Study: Housing instability largest predictor of chronic absenteeism

Researchers at the University of Michigan's Poverty Solutions say districts should opt into a data collection system that alerts educators when students approach chronic absenteeism levels.

By Amelia Harper • Dec. 11, 2018

4 steps to achieving districtwide technology equality

Kevin Ghost of Pennsylvania's Connellsville Area School District explains how a rural, 4,300-student district gave teachers and students a uniform experience in a 21st century learning environment.

By Kevin Ghost • Dec. 10, 2018

Videoconferencing can help ease teacher shortage pain, but is it enough?

"Beaming in" highly qualified or specialized teachers can aid low-income schools, but concerns persist that it's a Band-Aid for more systemic solutions.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 10, 2018

Ed Dept to address TEACH grant errors, reconvert loans for thousands of affected teachers

Following pressure from an NPR investigation, 19 senators and its own inquiry, the department will retroactively grant credit to educators who can show their awards were unfairly converted to tens of thousands of dollars in loans.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 10, 2018

Testing, school reform kept out of spotlight in 2018 elections

An analysis of the midterms shows a change in hot-button ed issues, with testing and teacher evals taking a backseat to topics like STEM and funding.

By Amelia Harper • Dec. 10, 2018

Academy helps Alabama leaders turn schools into early learning hubs

According to an evaluation by the Southern Regional Education Board, administrators say the program's training — which includes face-to-face sessions, online learning and a capstone project — improved their ability to serve students with the greatest needs.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 7, 2018

Retaining school, district leaders a struggle in rural areas

A 2018 survey found that rural principals are more likely than their suburban and urban counterparts to leave their schools — and the profession altogether.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 7, 2018

School counselors critical to address opioid, SEL needs

Counselors are valuable assets in providing trauma-informed education and maintaining positive school culture, but their jobs are among the first to be cut.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 7, 2018

Report: Supply of special ed teachers on a steady decline

In schools with teaching vacancies, over 30% of survey respondents said they weren't able to fill their special education spots or found it very difficult to do so.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 7, 2018

Free, reduced-price meal data growing less useful as measure of student poverty

A recent study shows many students who don't sign up for the program are eligible, based on their families' federal tax records.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 6, 2018

Boston Public Schools sued for alleged difficult work environment, gender-based pay differences

Multiple women who work in the school system's central offices filed two lawsuits in late November.

By Jessica Campisi • Dec. 6, 2018

School Board Partners aims to create 'national community' of school board members for PD, consulting

Ties to a pro-charter group and emails obtained via a FOIA request, however, are stoking concerns about political agendas.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 6, 2018

Is building more connected school communities key to stemming violence?

A senior policy analyst from the Brookings Institution says that by creating an environment that addresses students' social-emotional needs, schools can better counter factors contributing to violence at the ground level.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 6, 2018

Looking to reality TV can spice up blended learning PD

A new online resource taps into popular TV shows to help educators put themselves in students' shoes when developing blended learning lessons.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 5, 2018

How to broaden the immigration discussion

Children learn about the topic best when they can see themselves in lessons.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 5, 2018

Virtual reality elevates student retention, synthesis

Not only does VR boost learning abilities, an expert says, but it's also becoming more affordable for schools.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 5, 2018

Students can't succeed on technical skills alone

Schools are increasingly weaving soft skills into classroom lessons to better prepare students for the workplace.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 5, 2018

When schools work closely with after-school programs, all parties benefit

Sharing data can help educators better target programming to specific students and identify areas of interest for expanding content.

By Lauren Barack • Dec. 5, 2018

White House releases five-year STEM education strategy

The Trump administration's report stresses partnerships and digital literacy to make the U.S. "the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation and employment."

By Jessica Campisi • Dec. 5, 2018

Los Angeles Unified teachers continue strike preparations

The district filed an unfair labor practice charge against United Teachers Los Angeles for organizing teachers to boycott their schools' faculty meetings.

By Linda Jacobson • Updated Dec. 10, 2018

Report highlights successful home-visiting models

Several of the 33 studies reviewed showed the model's positive effects on young children’s readiness for and achievement in school.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 5, 2018

Survey: Large gap between demand for computer science, schools actually teaching it

Teachers said reasons for the disconnect include a lack of funding and that computer science isn't tested like other subjects.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 5, 2018

Report: Boston Public Schools makes strides in connecting pre-K, early grades

The New America research comes as experts stress one reason preschool's benefits fade over time is because teachers in early grades don’t build on what students already know.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 4, 2018

Educators of color still represent less than 25% of overall teacher workforce

The number of teachers of color increased by 150% over a 30-year period, but their percentage of the total teaching population is about the same.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 4, 2018

Philanthropists have long favored ed — for better and worse

While private philanthropy is more important as ed budgets plateau, critics question an over-reliance on private funding and its potential to fuel inequities.

By Allie Gross • Dec. 4, 2018