Most recognize the role of technology as an equalizer for information and access. Yet, it is amazing that only 2,000 out of 13,000 superintendents signed the Future Ready Schools pledge. Of those who signed, it is likely that only 300 to 400 school districts are taking steps toward the seven commitments outlined within it. While […]
Traditional parent-teacher conferences may go the way of dial-up internet as administrators experiment with innovative family engagement programs to increase student achievement, experts say. "Parents are really interested in activities and events that involve interaction with teachers," says Elena Lopez, associate director of the Harvard Family Research Project, a national platform for family and community […]
Robert C. Fisler School serves 960 K8 students in the suburban Fullerton School District in Orange County, California. Second- through eighth-grade students participate in the school's 1-to-1 laptop program, which has been in place since the school opened in August 2004. But access to technology is meaningless without the right digital programs. Elizabeth Ellison, eighth-grade […]
Alexandria Public Schools leaders re-envisioned classrooms a few years ago when planning a new high school at their central Minnesota district. The educators were driven, in part, by students who refused to enroll in industry skills courses taught typically in classrooms tucked away in dark basements. District leaders also hoped to change the stereotype that […]
Online learning activity in public districts has overtaken state-level virtual schools and charters, according to the 12th annual "Keeping Pace with K12 Digital Learning" report, released in December. With more affordable online options, growing teacher and CIO expertise, and improved digital curriculum products, schools can more easily adopt blended learning models, the report states. Most […]
The bad news seems to be everywhere. The School District of Philadelphia had 190 teaching vacancies in October. From New York to California, enrollment in teacher-preparation programs has fallen by double-digit percentages. The president of Nevada's Board of Education called her state's teacher shortage "horrific" according to published reports, warning that, if conditions don't improve, […]
Á¢Klint W. Willert Superintendent, Brookings School District, South Dakota Topic: Testing & assessment Trend: Student achievement is measured by more than a single assessment score. The trend of moving toward multiple measures, not just a test score, to determine the quality of a teacher, a school, and district will continue to resound with the voting […]
In partnership with Northwestern University, Chicago Public Schools has been offering its first-ever MOOC—or massive open online course—to the district's high school students. The course, called "Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare," aims to introduce students to the health care job field. Comprised of six modules, the course not only connects students […]
Districts must navigate a larger number of titles and skill sets when hiring qualified literacy specialists to implement new learning standards and to improve students’ reading and writing performance. Traditionally, a reading specialist worked in small groups or one-on-one with struggling students. But more recently, the role of literacy professional has expanded to include instructional […]
More and more high school graduates are choosing to study STEM-related fields after graduating, thanks to the wealth of career opportunities that require those skills. As such, it’s vital for educators to understand how to integrate STEM into the classroom. But while most teachers are aware of the importance of STEM, strategically integrating it into […]
