Sarah Mervosh
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National correspondent @nytimes, covering education, schools & kids. sarah.mervosh@nytimes.com
Articles by Sarah Mervosh
30 Ideas for Fixing U.S. Schools, Ranked by Experts
U.S. schools are facing a daunting problem. Students simply can’t read or do math as well as they used to. But improving student achievement is notoriously difficult. Do schools need more money? Better teachers? More standardized testing? Less? What could actually help turn things around? We asked 37 top academics and researchers who study education to rate a range of ideas for both effectiveness and cost, on a scale of 1 to 7.
30 Ideas for Fixing U.S. Schools, Ranked by Experts
U.S. schools are facing a daunting problem. Students simply can’t read or do math as well as they used to. But improving student achievement is notoriously difficult. Do schools need more money? Better teachers? More standardized testing? Less? What could actually help turn things around? We asked 37 top academics and researchers who study education to rate a range of ideas for both effectiveness and cost, on a scale of 1 to 7.
Ideas for fixing U.S. schools, ranked by experts
(The Upshot) U.S. schools are facing a daunting problem. Students simply can't read or do math as well as they used to. Student test scores have declined over the last decade, in an academic slump that started before the pandemic and has continued since. Compared with 2015, reading scores are down in 83% of districts, and math declines are nearly as pervasive. But improving student achievement is notoriously difficult. Do schools need more money? Better teachers? More standardized testing? Less?
“Expert” Analysis & “Students simply can’t read or do math as well as they used to”; scores too!
By Sarah Mervosh, Francesca Paris and Claire Cain Miller Student test scores have declined over the last decade, in an academic slump that started before the pandemic and has continued since. Compared with 2015, reading scores are down in 83 percent of districts, and math declines are nearly as pervasive. But improving student achievement is notoriously difficult. Do schools need more money? Better teachers? More standardized testing? Less? What could actually help turn things around?
An MIT report warns AI is causing ‘cognitive surrender.’ Universities are in a bind
The worries that artificial intelligence (AI) is degrading education have been building for months. Students are using it for everything, including cheating, and a recent report out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) said it is triggering “cognitive surrender.” Many university leaders are embracing AI with enthusiasm anyway.
Teachers Want Screen Time Limits in School, Too
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Teachers Want Screen Time Limits in School, Too A new Gallup poll found that a majority of teachers “strongly” or “somewhat” support screen time limits in school, but the policies are hard to enforce.
U.S. reading scores plummet on global exam
The reading scores of American 15-year-olds have fallen sharply since 2022 and are near their lowest point in 25 years, according to the results of a key global exam released Tuesday. U.S. math scores are also among the lowest since the test began in 2000, even as students have held their ground in science.
U.S. Reading Scores Plummet on Global Exam
U.S. Reading Scores Plummet on Global Exam Students in Singapore and parts of China had the highest scores on the test known as PISA. Scores for American students were near a 25-year low. Experts have said the drops in scores around the world correspond with the growing influence of technology in children’s lives.Credit...George Etheredge for The New York Times Sept.
What does Harry and Meghan’s return to England mean for their children?
Prince Harry and Meghan are leaving the dry scrub of sunny Southern California for the drizzly pastures of England, and for their children, it could mean trading hoodies for blazers, and Lincoln and Grant for Disraeli and Gladstone. The couple have not disclosed where Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will attend school in Britain.
What Does Harry and Meghan’s Return to England Mean for Their Children?
1 day ago It's unclear where the Sussexes will be living, but multiple options have been suggested ahead of their big change. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world by announcing their impending move back to the U.K. on Wednesday, August 19. The couple will be relocating to Britain for an extended …
What Does Harry and Meghan’s Return to England Mean for Their Children? One effect of moving back is that Archie and Lilibet now have the opportunity to be schooled as Britons. Here’s what that might look like. A view of Eton College, the boarding school that both Harry and his brother, William, attended.Credit...Andrew Testa for The New York Times Aug.
