Ariana Fine

Pandemic’s purchasing punch: Ed tech procurement in the COVID era

How the pandemic has created technology procurement challenges—and what school district leaders are doing to navigate new purchasing realities.

How to successfully integrate the arts into STEM classrooms

Hands-on arts projects are increasingly being integrated into STEAM classrooms and curricula through collaborative learning spaces, makerspaces, robotics, multidisciplinary projects and virtual learning opportunities.

How schools are designing ‘brain-friendly’ classroom spaces

Brain-friendly schools support different learning styles, promote active involvement, incorporate multimedia, recognize the impact of environmental factors such as noise and lighting, build connections to the world outside the classroom, and encourage community accessibility and involvement.

LAUSD mobilizes efforts to support students after Coronavirus closures

The massive LAUSD effort's centerpiece is $100 million in new spending to provide a district computer to every child in need, and technology training for teachers and students–expenses that could threaten the district’s solvency.

Md. bill pushing raises for school board dies in legislative session

A bill that would have given Montgomery County school board members a raise for the first time in six years failed in this year’s abbreviated state legislative session. The proposed $10,000 raise would have increased board members’ salaries to $35,000 per year.

How cutting into K-12 dissection alternatives piques student interest

Faced with a lack of school lab space and a need for more in-depth medical imaging, district leaders and science educators have been seeking alternatives to real animal dissections in class. 

Girls take flight with drone certification

Girls Take Flight program aims to diversify the students who earn FAA remote pilot certificates on their way to becoming drone operators.

People Watch: Texas district’s board chooses superintendent—with state takeover looming

Gerard Soto will head up Harlandale ISD, following service as executive director of operations.

Construction Watch: Anchorage School Board approves $82.8 million bond proposal

Funding for earthquake-related repairs at Gruening Middle School (pictured), among other infrastructure projects, is included in the Alaska district's 2020 proposal.

People Watch: School District of Indian River County hires David Moore

Moore is moving into the top leadership spot at Indian River County after serving as assistant superintendent for another Florida district.

Construction Watch: Over $700 million needed to renovate or replace Chesapeake schools

Priorities include upgrading the Virginia district's learning spaces and preparing for potential school rezoning. Pictured: Portable classrooms at Hickory Middle School.

People Watch: Maine district rehires retired superintendent

After leaving the position in September, Alan R. Smith has returned to Lake Region Schools.

Construction Watch: Ann Arbor voters approve largest bond in Michigan since 1994

An investment of $1 billion will go toward upgrades at every school, buses and technology. Pictured: Ann Arbor Superintendent Jeanice Swift celebrated the win.

People Watch: Marana USD’s superintendent to retire

After 11 years in the Arizona district's top spot, Doug Wilson is stepping down June 30, 2020.

How robots bring homebound Maryland students into the classroom

Since originally being honored in 2017 as a District of Distinction, Anne Arundel County Public Schools has expanded its telepresence robot initiative, increasing the number of units available for homebound students to stay connected to classmates and in-school activities.