Despite concerns, Gen Z students are optimistic about AI
There’s never been a more turbulent time for young people to plan for and embark on their futures, and a new survey gives insights on their feelings and…
high school
What it takes to build teacher confidence in math: 4 lessons for district leaders
After 20 years teaching high school math, I thought I understood why students struggled. Then I sat in my first professional learning session focused on early math and…
It’s time to rewrite math standards for the future–and to stop expecting AI to do it for us
While nearly every industry is racing to integrate artificial intelligence, most schools are still teaching high school math the way it’s been done for decades--rooted in instructional material…
Sustainable change starts with educator voice
School leaders everywhere are working to implement change--new initiatives, new instructional frameworks, new technologies, new approaches to student support.
5 secrets to stronger high school connections
I’ve been a principal for 14 years, during which time I served as the leader of an alternative school, an early college, and a large middle school. Through…
Student use of AI for homework rises as concerns grow about critical thinking skills
Student use of AI for homework increased in 2025, even as more students are worried the technology may be harming their ability to think critically, according to a…
Nearly half of high school students now use AI in college search
AI is transforming the way students discover, evaluate, and choose colleges, according to a national survey of more than 5,000 high school students conducted by education company EAB.
From high school to career: 6 CTE trends to track in 2026
Without a doubt, career and technical education (CTE) is priceless for high school students wanting to get real-world, hands-on job skills before they graduate and turn their interests…
Building pathways to purpose: How we can empower students for an uncertain future
One day, something clicked for Jacob Griffin's students. Mr. Griffin, a teacher at the NAF Academy of Engineering at Southeast Raleigh High School in North Carolina, found that…
The end of one-direction career pathways: Why empowering students sets the best course for future success
When middle school students make the leap to high school, they are expected to have a career path in mind so their classes and goals align with their…
AI, CTE are key to preparing students for future careers
Educators are embracing AI and career and technical education (CTE) as keys to preparing students for their future after high school, according to the 2025 Savvas Educator Index…
Tools and ideas to engage students in career-connected learning
For nearly two decades, I’ve worked to improve teaching and learning with technology. And while the continuously evolving nature of technology has changed the trajectory of my career…
Strengthening middle school literacy: What educators need to know
Literacy has always been the foundation of learning, but for middle school students, the stakes are especially high. These years mark the critical shift from learning to read…
Beyond AI: Human connection still drives school attendance
At ISTE this summer, I lost count of how many times I heard "AI" as the answer to every educational challenge imaginable. Student engagement? AI-powered personalization!
Why high schools should use teaching assistants
Exam scores always seem to go up. Whether it’s the SAT when applying for college or an AP score to earn college credit, competitive scores seem to be…
4 tips to support the literacy needs of middle and high school students
Today's middle schoolers continue to struggle post-pandemic to read and write at the level needed to successfully navigate more complex academic content in the upper grades and beyond.
Students are anxious about the future with AI–their parents are, too
In a Spring 2024 Education Next article, I argued that, despite the conventional wisdom that students were all in on artificial intelligence (AI), many in high school and college felt…
How we’re rebuilding literacy–and confidence–in our 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…
Bridging the language gap with AI tools every teacher can use
AI tools aren’t a replacement for good teaching, but they offer powerful scaffolds. Teachers can differentiate, reinforce, and expand instruction, without needing to become language specialists.
How Kai Cenat saved my high school English class
Like many teachers since the public release of ChatGPT, I’ve encountered frustration. For a lot of us, it has felt as though we are spending more of our…
Middle and high school students need education, career guidance
Students need more support around education paths and career options, including hands-on experiences, according to a new nationwide survey from the nonprofit American Student Assistance.
Teachers see online learning as critical for workforce readiness in 2025
In an era where workforce demands and the needs of high school learners are rapidly evolving, a new survey by Penn Foster Group sheds light on how teachers…
My high school Spanish teacher taught me about the original AI–Authentic Interaction
As AI dominates the education zeitgeist, I think it’s time to highlight an effective teaching tool as tried and true as a Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil: high-quality IRL…
Many states picked diploma pathways over high school exit exams. Did students benefit?
When 18-year-old Edgar Brito thinks about what he’ll do in the future, mechanical engineering is high on the list. The senior at Washington state’s Toppenish High School first…
aiEDU and The Rithm Project Partner to Infuse Human Connection into AI Literacy Through High School ELA Curriculum
DENVER — The AI Education Project (aiEDU) and The Rithm Project are proud to announce a new partnership focused on ... Read more
Most students aren’t ready for life after high school
Students are navigating a rapidly changing world with outdated tools and minimal guidance. We need urgent action to redesign how we prepare young people for life after high…
The AI Gap: Why Teachers Can’t Afford to Wait on the Sidelines
Tired of talking about AI? That’s too bad. The technology remains the most impactful force in education. The challenge becomes ... Read more
The best tools to create blended learning environments
Thirty unique, energetic learners enter a bright, welcoming 4th grade classroom. The students’ academic levels span an incredible range--from kindergarten-level skills to almost high school-level proficiency.
Crafting environments where students with autism thrive
Recent public commentary about autism has brought new urgency to the conversation. Awareness alone isn’t enough--students on the spectrum benefit from environments where their needs are understood, respected,…
Alliant Credit Union Foundation Grants $108K to Boost AI and Digital Programs at Ridgewood High School
The Alliant Credit Union Foundation has awarded a $108,000 grant to Digital Leaders Now, the nonprofit that powers the Digital Leaders Academy ... Read more
Students learn the basics of AI as they weigh its use in their future careers
On a recent Thursday morning, Michael Taubman asked his class of seniors at North Star Academy’s Washington Park High School: “What do you think AI’s role should be…
Trigg County Public Schools Deploys ZeroEyes’ AI Gun Detection and Intelligent Situational Awareness Technology
ZeroEyes, the creators of the first AI-based gun detection video analytics platform to earn the full U.S. Department of Homeland ... Read more
A new kind of high school diploma trades chemistry for carpentry
In a corner of Huffman High School, the sounds of popping nail guns and whirring table saws fill the architecture and construction classroom.
How 3 districts reimagined high school and the future of work
If students are to graduate prepared to succeed as they pursue higher education or join the future-ready workforce, high schools must evolve--and innovative districts are ready to meet…
Can AI help reduce math anxiety?
As AI becomes more widespread in education, more than half of high school students (56 percent) polled think it can go a long way in reducing math anxiety,…
SkillsUSA competitions give students hands-on experience with career skills
The most effective way for students to learn career-ready skills in fields such as advanced manufacturing and robotics is by applying these skills in the context of authentic…
The human edge in the AI era
In the Future of Jobs 2025 report, the World Economic Forum predicts that 60 percent of jobs will require upskilling or retraining, or they'll be threatened. The skills we…
Growing challenges for school counselors impact student outcomes
Middle and high school counselors juggle overwhelming caseloads, expanded mental health duties, and additional administrative burdens--all of which limit their ability to provide individualized support for students.
Unlocking potential: The power of online courses in our school
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…
5 vocabulary strategies powered by technology
In my work with middle school students, I’ve seen how critical that period of development is to students’ future success. One area of focus in a middle schooler’s…