Texas Book List: See What Students Will Be Required to Read
"Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. The story of Adam and Eve, from the Book of Genesis. These and other texts will soon be required reading for 5.4 million public school students across Texas. While individual teachers and schools routinely make reading lists for English class, Texas is doing something unusual, attempting to create a common canon of books that all students statewide will be required to read.
Texas Book List: See What Students Will Be Required to Read
“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare. “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. The story of Adam and Eve, from the Book of Genesis. These and other texts will soon be required reading for 5.4 million public school students across the state of Texas. While individual teachers and schools routinely make reading lists for English class, Texas is doing something unusual, attempting to create a common canon of books that all students statewide will be required to read.
Texas Book List: See What Students Will Be Required to Read
Culture 1 hour ago Religious ignorance is as problematic as anti-religious bias ncronline.org - by Michael Sean Winters • 1h A group of critics, reporters and editors at The Washington Post compiled a list of the 25 most influential works of culture in U.S. history, one per … North India 1 hour ago Ramayana Part 1 Trailer Leaked Online?
Texas Public School Students Will Be Required to Read the Bible
Texas approved a sweeping, new state book list on Friday, establishing for the first time a common set of books that millions of students across the state must read, including excerpts from the Bible. It is highly unusual — perhaps unprecedented — for a state, rather than a school or a teacher, to mandate a reading list for every grade level for all public school students. The list will shape what a generation of Texas students grows up reading.
Texas public school students will be required to read the Bible
Texas has approved a sweeping, new state book list, establishing for the first time a common set of books that millions of students across the state must read, including excerpts from the Bible. It is highly unusual — perhaps unprecedented — for a state, rather than a school or a teacher, to mandate a reading list for every grade level for all public school students. The list will shape what a generation of Texas students grows up reading.
4 Are Dead in Kentucky Flooding, Governor Says
Heavy rains in parts of Kentucky on Saturday caused flooding that left four people dead and prompted evacuations, authorities said. Gov. Andy Beshear said officials had received reports of three deaths in Madison County, near Lexington, and one death in Jackson County, including "at least one motorist swept away and killed by flash flooding." Madison County was particularly hard hit, with fast surging water leaving many roads submerged.
Texas Has a New Way to Teach History: In Chronological Order
Now Despite having been away from home for quite some time, Gracie the giraffe appears to be in good spirits, according to a local official. After two weeks on the lam, a giraffe named Gracie is finally headed home. Gracie, who went missing earlier this month from Cedar Hollow Ranch in Leakey, Texas, …
Texas Has a New Way to Teach History: In Chronological Order Original
Texas Has a New Way to Teach History: In Chronological Order Most states teach history by subject. Texas will go chronologically, starting with ancient history and reaching World War II by seventh grade. The Texas State Board of Education approved new social studies standards, which will rewrite how millions of elementary and middle school students learn about history.
At Least 4 Are Dead in Kentucky Flooding, Governor Says
At least four people were killed in flooding in Kentucky on Saturday as heavy rains prompted evacuations and the governor declared a state of emergency. Gov.
Texas Public School Students Will Be Required to Read the Bible
Texas approved a sweeping, new state book list Friday, establishing for the first time a common set of books that millions of students across the state must read, including excerpts from the Bible. It is highly unusual -- perhaps unprecedented -- for a state, rather than a school or a teacher, to mandate a reading list for every grade level for all public school students. The list will shape what a generation of Texas students grows up reading.
Texas Could Soon Move Bible Reading From Sunday School to Public School
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Texas Could Soon Move Bible Reading From Sunday School to Public School Texas is set to pass what may be the first state-mandated book list for public school students. It focuses on classic literature and includes Bible excerpts.
Texas Public School Students May Soon Be Required to Read the Bible Original
Texas is on the verge of passing a sweeping, new state book list, which will establish for the first time a common set of books that millions of students across the state must read, including excerpts from the Bible. It is highly unusual — perhaps unprecedented — for a state, rather than a school or a teacher, to mandate a reading list for every grade level for all public school students. If approved, the list will shape what a generation of Texas students grows up reading.
