Wi-Fi and hotspots 'still won't work' for rural districts lacking connectivity

While coronavirus-related closures have renewed the push to close the connectivity gap for rural communities, those initiatives are “disconnected” from the reality on the ground, superintendents say.

By Naaz Modan • March 27, 2020

Ensuring e-learning equity takes time

A New Hampshire elementary teacher advises easing into remote learning as much as possible for the sake of students and educators alike.

By Lauren Barack • March 25, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

School Safety and Security

Safety and security has been a growing concern for school districts, with shootings continuing to rise amid concerns over how to best prevent and respond to them.

By K-12 Dive staff

Lessons in Leadership: Innovation fuels North Carolina district’s commitment to helping students find their passions

Rowan-Salisbury School System Superintendent Lynn Moody says teaching students interpersonal skills and encouraging exploration is key to their future success in college and the workforce.

By Roger Riddell • March 24, 2020

Adding up the real cost of password management for school districts

IT support for lost or forgotten passwords can add up to a significant amount of money, but how much is it really costing?

March 23, 2020

FCC waives E-rate gift rules as coronavirus closures highlight remote learning inequity

Participants in the federal telecommunications discount program can now accept free services and equipment to facilitate home connectivity for students.

By Roger Riddell • March 20, 2020

Present and accounted for? Coronavirus-related school closures create attendance challenges

Experts say regardless of the method used to track e-learning participation, ongoing contact with students will be essential.

By Linda Jacobson • March 19, 2020

Push to close homework gap grows as coronavirus necessitates virtual learning

The Federal Communications Commission and lawmakers are moving on efforts to increase families' home internet access and facilitate remote learning.

By Naaz Modan • March 13, 2020

Curricular Counsel: What makes a 'transformational' school?

Fully aware of the preponderance of buzzwords in K-12, Leicester Public Schools' Matthew X. Joseph shares an action plan to meaningfully rethink schools.

By Roger Riddell • March 11, 2020

Report: Safety tip lines flag bullying, drug use, suicide risk

Though the technology was originally meant to identify gun violence threats, a national study found 75% of principals thought tip lines made them more aware of overall safety issues in their schools.

By Naaz Modan • March 2, 2020

Soft skills are an invaluable 'counterpart to STEM.' Here's how a USC program is equipping teens

The Center for Third Space Thinking usually trains corporate executives, but founder Ernest Wilson says there are five competencies K-12 students "desperately need" to succeed in a tech-focused world. 

By Linda Jacobson • March 2, 2020

5 critical steps to securing modern school networks

A district director of information technology details how to protect schools from increasing ransomware attacks that have cost organizations billions of dollars.

By Matthew J. Frederickson • Feb. 28, 2020

Teaching students to use what's around them bolsters critical thinking

A middle school math teacher says having students use resources like calculators to identify different approaches to problems strengthens soft skills.

By Lauren Barack • Feb. 26, 2020

Darling-Hammond: School structures make it hard for educators to 'care effectively'

Last week's AASA conference also included superintendents from Dallas, Savannah-Chatham County and Kansas City, Missouri, discussing a variety of approaches to personalization. 

By Linda Jacobson • Feb. 18, 2020

10 factors that help determine ed tech success or failure

Schools spend $13 billion annually on ed tech, and the EdTech Genome Project plans to further study the variables identified to help schools and districts make better-informed investments.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Feb. 13, 2020

Green initiatives expand hands-on science opportunities for students

At Grant Elementary School in Missouri, students grow native plants inside a portable classroom called the Eco-Schoolhouse that sports solar panels.

By Lauren Barack • Feb. 12, 2020

Is instructional coaching an answer to preventing waste in ed tech?

As schools work to unlock the full benefits of new devices and platforms, many districts are looking to instructional coaching to help educators tap into the possibilities.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 27, 2020

Report: Climate change literacy, early childhood focus shaping STEM in 2020

Other factors trending in STEM include a more comprehensive approach to tech and a growing interest in computer science, 100Kin10 finds, but a persistent shortage of teachers remains a hindrance.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 24, 2020

Customized microcredential programs benefit rural schools with convenient PD options

These ​programs can be remotely accessed and individualized for teachers who otherwise have limited opportunities for personalized professional learning.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 24, 2020

FETC 2020: Are you ready for a middle school revolution?

Middle school has a reputation as a tough period for students and teachers, but Georgia administrator Derek McCoy says it doesn't have to be that way.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 17, 2020

FETC 2020: Better PD through design thinking

The method allows educators to successfully craft lesson plans that integrate tech as a means to an end rather than the core component, speakers said.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 16, 2020

FETC 2020: District shares tips, benefits for launching student-run IT help desk

A student technology internship program made a 1:1 tech transformation in New York's Webster Central School District possible while giving students valuable skills and practical experience.

By Roger Riddell • Jan. 15, 2020

6 K-12 districts to watch in 2020

Where some see gains with student success and technological innovation, others continue to face takeover threats and lawsuits.

By Linda Jacobson , Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan • Jan. 13, 2020

NY district launches facial recognition technology after addressing privacy concerns

The tech has been met with pushback over issues related to student data privacy and false identification in districts nationwide.

By Shawna De La Rosa • Jan. 8, 2020

5 K-12 trends to watch in 2020

New approaches to assessment, concerns over security and privacy, and reimagining what defines classrooms and instruction are among factors that will drive education in the coming year.

By Linda Jacobson , Roger Riddell , Naaz Modan • Jan. 6, 2020

Recent school ransomware attacks highlight need for ongoing vigilance

At least two such attacks have been reported so far in 2020, with the number of publicly disclosed incidents climbing to 745 since 2016 as schools become increasingly valuable targets by hackers.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 3, 2020