Informal outlets will power remote summer learning opportunities

Videoconferencing and social media remain critical tools to stem learning loss as the pandemic disrupts education opportunities over the break.

By Lauren Barack • May 13, 2020

Digital wellness can help students balance tech use

Lessons on maintaining a healthy balance of tech use have grown more important as schools operate in a distance learning model amid the pandemic.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 13, 2020

5 immediate ways schools can support seniors' transition to college

Conducting senior exit surveys and focusing on FAFSA completion are among strategies that can be employed, experts say.

By Linda Jacobson • May 13, 2020

Some rural schools reopen with safety measures in place

Classes at some schools in Montana and Idaho have adopted social distancing and staggered release times, but students aren't required to wear masks.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 12, 2020

School closures changing districts' methods, terms for bargaining with unions

Amid the pandemic, unions and districts are renegotiating labor contracts to address long-term closures at an unprecedented rapid pace, but experts suggest collaboration may fizzle in the summer.

By Naaz Modan • May 12, 2020

School reopenings leave educators in high-risk groups with difficult choice over return

More than 18% of teachers and 27% of principals are over the age of 65, according to a report from the American Enterprise Institute.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 12, 2020

School meal programs seek relief, plan for uncertain summer

With an increase in families reporting financial insecurity, experts also expect more students to become eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

By Linda Jacobson • Updated May 12, 2020

More students may become homeless, require support during pandemic

It's difficult to monitor students' needs during remote instruction, but advocates say food distribution sites provide opportunities to identify homeless students.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 11, 2020

Student internet access concerns rise as discounted hotspot programs end

While some companies reportedly plan to continue $10-a-month programs beyond pandemic closures, hardware remains backordered in some cases.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 7, 2020

AASA: New Title IX rules make administrators' jobs 'more challenging'

The Education Department on Wednesday released updated Title IX rules that increase K-12 schools' responsibilities for reporting and investigating sexual harassment and assault claims. 

By Naaz Modan • May 7, 2020

Title IX rules leave door open for schools to 'pass the trash'

While the Ed Department said it intends to curb the practice, legal experts suggest language in new regulations could feed into it.

By Naaz Modan • Updated May 11, 2020

PISA results highlight US teens' limited financial knowledge

Compared to 19 countries, the U.S. ranked fifth, showing students have some basic understanding of money but lack awareness of how decisions affect long-term outcomes.

By Linda Jacobson • May 7, 2020

Pandemic shifts highlight importance of supporting differentiated learning options

Recognizing how students learn best and allowing choice in how they show what they've learned may better support their individual needs, experts say.

By Lauren Barack • May 6, 2020

CTE courses transforming for online learning

At Essex Tech, CTE teachers are focusing on the conceptual sides of trades until students can get back to hands-on learning in the classroom.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 6, 2020

Curricular Counsel: 4 directors of instruction share advice for navigating pandemic shifts

Upending existing learning models to cope with the coronavirus is anything but a seamless process, not to mention a task that had to happen almost overnight in some cases.

By Roger Riddell • May 6, 2020

7 students in a class? Not practical, school operations officials say

District officials are exploring products that can keep buildings cleaner, but some are skeptical of plans to enforce social distancing in schools. 

By Linda Jacobson • May 6, 2020

Effective counselors boost graduation, college attendance

Same-race counselors also have an big impact on these rates, especially for non-white students, one researcher's work shows.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 6, 2020

Eventually, schools will reopen. Here's how principals can prepare

Four school leadership experts discuss the central role of principals in welcoming students back to schools that may be forever changed.

By Heather Y. Anichini, Jenne Colasacco, Jennifer Stern and Anne Wicks • May 6, 2020

Virginia city outfits school buses with Wi-Fi for remote students

Hopewell City Public Schools will retrofit 31 buses with wireless routers to bridge the digital divide for roughly 1,000 students without home internet.

By Cailin Crowe • May 5, 2020

Districts grapple with summer school models as coronavirus persists

With high percentages of educators reporting low remote attendance and many low-income students still lacking connections, concern remains around the effectiveness of digital summer school.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 5, 2020

Mississippi drops test score requirements for ed schools to combat shortages

High rates of failure for college entrance tests may be contributing to teacher shortages, which will worsen in the wake of the pandemic.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 5, 2020

After-school providers pivot to provide online activities, meals and diapers amid pandemic

Even as these programs take a financial hit, they continue to offer everything from cheerleading practice and chess games to homework help.

By Natalie Gross • May 5, 2020

Energy resiliency addresses "new normal" of power disruptions

In California, over 1,000 schools were closed last year due to Public Safety Power Shutoffs. These outages during wildfire season are expected to continue — making potential solutions a priority.

May 5, 2020

Georgia may drop controversial teacher licensing test

The state is the latest to propose elimination of the edTPA, a performance assessment intended to set a higher bar for entering the teaching profession.

By Linda Jacobson • May 4, 2020

School news teams find 'inner strength' reporting historic pandemic

Like all students, high school journalists are struggling with the loss of social connections, but they've adapted their coverage to keep serving their readers. 

By Linda Jacobson • May 4, 2020