
Learning
Here are the Hill Country Observer’s articles about learning, listed from newest to oldest. Knowledge matters at the Hill Country Observer — Public education, freedom to think and read, revel in ideas and share them — and life in our schools, from elementary to colleges.
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Issue: December 2025-January 2026
When a college taught homesteading skills
50 years ago, from 1975 to 1980, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ran the Center for Resourceful Living at a 52-acre farm in Clarksburg — By Kate Abbott read more
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Issue: August-September 2025
Vermont starts major overhaul of education
Vermont’s political leaders have embarked on a plan to dramatically reshape the state’s education system over the next few years by sharply reducing the number of school districts while giving the state more control over districts’ spending. The state Senate and House each gave final approval to the controversial education reform plan on June 16, read more
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Issue: February-March 2024
Saving Darrow — $5M raised for school
Head of School Andrew Vadnais stands outside the administration and classroom building at Darrow School in late January after the school’s leaders reversed a decision to shut down at the end of the current academic year. Susan Sabino photo By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer NEW LEBANON, N.Y. After several weeks in which it appeared the read more
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Issue: October 2023
Pulitzer-winning ‘English’ explores dreams, fears inside Iran
Pulitzer-winning ‘English’ explores dreams, fears inside Iran The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sanaz Toossi is playing one of the parts in Barrington Stage’s production of “English,” which runs through Oct. 15. Courtesy photo By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer PITTSFIELD, Mass. Four students walk into a classroom in a city in the mountains. Tonight, they’ve come read more
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Issue: November 2022
Maker space grows with a green mission
In a 19th century mill, two artists create a center for ‘upcycling’ Dozens of cast-off bicycles are gathered in one room at the Old Stone Mill Center for Arts and Creative Engineering. After repairs and modifications, most will be shipped to countries in Africa to provide basic transportation. Susan Sabino photo By KATE read more
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Issue: May 2022
In sign of spring new life emerges on farms
Area events provide close encounters with piglets, lambs and more Piglets are among the new arrivals this spring at the annual Baby Animals festival at Hancock Shaker Village in the Berkshires. Susan Sabino photo. By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer HANCOCK, Mass. The barn is different on a spring night. Calves lie in the hay read more
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Issue: May 2022
Leaving urban life to run a bookstore in a barn
Family leaves California to take charge of area vintage bookstore Sydney Nichols and Eric Kufs stand with their daughter Sally Jane in the children’s section at Owl Pen Books. Nichols and Kufs are the new owners of the 60-year-old vintage bookstore in Greenwich, N.Y. Joan K. Lentini photo By STACEY MORRISContributing writer GREENWICH, read more
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Issue: May 2022
After 27 years, state restores tuition aid for inmates
Some area colleges set to offer more programs By MAURY THOMPSON Contributing writer Every year since 1999, New York lawmakers have introduced legislation to make state college tuition grants available to students incarcerated at prison facilities. And every year, until this year, the legislation never made it out of committee.Inmate education advocates rejoiced when read more









