Google data center creates boon for Oklahoma district

A massive data center in Pryor, OK, may not have brought thousands of jobs to the small town, but it has brought money and active volunteers to benefit local schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 13, 2016

'Inclusive Schools Week' aims to better integrate students with disabilities

Inclusive Schools Week, the first week of December, was originally supported by the Office of Special Education, but its inclusivity message stretches to all marginalized groups.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 12, 2016

Amid legalization, superintendents seek more info on pot's school impact

In states that legalized recreational marijuana use for adults in November, administrators are becoming more focused on addressing drug possession and monitoring students.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 12, 2016

OCR celebrates successes, braces for what's to come

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights last week released its annual report as well as a companion report summarizing the office’s work during the Obama administration.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 12, 2016

Computer science education expands with new AP courses

Hour of Code events introduce 100 million kids to computer science in a week, but schools are going beyond that with year-long courses, including new Advanced Placement options.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 9, 2016

New York's homeless pulled between shelter and school

The city often places homeless families in shelters outside their home borough, meaning if children want to stay in their same school, they have to spend hours each day getting there.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 9, 2016

Wyoming bill recommends 'Indian Education for All'

A bill passed unanimously by the Select Committee on Tribal Relations could come before the state legislature this year and, if passed, would require a new curriculum on tribal history in all schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 8, 2016

California forms regional support networks for charter authorizers

Charter authorizers in many California districts are part-time positions, filled by people who are reportedly not fully informed about their expected oversight role and who don't have time to do it well.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 8, 2016

Ed Dept releases final ESSA assessment regulations

The final regulations are very similar to those proposed earlier this year, but changes include tweaks to criteria around receiving waivers for exceeding the cap on students with disabilities taking alternative tests.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 8, 2016

Survey: NY parents don't think grads are ready for college

The Education Trust-New York found stark differences by race when asking parents about the importance of grading schools, creating clear report cards and identifying low-performing schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 8, 2016

Massachusetts officials consider accountability beyond testing

The state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is determining the line between not enough and too many indicators.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 7, 2016

Two federal agencies expand computer science efforts

As part of Computer Science Education Week, the White House announced efforts to expand access to and quality of computer science education in the nation’s K-12 schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 7, 2016

Building a diverse teacher pipeline can start with former students

The Partnerships to Uplift Communities Schools give graduating seniors a letter inviting them back to join the Alumni Teach Project once they earn a bachelor’s degree.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 7, 2016

Only one-third of students rate their school culture positively

YouthTruth Student Survey released new data from 80,000 students in 24 states from grades 5-12, finding just 28% of 11th graders positively rate school culture.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 6, 2016

Waco schools push STEM with pre-K students

In the last two years, the preschool program in Texas' Waco ISD has dramatically expanded the time students spend on science, technology, engineering and math tasks.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 6, 2016

Ed Dept resources aim to help jailed students transition back to school

The U.S. Department of Education has released new data about students in the justice system, a website for educators to help jailed students with disabilities and two resource guides.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 5, 2016

Oakland charter designed with students of color in mind

Roses in Concrete Community School aims to offer the enrichment opportunities common in wealthy, white, independent schools instead of the bootcamp-like test prep more common in urban areas.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 2, 2016

Data Quality Campaign analysis finds state report cards are failing

The organization's “Show Me the Data” report argues states are not making information accessible or easy to understand, but that can change with ESSA.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 2, 2016

School leaders share tips for becoming 'Future Ready'

Three administrators from Massachusetts and Rhode Island discuss leadership strategies for building schools for the 21st century that support teacher innovation and student success.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 1, 2016

Dallas County considers changes to controversial truancy policies

A Texas truancy law allows schools to send students to court for unexcused absences, but new recommendations might change that.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 1, 2016

NYC may approach school segregation as human rights issue

A bill being considered by the City Council would create a new office within the New York City Commission on Human Rights to study segregation in public schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 1, 2016

Students of all ages have trouble assessing online content for validity

Stanford researchers developed tasks for 7,800 students in 12 states, finding even though students grow up as “digital natives,” they can't accurately determine quality content.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 1, 2016

Teacher shortage hits 'alarming rates' in some California districts

A survey of 211 districts by the Learning Policy Institute and the California School Boards Association found shortages in 75% of districts overall.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 1, 2016

CA policy institute recommends rethinking special ed funding

The Public Policy Institute of California released a long-awaited report Tuesday, encouraging the state to send special education dollars directly to schools instead of through regional agencies.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 29, 2016

Ed Dept finalizes ESSA accountability, reporting and state plan regs

The U.S. Department of Education has released a batch of final regulations to guide state implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act after responding to criticism of its drafts.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 29, 2016