FETC, assessment and institutional innovation: The week's most-read education news

Stay ahead of the class with the latest on higher ed affordability, creativity in schools and more here.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 26, 2018

Detroit superintendent worries about impact of looming Michigan literacy law

Nikolai Vitti is cautiously optimistic that reading scores will improve but warns the district is far from ready to deal with the law's consequences.

By Amelia Harper • Jan. 26, 2018

FETC 2018: Ken Robinson argues 2 key points in support of creative schools

More pressure is needed from the bottom up if a push for creativity over standardization is to continue forcing change in schools.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 25, 2018

Texas announces $84.5M plan to improve special education

The plan is a response to a federal report showing that schools were denying services to many students with special needs.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 24, 2018

Ed Dept FERPA ruling may signal greater responsiveness to privacy complaints

The ruling against a virtual school clearly states families can't be required to waive rights under privacy laws as a condition of enrollment or receipt of educational services.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 22, 2018

States taking steps to improve services for students in foster care

The Every Student Succeeds Act also includes new protections for students in the child welfare system.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 19, 2018

Move toward less centralization gaining traction in school security

New approaches to visitor management and including staff members in decisions about safety strategies are also trending.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 18, 2018

Quality Counts finds U.S. education remaining average

According to the annual report card issued by the Education Week Research Center, the nation again earns a C on educational performance.

By Amelia Harper • Jan. 18, 2018

6 K-12 trends to watch in 2018

Efforts to rethink the existing model and the impact of ESSA implementation will continue shaping education this year.

By Roger Riddell , Linda Jacobson • Jan. 16, 2018

Innovative pre-K and school climate: The week's most-read education news

Stay ahead of the class with the latest on teacher hiring best practices, online enrollments and more here.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 12, 2018

Report: California's class-size reduction effort led to academic gains

Smaller classes drew students from private schools and even led families to move into different neighborhoods so their children could attend schools involved in the program.  

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 11, 2018

Gates Foundation asks for proposals supporting Networks for School Improvement

The initiative was announced in the fall when Bill Gates detailed a shift in the foundation's educational philanthropy priorities, and the request for proposals will be open through Feb. 21.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 11, 2018

Louisiana works to reverse high retention rates

One study shows that 23% of students in the state have been held back, compared with 9% nationally.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 9, 2018

Maine spending welfare funds on after-school programs

Critics say the plan takes cash away from low-income families needed to meet basic needs. 

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 9, 2018

Pennsylvania administrator says meaningful innovation requires sky-high goals

Schools must strive to improve by at least 10 times to overcome obstacles presented by policies and slow rates of change, according to Samuel Mormando.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 9, 2018

Despite ESSA flexibility, most districts still lack choice on high school assessments

So far, only two states have plans to let districts use the ACT or SAT as an alternative to a state assessment in high school.

By Amelia Harper • Jan. 9, 2018

Los Angeles superintendent to step down

Michelle King is expected to retire by June following the revelation that she has been battling cancer during a medical leave that began in September.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 8, 2018

Are letter grades headed the way of the dinosaurs?

At least a dozen states have put policies in place that favor moving away from traditional methods of assessing students.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 8, 2018

'Bomb cyclone' brings widespread school closure, but e-days loom as future solution

The giant winter storm brought poor road conditions, frigid temperatures that caused school heating issues, and a need for cities to use school parking lots to allow for snow plow access on roads.

By Amelia Harper • Jan. 8, 2018

Higher ed trends and K-12 administrators to watch: The week's most-read education news

Stay ahead of the class with the latest on districts to watch, makerspaces and nontraditional classroom furniture here!

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 5, 2018

E-rate concerns rise in wake of net neutrality decision

Experts are largely concerned about modest changes in the short-term, but some have suggested cuts could come to the program's funding cap.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 5, 2018

New York governor commits to ending lunch shaming

The state is the latest to move on addressing the issue, which has also drawn bi-partisan support at the federal level.

By Amelia Harper • Jan. 5, 2018

Rural administrator groups say broadband access, funding remain top tech challenges

Their smaller size, however, allows them to be more flexible and give administrators more ownership in what happens in schools.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 4, 2018

Apprenticeships offer benefits for both students and businesses

Administrators can build support for such programs by touting student benefits like opportunities to earn money, college credit and training in high-demand career fields.

By Amelia Harper • Jan. 4, 2018

Study: Performance pay system leads to small gains in student learning

The Teacher Incentive Fund provided grants to help states and districts create such systems for teachers and principals in high-need schools.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 4, 2018