Exploring difficult topics in curriculum requires care, planning

Efforts to expand the focus of curriculum standards in states like Texas spur a need to consider strategies for handling polarizing topics in classrooms.

By Lauren Barack • July 22, 2020

Educator: Students need social connection, clear plans in online learning

A New York City 4th grade teacher found maintaining structure and creating outlets for students to collaborate virtually were essential to remote success.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 22, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2025 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

By K-12 Dive staff

Report: Analyzing student relationships key to closing opportunity gaps

When educators focus on rebuilding relationships in the fall, understanding students' social capital can help align critical supports, according to a report from the Clayton Christensen Institute.

By Naaz Modan • July 22, 2020

Supporting special needs students during remote IEP meetings, learning

There are several ways educators can help make special needs students comfortable in virtual IEP gatherings and remote environments this fall. 

By Lauren Barack • July 15, 2020

Curricular Counsel: 4 ed leaders detail adjustments to learning models for fall

When schools reopen to whatever extent they're able to, educators will have weighed a variety of new approaches to grading, student anxiety and more.

By Roger Riddell • July 15, 2020

Etiquette, structure key to facilitating remote discussions

Selecting a student leader to guide conversations can also maintain a productive dynamic encouraging inclusivity, writes a teacher and debate coach.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 15, 2020

NWEA: Rethink online assessments, student growth in wake of COVID-19

The nonprofit assessment provider suggests leaders invest in aligning with hybrid and distance learning, adjusting to ensure equity and transparency.

By Naaz Modan • July 15, 2020

Summer Reading: Coronavirus and the future of assessment

With many districts planning to begin the school year remotely or in hybrid models, the environment is ripe to reevaluate and reimagine practices.

July 14, 2020

California district creates remote learning team to alleviate pressure on teachers

The team of six to eight educators will produce online lessons for all subjects and grade levels in a video studio being opened by the district.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 13, 2020

Study: More than half of students lost 39% of year's learning over summer

An examination of 200 million test scores for 18 million students in grades 1-6 over five summers also highlights the role of socioeconomic factors.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 10, 2020

Structure in curriculum builds lifelong skills

Experts say young learners in particular benefit from having routines built into learning, but the benefits of unstructured learning must also be balanced.

By Lauren Barack • July 8, 2020

Amid coronavirus, educators learn to differentiate, add choice with tech

A variety of online tools helped educators expand their approaches to lessons during shutdowns — and they plan to keep them in their toolkits.

By Lauren Barack • July 8, 2020

Coronavirus puts information literacy in curriculum spotlight

Social media and smart phones have exponentially expanded access to and spread of information, making it more crucial that students learn to vet sources.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 8, 2020

Pitting mental health against safety, national leaders point to SEL in school reopening debate

Schools' ability to provide mental health support is taking center stage as some say it's not immediately feasible, while others say there's a middle ground. 

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020

History texts under scrutiny amid growing bias awareness

Critics argue uncomfortable details are often overlooked to fit history into linear narratives and state standards created by legislators introduce political bias.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 2, 2020

Report identifies 7 strategies for impactful assessments

The paper from the Center on Reinventing Public Education shows ill-designed assessments with no clear purpose can do more damage than good.

By Naaz Modan • July 2, 2020

How educators, librarians are connecting students with books to prevent COVID-19 summer literacy slide

Students who continue reading over summer can gain a year or two over peers who don't, and physical books let them take reading outside, experts say.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 1, 2020

To find the best starting point when teaching formal communication, think informally

Using concepts students know from their lives can result in learning that feels more relevant and approachable, writes a high school educator.

By Lauren Barack • July 1, 2020

Scaling back on standardized assessments makes way for creative instruction

Coronavirus closures demand creativity in subjects like science, tasking students with using household items to complete projects and experiments.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 30, 2020

How will administrators incorporate lessons learned from summer protests?

Principals and superintendents are reconsidering the messages students are hearing from their schools, and the lens through which they learn.

By Natalie Gross • June 30, 2020

Improving LGBTQ representation in curriculum reduces stigma, bullying

Nearly 75% of LGBTQ students surveyed say they’ve experienced bias-based bullying, but inclusivity in books and discussions can help them feel reflected in class, experts say.

By Lauren Barack • June 24, 2020

There's more to geography than just 50 states and their capitals

Educators and social studies experts are committing to keep geography from vanishing from curriculum.

By Kathryn Baron • June 24, 2020

Educators prepare to apply lessons learned in spring, summer to next school year

With expectations for the new school year ranging from in-person or live e-learning sessions to hybrid models, educators are weighing best practices identified thus far.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 24, 2020

It's going to take more than one semester to fix the 'COVID slide'

A principal and an ed tech researcher outline steps for assessing students' learning loss and making curriculum adjustments this fall.

By Claudio Estrada and Mariana Aguilar • June 18, 2020

3 coronavirus challenges for curriculum directors this fall

Administrators are facing tighter budgets along with a need to establish expectations and adopt resources that fit multiple paths.

By Lauren Barack • June 17, 2020