How schools are turning ‘joy’ into a character strength — and why it’s an awful idea; Obama’s real education legacy: Common Core, testing, charter schools; President Obama’s education speech at D.C.’s Benjamin Banneker High School; School district requires $15 background checks for all visitors — including parents; This school is holding a presidential election — but Trump and Clinton aren’t on the ballot; The United States’ growing teaching shortage: How it looks state by state; Teacher: I like to engage my fifth-graders in presidential elections. ‘But not this year. I just can’t!’; NAACP ratifies controversial resolution for a moratorium on charter schools; In California’s charter world, a tangled web of for-profit companies and nonprofit schools;     How schools are turning ‘joy’ into a character strength — and why it’s an awful idea Joy has been elevated to a central value at many charter schools. By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more » Obama’s real education legacy: Common Core, testing, charter schools Obama went to a D.C. high school to talk up his education record. It's what he didn't say that was most revealing. By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   President Obama’s education speech at D.C.’s Benjamin Banneker High School The full text of the speech he gave at a D.C. high school. By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   School district requires $15 background checks for all visitors — including parents Is this smart — or overzealous? A school district in Alabama is requiring that all visitors who come to school during the day — including parents and grandparents — must pass a background check and pay $15 to get it. The Pelham City School District had decided over the summer to require background checks for […] By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   This school is holding a presidential election — but Trump and Clinton aren’t on the ballot A teacher engages her students and school in the election of 1800. And it was a nasty one, too. By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   The United States’ growing teaching shortage: How it looks state by state A data-rich map that details the growing problem across the country. By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   No, it’s not cute when little boys force kisses on little girls. A primer on teaching boys to respect girls. 'My daughter should not be made to feel uncomfortable and afraid of going to school because a boy is overly affectionate. Is this where violence begins? Maybe . . . or maybe not. But it is undeniably disrespect. And pervasive disrespect leads to violence and harm.' By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Teacher: I like to engage my fifth-graders in presidential elections. ‘But not this year. I just can’t!’ "This year I cannot discuss the issues with children. In addition, I am faced with families so polarized on the candidates that any discussion is viewed as an attempt to indoctrinate children. " By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   NAACP ratifies controversial resolution for a moratorium on charter schools The NAACP bucked a pro-charter campaign. Here's why. By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   In California’s charter world, a tangled web of for-profit companies and nonprofit schools A case study. By Valerie Strauss  •  Read more »   Recommended for you   Opinions Thought-provoking opinions and commentary, in your inbox daily. Sign Up »         Share Answer Sheet:       Twitter      Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Answer Sheet or because it is included in your subscription. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2016 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071