Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift, Learning Without Tears, Author at eSchool News

Closing the K-2 learning gap through systematic writing instruction

February 24, 2025 by Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift, Learning Without Tears

Systematic writing instruction helps educators close K-12 literacy gaps and gives students the foundation they need for future success.

With educators under enormous pressure to make sure students meet grade level standards in reading and math, writing often takes a back seat in the curriculum, as many…

Teaching Trends

Explicit instruction: Students need more of it

February 21, 2025 by Jeremy Kaplan, Chalkbeat

Explicit instruction is a deliberate progression of modeling, guided practice, and independent practice of a skill or a concept.

As a progressive educator in New York City for 30 years, I thought I had all the answers. The best teaching had to do with inquiry, with “higher-level…

Building & Campus Security

Putting school safety measures at the forefront of district budgets

February 20, 2025 by Dr. Roderick Sams, CENTEGIX

Combining robust school safety plans and proven safety solutions can bolster teacher confidence, satisfaction, and retention.

School safety is a priority for educators, district administrators, parents, and students, making safety technology solutions essential for protecting school environments and the people within them during significant…

Digital Learning

GenAI and cultural competency: New priorities in teacher preparation

February 19, 2025 by Kelly Vaughn, Ph.D., School of Education at Notre Dame de Namur University

Cultural competency and AI literacy in teacher training programs can fundamentally transform how educators are prepared for the future.

Generative AI has the potential to transform teaching practices, improve efficiency, and even promote equity--but if used without care, it can also reinforce harmful biases.

College and Career Readiness

Empowering students to earn college credit from high school classrooms

February 18, 2025 by Allison Collier, Collierville High School

Students need clarity on their postsecondary pathways

When I discovered Modern States, a philanthropic organization offering free online courses that give any student the chance to learn college-level content, I knew it could be transformative…

Curriculum & Assessment

Embracing a growth mindset when reviewing student data

February 17, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School and William Howard Taft University & Rachel Campbell, Bessemer City Middle School

Gains in confidence, skills, and mindset set the stage for future success for all students--and for a strong growth mindset.

In the words of Carol Dweck, “Becoming is better than being.” As novice sixth grade math and English teachers, we’ve learned to approach our mid-year benchmark assessments not…

School Data Management

10 tips for using analytics and adaptive tech in schools

February 17, 2025 by Stephanie King, CoSN

Adaptive technologies adjust to the student based on their interactions with the technology and what they need.

CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative recently announced that Analytics & Adaptive Technologies as a Top Tech Enabler (tool) for 2025 and it’s appeared on the list five of the…

AI in Education

A virtual reality, AI-boosted system helps students with autism improve social skills

February 14, 2025 by Mike Krings, KU News Service

An immersive, authentic experience blends extended reality and real-world elements of AI to help students with autism build social skills.

For more than a decade, University of Kansas researchers have been developing a virtual reality system to help students with disabilities, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, to…

Innovative Teaching

In Wyoming, enhancing AI-human collaboration in IEP development

February 13, 2025 by Ling Zhang, Ph.D., University of Wyoming

A new AI tool can reduce excessive workloads for special education and enhance IEP quality for students with disabilities.

The University of Wyoming is utilizing its new CoIEP initiative--a multi-agent system powered by large language models (LLMs)--to significantly enhance artificial intelligence and human collaboration in addressing challenges…

Student Well-Being

Expanded learning can improve student well-being

February 13, 2025 by Chris Murphy, Elevo

Out-of-school time programs increase student engagement and help them prepare to succeed in school and thrive in life.

Out-of-school time (OST) programs have received a lot of attention over the past few years as districts across the country continue to address the lingering effects of pandemic-related…

Digital Learning Tools

Growing communicative, knowledge-building composers: A focus on process

February 12, 2025 by Brett Stamm, University of Southern Mississippi

Digital skills are are skills students will use for life, and they’re already part of many state and national standards.

Teaching writing today is much like being a conductor of an orchestra. Just like a conductor brings together different instruments and dynamics to create a cinematic score or…

Edtech Trends

Edtech teaching strategies that drive sustainability

February 12, 2025 by Sam Bowman, Contributing Writer

Integrating edtech learning strategies into classrooms brings sustainability and enhanced learning experiences to the forefront.

Educational technology, or edtech, has reshaped how educators teach, offering opportunities to create more sustainable and impactful learning environments.

Student Well-Being

5 restorative practices that help teachers create connections

February 11, 2025 by Kim Harding, Van Andel Institute for Education

Incorporating restorative practices into the classroom allows teachers to manage conflicts while creating a culture that respects and values each student

It’s hard to overstate the influence of school on a student’s social-emotional development. Outside of their immediate family, a student will spend most of their life among a…

District Management

Elevating family leadership to foster student success

February 10, 2025 by Marcela Andrés, designEDengagement, PBC

Collaboration through family leadership turns schools into high-quality learning spaces that offer equitable opportunities to all students.

