These court cases could shift the K-12 landscape in 2020

From a dispute over Houston ISD's state takeover to allowing transgender students to access bathrooms of their choice, these cases stand to significantly impact public education. 

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 19, 2019

NCTQ analysis finds room for improvement in out-of-state teacher transfer protocols

A recent report from the organization questions requirements for additional coursework and lack of criminal background checks in some states.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 19, 2019

8 ways principals can lead with intention

At this month's Learning Forward conference, two experienced administrators shared what they've learned from coaching other principals.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 19, 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

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

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

Senators' K-12 Cybersecurity Act would mandate national study of school practices

If passed, the legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a review of K-12 cybersecurity programs and develop guidelines and resources to strengthen them.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 18, 2019

Recapturing 'the human element' in the classroom

Charter school teacher Sarah Kiesewetter argues 1:1 device programs are robbing students of the opportunity to engage in discourse and learn patience.

By Sarah Kiesewetter • Dec. 18, 2019

Trump signs spending bill, includes $1.3B increase in ed funding

The package rejects the Trump administration's proposed $7 billion in spending cuts and an increase in charter school spending, instead bolstering Title I, IDEA and early learning programs. 

By Naaz Modan • Updated Dec. 23, 2019

LAUSD suspensions down 75% in wake of willful defiance ban

The goal of restorative justice and other alternative discipline approaches is to keep students in school, but programs can be costly to sustain.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 17, 2019

Growth mindset, effective teachers among lessons from PISA

Analyzing recent results from the international assessment, experts also point out more time spent in school does not equate to higher performance.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 17, 2019

Schools use tech to battle absenteeism with engaging lessons, data

Fully confronting the issue, however, requires addressing root causes often related to poverty and homelessness, experts say.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 16, 2019

Research: Students of color at greatest risk for facial recognition errors

An MIT Media Lab study finds the tech misidentifies darker-skinned females — a group disproportionately impacted in school discipline — 35% of the time.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 16, 2019

Key takeaways from Democratic presidential candidates' public education forum

Among the issues tackled by presidential hopefuls, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, were teacher pay and shortages, charter growth, Title I and special education funding. 

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 14, 2019

Pre-to-3: Seattle's voter-approved pre-K program receiving national attention

A recent report shows classroom quality has shown an "upward trend."

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 13, 2019

FCC E-rate updates don't include cybersecurity funds

The latest modernization of the program makes some improvements, but doesn't go as far as many stakeholders had hoped.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 12, 2019

Report: Nine cities named gold medal winners for early-learning efforts

The recognition is part of the CityHealth initiative, which tracks policies focusing on the well-being of residents in the nation's 40 largest cities.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 12, 2019

Schools ramp up efforts to prevent, reduce impact of adverse childhood experiences

Part of the original ACEs study, Kaiser Permanente is among those working to build resilience in students and adults, though screening concerns remain.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 12, 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

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

Lack of Chicago charter applications sign of shifting winds

Nationally, charter school growth is in decline as Democrats shift their stances, though Republican support remains steady.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 11, 2019

Rural student enrollment in AP Computer Science Principles course more than doubles

Besides rural students, the College Board is making efforts to recruit more girls and underrepresented students into STEM classes.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Dec. 11, 2019

Learning Forward 2019: 'EdTalks' focus on progress, continued inequities for students of color

The Fordham Institute's Michael Petrilli and civil rights advocate Howard Fuller shared their perspectives on test score headlines and what students need to be successful.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 11, 2019

Report: Popular online teaching materials 'poorly aligned' with academic standards

Websites reviewed by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute say teacher ratings are critical to determining content quality, but experts suggest the ratings may not be reliable.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 10, 2019

Learning Forward 2019: Mentoring the mentors and a push to end 'educational redlining'

The organization's leaders also called for an ongoing 2% increase in PD spending at federal, state and local levels.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 10, 2019