Younger Students’ Test Scores Bounce Back After the Pandemic Original
After years of dire test scores coming out of the pandemic, new national test results released on Wednesday offered a glimmer of hope — at least for younger students. The nation’s 9-year-olds, who were in preschool when the pandemic hit, have made a significant recovery in reading since 2022, and are now caught up to where 9-year-olds were immediately before the pandemic, according to a key federal exam. They are getting closer to being caught up in math.
Younger Students' Test Scores Bounce Back After the Pandemic
After years of dire test scores coming out of the pandemic, new national test results released Wednesday offered a glimmer of hope -- at least for younger students. The nation's 9-year-olds, who were in preschool when the pandemic hit, have made a significant recovery in reading since 2022, and are now caught up to where 9-year-olds were immediately before the pandemic, according to a key federal exam. They are getting closer to being caught up in math.
The Slump in Student Achievement Persists
(The Upshot) Something troubling is happening in U.S. education. Almost everywhere in America, students are performing worse than their peers were 10 years ago, according to new, district-level test score data released Wednesday by the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. Compared with a decade earlier, reading scores were down last year in 83% of school districts where data was available. Math scores were down in 70%.
Por qué los puntajes de los exámenes en EE. UU. están en una “caída de una generación”
NUEVA YORK.- Algo preocupante está sucediendo en la educación de EE.UU. En casi todas partes de los Estados Unidos, los estudiantes tienen un desempeño peor que el de sus pares hace 10 años, según nuevos datos de puntajes de exámenes a nivel de distrito publicados el miércoles por el Educational Opportunity Project de Stanford. En comparación con una década atrás, los puntajes de lectura bajaron el año pasado en el 83% de los distritos escolares donde había datos disponibles.
Why US test scores are in a generation-long decline
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Claire Cain Miller, Francesca Paris and Sarah Mervosh, New York Times Almost everywhere in America, students are performing worse than their peers were 10 years ago, according to new, district-level test score data released Wednesday by the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. Compared with a decade earlier, reading scores were down last year in 83% of school districts where data was available. Math scores were down in 70%.
Your School District Is Probably Scoring Worse Than 10 Years Ago
Your School District Is Probably Scoring Worse Than 10 Years Ago The drops in U.S. scores go beyond the pandemic and cut across income, geographic and racial divides, new data shows. May 13, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET Something troubling is happening in U.S. education. Almost everywhere in America, students are performing worse than their peers were 10 years ago, according to new, district-level test score data released Wednesday by the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford.
Why U.S. Test Scores Are in a 'Generation-Long Decline'
(The Upshot) Something troubling is happening in U.S. education. Almost everywhere in America, students are performing worse than their peers were 10 years ago, according to new, district-level test score data released Wednesday by the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. Compared with a decade earlier, reading scores were down last year in 83% of school districts where data was available. Math scores were down in 70%.
U.S. Schools Face a Crisis as the Number of Children Drops
(The Upshot) As American women have fewer babies each year, the number of young children in the United States is dwindling. The trend is now catching up to the nation’s public school districts. There are simply fewer children to attend school in the U.S. today: The number of public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade has fallen in 30 states since the mid-2010s.
U.S. schools face a crisis as the number of children drops
As American women have fewer babies each year, the number of young children in the United States is dwindling. The trend is now catching up to the nation’s public school districts. There are simply fewer children to attend school in the U.S. today: The number of public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade has fallen in 30 states since the mid-2010s.
U.S. Schools Face a Crisis as the Number of Children Drops
A persistent cultural myth suggests that individuals who swear frequently do so because they lack the vocabulary to express themselves with better …
U.S. Schools Face a Crisis as the Number of Children Drops
U.S. Schools Face a Crisis as the Number of Children Drops With fewer students, many public school districts are confronting unfilled classrooms, and hard choices about school closures. As American women have fewer babies each year, the number of young children in the United States is dwindling. The trend is now catching up to the nation’s public school districts.