Meticulously scrubbing floors until they gleam, braving the scorching sun while securing heavy shingles atop a roof, or navigating the relentless chaos of a packed food line--these aren’t…

AI in Education

Revolutionizing storytelling with AI: Empowering ELLs

March 31, 2025February 7, 2025 by Nesren El-Baz, ESL Educator

Integrating AI tools responsibly with storytelling empowers ELLs to find their voice and share their unique stories with confidence.

As educators, we constantly seek ways to help students overcome these barriers. Enter artificial intelligence (AI)--a powerful tool that transforms storytelling into an accessible and engaging experience for…

Education Policy & Funding

Immigration arrests at schools loom after Trump changes longstanding policy

February 7, 2025 by Kalyn Belsha, Chalkbeat

The end of treating schools as sensitive locations is just one of many executive actions on immigration from the new Trump administration.

The Trump administration has cleared the way for immigration arrests at or near schools, ending a decades-old approach.

District Management

NAEP scores show disheartening trends for the lowest-performing students

February 24, 2025February 6, 2025 by Kalyn Belsha and Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

The pandemic had a lasting impact on students, but the gap between high- and low-NAEP performers appears to have started about a decade ago.

Most American students are still performing below their pre-pandemic counterparts in reading and math, while the yawning gap between high-achieving and low-performing students got even wider, data from…

STEM & STEAM Trends

Using free resources to connect the environment to education

February 26, 2025February 6, 2025 by Merek Chang, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Drawing connections between classroom topics and industries through project-based learning better prepares students to think critically.

As a National Board-Certified Teacher, I love incorporating media literacy, environmental literacy, and civic engagement into my teaching. I want my students to think critically about how things…

Featured on eSchool News

Quality over quantity: Rethinking edtech time in the classroom

February 5, 2025 by Dr. James Lane, PDK International & Educators Rising

Great teachers know how to thoughtfully integrate and fuse digital resources and edtech into their practices in ways that motivate students.

Districts nationwide are staring down budget deficits and dwindling reserves now that stimulus funds have wound down, forcing superintendents to make difficult decisions about what to cut, what…

Student Well-Being

How can educators help students navigate emotion-laden information on digital media?

February 5, 2025 by Zi Jia Ng & Victoria Mack, Education Collaboratory at Yale University

To promote adaptive repetitive thinking, educators can address unpleasant emotions that students may experience with content on digital media

Schools provide a unique platform in supporting children with emotion-laden information on digital media, given the frequent use of digital media in teaching and learning.

Teaching Trends

Empathy, adaptability, and real-world readiness: Supporting students in 2025

February 4, 2025 by Dr. Richard Savage, California Online Public Schools

When educators are able to provide support and flexibility in classroom learning, it can help students and their families thrive.

Each year, we continue to see K-12 education evolve, from the increase in homeschooling to the power of parental choice to advancements in AI and VR. At the…

SEL & Well-Being

How SEL can help prevent burnout in teachers and students

February 4, 2025 by Kseniia Begma, IB Educator

Integrating SEL into daily practices helps schools equip teachers and students with the tools to navigate stress and build strong connections

The demands of modern education often leave teachers and students feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. From juggling multiple responsibilities to meeting high expectations, burnout has become a significant challenge…

Teaching Trends

Partnering for a global future: The Madrid connection

February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 by Marjorie B. Tiven, Global Cities, Inc.

Global competency and global learning are not correlated to other areas of academic performance and must be directly taught.

Picture this: a seventh-grader in Madrid is discussing how her class is developing an approach to water scarcity with peers in Mumbai, Buffalo, Buenos Aires, and Astana.

Edtech Trends

5 of the biggest education trends for 2025

January 31, 2025 by Dr. Christina Counts, MiEN Environments

2025 education trends include making learning more engaging, creating a more positive environment for educators, and transforming culture.

As we welcome a new year, educators and industry leaders are excited to discover the biggest education trends for 2025. The past few years have been characterized by…

Education Policy & Funding

What teachers want Donald Trump to know about their schools and their jobs

January 31, 2025 by Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

Teachers want Trump to know they care deeply about their students, want to prepare them for success, and that education is a priority.

Donald Trump will become the 47th president with his inauguration on Monday. What do America’s educators want from him?

District Management

6 ways to boost district engagement with a unified communications platform

January 30, 2025 by John Cabral and Cynthia Johnson, Taunton Public Schools

A unified district communications and engagement platform helps maximize time--a limited resource in most districts.

When we were in the middle of the pandemic and everything in education was turned on its head, we realized that we needed a better way to communicate…

Edtech Trends

3 edtech tools for station rotation in early learning

January 30, 2025 by Abby Wessel, Anoka Hennepin School District & Concordia University, St. Paul

In a station rotation model, ensure that the digital activities students complete with edtech tools are meaningful for student learning.

