Connecticut district improves PD by surveying teachers

After annual stakeholder surveys revealed teachers didn't feel the current approach to professional learning was helping them improve, Farmington Public Schools took steps to adjust.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 26, 2016

How much homework is too much?

The perennial debate is getting new life as students return to school and parents wonder how much their children will be expected to do at home every night.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 26, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Curriculum

Educators are exploring a variety of strategies to improve students’ learning experiences while continuing to navigate ongoing political disputes.

By K-12 Dive staff

California district embraces wearable tech in the classroom

The Tustin Unified School District, south of Los Angeles, has experimented with VR, and its senior director of technology has his eye on using fitness trackers and smart watches next.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 25, 2016

7 districts win Trusted Learning Environment seal for data privacy commitments

The Consortium for School Networking commended schools in Alabama, Massachusetts, Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Missouri for building cultures of trust and transparency.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 25, 2016

Average score lowers as more students take ACT

A smaller share of test-takers were considered college-ready at the end of the 2015-16 school year than the prior year, but the dip in scores was expected.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 25, 2016

New York State Ed Dept names first privacy officer

Temitope Akinyemi will be expected to develop policies and procedures that keep data of students, parents and educators safe, and then implement and oversee their adoption. 

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 25, 2016

When should tech drive classroom activity?

Matt Renwick, an elementary school principal in Wisconsin, argues there are concrete times when it makes the most sense to let technology, rather than pedagogy, be the driver for instruction.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 25, 2016

Boston area school embraces 'unlearning' strategies for students, teachers

With a brand new Research and Design Center being built at Beaver Country Day School, near Boston, school leaders are considering how to best utilize the unlearning trend.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 24, 2016

Chicago students' food computer demonstrates practical STEM lessons

The project crossed AP environmental and engineering disciplines, giving students an opportunity to brainstorm solutions to global food shortages.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

EdBuild ranks nation's most segregating school district borders

The nonprofit focused on issues of school funding analyzed all of the bordering districts in the country, naming 50 as the most dramatically segregated by poverty rates.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

School takeovers leave parents without a voice

When states swoop in to take over failing schools, they strip local school boards of their power, leaving many parents feeling like they have no reason to be involved.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Colorado district partnered with medical provider to improve benefits

Colorado Springs School District 11 long had a self-funded healthcare system, but when costs started to get too high, the district sought out other options.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Where does data fit into the literacy conversation?

Data can help educators target interventions and keep student progress transparent in efforts to boost literacy skills, but compassion is key, says Monticello Community School District Supt. Tammy Mangus.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Federal judge blocks Title IX enforcement in bathroom battle

US District Judge Reed O’Connor of Texas blocked the Obama administration’s directive that schools accommodate transgender students by allowing them to use the bathroom of their choice.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

LAUSD embraces marketing in efforts to compete with charters

Marketing has been a central tool in charter recruitment, but public schools are only now deciding to play the same game in an effort to stem enrollment losses. 

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Blended learning's evolution brings classrooms closer to 'School 2.0'

Schools across the country have moved to the next level of blended learning, turning to student-directed, personalized work that matches pupils' needs and abilities. 

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Study finds demand for greater district-parent communication during early childhood

The Center for College & Career Readiness partnered with Office Depot’s Committed to Learning initiative to survey thousands of teachers about early childhood preparation.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Tenure protections upheld in Vergara v. California

The state Supreme Court voted not to hear an appeal following a lower court decision that tenure and other job protections for teachers were not to blame for educational inequity.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 23, 2016

Los Angeles charter battle could revert El Camino Real to district control

The school has been fairly successful academically but is under the microscope because of alleged financial mismanagement since becoming a charter in 2011.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 22, 2016

Digital leadership requires effort from every angle of operations

Administrators should be infusing the demands of digital leadership into job descriptions and evaluation processes, encouraging collaboration and shifting school and district cultures.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 22, 2016

Texas district spearheads successful turnaround

The Premont Independent School District was in danger of losing accreditation in 2011, but residents approved a tax hike and a Texas A&M partnership helped boost performance.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 22, 2016

Frustrated Oklahoma teachers running for office

Education Week reports a group of educators united by Facebook are running for state office after being active in policy fights from the outside.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 22, 2016

Greater use of crowdfunding in K-12 requires increased organization

Teachers have access to a range of crowdfunding platforms, and donors have expectations that make broader school and district policies a must.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 22, 2016

Tennessee takeover district plagued by own failures

The body charged with turning around failing schools across the state is the target of a ‘blistering critique’ by state auditors for financial mismanagement. 

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 19, 2016

Former ELL draws from that experience as teacher, principal

Liz Serrato has developed a system of analyzing academic data, tracking student progress and developing targeted interventions to help English language learners succeed.

By Tara García Mathewson • Aug. 19, 2016