U.S. Schools Face a Crisis as the Number of Children Drops
(The Upshot) As American women have fewer babies each year, the number of young children in the United States is dwindling. The trend is now catching up to the nation's public school districts. There are simply fewer children to attend school in the U.S. today: The number of public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade has fallen in 30 states since the mid-2010s.
U.S. Schools Face a Crisis as the Number of Children Drops
(The Upshot) As American women have fewer babies each year, the number of young children in the United States is dwindling. The trend is now catching up to the nation's public school districts. There are simply fewer children to attend school in the U.S. today: The number of public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade has fallen in 30 states since the mid-2010s.
The Miracle Unfolding in Mississippi Schools
The Daily|The Miracle Unfolding in Mississippi Schools https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/podcasts/the-daily/mississippi-schools-test-scores.html April 10, 2026 Since 2013, performance on national tests in Mississippi has skyrocketed, while scores in blue states have lagged. What is it doing right?
Texas considers required reading list for schools, which includes the Bible
Texas education officials are considering sweeping changes to English and social studies instruction that would put readings from the Bible on a new state-required reading list for millions of public school students. The changes would also bring a U.S. and Texas centric lens to history, with less emphasis on world history, a shift some historians and progressive groups have opposed.
Texas Considers Required Reading List for Schools, Which Includes the Bible
Texas education officials are considering sweeping changes to English and social studies instruction that would put readings from the Bible on a new state-required reading list for millions of public school students. The changes would also bring a U.S. and Texas centric lens to history, with less emphasis on world history, a shift some historians and progressive groups have opposed.
Texas Considers Required Reading List for Schools, Which Includes the Bible
Texas education officials are considering sweeping changes to English and social studies instruction that would put readings from the Bible on a new state-required reading list for millions of public school students. kAm%96 492?86D H@F=5 2=D@ 3C:?8 2 &]$] 2?5 %6I2D 46?EC:4 =6?D E@ 9:DE@CJ[ H:E9 =6DD 6>A92D:D @? H@C=5 9:DE@CJ[ 2 D9:7E D@>6 9:DE@C:2?D 2?5 AC@8C6DD:G6 8C@FAD 92G6 @AA@D65]k^Am kAm%96 %6I2D $E2E6 q@2C5 @7 t5F42E:@?[ 2? 6=64E65 3@2C5 H:E9 2 `_\E@\d #6AF3=:42?
Texas Considers Required Reading List for Schools, Which Includes the Bible
Texas education officials are considering changes to English and social studies instruction that would put readings from the Bible on a new state-required reading list for millions of public school students. The changes would also bring a U.S. and Texas centric lens to history, with less emphasis on world history, a shift some historians and progressive groups have opposed. kAm%96 %6I2D $E2E6 q@2C5 @7 t5F42E:@?[ 2? 6=64E65 3@2C5 H:E9 2 `_\E@\d #6AF3=:42?
Texas Considers Required Reading List for Schools, Which Includes the Bible
Texas education officials are considering sweeping changes to English and social studies instruction that would put readings from the Bible on a new state-required reading list for millions of public school students. kAm%96 492?86D H@F=5 2=D@ 3C:?8 2 &]$] 2?5 %6I2D 46?EC:4 =6?D E@ 9:DE@CJ[ H:E9 =6DD 6>A92D:D @? H@C=5 9:DE@CJ[ 2 D9:7E D@>6 9:DE@C:2?D 2?5 AC@8C6DD:G6 8C@FAD 92G6 @AA@D65]k^Am kAm%96 %6I2D $E2E6 q@2C5 @7 t5F42E:@?[ 2? 6=64E65 3@2C5 H:E9 2 `_\E@\d #6AF3=:42?
Fewer Children Are Being Held in ICE Detention
4 hours ago A 19-year-old Mexican man has died while being held in detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency has confirmed. Royer Perez-Jimenez was found "unconscious and unresponsive" on Monday at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, according to a statement from ICE. "He …
Fewer Children Are Being Held in ICE Detention Original
The number of children being held in detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined dramatically in recent weeks, as the Trump administration scaled back some of its most aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
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