Charter school organizations take stand against virtual schools

Three national charter school groups announced policy recommendations to help states hold underperforming full-time virtual schools accountable for student outcomes.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 17, 2016

Schools struggle to find and support homeless youth

The number of K-12 students identified as being homeless doubled between 2006-07 and 2013-14, leaving schools with greater responsibility to serve them.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 16, 2016

LAUSD braces for fight over state funding for students with disabilities

The California Department of Education would require the district to redirect state funds from special needs students to others with high needs, like ELLs and foster children.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 16, 2016

Kansas to ignore Obama transgender bathrooms directive

The state board of education issued a statement saying the directive the administration prefers removes important local control.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 16, 2016

LightSail adaptive reading program combats summer slide

Johns Hopkins University researchers found significant positive outcomes for students using the SummerSail program, not only combating summer slide but helping students progress.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 16, 2016

Swift Playgrounds to teach kids to code on the iPad

The new program set to launch with iOS 10 gives students the opportunity to learn the tech giant's programming language.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 16, 2016

Districts consider device programs as equity tools

Educators agree on the importance of children reaching a comfort level with technology, as it's now necessary for giving students experience that will help prepare them for the workforce.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 16, 2016

Texas struggles with new standardized testing vendor

Delays in the reporting of test results by Educational Testing Services are impeding decisions over grade advancement and summer school.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 15, 2016

Only half of high schools offer calculus, 63% offer physics

Aside from the lack of access to calculus and physics, between 10% and 25% do not offer Algebra I and II, geometry, biology or chemistry.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 15, 2016

California plays catch-up on computer science ed

The home of Silicon Valley has work to do when it comes to K-12 computer science, but advocates are gaining ground in expanding classes and professional development.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 15, 2016

Scaffolding support to serve the social-emotional needs of students

A Dallas school incorporates individual, small group and whole-class guidance sessions to support student success.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 15, 2016

Prospective teachers should be able to answer these questions

Administrators should ask about strategies for professional growth and how teachers get students to be self-directed learners.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 15, 2016

'Chartering' has changed significantly since introduction in Minnesota

A state education funding bill passed 25 years ago permitted the first charter schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 14, 2016

Pennsylvania may consolidate school districts for savings

In an effort to keep taxes down, the state legislature is considering consolidating some of the state's 500 school districts to save money.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 14, 2016

NYC attempts to increase black, Latino enrollment at selective high schools

Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña will aim to level the playing field for students of color by providing additional testing support and expanding access to the entry exam.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 14, 2016

Illinois legislators vote to protect student journalists' first amendment rights

The bill is waiting on a signature from Gov. Bruce Rauner, but would give student journalists control over their own content and protect teachers who defend them.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 14, 2016

Report highlights low pay of early childhood teachers

The US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services co-released a report identifying striking pay gaps between salaries of kindergarten and preschool teachers.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 14, 2016

Undocumented valedictorians broaden admissions conversation

Two high school valedictorians who publicly declared their undocumented status prompted outrage and concern about the political and economic factors in college admissions.

By Jarrett Carter • June 13, 2016

Are high school guidance programs falling flat?

Canadian economist Craig Alexander doesn't believe such programs are equipped to prepare students to make career decisions.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 13, 2016

More than 6M kids miss over 10% of school days

Students who are chronically absent miss more than 15 days per year, and at the high school level, that includes more than 20% of Latino and black students.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 13, 2016

Survey: Students want more hands-on science instruction

A study commissioned by the Amgen Foundation and Change the Equation found a majority of teens are interested in science but report that their lessons aren’t engaging enough.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 13, 2016

Magnet principal tells publishers how to support schools

During the Association of American Publishers’ PreK-12 Learning Group conference, Principal Lisa Ciaranca Kaplan told executives to choose focus groups better and sponsor clubs.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 13, 2016

File backups, cloud storage can minimize ransomware's impact

The rise in ransomware attacks on schools means many will have to deal with it eventually, and preparing with proper storage protocols can help in an emergency.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 13, 2016

Transformative approaches and LAUSD: The week's most-read education news

Stay ahead of the class with the latest on North Carolina's proposal to re-silo math instruction and more right here!

By Roger Riddell • June 10, 2016

Half of teachers comfortable with tech, but most use it for testing

Education Week's Technology Counts report finds only a minority use tech for interactive or collaborative activities.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 10, 2016