Dan Hamlin, a postdoctoral fellow in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and Paul E. Petersen have examined data to see what impact states lowering the bar on academic proficiency have had on student achievement. When they were created, the Common Core standards were intended as consistent benchmarks for student learning across the country. But public opinion […]
Looking to illustrate an abstract concept from a novel she'd read, an Oklahoma high school student turned to her building-level school librarian. Then, with the school librarian's encouragement to tinker in the makerspace, the girl sculpted a clay model of a kneeling woman balancing a 3D-printed replica of the earth on her back. "She was […]
New approaches to elementary mathematics curriculum, instruction, technology and assessment are providing opportunities to personalize learning for each student, creating highly effective, student-centered learning environments. In this web seminar, the director of curriculum at McGraw-Hill discussed ideas, strategies and resources for delivering a positive, measurable impact on student outcomes through personalized learning in K6 math […]
Certifications in the technology sector are ever-evolving, as new education tools, apps and platforms become available on a nearly continuous basis. In fact, several new training courses debuted after the recent school year ended, offering technology certificates focused on tool-agnostic and open-resource curricula. Professional and regional education technology groups develop and host these certifications, while […]
Perhaps in an effort to right the wrongs of the past, the Department of Education has begun accepting applications for $2.3 million in grants that will teach Native American languages to a new generation of children. Starting in the 1870s, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ran boarding schools for Native American children that separated […]
Decades of research have established a clear link between a positive school culture and improved student outcomes. Many K12 leaders try to foster a more positive culture in their schools, using strategies such as positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) to teach and reinforce good behavior among students. But this raises some important questions. Is […]
How do you ensure students who excel at math remain engaged? Heidi Williams intended to solve that challenge by starting an after-school coding club while she was a gifted-and-talented teacher at Bayside Middle School near Milwaukee. Instead of using pen and paper, her students created an interactive children's book on Scratch, the MIT Media Lab […]
What are the key components of a successful STEAM education initiative? Every learner should have the opportunity to be inspired by STEAM learning. Not just physics, chemistry and biology, but also computer science. I go into schools sometimes, and I'll hold up a phone and say, "An alien didn't make this, people like you and […]
Where should schools start when it comes to implementing technology? As strange as this may sound, you have to start at the end, by which I mean determining the desired outcomes. If you start by debating Chromebooks or iPads, Microsoft Office or G-suite, laptops or tablets, your tech implementation won't deliver on its full potential. […]
The human brain is notable for its ability to support cognition, communications skills, consciousness and plan appropriate behavior for future occasions. This was evidenced millions of years ago as our ancestors’ brains alerted them to life-threatening risks, as well as to life-enhancing opportunities. Consider early man foraging for food in the same space as a […]
