By Christy Martin Communities are navigating a period in which schools and educational technology must rapidly evolve to meet changing societal needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new risks to health and safety and demands a fundamental rethinking not only of teaching and learning but also of the support systems that surround students and educators. … Read more

  By Jessica Iovinelli   The demands of the 21st century and the information age require schools to revisit their mission, vision, and goals. With instant access to vast amounts of information, education must prioritize the National Education Association’s “Four Cs”: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Approaches that blend Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, … Read more

In a recent podcast episode, LeiLani Cauthen, Publisher and CEO of the Learning Counsel, and Tricia Kennedy, Executive Director of Instructional Development and Support for Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia, explore the growing challenges and opportunities around digital delivery in K–12 education. Their conversation focuses on the operational complexity that schools face as they … Read more

By LeiLani Cauthen Editor’s Note: This three-part series aims to identify the root problem to act on, rather than treating each challenge as isolated. As noted in the first article, if the issue being addressed is not the real problem, it will not be solved—and it will likely worsen. On the subject of student attrition, … Read more

By Dr. Kimberlee Ratliff Program Director, M.Ed. School Counseling at American Public University As a counselor educator, I prepare future professional school counselors who are committed to improving the lives of children. I was therefore alarmed to learn of a decision by the Ohio State Board of Education to remove a rule that required at … Read more

Guest Article from Open Books Strategies to Engage Reluctant Middle School Readers Reluctant readers are easy to spot: they rarely seem excited by assigned texts, they hesitate to pick up new books, and they may need prompting to complete even short reading tasks. Yet with thoughtful approaches and the right encouragement, many middle school students … Read more

Written By: Robyn Shulman There is an ongoing debate in higher education about whether students should be treated primarily as learners or as customers. In my view, graduate students occupy both roles. In the classroom they are learners who contribute academically and engage deeply with course material; outside the classroom they are paying customers who … Read more

The high school years are a critical period for self-discovery: identifying strengths and weaknesses, clarifying ambitions, developing communication and practical life skills, and planning for college or a career after graduation. Framing those years with a clear, purpose-driven identity can change outcomes for students, their families, and their communities. Too many high school students leave … Read more

(Dated April 30) ALA President Commends ConnectED: Library Challenge to Expand Student Access to Public Library Cards Today, American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young issued a statement in response to President Obama’s announcement of the ConnectED: Library Challenge, an initiative designed to ensure that every student receives a public library card through their school. … Read more

U.S. K-12 EdTech Spending Surged in 2020, Survey Finds By Charles Sosnik In 2020, U.S. K-12 education institutions spent $35.8 billion on educational technology — including devices, major software systems, digital curriculum resources and networks — an increase of $7.5 billion compared with 2019. That sharp rise was driven largely by emergency funding from the … Read more