California attorney general settles with virtual charter company

The $8.5 million settlement with Virginia-based K12 Inc., follows accusations of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction in California virtual charter schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 11, 2016

10 more states sue Obama administration over bathroom directive

A total of 21 states are now challenging the directive as the federal government threatens to revoke federal funding over transgender bathroom policies.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 11, 2016

How unschooling strategies can improve public schools

The unschooling movement leaves learners free to travel their own paths and follow their own interests, scorning a standard curriculum in favor of self-directed activities.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 8, 2016

Report highlights rapid rise in prison spending over education

State and local prison spending has increased at triple the rate of spending on public education in the last 30 years, according to a US Department of Education analysis of spending trends.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 8, 2016

Professional development should extend beyond teachers

While teachers are often the focus of professional development, districts should also seek out opportunities around leadership and change management for administrators.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 8, 2016

What do grades mean? Many schools are rethinking policies

Some schools have instituted no-zero policies, cutting off the lowest score at 50, or tried to separate academic progress from assessments of student behavior.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 7, 2016

NYC slowly addressing school segregation

A lack of socioeconomic diversity in many neighborhoods makes desegregating schools a challenge, and the city's ed department is not inclined to force systemic change.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 7, 2016

Obama administration proposes regulations for testing flexibility

Under the updated Elementary and Secondary Education Act, schools still need to test students in grades three through eight annually, but seven states can qualify for a pilot to try new tests.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 7, 2016

California high schools see more dual enrollment interest

A growing number of the state's high schoolers are choosing to work toward an associate degree while finishing their secondary education.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 6, 2016

Pro-charter group: NYC forcing charter schools to be overcrowded

A Families for Excellent Schools analysis of classroom space in New York found more than half of charter schools in public school buildings are overcrowded.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 6, 2016

External organizations fill demand for extracurricular learning

Nonprofits and other companies are offering after-school activities that provide science education to elementary students and filling other gaps in standard curricula.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 5, 2016

DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson to step down

After five years at the helm of one of the nation’s most troubled districts, Henderson will resign as chancellor Oct. 1.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 5, 2016

Wealthy Californians exposed for donations to fight unions and schools tax

Activists with the California Hedge Clippers have released a list of 76 people they say made donations of undisclosed amounts in 2012 to fight a tax on high-income earners.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 5, 2016

Meeting student needs takes more than in-school broadband

Schools are expanding Wi-Fi connection points, giving students access to the school network on their buses or even in their homes, using E-Rate funding and addressing the equity gap.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 5, 2016

Research shows the benefits of early childhood education on math, reading

A new report by American Institutes for Research looks at math and reading scores of students who were home with their parents or other relatives, attended daycare, and went to preschool before kindergarten.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 1, 2016

Research is limited on the systemic impact of restorative justice

Reform efforts in school discipline that focus on helping students think about their actions and remain part of the school community, like restorative justice, are still relatively untested.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 30, 2016

Architect of first charter school law describes a path forward for education

Ted Kolderie, who helped write a 1991 law that created charter schools in Minnesota, has a new book “The Split Screen Strategy: Innovation and Improvement.”

By Tara García Mathewson • June 29, 2016

Clinton unveils education plans in technology and innovation agenda

Proposals include a goal of training 50,000 new computer science teachers in the next decade and allocating additional federal dollars to promoting STEM classes in high schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 29, 2016

Ed. Dept. pushes charters to change approach to discipline

The U.S. secretary of education founded a charter school that became known for its strict discipline policy, but he is now calling for charter leaders to stop relying on suspensions.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 29, 2016

Detroit public school sector has choice, but perhaps too much competition

The rapid rise of charter schools in Detroit has created a competitive environment in which schools must fight for students, who often switch schools multiple times.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 29, 2016

PA lawmakers consider incentivizing shared services among districts

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a bill that would offer districts up to $250,000 in grant funds to further partnerships aimed at cutting costs by sharing services.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 28, 2016

Monday at ISTE 2016: Michio Kaku, new ISTE standards, and VR

Catch up on the sessions and all of the latest announcements from HMH, Pearson, Samsung & more.

By Roger Riddell • June 27, 2016

North Carolina budget draft would prohibit year-round schooling

The Senate budget would allow year-round schools only if they are multitrack, leaving 88 year-round single-track schools in the lurch.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 27, 2016

Former White House aide alleges discrimination in MD language immersion program

Will Jawando argues the Montgomery County school system discriminates against black and Latino families when selecting students for a popular program.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 27, 2016

Fisher, makers and for-profits: The week's most-read education news

Stay ahead of the class with the latest on the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools' efforts to stay open and more.

By Roger Riddell • June 24, 2016