Census data can bolster curriculum with real-world applications

Experts say bringing the data into a social studies class can spark a political discussion, while tying it into math provides practical application of skills. 

By Lauren Barack • Feb. 5, 2020

9th-grade math tutoring proves beneficial for low-income students

A nonprofit's free in-school tutoring program is reportedly paying off, with students gaining up to two years more math progress than untutored peers.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Feb. 5, 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

How scaffolding lessons can strengthen critical thinking development

Integrating a scaffolding approach can be time-intensive, but one research study shows doing so effectively can better equip students to see what they're learning in the context of how it's used in the real world.

By Lauren Barack • Jan. 29, 2020

New assessments needed to identify gifted students among underrepresented groups

Experts suggest including the assessment of factors like soft skills and interests can be a better metric for the capacity to develop "gifted" behaviors valued by employers.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 29, 2020

Florida to roll out 'common sense' standards after dropping Common Core

Florida joins three states in successfully repealing Common Core, which officials blame for "flatlining" National Assessment of Educational Progress results.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 28, 2020

Is instructional coaching an answer to preventing waste in ed tech?

As schools work to unlock the full benefits of new devices and platforms, many districts are looking to instructional coaching to help educators tap into the possibilities.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 27, 2020

Report: Teacher prep programs boost emphasis on reading instruction

While many criticize how the National Council on Teacher Quality rates schools of education, the latest review comes in the midst of a national discussion over how children learn to read.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 27, 2020

Customized microcredential programs benefit rural schools with convenient PD options

These ​programs can be remotely accessed and individualized for teachers who otherwise have limited opportunities for personalized professional learning.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 24, 2020

Letting students write on subjects they love fuels learning

English and journalism teacher Allison Berryhill finds when students explore topics they care deeply about in their writing, they strengthen skills that carry over into other assignments.

By Lauren Barack • Jan. 22, 2020

School gardens teach students about plants and much more

Caring for a garden can be incorporated into lessons for most subjects, providing opportunities for science experiments, art projects and social-emotional learning.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 22, 2020

Study: SEL program's impact on state test scores mixed

Researchers say student performance doesn't suffer when instructional time is spent on social-emotional learning, but academic gains might not be as significant as other large-scale studies suggest.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 22, 2020

Teacher prep, equity top list of 'hot' literacy topics

The International Literacy Association’s survey comes as state ed chiefs gather in Washington, D.C., to discuss what some call a reading crisis.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 22, 2020

Culturally sensitive approach to SEL acknowledges external obstacles, researchers say

A new understanding of SEL expands the approach from being an internal process to include external forces like racism and sexism that can shape students' experiences. 

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 15, 2020

Building growth mindset requires rethinking lesson structures

One educator suggests encouraging more creative results and giving students time to work through mistakes so they can try again.

By Lauren Barack • Jan. 8, 2020

Curricular Counsel: Mobile lab key piece of Georgia CAO's early literacy, ELL progress

A Language Academy is also central to Calhoun City Schools CAO Kelli Kendrick's endeavors to address the district's large English learner population.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 8, 2020

Report: Music ed pays off across curriculum, justifying costs

An analysis of research by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation finds schools offering music programs have a 90.2% graduation rate and a 93.3% attendance rate.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 8, 2020

The Blindside Project: How to reverse the discipline cycle with existing resources

When middle school principal Mike Gaskell's building unexpectedly took on a pre-K program, he saw an opportunity to get at-risk teenagers on track through a reading initiative.

By Mike Gaskell • Jan. 8, 2020

Report: Florida, Ohio called 'advanced leaders' in K-12 media literacy efforts

Advocacy group Media Literacy Now says 14 states have laws with "some media-literacy language" and others will consider bills this year, but some say progress "is too slow."

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 7, 2020

Chief Justice Roberts urges focus on civics ed

In his year-end report, he highlights efforts by federal and state courts to help improve students’ knowledge of how government works.

By Linda Jacobson • Jan. 2, 2020

Financial literacy should be taught to kids — not adults

Lessons on money management should begin in the early years, writes high school counselor Danielle Orange-Scott​.

By Danielle Orange-Scott • Jan. 2, 2020

How to emphasize, teach and use computational thinking

Once aligned to coding and computer science, the skill can be woven into other areas of curriculum and assessment.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 18, 2019

Girls Take Flight program recruits San Diego high school girls to pilot drones

The program's biggest challenge has been finding female drone pilots to teach, as experts say having women role models is key to getting more girls in STEM.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 18, 2019

Student-led initiatives tie civic action, advocacy to social studies lessons

Curricula that encourage students to get involved with causes they support can further their understanding of activist movements and events.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 18, 2019

Curricular Counsel: How Salt Lake City strengthened music, arts programming

Tiffany Hall, executive director for teaching and learning, says a whole-child focus means ensuring all kids have a broad range of opportunities to explore.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 11, 2019

Helping students develop metacognitive skills to understand the 'why' of learning

Students often ask why they need to learn something, unable to connect the dots between assignments and the real world, but one teacher suggests three guidelines that can help.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 11, 2019