story Archives

Schools have struggled to add learning time after COVID–here’s how one district did it

November 28, 2023 by Kalyn Belsha, Chalkbeat

One district extended its school day to help students catch up after the pandemic--a rare effort nationally to add instructional time and learning time after covid.

School leaders floated the idea to lengthen Cicero 99’s school day before COVID hit, but the proposal took on greater urgency when educators saw how the pandemic set…

College and Career Readiness

As teens rethink college and career options, counselors are trying to adapt

November 27, 2023 by Michael Elsen-Rooney, Chalkbeat

The pandemic upended the college and career landscape for New York City teenagers, and counselors are trying to redefine their roles.

When students come into Danielle Insel’s college and career advising office with their sights set on higher education, she has a checklist of next steps ready. For years,…

CoSN Corner

Leveraging the K-12 generative AI readiness checklist: A guide for district leadership

November 28, 2023November 15, 2023 by Tom Ryan, Ph.D., Co-Founder, K-12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group (K12STAG) (NM) & Shahryar Khazei, Consultant, Infosys (CA)

The rapid pace of generative AI development brings with it both great opportunities and exposure to risk for schools and district leaders.

Whether or not a school district is considering leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), the influence of this technology on educational ecosystems is undeniable.

Teaching Trends

Outdoor classrooms should outlast COVID

October 31, 2023 by Becca Katz

Being in nature seemed to help my students focus--growing research validates the benefits of outdoor learning and outdoor classrooms.

The evidence for learning in nature is compelling, robust, and growing. Reduced stress. Improved attention and cognitive function. More physical fitness. Fewer behavioral challenges. Higher engagement.

AI in Education

5 positive ways students can use AI

December 11, 2023October 25, 2023 by MacKenzie Price, Co-Founder, 2hr Learning & Alpha School

AI is here to stay, and will be an important workforce skill--let's teach our students to work with it, not against it, in the classroom.

You’ve heard all the news about kids using ChatGPT to cheat, but there's another side to this story. Just as the internet revolutionized education, AI will be the…

College and Career Readiness

Companies go to high schools for career training

October 12, 2023 by Aleksandra Appleton, Chalkbeat Indiana

Vocational schools of the past contributed to inequity, but modern career training gives students a window into their options.

Where vocational schools of the past contributed to inequity by directing low-income and students of color into low-wage jobs, modern career training can give students a window into…

Durable Skills

3 lessons on perseverance from Stoffel the honey badger

May 5, 2024September 19, 2023 by Jon Oosterman, Learning Specialist, Van Andel Institute for Education

Perseverance requires flexibility and patience, but it results in growth and new opportunities for students and teachers alike.

Have you ever heard the story of Stoffel the honey badger? Stoffel was rescued by a wildlife rehabilitation center after being injured by a pride of lions and…

Teacher Professional Development

Education majors share why they want to become teachers

September 4, 2023 by Jade Thomas, Chalkbeat Indiana

Many teachers have left the profession after the pandemic, but some college students are determined to choose a career in education.

Like school systems across the country, Indianapolis districts have struggled to fill their teaching vacancies, especially after the pandemic. Many experienced teachers are leaving the profession, citing inadequate pay or…

Teacher Professional Development

9 big ideas to bolster the teaching profession and boost student learning

August 7, 2023 by Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat

The teaching profession is facing a series of crises, but there are solutions that might help, such as increasing pay and curricular support.

America’s schools face a number of warning signs about the teaching profession: higher turnover, lower morale, declining interest in the profession among college students, persistent shortages in certain subjects. These…

Literacy

I work with struggling readers–here’s what’s standing in their way

July 13, 2023 by Bridget Scanlan, Chalkbeat Philadelphia

It’s heartbreaking to realize that I never taught many of my former students to read--but here's why struggling readers often struggle.

I learned to love reading as a kid, spellbound by wizarding worlds and ghost stories. I wanted to share this love, so I became an intervention teacher, working…

COVID in Schools

COVID learning loss likely to linger without intensive work

May 29, 2023 by Kalyn Belsha, Chalkbeat

COVID learning loss was driven more by factors in student’s communities and school districts than in their homes, new research finds.

Just as COVID hit some communities much harder than others, schools across the U.S. suffered disparate academic losses in the wake of the pandemic.

