Vancouver Public Schools in Washington has increased educational opportunities and kindergarten readiness by offering free evening preschool. Launched three years ago at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, the program—which uses existing kindergarten classrooms and teachers—now operates at nine elementaries with 170 students. The initiative provides preschool access for families who cannot participate in traditional […]
In his new book What School Could Be, innovation expert Ted Dintersmith profiles schools that focus on innovation and "real" learning, rather than endlessly drilling on formulas and definitions that don't matter in today's world. Our archaic model of education trains kids for a world that no longer exists, and accelerating advances in technology are eliminating millions of […]
During Noel Petrosky's 12 years at different Saint Marys Area School District elementary schools, she saw assessment data accurately predict student performance on state tests and inform instruction that led to student growth. That wasn't the case at Saint Marys Area Middle School when she became principal two years ago. "I thought, 'I can't go […]
This spring, schools have experienced a profound increase in student suicides and attempts, as well as school shootings. Recognize that as bad as things have been this spring, things are likely to be worse next fall. Contention over race, origin, LGBTQ, and sexual assault/harassment will increase, along with contention over gun control in the context […]
Incorporating high-quality resources to support ELL students can have a stark impact on whether they succeed. At High School of World Cultures, we have been able to pinpoint four best practices for evaluating ELL resources. Editor's note: District Administration welcomes the insights and opinions of educators and administrators on all topics. If you would like to […]
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 […]
Not long ago, 3D printers were the hot new edtech tool. Costing thousands of dollars, they were prized possessions that only teachers in specialties such as art and engineering knew how to use. Today, they have become necessary devices in ever-evolving, increasingly sophisticated classrooms in all subjects. And out in the workplace, students who have […]
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 […]
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 […]
Without the right intervention tools, it is nearly impossible to turn a struggling reader into a successful reader. But with the right program, combined with effective teaching strategies, extensive gains for struggling readers in comprehension, fluency, and spelling are attainable in any district. In this web seminar, the principal of an innovative middle school in […]
