siphon dollars out of already-struggling public school systems. What are ESAs? What do they mean for families and for education as a whole? And how can ESAs help familie...

Since the pandemic, more families are choosing to homeschool their children. In fact, homeschool enrollment has increased by nearly 30 percent. The most dramatic increase was seen with Black families with the number of homeschooled Black children rising from 3 percent to 16 percent in 2020.     Why is homeschooling on the rise? How can families know if homeschooling is right for them? And how can...

For years, parents and community leaders relied on standardized test scores and socioeconomic status to determine the quality of a school. But parents – and teachers in the classrooms – have long known those limited factors only tell part of the story . With an increasing number of school options and data available to families across the U.S., parents are faced with a seemingly endless amount of i...

According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, the number of charter schools and campuses has more than doubled over the last decade, and charter school enrollment has more than tripled, now serving more than 3.5 million students across the U.S.    What is motivating parents to seek new learning options for their students? What are some obstacles parents face when trying to find th...

When it comes to education, Americans are sharply divided on topics ranging from what should be taught in schools to how much input parents should have on their children's education. With tensions increasing and becoming more personal, public education has become a battlefield.   What are the major concerns around public education? What are the impacts of the ongoing "culture wars" in our country?...

According to data from Stanley Black & Decker, almost 80% of young people and their parents worry about how they'll pay for college or whether it's the right path for them. A career in the skilled trades could be the answer.  The research also found that many young people hold misconceptions about trade careers, yet most skilled tradespeople said their jobs are in high demand.  Can we close the sk...

A new report reveals that more teachers than usual left their jobs last year as they faced a multitude of challenges in the wake of the pandemic. And research shows that teachers with minimal training leave at rates two to three times higher than those with better training. What teacher training methods are most effective in improving learning outcomes? How can we avoid overloading teachers with a...

The child poverty rate in America was 16% as of the 2020 Census. This amounts to 11.6 million children living in poverty in the U.S. Why are so many kids growing up in poverty in the United States? How does the lack of social safety nets disproportionately affect children in America? How can we support children and help them learn, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing world? This week, Kevin talks...