District Management

How our district improved a 5 percent attendance rate

July 28, 2023May 4, 2023 by Daniella Byrne, Public Information Officer, Eagle Pass Independent School District

Our rural district found its attendance rate so low after the pandemic that funding was at risk. Here’s how we brought students back to class

Here at Eagle Pass Independent School District, we’re right on the border of the United States and Mexico. Approximately 95 percent of our students are Hispanic, and most…

Edtech Trends

With greater access to devices, teachers are folding more tech into instruction

April 21, 2023 by Reema Amin, Chalkbeat New York

COVID's seismic shift made devices more accessible to students than ever before, and has made teachers edtech enthusiasts

Before the pandemic, U.S. history teacher Travis Malekpour hesitated assigning his students work in the classroom that required a computer. He knew not every student had a laptop…

STEM & STEAM Trends

How a middle school teacher grew students’ math scores despite pandemic challenges

April 19, 2023 by Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana

$Throughout the pandemic, this middle school math teacher held students to high expectations whether they were learning in person or virtually$

As a senior at Indianapolis’ Ben Davis High School, Jacob Gregory enrolled in an Exploratory Teaching program. He thought of it as an easy way to leave school…

District Management

3 tips for confusion-free inclement weather communications

July 28, 2023March 16, 2023 by Dr. Kara Stern, Head of Content, SchoolStatus

Reduce chances for confusion and ensure your weather-related communications are clear and concise to help families plan.

Even if the old spoon under the pillow trick hasn’t worked for the students in your district yet, it doesn’t mean it won’t be your turn next!

Student Well-Being

As Seattle schools sue social media companies, what’s the legal impact?

February 10, 2023 by Julian Shen-Berro, Chalkbeat

Seattle’s public school district filed a lawsuit against major social media companies, alleging their business practices have harmed the district and its students

A notable new lawsuit against social media industry leaders by the Seattle school district has left legal experts divided on how the case will unfold.

Teacher Professional Development

I’m a first-year teacher. How do I become successful in the classroom?

January 3, 2023 by Dr. Kem Smith, Chalkbeat

For beginning teachers, decide what you value and support students as individuals, build a community of learners, and connect with fellow teachers for support

This is my first year as a teacher and I’m teaching sixth grade, so both my students and I are new to the school. I’m wondering if you…

Newsline

Treering Yearbooks Launches New Donation Feature

November 22, 2022November 21, 2022 by ESchool News Staff

SAN MATEO, CA — Treering Yearbooks – a company modernizing traditional yearbooks – enables schools across America to make yearbooks ... Read more

Teaching Trends

4 ways we designed collaborative learning spaces

December 5, 2022November 18, 2022 by Melinda Dixon, Assistant Principal, Mulberry High School

New collaborative learning spaces are helping educators take their instruction to new levels and are increasing student engagement.

When we built a new 3-story high school building on our former baseball field, we knew that we wanted to incorporate spaces where students could learn and teachers…

Newsline

New Storybooks and Companion Stuffed Animals Support Children’s Mental Wellness

November 2, 2022 by ESchool News Staff

Los Angeles — Silver Lining Stuffies launched its inaugural line of storybooks and companion stuffed animals crafted to provide children ... Read more

Student Well-Being

Chicago students can take up to 5 mental health days

December 7, 2022September 15, 2022 by Norah Hendrickson, Chalkbeat Chicago

With mental health issues increasing for youth due to the pandemic and rising violence in the city, students welcome the chance to take a break

With working 25 hours a week at her minimum wage job at an ice cream shop, juggling a stressful workload with AP and honors classes, and dealing with…

District Management

Is there a national teacher shortage? Here’s what we know and don’t know

December 7, 2022September 2, 2022 by Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat

The ingredients are there for a teacher shortage and for it to be a harder than normal year for recruiting teachers

Students across the country are heading back to school. Will there be enough teachers waiting for them?

Students with Special Needs

Getting real-world experience: High schoolers design a ‘life skills’ lab for students with disabilities

December 7, 2022July 14, 2022 by Marcela Rodrigues-Sherley, Chalkbeat New York

Students at the School of Design and Construction are partnering with IKEA to build a life skills learning lab for students with disabilities

A collaboration between two schools co-located in a midtown Manhattan campus has bridged both of their missions in the most fruitful way possible: a hands-on project giving their…

Classroom Innovations

How to ignite the fire of student engagement

May 18, 2022 by Jamie MacPherson, Learning Solution Specialist, Van Andel Institute for Education

Through authentic learning, we can improve student engagement and demonstrate how the work they do in class has an impact on the broader world

Recently, a co-worker of mine shared a story from when he was in high school. During one chemistry class his teacher happened to light a small fire within…

Student Well-Being

One way to address student mental health? Bring the clinic to school

December 7, 2022April 20, 2022 by Koby Levin, Chalkbeat Detroit

In Michigan, school-based mental health centers and clinics are poised for an expansion in the wake of the pandemic.

