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The U.S. Constitution doesn’t give kids the right to an education.
Whether they have such a right is an issue the Supreme Court has avoided for nearly four decades. But last Thursday, a federal appeals court found the teaching quality at five Detroit public schools inadequate, ruling that students had a right not just to attend school – but to learn to read while they were there. It was the nation’s first such federal ruling.
It’s too soon to know what the repercussions will be, explains Kristine Bowman, a Michigan State University scholar of the law and education policy. But, she adds, “no matter what happens next, the appeals court’s decision will remain groundbreaking.”
Also today:
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The Supreme Court has long avoided weighing in on this question.
Ariel Skelley / Getty Images
Kristine Bowman, Michigan State University
A federal court with jurisdiction over Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee found that the state governments have a legal obligation to ensure that children can learn how to read.
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Health + Medicine
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Coleman Drake, University of Pittsburgh; David Anderson, Duke University
The idea, says our experts, was to shut down Obamacare. But it didn't work out that way. This could take on more importance as the number of uninsured swells due to coronavirus.
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Economy + Business
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Todd Haugh, Indiana University
While there's no evidence the coronavirus is spread through food or packaging, company executives could be prosecuted if that changes – and they chose to keep a plant open despite a factory outbreak.
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Jeffrey York, University of Colorado Boulder
The response to COVID-19 suggests how we can leverage entrepreneurial approaches to climate change.
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Jennifer A. Jones, University of Florida
A volunteering expert offers guidance on how to help at a time when you may need to keep your helping hands to yourself.
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Politics + Society
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Emily Costello, The Conversation; Aviva Rutkin, The Conversation
African Americans, young children and rural Americans are a few of the groups at risk of being undercounted in this year's census.
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Emily Smith-Greenaway, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Jenny Trinitapoli, University of Chicago
In many sub-Saharan African countries, 20% of mothers have suffered the death of a child, a new study finds. In Mali, Liberia and Malawi, it's common for mothers to lose two children.
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Adrian Brettle, Arizona State University
When fighting a lethal foe on home soil, Lincoln expertly managed leading politicians; related well with the people; and dealt clearly with the military.
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Environment + Energy
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Hannah Verkamp, Arizona State University
Researchers are using a newly developed satellite tag to study previously unknown aspects of tiger shark reproduction. This approach could be used on other difficult-to-study shark species.
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From our International Editions
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Joost Van Itterbeeck, Andong National University
Eating locusts is an old strategy used to get food after locusts devastated crops, but things have changed.
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Paul W Franks, Lund University
Swedish authorities claim the country is rapidly approaching herd immunity.
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Ly Tran, Deakin University; George Tan, University of Adelaide
The Australian government relies on the temporary graduate visa to attract international students. But these visa recipients are left helpless as they face a loss of financial security.
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