Blended learning has become more popular in recent years given the creative ways educators had to teach students virtually during the pandemic, and many forms have stuck around…

AI in Education

Navigating AI in education: The future of human teaching

January 29, 2025 by Sam Bowman, Contributing Writer

Smart classrooms blend AI tools with skilled teaching, creating spaces where students learn from both digital insights and human wisdom.

Artificial intelligence brings opportunities and questions to classrooms worldwide. Teachers find AI tools that grade assignments, create lesson plans, and offer personalized student support.

Education Policy & Funding

Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education

March 12, 2025January 28, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Schools & William Howard Taft University

Advocates for dismantling the Department of Education argue for local control and efficiency, while critics highlight risks to equity, access.

In light of Donald Trump assuming a second presidential term in 2025, conversations concerning dismantling the United States Department of Education have resurfaced.

District Management

‘Pathway to Prosperity’ initiative shows the power of partnerships in driving student success

January 28, 2025 by Olen Anderson, Work ED

Bringing together multiple stakeholder groups in support of our students and student success creates tremendous synergy within communities.

Key points: Educators and school administrators are working incredibly hard to get all students, and especially their most challenged populations, ... Read more

District Management

Chronic absenteeism threatens to derail K-12 education

January 27, 2025 by Joe Philleo, Edia

When communities unite to battle chronic absenteeism and make school attendance a priority, students receive the support they need to succeed

The biggest problem in education is that kids aren’t showing up to school. Last year, 26 percent of students missed a month of class or more, leading to…

Digital Learning Tools

Creating podcasts in the classroom

January 27, 2025 by Hugo Johnson, Elementary School Educator

Podcasting in the classroom provides a simple yet powerful medium that can help students in their literacy and communication growth.

Finding innovative ways to engage students while maximizing learning is a goal many educators strive for. In today's digital age, it is necessary for educators to think outside…

Student Well-Being

Screen-free students: How Spokane Public Schools is helping kids engage in real life

January 24, 2025 by Sean Duke, Washington State School Directors' Association

In just two years, the district has seen attendance increase, student engagement and wellness improve, and dependence on smartphones diminish

The adverse effects of this excessive screen time have significantly impacted students’ social- emotional health. Forty-one percent of teens with the highest social media usage struggle with mental health issues.

Students with Special Needs

Crafting technology-driven IEPs

January 24, 2025 by Shannon Keenan, Special Education Teacher

Technology-driven IEPs create more student-centered learning experiences by implementing digital tools and enhancing collaboration.

Individualized Education Plans (IEP) have been the foundation of special education for decades, and the process in which these documents are written has evolved over the years.

AI in Education

Asking the right questions: Unlocking the full potential of AI tools

January 23, 2025 by Nesren El-Baz, ESL Educator

As tools like ChatGPT and Copilot become increasingly integral to education, knowing what questions to ask AI is a critical skill.

Asking the right questions isn’t just a tool for learning; it’s a critical skill that defines success in professional and personal spheres.

Student Well-Being

They aren’t bad kids–they just don’t know they’re good kids yet

January 23, 2025 by Dr. George Philhower, Eastern Hancock Schools

In our schools, we need to foster environments where every child knows they’re good, even "bad kids" who haven’t figured it out yet.

In the world of education, labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies. A child is labeled "troubled," "difficult," or "a bad kid," and suddenly, that label becomes their identity.

Durable Skills

Design thinking in the 21st century is an imperative

January 22, 2025 by Gabriel Eisenbacher, Minnewaska Area Schools

Incorporating design thinking into classrooms is not just an educational trend, but a transformative shift educators need to make.

Love it or hate it, many teachers have seen just how much technology has changed the landscape of education. Within this rapidly changing landscape, teachers have taken on…

K-12 Cybersecurity

Preparing for evolving ransomware threats in 2025

January 22, 2025 by Gary Barlet, Illumio

For ransomware threats, schools must embrace an "assume breach" mindset and strengthen internal defenses to avoid cyber disasters.

As ransomware evolves, so must the strategies used to combat it. Traditional perimeter defenses, such as firewalls and antivirus software, are no longer sufficient in an era of…

College and Career Readiness

5 CTE trends to track in 2025

January 21, 2025 by Dr. Brooke Rice, NAF

CTE programs are likely to refocus on the development of technical and durable skills that employers deem necessary for success.

While the future is theirs to create, today's career and technical education (CTE) providers are adapting to meet the moment and giving students access to opportunities to develop…

Online & Hybrid Learning

How to choose the right digital courses for your students

January 21, 2025 by Misty Mizzoni, FlexPoint

Identifying your digital must-haves is among the most important actions to ensure digital courses meet student needs.

With an abundance of digital curriculum options in the marketplace, it can feel overwhelming for school administrators to find digital courses that meet the needs of their students.

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