grades Archives

We need a continuous K–12 literacy system

October 7, 2026 by Dr. Christina Bretz, Learning Without Tears

Early literacy investments are working, but middle and high school students need more support to round out a comprehensive K-12 approach.

The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Long-Term Trend results showed encouraging reading gains among 9-year-olds, while reading scores for 13-year-olds remained statistically unchanged.

District Management

The grade gap: Helping parents understand students’ academic progress

August 12, 2026August 3, 2026 by Scott Peters, PhD, NWEA, & Kara Stern, PhD, SchoolStatus

What closes the grade gap between reporting and understanding is real-time context around what impacts student academic progress.

For as long as school has existed, so has the parental question: How are my kids doing? For nearly two centuries, educators have used some type of report…

District Management

Science achievement is not a one-year event

July 2, 2026 by Mindy Pearson, M.Ed., Penda Learning

Educational systems often encourage leaders to focus on immediate science achievement while science learning unfolds over many years.

District leaders are under increasing pressure to improve science achievement while balancing competing priorities, staffing challenges, instructional demands, and accountability expectations.

District Management

We need accessible data and greater student agency

June 29, 2026 by Elisabeth Read & Dr. DeNay Speaks, Jefferson County Public Schools

Increased student agency strengthens and enables a growth mindset and supports the transfer of classroom knowledge into real-world skills.

Students are more than letter grades and test scores. They are unique individuals with their own goals, skills, and needs--deserving an educational journey that supports all three.

Durable Skills

Career-connected learning and life skills development in the middle grades

June 23, 2026 by Thomas O'Brien, Winward Academy & Dr. T.J. Vari, MaiaLearning

We must move beyond isolated skill instruction and integrate durable skills into curriculum, school programming, and extracurriculars.

The future of high-quality middle level engagement will include career exposure and exploration with a focus on transferable skills and the development of career goals.

Curriculum & Assessment

Building math skills by designing backpacks: How PBL shifted the way students see math

June 9, 2026 by Melanie Grosso, Riverside Presbyterian Day School

$pbl helps students understand key math concepts$

Building a strong foundation in math during elementary and middle school is essential for success in the later grades. Because each concept builds on the last, students must…

AI in Education

My students need real connection, not AI feedback

June 5, 2026 by Andrew Rodgers, Chicago High School for the Arts in Chicago & 2025-2026 Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellow

No AI algorithm can replace the human dialogue that helps students feel seen, challenged, and understood by their teachers.

As I wrapped up my student conferences, one conversation stuck with me. Steven had barely touched his final project for our computer science course, a virtual simulation of…

College and Career Readiness

Where traditional education falls short in an increasingly digital world

March 13, 2026 by Ed Kim, Code Ninjas

Teaching students essential technology skills at an early age ensures that they master critical thinking skills for the future of work.

Traditional education models rely on providing rigid pathways for students to follow. They learn a particular way to solve problems and focus on achieving specific outcomes, rather than…

AI in Education

This math platform leverages AI coaching to help students tackle tough concepts

December 25, 2025 by Laura Ascione

An AI math coaching platform, used as part of a tiered support structure, gives students access to tutoring and homework support.

Math is a fundamental part of K-12 education, but students often face significant challenges in mastering increasingly challenging math concepts.

Curriculum & Assessment

A smarter path to standards-based success: How Superior Public Schools united curriculum and data

December 11, 2025 by Tricia Kuhlmann and Jodi Fierstein, Superior Public Schools

From the beginning, school leaders knew the district's transition to a standards-based curriculum needed to be intentional and collaborative.

Creating consistency between classrooms and ensuring curriculum alignment school-wide can be challenging, even in the smallest of districts. Every educator teaches--and grades--differently based on their experience and preferences,…

Newsline

Lerner Publishing Group Launches Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s Genius and Joy Curriculum

December 9, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Lerner Publishing Group, a leading publisher of K-12 educational materials, is proud to announce the launch of Dr. Gholdy ... Read more

Literacy

4 tips to help older K-12 readers

September 17, 2025 by Miah Daughtery, EdD, NWEA

Middle schoolers and older readers will encounter interdisciplinary subjects that play a unique role in their developing literacy skills.

