This week, Education Dive took a look at 1:1 device success in Missouri's St. Clair school district and the importance of giving teachers time to adjust prior to a full rollout. Also in K-12, the Next Generation Science Standards are finding their place in schools and districts in 16 states, necessitating a shift in science instruction that focuses on inquiry over simply "learning about" topics.

Meanwhile in higher ed, we examined how institutions can work with national demographic shifts and increasing retirement among baby boomers to recruit a more diverse workforce. And as college and university mergers become more common, it may be worth taking some extra consideration into such a move, as they're not always necessarily worth it in the long-run.

Be sure to check out our feature on the gig economy's growing popularity among educators and more in this week's most-read posts from Education Dive!

• Professional learning key to Missouri district's 1:1 success: St. Clair put Chromebooks in the hands of every student, but only after giving teachers time to learn and adjust.
• The gig economy is making waves in education: Thanks largely to the rise in virtual schools, the sector is a Top 5 industry for freelance work.
• New science standards urge shift from 'learning about' to 'figuring out': The Next Generation Science Standards, adopted by 16 states and counting, make students think like scientists and encourage three-dimensional teaching and learning.
• Filling the void: How higher ed can embrace diversity in an evolving workforce: Experts say targeting the next generation may be the key to institutional success or failure.
• Benefits of college mergers don't always add up: Despite successes, consolidation doesn't always balance campus and community costs in the long run.

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