Structure in curriculum builds lifelong skills

Experts say young learners in particular benefit from having routines built into learning, but the benefits of unstructured learning must also be balanced.

By Lauren Barack • July 8, 2020

Amid coronavirus, educators learn to differentiate, add choice with tech

A variety of online tools helped educators expand their approaches to lessons during shutdowns — and they plan to keep them in their toolkits.

By Lauren Barack • July 8, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2024 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

By K-12 Dive staff

Coronavirus puts information literacy in curriculum spotlight

Social media and smart phones have exponentially expanded access to and spread of information, making it more crucial that students learn to vet sources.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 8, 2020

Pitting mental health against safety, national leaders point to SEL in school reopening debate

Schools' ability to provide mental health support is taking center stage as some say it's not immediately feasible, while others say there's a middle ground. 

By Naaz Modan • July 8, 2020

History texts under scrutiny amid growing bias awareness

Critics argue uncomfortable details are often overlooked to fit history into linear narratives and state standards created by legislators introduce political bias.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 2, 2020

Report identifies 7 strategies for impactful assessments

The paper from the Center on Reinventing Public Education shows ill-designed assessments with no clear purpose can do more damage than good.

By Naaz Modan • July 2, 2020

How educators, librarians are connecting students with books to prevent COVID-19 summer literacy slide

Students who continue reading over summer can gain a year or two over peers who don't, and physical books let them take reading outside, experts say.

By Shawna De La Rosa • July 1, 2020

To find the best starting point when teaching formal communication, think informally

Using concepts students know from their lives can result in learning that feels more relevant and approachable, writes a high school educator.

By Lauren Barack • July 1, 2020

Scaling back on standardized assessments makes way for creative instruction

Coronavirus closures demand creativity in subjects like science, tasking students with using household items to complete projects and experiments.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 30, 2020

How will administrators incorporate lessons learned from summer protests?

Principals and superintendents are reconsidering the messages students are hearing from their schools, and the lens through which they learn.

By Natalie Gross • June 30, 2020

Improving LGBTQ representation in curriculum reduces stigma, bullying

Nearly 75% of LGBTQ students surveyed say they’ve experienced bias-based bullying, but inclusivity in books and discussions can help them feel reflected in class, experts say.

By Lauren Barack • June 24, 2020

There's more to geography than just 50 states and their capitals

Educators and social studies experts are committing to keep geography from vanishing from curriculum.

By Kathryn Baron • June 24, 2020

Educators prepare to apply lessons learned in spring, summer to next school year

With expectations for the new school year ranging from in-person or live e-learning sessions to hybrid models, educators are weighing best practices identified thus far.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 24, 2020

It's going to take more than one semester to fix the 'COVID slide'

A principal and an ed tech researcher outline steps for assessing students' learning loss and making curriculum adjustments this fall.

By Claudio Estrada and Mariana Aguilar • June 18, 2020

3 coronavirus challenges for curriculum directors this fall

Administrators are facing tighter budgets along with a need to establish expectations and adopt resources that fit multiple paths.

By Lauren Barack • June 17, 2020

'Adulting' courses teach students life skills, from paying taxes to managing stress

Courses preparing young people to be self-sufficient are gaining steam even at the postsecondary level as administrators see a growing need among students.

By Lauren Barack • June 17, 2020

Lack of Juneteenth lessons highlights shallow depth of Black history curriculum

Renewed attention to the Black Lives Matter movement is adding focus for additional context and deeper content in Black history curriculum.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 17, 2020

Fast Forward: Hybrid models could prove effective. Are they here to stay?

As educators prepare to potentially teach both in person and online in fall, blended learning could be a change that lasts beyond the coronavirus outbreak.

By Naaz Modan • June 17, 2020

Report calls for increased civics focus with hands-on learning

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences includes civic projects and service learning among its recommendations for hands-on civics ed. 

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 12, 2020

Online camps, added choice key to slowing summer slide amid coronavirus

Giving students more options can help boost their engagement and motivation to learn, learning experts say.

By Lauren Barack • June 10, 2020

Curricular Counsel: How a South Carolina district weathered the pandemic, prepped for next year

A well-planned device program enabled Greenville County Schools to transition to e-learning relatively smoothly, but its approach is still being tweaked.

By Roger Riddell • June 10, 2020

Racially homogenous classes partner to develop empathy

A black Memphis teacher who set up the partnership wrote that the unknown contributes to racism and bias, noting educators must work harder to close racial divides.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 10, 2020

Remote assessment alternatives can go beyond measuring progress

Pandemic shutdowns require a rethinking of testing, weighing opportunities to hone skills while tracking knowledge, writes an education expert.

By Lauren Barack • June 3, 2020

Teacher survey: Meeting students' needs, lack of PD among distance ed challenges

Educators are also concerned about academic decline and social-emotional issues when schools do reopen, as well as unrealistic expectations of students getting back on track quickly, the report says.

By Shawna De La Rosa • June 3, 2020

Amid protests, educators prepare for difficult discussions

Experts say additional training and culturally relevant curriculum are key components to guiding students through topics such as police brutality and systemic racism.

By Roger Riddell • June 3, 2020