Teachers are noticing that older readers need ongoing support to read materials used in their classrooms. In a study commissioned by the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund…

Teaching Trends

4 tips to create an engaging digital syllabus

September 4, 2025 by Joep Leussink, AddEvent

A digital syllabus can evolve into a classroom tool that simplifies classroom management and drives more engagement year-round.

Back-to-school season arrives every year with a mixed bag of emotions for most educators, including anticipation and excitement, but also anxiety.

Literacy

How we’re rebuilding literacy–and confidence–in our high school

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025 by Cindy Walker, Birmingham Community Charter High School

By the time students reach high school, reading struggles are harder to hide--and harder to address. Unlike early grades where texts are simpler and foundational skills are the…

Literacy

One-Two-Three-Read!: A motivational reading program that works

May 20, 2025 by Dr. Gregory Stephens, Rust College and Mississippi State University

An educator-created reading program inspired genuine excitement, reinforced reading habits, and brought classrooms together.

How can educators transform reading into something students want to do rather than have to do? That’s the question we set out to answer when we created One-Two-Three-Read!.

Classroom Management

Beyond grades: Helping families support students academically

May 14, 2025 by Jacob Bruno, NWEA

Families can help students recover academically if they understand how their child is doing and how they can support academic success.

Five years ago, the COVID-19 virus was declared a pandemic, and we quickly retreated into our homes, shuttered schools, and socially isolated. The lasting effects of this isolation…

Online & Hybrid Learning

Unlocking potential: The power of online courses in our school

April 17, 2025 by Katie Kiniry, Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy

An online learning site coordinator shares seven lessons she’s learned along the way--and how students have responded to flexible learning.

Our school has built up its course offerings without having to add headcount. Along the way, we’ve also gained a reputation for having a wide selection of general…

Digital Learning Tools

Rethinking student assessment: Tools and strategies for meaningful evaluation

April 10, 2025 by Jessica Campos, M. Ed, Mesquite Independent School District

Digital tools help educators move beyond one-size-fits-all tests to assessments that capture student growth in meaningful ways.

In today’s evolving educational landscape, effective student assessment goes beyond multiple-choice tests and letter grades. According to a recent study, over 60 percent of educators believe traditional assessments…

Profiles in Innovation

With AI coaching, a math platform helps students tackle tough concepts

April 15, 2025April 2, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Math is a fundamental part of K-12 education, but students often face significant challenges in mastering increasingly challenging math concepts.

Newsline

Almost 2,000 Schools and Districts Choose Lexia® English Language Development™ to Support Emergent Bilingual Students’ English Language Acquisition

April 1, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

BOSTON (March 31, 2025) – In recent months, almost 2,000 schools and districts have purchased or renewed licenses for Lexia ... Read more

Newsline

Illinois’ Valley View School District 365 Selects Adaptive Online Reading Program to Improve Student Literacy in Grades 6-8

February 25, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Charlotte, NC —Illinois’ Valley View School District 365 (VVSD) has selected the adaptive online reading program DreamBox Reading Plus by ... Read more

Newsline

FREE Online Professional Learning for Middle Grade STEM Educators

February 10, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Through October 2025, the Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth ( ISRY) invites grade 6 to 8 STEM ... Read more

Just Right Reader Donates 315,000 Books to North Carolina Schools Impacted by Hurricane Helene

January 30, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

NORTH WILKESBORO and ASHEVILLE, North Carolina — In support of North Carolina schools in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Just ... Read more

Live @ FETC 2025

Show Floor News–Robotics Curriculum for Grades 3-5

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Laura Ascione

KinderLab Robotics, creator of the award-winning KIBO robot, is expanding its curriculum offerings to serve students in grades 3–5 with Exploring with ... Read more

Newsline

Student Gains Highlighted in MIND Education’s 2024 Annual Report

January 13, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

2024 has been an incredible year at MIND Education! A year-long study by MIND Research Institute found that nearly 9,000 ... Read more

Newsline

Smithsonian and Carolina Biological Announce New Study Results and Effectiveness of their K – 5 Science Curriculum

January 8, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

BURLINGTON, N.C.–( BUSINESS WIRE)–The Smithsonian Science Education Center and Carolina Biological announced new independent study results showing the Smithsonian Science for the ... Read more

College and Career Readiness

3 ways to create a strong district CTE program

July 29, 2025January 8, 2025 by Laura Ascione

A new report provides actionable steps for creating successful career-centered CTE programs in school districts.

