#education-reform

#education-reform

A major row between government departments has broken out after the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) proposed cutting all its funding for physical education in schools, the Guardian understands. The DHSC is now intending to restore the funding despite insisting privately for weeks that it would end its contribution, until the Guardian contacted the department. Ministers are understood to have overruled the cuts.

Not in the sense that truth has vanished or that learning no longer matters, but in the deeper, structural sense that knowledge as a stable possession-think dusty books and road maps-has lost its central role in human cognition. In a world where information is instant and increasingly available "on demand," the old idea of "knowing" seems to feel like an artifact of another era.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was sworn in for her second term Monday, taking the stage inside Boston Symphony Hall to tout her administration's accomplishments over the past four years and to lay the groundwork for the next four. On the precipice of the nation's 250th anniversary, Wu delivered an inaugural address steeped in the history of the American Revolution. She framed the city's current work as a continuation of that original fight, casting Boston as a beacon of social connection in an era of isolation and as a bastion of democratic values under a federal government that sullies them.

The Talking France podcast is back and picking through the recent war-like rhetoric heard in France, as well as the crisis for the French wine industry, possible changes to the school day and and early look at next year's crucial elections. Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield and John Lichfield to discuss all the latest news and talking points from France.

'No Child Left Behind' poisoned us, and it's okay to accept when a child doesn't have the aptitude. I'm a freshman composition professor, and the number of students I get who are functionally illiterate is shockingly high. 'Special education has become a dumping ground for behavioral problems, and the kids who truly need it are being neglected.' 'Class sizes are too big.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

We've just spent two weeks in London, staying in south Kensington (London has turned into something crazy': is the city in the grip of a crime wave?, 11 October). The only crime we witnessed was being woken up in the early hours by people racing Lamborghinis and Ferraris, with little enforcement by the police. We travelled all over using public transport and walking, and felt safe, so I don't think the supposed crime wave is anything to fear. Fran Leach Plymouth, Massachusetts, US

Call it the "college or Chipotle" dilemma: Ted Dintersmith says schools are giving students two bad options - overpriced degrees or low-wage work - while AI is taking over the real jobs in between. Dintersmith, a former venture capitalist turned education reformer who has toured classrooms in all 50 states, said the US education system is "not just outdated, it's harmful."

Even when she was a little kid growing up in New Orleans, Stacey Gilbert knew she wanted to be a special education teacher. She remembers her reaction to the 1962 film The Miracle Worker, about Helen Keller, and watching other movies about children with special needs. In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit her hometown, Gilbert had been teaching in the city's public schools for almost two decades.

The University of North Carolina System's Board of Governors required each campus to develop a subcommittee to evaluate compliance with the anti-diversity, equity and inclusion policy, mandating neutrality from administrators on political and social issues.

Experts caution that while the reported increases in reading scores are notable, the short assessments should be interpreted carefully, as they may not fully capture overall literacy improvements.

The rising number of children receiving extra help has placed pressure on schools and councils, indicating that the current trajectory for managing special educational needs is unsustainable.

The current special needs education system in England is failing, with families reporting long waiting times for assessments and many children lacking necessary specialist support.

The Independent focuses on current critical issues in the US, from reproductive rights to climate change, sending journalists to uncover pivotal facts behind the messages.

Neuroplasticity reveals that our brains remain remarkably adaptable throughout our entire lives, allowing for continuous optimization of cognitive function.

Prien emphasizes a holistic approach to education, looking to reform the system by prioritizing children's needs and enhancing overall educational quality.