Many Michigan school administrators say they’ve often served as stand-in public health officials during the pandemic. So it’s no surprise that districts across the state are eager to…

SEL & Well-Being

Playing to win: The vital role of research in the future of esports

February 14, 2022 by Danielle Rourke, Senior Higher Education Strategist, Dell Technologies

As esports communities become more popular, research-proven practices will be critical in supporting esports athletes and programs.

Esports--commonly accepted as “a multiplayer video game played competitively in front of spectators, by both professional and amateur gamers”--is quickly becoming a household term along with esports game…

Edtech Trends

What did 2021 bring to K-12 edtech?

January 25, 2023December 30, 2021 by Laura Ascione

What edtech trends will take top billing in schools and districts in the new year?

When we posted our 2020 predictions on January 1 last year, we--along with the majority of the world--definitely didn't anticipate the curveball that was (and continues to be)…

Classroom Innovations

7 fun digital learning tools to try in the classroom

December 27, 2021 by Laura Ascione

It never hurts to try new digital learning tools--and summer is a great opportunity to explore potential new additions to the classroom

During pandemic learning, educators have seen a plethora of digital learning tools and resources, and they're figuring out what does and doesn't work for their instructional methods.

COVID-19 Update

7 tips for a strong remote learning strategy

December 21, 2021 by James Snyder, Executive Director, Camelot Education Academies at Hamilton

Thinking outside the classroom can lead to engaging ways to inspire students during remote learning

It’s halfway through the academic year, and schools across the United States are still wrestling with how to keep students enthusiastic about learning through a computer screen.

Curriculum

21 great tools for AR and VR in the classroom

December 20, 2021 by Laura Ascione

AR and VR resources offer educators a way to construct immersive and engaging learning experiences for all students

Nearly everyone has experienced augmented reality and virtual reality to some degree, and while they're fun, AR and VR can also be incredibly powerful when integrated into classroom…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Whatever it takes: How one underserved district continues to make it through the pandemic

January 25, 2023August 24, 2021 by Kevin Hogan

A superintendent forges a path for her district—a path that highlights student voice and community

Listening to Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools in Michigan, managing her district through this pandemic almost sounds like a positive story.

Classroom Innovations

7 under-the-radar digital learning tools to try this fall

August 13, 2021July 2, 2021 by Laura Ascione

There are some well-known and much-loved digital learning tools that are part of every educator's must-try list, but why not throw some new resources into the mix?

Newsline

Teachers Offer Tips To Make Summer Learning More Inspiring, Creative and Challenging, Using Osmo for Schools’ STEAM Technology

June 3, 2021 by ESchool News Staff

Exploring Nature, Creating Stories, Learning Financial Literacy, Are Among Ideas Suggested Palo Alto- From exploring nature to story creation to ... Read more

District Management

5 reasons to not pass on password protection

May 26, 2021 by Zachary Jetson, Director of Information Security, University Technology Office at Arizona State University

Password protection is key--especially as more learning goes digital and as cybercriminals become more adept at hacking networks

Although no password is uncrackable, increasing the complexity of the password can make the process more difficult and has proven an effective method for dissuading hackers, ultimately keeping…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

Creating educational opportunity with equity and fairness

December 7, 2022May 21, 2021 by Irwin Kirsch, Ralph W. Tyler Chair in Large-Scale Assessment & Director of the Centers of Global Assessment & Research on Human Capital & Education, ETS, and Henry Braun, Boisi Professor of Education & Public Policy, Director of the Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation, & Educational Policy at the Lynch School of Education at Boston College

Different starting points place children on very different paths, leading to advantages or disadvantages when it comes to educational opportunity and opportunity as a whole

Different starting points in life place children on distinctly different trajectories of growth, leading to an accelerated accumulation of advantage or disadvantage and, ultimately, to vastly different adult…

Newsline

Kanopy Enhances Kanopy Kids with Short Films from Sesame Workshop and Highlights

January 5, 2021 by ESchool News Staff

According to a soon-to-be released Kanopy survey of more than 730 librarians — primarily in the U.S. –50% of public ... Read more

COVID-19 Update

Here’s the biggest mistake educators make with remote learning

January 7, 2021December 30, 2020 by Dennis Pierce

5 ways to create a community of learners

Education thought leader Alan November isn’t shy about discussing what he believes is a key misstep that many educators are making in shifting to web-based instruction during the…

District Management

Blended learning models can help schools reopen–here’s how

March 8, 2021December 21, 2020 by Thomas Arnett, Senior Research Fellow in Education, Clayton Christensen Institute

There are a number of options for schools and districts hoping to keep learning as consistent as possible this fall--and blended learning features heavily in all scenarios

As educators start considering their options for the fall, the future is full of uncertainty. If schools remain closed, they’ll need to prepare for more remote learning. On…

Teaching Trends