U.S.
Special Education Rights Under IDEA: How the Process Works
Federal law gives eligible students with disabilities a right to a free appropriate public education. Here is how evaluations, IEPs and dispute procedures work, and what the data show.
News & U.S. Desk
Stories by News & U.S. Desk
News
How to Tell News Reporting From Opinion
News reports, analysis and opinion can look alike on a screen but do different jobs. Here is how to tell them apart, and what a label can and cannot tell you.
U.S.
How a Federal Disaster Declaration Works
Federal help after a hurricane, flood or wildfire does not start automatically. A declaration follows a set path from local officials to the governor to the President.
News
How Opinion Polls Work, and What the Margin of Error Means
A poll is a measurement of a small group used to estimate a large one. Here is how sampling, weighting and the margin of error work, and what a poll cannot tell you.
U.S.
How the U.S. Census Works and Why It Matters
The census is written into the Constitution and counts every person living in the country once a decade. It decides House seats, informs funding and powers much public data.
News
How to Check a Viral Claim Before You Share It
A shocking post travels fast and checks slowly. Five quick habits, from reading sideways to tracing a claim to its source, can keep you from passing on something false.
U.S.
Federal Courts vs. State Courts: How the Two Systems Differ
America has two parallel court systems. State courts hear most disputes, while federal courts handle a narrower set of cases. Here is how each is built and where they overlap.
News
Anonymous Sources: Why Reporters Use Them and How to Weigh Them
Some of the most important stories rest on people who cannot be named. Here is why newsrooms use anonymous sources, the terms they use, and how readers can judge them.
U.S.
How Property Taxes Help Fund Local Schools
Public schools draw money from local, state and federal sources. For many districts, property taxes are the largest local piece, which is why funding can differ so much between neighbors.