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Digital special education curriculum solution debuted for Texas

VizZle has launched a beta version of a new digital curriculum solution for K-12 special education programs in Texas. The Texas Essential Knowledge and...

Parkland school turns to experimental surveillance software

The Florida school system's officials said they would install a camera-software combination that would allow security officials to track students based on their appearance. A guard could pull up video of locations where a student has been recorded on campus. The supercharged surveillance network has raised major questions about its accuracy, invasiveness and effectiveness.

Baltimore schools’ vocational programs fail to live up to promise, report says

Baltimore's school system has long described its vocational programs as a clear path to solid employment. But in reality, a new report says, these CTE programs don't live up to their promise. Six years out of school, students who completed a CTE program earned an annual median income of less than $13,000, according to the report. These young adults described a lack of guidance and a lack of meaningful real-world experience.

Classroom on a Cart gets upgrade for tech and security

Teachers have found creative ways to organize materials and activities from the confines of a cart. It's only fair that the cart itself should be doing all it can to support this endeavor, including making it easier to use and transport tech.

Fla. bill calls for career training pathway to getting high school diploma

A bill in the Florida Senate proposes changing high school graduation requirements for students who want to get a head start on vocational training. It would provide a career and technical education pathway, which would allow students to take fewer higher-level high school courses in exchange for work-based learning programs.

How a federal free meal program affected school poverty stats

Student poverty rate increased only 2 percentage points after schools adopted a new lunch program for all, a Missouri study finds. Although the new data does overstate poverty within some schools, most schools that chose to participate in the new free-lunch-for-all program tended to have high levels of poverty to start with.

Scottsdale USD hires new superintendent

The Arizona district hired John Kriekard to lead as superintendent. He came out of retirement to become Scottsdale USD's acting superintendent in May 2018 and will now serve through June 30, 2020. He has worked as a principal, assistant principal and assistant superintendent for Scottsdale USD as well as superintendent for the Paradise Valley USD.

Iowa district chooses Mark Hopkins

A veteran educator is returning to the area to serve as the Treynor School District's next superintendent. Mark Hopkins, currently the department chair for K12 programs at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, will be the Iowa district's next top administrator.

Brenda Dougan selected to lead Missouri district

The Northeast Nodaway R-V School District has hired Brenda Dougan as the new superintendent. She is currently the superintendent of the Ridgeway R-V school system, where she has served since 2014.

Colorado district focuses on personalized, competency-based learning

itslearning announced that Durango School District R-9 has selected the itslearning teaching and learning platform to deliver personalized, competency-based learning districtwide.

Three new toys provide STEM activities

The POWERUP 4.0 is a propulsion motor that adapts to almost any paper airplane design and transforms it into a flying machine. On land, the POWERUP RACERS Motorized Origami Vehicles transform a paper creation into a motorized car, boat or airplane. With OKO Multi View, a smartphone's camera can be turned into an augmented reality tool or binoculars.

Study finds restorative justice reduces student achievement

Restorative justice reduced average suspension rates in elementary and middle schools in Pittsburgh, a recent study found. Teachers thought their school climates improved. That was the good news. The bad news was that students reported that teachers become more lax in terms of classroom management. Perhaps more concerning was what researchers found it did to student achievement.

Lead Good Teams to Great

Lead Good Teams to Great: Choose this event as your next step toward driving transformational change and making the greatest impact on student achievement.

Chicago’s second charter school strike suspended after winning pay increases

Some 200 unionized educators at four Chicago International Charter School campuses and management announced a tentative deal after a two-week work stoppage. The pending four-year deal includes pay raises, class size limits, one week of paid parental leave and shorter work schedules.

Tennessee bill proposes free feminine hygiene items in schools

Some Tennessee school districts would be required to provide free feminine hygiene products for students under a new bill filed in the state legislature. Many districts provide feminine care products in nurses' offices. But nurses have reported restocking supplies themselves due to budgetary constraints or relying on nonprofits for help.