These Districts of Distinction runners-up are using innovative methods to improve curriculum and instruction in their school systems.

Learning games should not only boost engagement, but also support productive struggle for students—and progress tracking for educators, says DA guest columnist Alesha Arp.

Real-world math problems better connect with students and demonstrate how the subject, along with problem-solving and productive struggle, can be used in their daily lives.

Traditional school schedules fail to take advantage of the natural, daily cycle of a student's cognitive abilities, which are analytical earlier in the day, fall into a trough around noon, and become more creative later.