Personalized plans highlighted as comprehensive way to view student success

A Harvard University paper released Wednesday says such plans pull together students' goals, strengths and needs, but are "largely underemployed in the field of education.”

By Linda Jacobson • April 3, 2019

'Vast majority' of states inadequately support higher-poverty districts, report finds

Using effort, adequacy and progressivity, the report shows states spend far less than needed for lower-income areas to hit national average test scores.

By Jessica Campisi • April 3, 2019

Pairing students with local businesses imparts problem-solving, soft skills

A North Carolina after-school program, co-founded by former educators, has students work in diverse groups with area businesses on challenges such as improving design and hiring processes.

By Amelia Harper • April 3, 2019

Study: College visits motivate students to take advanced high school courses

College visits resulted in more 9th-graders taking advanced classes, but the outings didn't move the needle on plans to enroll in a four-year college.

By Jessica Campisi • April 2, 2019

Students, teachers should be focus of public school social media strategy

With school choice on the rise, a marketing expert suggests branding is more important than ever to help schools and districts attract families.

By Shawna De La Rosa • April 2, 2019

Reducing teacher stress may require multiple strategies

Yoga and other mindfulness programs are part of a growing trend to address mounting testing pressures and other factors impacting teacher morale.

By Amelia Harper • April 2, 2019

Family-school ties at center of Tacoma homelessness prevention program

As Congress reconsiders what it means to be homeless, a program that began in one Washington school demonstrates the challenges of creating stability for families amid a dwindling supply of affordable housing.

By Linda Jacobson • April 2, 2019

Closing gaps in students' background knowledge levels the playing field

The knowledge gap can occur when educators teach specific skills, such as finding the main idea of a paragraph, but don't give students the background knowledge to practice that skill — such as the actual topic of the text.

By Shawna De La Rosa • April 1, 2019

Untrained staff, students remains K-12's biggest cybersecurity threat

A school system's tech chief also suggests that unexpected upticks in user traffic could indicate hackers are staking out a district.

By Shawna De La Rosa • April 1, 2019

3 key strategies for schools, districts considering predictive analytics

Experts say starting small with defined goals and understanding context are a few ways to stage interventions and help students and teachers succeed.

By Roger Riddell • April 1, 2019

How teachers can help students reduce test anxiety

A middle school principal says visiting the test site beforehand and meditating can help ease students' stress as exam day approaches.

By Amelia Harper • April 1, 2019

Understanding how money works is a recipe for success

Incorporating financial literacy into the classroom at an early age can help students build the foundation towards financial freedom.

By Danielle Robinson, Executive Director Jackson Charitable Foundation • April 1, 2019

Report: Some states' teaching standards lack details on cultural responsiveness

In its review of what states expect teachers to know and do, New America found some standards treat attention to students’ diverse backgrounds and cultures as an "add on."

By Linda Jacobson • March 29, 2019

3 big takeaways from the Ed Dept congressional budget hearings

House and Senate members grilled Education Secretary Betsy DeVos this week on the Trump administration's FY 2020 budget request. Here's a recap.

By Jessica Campisi • March 29, 2019

Tech transforming the playing field for high school athletes

Most notably, video tech is opening the door to broader higher ed possibilities, putting students in front of coaches beyond just regional institutions.

By Shawna De La Rosa • March 29, 2019

Teachers need peace corners, too

School leaders can help teachers relieve stress by creating a quiet haven for them to use during the day.

By Amelia Harper • March 29, 2019

$5M Google grant aims to up Latino students' access to computer science education

The grant is part of Google's $25 million commitment to help African-American and Latino students develop career skills.

By Riia O'Donnell • March 28, 2019

Study: Parental involvement lessens effects of bullying on middle schoolers

Researchers also found parental involvement seemed to be more of a "protective factor" for white students than students of color, for girls more than boys, and for 8th-graders more than 6th- and 7th-graders.

By Jessica Campisi • March 28, 2019

School resource officers need SEL training, experts say — but their preparation 'lacks consistency'

SROs versed in social-emotional capacities are found to have a positive effect on schools. Now, more states want to require training.

By Jessica Campisi • March 28, 2019

Is a phonics focus the key to unlocking literacy?

A 5th-grade teacher argues that while some students will learn to read regardless, an approach that decodes words with phonics can benefit most.

By Lauren Barack • March 27, 2019

Injecting drones into curriculum requires prep before takeoff

Administrators must weigh a number of safety and legal factors, plus federal regulations, before green-lighting flight-capable devices for the classroom.

By Lauren Barack • March 27, 2019

Culturally relevant approaches to literature boost engagement, consciousness

A high school English language arts teacher says tying works like "To Kill a Mockingbird" to social justice and race discussions spurs student participation and self-exploration.

By Lauren Barack • March 27, 2019

Virtual conferencing expands SEL opportunities through global connections

A Kentucky educator regularly connects her students to a Syrian refugee in Turkey to help them learn firsthand and better grasp cross-cultural hardships.

By Lauren Barack • March 27, 2019

Virginia schools among latest to explore solar for savings, environmental benefits

K-12 schools spend more than $8 billion annually on energy — their highest operating cost after personnel, the U.S. Energy Department says.

By Shawna De La Rosa • March 27, 2019

Parkland, Newtown suicides reveal 'systemic' lack of mental health supports

Health and school safety experts say the apparent suicides of two student survivors and a shooting victim's parent are a glaring sign things must change.

By Jessica Campisi • March 27, 2019