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

The 2016 Dive Awards for K-12 education

After months of research, we've narrowed down the year's top administrator, district, startup and more.

By Roger Riddell • Nov. 28, 2016

Syracuse academy targets aspiring leaders among teachers, admins

The Syracuse City School District is in its fourth year of offering an aspiring leaders academy, which serves to groom a pipeline of teacher and administrator leaders.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 28, 2016

Report: Barriers hinder equity at home, in school and through funding

Scholastic Education surveyed 4,700 teachers and principals who universally agree equity is an important priority.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 28, 2016

Who is Betsy DeVos, Trump's pick for ed secretary?

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen the Michigan billionaire, charter school proponent and active Republican to lead his Ed Department, but her power could be limited.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 28, 2016

Student-based funding formula possible for Mississippi

Lawmakers could rewrite the state’s ed funding formula, moving to a model that allocates a base student cost and assigns extra money to address at-risk qualities.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 28, 2016

Michigan gov's attorneys argue literacy not a right

Seven students from Detroit’s public schools are suing the state, claiming “slum-like conditions” in schools limit access to literacy and violate their civil rights.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 22, 2016

Ed Sec King calls for end to corporal punishment

More than 110,000 students received corporal punishment during the 2013-14 school year, the latest for which data is available, and a disproportionate number were black.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 22, 2016

Bilingual ed is newly legal in California, but challenges remain

Voters approved the return of bilingual ed in the state earlier this month, but it will be up to individual districts to bring the programs back — and staffing is sure to be a challenge.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 22, 2016

DC schools boost pre-K attendance with home visits

Research makes clear that attendance matters as early as preschool, but getting parents to buy into the importance of daily participation presents a challenge.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 22, 2016

Californians primed to oppose Trump's $20B voucher plan

On the campaign trail, the president-elect outlined a massive federal school choice program that would give money to students from low-income families to leave their public schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Nov. 22, 2016