Florida, maybe Alabama — will more states drop Common Core?

While some state policymakers blame the standards for stagnant student performance, others continue to make revisions without dropping the Common Core completely.

By Linda Jacobson • June 26, 2019

ISTE 2019: CTOs return to 'bootcamp', advocating for tech and more

Also, during an opening day keynote, futurist Mike Walsh said educators need not worry about being replaced by artificial intelligence, adding that automation will simply change the profession and require them to embrace new roles.

By Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan • June 25, 2019

50 States of Ed Policy: What state legislatures tackled in their 2019 sessions

From an increase in student mental health resources to varying approaches to improving school safety, here are the major takeaways from this year's state legislative sessions. 

By Naaz Modan • June 25, 2019

Trump plan to re-calculate poverty level would affect school lunch, Head Start eligibility

One estimate says that over 10 years, 100,000 students would no longer qualify for free school meals, and 300,000 children would lose health coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

By Linda Jacobson • June 24, 2019

GAO report demands action on underreported restraint and seclusion numbers

Numbers suggesting zero incidents in 70% of districts for the 2015-2016 school year are likely inaccurate, as past data trends suggest at least one instance occurs in districts with a student population of more than 100,000.

By Naaz Modan • June 21, 2019

Report: Adolescent suicide rate hits 20-year high

There are a number of options schools can pursue for additional support, though high counselor caseloads remain a problem for many.

By Amelia Harper • June 21, 2019

Ed Dept issues final Title I funding guidance

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos says the rule is meant to "reduce administrative burden," with a requirement that districts now articulate their "allocation methodology" earning praise from researchers.

By Linda Jacobson • June 20, 2019

High-quality teachers significantly boost student attendance

Brown University researchers find that among students at high risk of absenteeism, having a highly engaging teacher can increase attendance by at least seven days a year.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 20, 2019

Random wand searches will end in Los Angeles schools

Board members in the Los Angeles Unified School District have given Superintendent Austin Beutner a year to come up with alternative school safety measures.

By Linda Jacobson • June 20, 2019

Vaccine exemptions tightening in several states as measles outbreak grows

As the recent outbreak of reported measles cases this year now tops 1,000 nationwide, laws regarding exemptions are becoming more restrictive, pushing more students from the classroom.

By Amelia Harper • June 20, 2019

Houston ISD going all-in on wraparound services

The district's whole-child program will put 300 staff members in place by 2022 to assist students struggling with issues like hunger, homelessness and deportation fears.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 19, 2019

Survey: Despite long working hours, US teachers satisfied with jobs

The latest Teaching and Learning International Survey also shows U.S. teachers are less likely than peers in 48 other educational systems to express a "high need" for professional development.

By Linda Jacobson • June 19, 2019

Unpaid meals create dilemma for school administrators

Meal debt in one Oregon district grew, for example, from $1,200 in 2016-17 to $104,000 this year after the state passed an anti-lunch-shaming bill.

By Amelia Harper • June 18, 2019

Kids Count: No growth in pre-K enrollment, 8th-grade math proficiency

Leaders of the Casey Foundation, which has produced the report for 30 years, stress that counting all children in next year’s census is important for having accurate data to guide policymakers.

By Linda Jacobson • June 17, 2019

Researchers: Ed Dept's 'blanket approval' of ESSA plans signals shift in federal-state relationships

In crafting their plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act, states sometimes ignored the department’s guidance — but will that defiance lead to higher student achievement?

By Linda Jacobson • June 13, 2019

Teacher attrition demands new approaches to leadership, preparation

Experts say demanding rigorous preparation, building a career ladder, and facilitating teacher collaboration are some ways to address ongoing shortages and high turnover rates.

By Naaz Modan • June 12, 2019

Can friendlier, clearer parent letters curb absenteeism?

Changing the tone and appearance of letters addressed to parents has helped reduce chronic absenteeism by 15% in California's San Mateo County and 11% in Chicago and Philadelphia.

By Amelia Harper • June 12, 2019

With growing calls for more mental health services, states tackle school counselor caseloads

A 250-to-1 ratio is recommended, but it's much higher in many states — Arizona peaks at 905-to-1. And funds aren't always available to help lower the numbers.

By Linda Jacobson • June 6, 2019

Report highlights difficulty achieving equity for rural schools

High poverty, opioid addiction, limited healthcare and tech access, and a lower tax base contribute to challenges in lifting rural schools, according to the Tennessee Educational Equity Coalition.

By Amelia Harper • June 4, 2019

School social media surveillance raises privacy infringement questions

Districts say keeping students safe is their main concern, but surveillance may cross privacy lines as some efforts flag unrelated adults in the community for otherwise harmless posts.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 3, 2019

10 districts seceded from larger ones during past 2 years

17 more are trying to secede, though research shows such a move can rob lower-income schools of tax revenues and lead to divides among race and class.

By Shawna De La Rosa • May 31, 2019

Years of inadequate funding have left many school facilities neglected

A federal study found 53% of the nation’s schools are in need of repairs and upgrades, and estimates for addressing those needs range from $197 billion to $542 billion.

By Amelia Harper • May 31, 2019

US children better off today than in 2000

Save the Children’s global report shows declines in the dropout and teen birth rates, but the U.S. is still not in the top 25 countries on eight measures of child well-being.

By Linda Jacobson • May 28, 2019

Recovery high schools offer hope to students fighting substance abuse

Though the concept has been around for decades with a track record of success, these schools are still few and far between.

By Amelia Harper • May 24, 2019

Ed Dept to implement Obama-era equity rules in IDEA policy

Two months after losing a court battle over the issue, the department is telling states to follow the original 2016 regulations.

By Amelia Harper • May 23, 2019