Amir Pinkney-Jengkens, 8, is learning trombone through Harmony Project, a nonprofit that provides musical instruments and instruction to children in low-income communities. Recent research suggests that such musical education may help improve kids' ability to process speech. Annie Tritt for NPR hide caption
Whitman Wilcox V, 17, stands for a portrait on Aug. 15 at his home in New Orleans. Edmund D. Fountain for NPR hide caption
Members of the 2013 Penn State football team run onto the field in State College, Pa. Gene J. Puskar/AP hide caption
Dana Goldstein Michael Lionstar/Dana Goldstein hide caption
The Hewitt family at home in Vermont. Becky Lettenberger/NPR hide caption
Cookie Monster and John Oliver anchor a special report on words. YouTube hide caption
Dana Goldstein has reported on education for several years, including in The Atlantic and The Daily Beast. Michael Lionstar/Courtesy of Doubleday hide caption
Nathlynn Dellande waited in line for hours to get her grandchildren, Chloe Dellande, 7, and Ashton Dellande, 5, into the same charter school. Edmund D. Fountain for NPR hide caption