Deep Dive: Page 2
Industry insights from our journalists
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Slipping through the cracks: Differing federal policies keep homeless students from getting help
COVID-19 likely increased homelessness, but different definitions of 'homeless' continue making it difficult for districts to help families access resources.
Naaz Modan • March 7, 2022 -
Home visits give educators and families time to connect
The strategy has been shown to contribute to increased academic performance and reduced chronic absenteeism.
Kara Arundel • Feb. 24, 2022 -
The struggle over defining, reporting restraint and seclusion in schools
Special education administrators are concerned some wording in proposed revised definitions will lead to misreporting and misunderstanding.
Kara Arundel • Feb. 9, 2022 -
COVID-19 testing in schools: Double-down or phase it out?
The logistical and financial burdens of school-managed testing are worth it if it keeps students learning in classrooms, some education stakeholders say.
Kara Arundel • Feb. 2, 2022 -
Why student data remains at risk — and what educators are doing to protect it
Outdated laws, abundance of state rules and increase in ed tech tools add to the difficulty in protecting students' personal data.
Kara Arundel • Dec. 14, 2021 -
As public trust in teachers declines, how can districts turn the tide?
Data shows a 6-percentage-point dip since the pandemic began, but experts suggest "leaning into the problem" and engaging families to address it.
Anna Merod • Dec. 2, 2021 -
Being Black in Education: Where is the system going wrong?
Evidence demonstrates Black leaders can strengthen achievement and culture — if they get the chance.
Naaz Modan and Julia Himmel • Dec. 1, 2021 -
Gifted education's future requires more diversity, inclusion and access
Commitments to more equitable gifted programs are changing mindsets, identification practices and services, but teacher training remains challenging.
Kara Arundel • Nov. 4, 2021 -
3 ways educators are addressing the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in curriculum
From using a poem written by the U.S. poet laureate at the time as a springboard for discussion to engaging the community, resources are plentiful.
Lauren Barack • Sept. 1, 2021 -
Threat assessments: Preventing school violence or creating student trauma?
The school safety approach is used to evaluate a student’s potential to cause school violence, but critics say the practice is discriminatory and harmful.
Kara Arundel • Aug. 10, 2021 -
Using the Olympics to bring STEM excitement into classrooms
The Summer and Winter Olympic Games can add real-world context and relevance to a variety of science and engineering lessons.
Lauren Barack • July 7, 2021 -
Why having too many or too few special education students matters
With a predicted rise in the number of referrals, schools should have tiered supports in place and monitor for inappropriate identifications.
Kara Arundel • June 1, 2021 -
Weaving anti-bias and equity into curricula begins with self-reflection
Through professional development and other avenues, educators can root out their own biases to support culturally responsive approaches to learning.
Lauren Barack • May 26, 2021 -
Decoding the Divide: How COVID-19 thrust a long-widening digital gap into the spotlight
The pandemic forced emergency investment to connect all students to digital learning opportunities, but holes remain in access and training.
Roger Riddell • May 25, 2021 -
Decoding the Divide: Pandemic highlights struggles, silver linings of digital special education
Virtual learning led to stronger school-family partnerships, but some students with disabilities couldn't access individualized services from home.
Kara Arundel • May 25, 2021 -
Decoding the Divide: 29M disconnected households remain an 'unknown known'
Students who fell into the digital divide were especially impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns. Many still lack access due to affordability or infrastructure gaps.
Naaz Modan • May 25, 2021 -
Decoding the Divide: Closing the digital gap rests on effective policies, practices
Educators seek sustainable and reliable solutions to make internet access a permanent part of education on school grounds and in students' homes.
Kara Arundel • May 25, 2021 -
How to weave real-world phenomena into science lessons
From vaccine development to climate change, these examples can help students find relevance in what they're studying.
Lauren Barack • April 21, 2021 -
8 ways a year of dueling crises is shaping the future of K-12 schools
The impacts of a pandemic disrupting school from the ground up and the nation's reckoning with systemic racism will be felt for years to come.
Roger Riddell, Kara Arundel and Naaz Modan • March 10, 2021 -
Proactive approaches help districts avoid COVID-19 special ed litigation
Despite challenges, districts have worked to communicate effectively with parents, document efforts and use early dispute resolution approaches throughout the pandemic.
Kara Arundel • Feb. 10, 2021 -
Districts brace for pandemic-related special ed litigation
As the COVID-19 crisis persists, school districts nationwide are increasingly vulnerable to challenges under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Kara Arundel • Feb. 10, 2021 -
An Inauguration Day like few before it provides ample curricular topics
The event provides a variety of opportunities for educators to tap into the ceremony, the language and the role of politics around the event.
Lauren Barack • Jan. 13, 2021 -
4 ways schools use video game design to spark interest in computer science
Districts can hook students with existing enthusiasm, helping them build technical and soft skills while also broadening STEM diversity.
Lauren Barack • Dec. 9, 2020 -
How schools are navigating meal logistics during pandemic
Where students have returned to in-person learning, entire processes have been overhauled — from the lunchroom to the classroom.
Katie Navarra • Dec. 1, 2020 -
What role will schools play in COVID-19 vaccine distribution?
While schools have been "very active" in vaccinations during prior epidemics, they now face increased polarization and other concerns.
Natalie Gross • Nov. 25, 2020