Career and technical education is a crucial piece of worldwide economic success, particularly with talent shortfalls forecasted in numerous industries--but CTE leaders still face challenges in creating successful…

Engaging the reluctant reader: Benefits of gamified learning in literacy education

January 6, 2025 by Content Provided by 3P Learning

Educators see success using digital solutions to meet diverse student needs, and gamified learning can help students master literacy.

On average, about 25 percent of children in the early grades struggle with reading. These students are often reluctant readers because they find the process complicated, and they…

Newsline

Texas State Board of Education Names Just Right Reader’s English and Spanish Literacy Resources as Approved Instructional Materials

December 17, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) recently named Just Right Reader’s decodable books for grades ... Read more

Slooh’s New Earth Science Curriculum Offers Standards-Aligned Learning Activities Utilizing Orbital Satellite Feeds

December 6, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Washington Depot, Connecticut – Slooh, the pioneer in offering live online telescope feeds of the universe and an NGSS-aligned curriculum ... Read more

STEM & STEAM Trends

Early STEM career awareness drives future success for students–and the economy

November 25, 2024 by Jerry Wooden, eDynamic Learning

Engaging, career-connected STEM learning opportunities spark students' interest in emerging technologies and in-demand STEM careers.

With career interests and aspirations forming as early as age 10, the middle grades are the ideal time to start making connections between students’ academic work and their…

Newsline

Free STEM Resources from Discovery Education and Partners Support National STEM Day 2024

November 7, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Charlotte, NC — For observances of National STEM Day 2024, global edtech leader Discovery Education and select partners offer a ... Read more

Newsline

IXL Approved by Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a State-Approved Supplemental Literacy Solution for Grades K-5

October 24, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. /PRNewswire/ — IXL, the award-winning personalized learning platform used by 16 million students, has been named a High Quality ... Read more

STEM & STEAM Trends

Despite rising interest in STEM, girls face persistent obstacles

October 23, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

A new report reveals that internal factors outweigh demographics in shaping girls' STEM trajectories and longevity in the subject.

While efforts to increase girls' interest and participation in STEM learning and careers are working, girls still confront significant obstacles in STEM endeavors, leading to drops in their…

College and Career Readiness

Students want more career-connected learning

October 18, 2024 by Laura Ascione

A new poll finds that nearly half of New Hampshire high school students learn about new jobs through career-connected learning.

Fifty-nine percent of students say they would like more opportunities for career-connected learning, according to a new report from the New Hampshire Learning Initiative and Gallup.

Innovation Insights

CompTIA Spark introduces free high-quality technology curriculum for middle grade classrooms

October 11, 2024 by Kevin Hogan

Responding to a critical gap in technology education, CompTIA Spark has launched free technology curriculum specifically for middle grade classrooms, grades 5-8. ... Read more

Newsline

New Capstone Resources from Genentech and Discovery Education Empower High School Students to Explore Biotechnology

October 3, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Charlotte, NC — Futurelab+ – an educational initiative from Discovery Education and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group – ... Read more

STEM & STEAM Trends

Pandemic-related science losses hit underrepresented groups harder

October 3, 2024 by NWEA Staff

The first large-scale, in-depth analysis shows uneven post-pandemic recovery in science achievement across the elementary and middle grades.

When it comes to post-pandemic academic recovery, much discussion centers on math and reading--but science learning losses are lingering, with some groups disproportionately impacted.

Newsline

ORIGO Education Introduces ORIGO Intervention Essentials: A Game-Changer for Math Fluency

September 27, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Earth City, MO. — ORIGO Education, a leading provider of elementary math solutions from Pre-K to Grade 6, is thrilled ... Read more

Computer Science Education

How we use robots and art to make meeting computer science standards fun

September 20, 2024 by Erin Wicklund, Hillsdale Public Schools

An educator shares lesson plans for creating exciting, multidisciplinary STEM learning and computer science for 1st- and 2nd-grade students.

After the state of New Jersey revised its computer science standards in 2020, I was part of a professional learning community tasked with helping educators in all subjects…

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