Research shows that when students are engaged in a lesson, they learn and retain more. Ivan Kaltman, a school-based occupational therapist and former fourth-grade teacher, worked with many disadvantaged students who were far behind in reading. Since traditional methods didn't work for them, Kaltman developed a digital adventure game to help with reading, cognitive skills […]
Twice a month, board of director members for Topeka Public Schools in Kansas spend the first 20 minutes of their board meetings celebrating the district's diverse culture and employee accomplishments. "We highlight employees and their achievements, and acknowledge our diverse community," says Tiffany Anderson, superintendent at TPS, a district that supports roughly 3,000 teachers and […]
I taught in a classroom for 26 years prior to becoming an administrator. Over the years, I’ve realized that when educators hear the word "data," the first things that come to mind are numbers and test scores. At a time when data-driven instruction stands at the forefront of every decision we make, we must understand […]
Given the data around the number of new teachers leaving the profession within their first few years, it's clear that efforts toward retaining teachers must begin as early as possible in a teacher's career.
Coding can serve as a catalyst for schools looking to integrate tech more meaningfully into required subjects, as well as the glue that binds together learning connections across them.
Most states have struggled for several years to address teacher shortages, often filling the vacuum with underprepared educators who aren't able to give children the high-quality learning they need. These teachers also leave at two to three times the rate of well-prepared staffers. Despite this, evidence-based policies can guide states and districts in lessening the […]
This roundup covers the impact of advanced academics on kindergartners, the effects of teachers' unions on student achievement, the benefits of transitional programs for special needs students, and the advantages of family-school interventions, among other topics.
Consider these ideas: Some kids are STEM kids and some aren't. Students need to master science and math basics before moving on to STEM. STEM focuses on jobs, so it should be concentrated in middle and high school. Wrong, wrong and wrong.
A school underwent a significant transformation from being the lowest performing elementary school to one of the highest performing for high growth/proficiency.
