Educators Turn Boredom into Learning Outcomes
Educators can use boredom to their advantage by tailoring their content to meet student needs, according to a post by Jon Oosterman, learning specialist, Van Andel Institute for Education, writing in eSchool News. Below are five strategies Oosterman has found “incredibly” useful for turning a blasé lesson plan into student brilliance: Use boredom as…
Special Education Rules for Informal Removals Cannot Violate Civil & Educational Rights
States and districts are taking steps to ensure that “informal removals” — shortened school days to address behavior issues for students with disabilities, do not violate civil and educational rights, according to a report in Education Slice. New state and local resources, including from Oregon, Illinois, and Chicago Public Schools, have come in the wake…
Classroom Achievement Often Doesn’t Measure up to Parents’ Perceptions
Nearly 90% of parents in a recent survey believe their child is performing at grade level — but 2022-23 data shows only 50% of students actually are, according to a report in The 74. Nearly 9 out of 10 parents surveyed believe their child is performing at grade level in reading (88%) and math (89%)…
Sales Boom for Phone Pouch Company as In-School Bans Spread
Yondr’s revenues, driven mostly by sales to school districts, have seen more than a 10-fold increase since 2021, according to a report in The 74. Yondr produces neoprene pouches to lock up students’ cellphones — a clear sign that the movement to keep phones out of classrooms is spreading across the U.S. For example, the Akron,…
“District of Innovation” Plan in Houston Triggers Numerous Changes
The Houston Independent School District (ISD) will extend its school year and begin classes earlier in August after approval by the district’s school board on a “District of Innovation” plan, according to an article in K-12 Dive. Although the vast majority of Texas school districts have already received the District of Innovation designation, the potential…
School Staffing Shortages Creating Bigger Class Sizes
Administrators are being pushed to increase class sizes due to teacher vacancies, according to data recently released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), according to a report in Education Slice. School leaders rely on other strategies, too, for handling shortages. About 40% say they used their teachers and staff to perform duties outside…
Edtech Innovation is Transforming Education
The positive impact is huge with continuous developments. But some potential negatives must be monitored and managed. eSchool News cites 9 positive benefits of edtech innovation and 5 possible downsides: More learning opportunities: Technology provides access to a vast array of educational resources, including online texts, interactive simulations, and multimedia content. This diversification of learning…
Teletherapy Gains Traction in California Schools
Teletherapy is becoming increasingly popular in schools across the nation as educators and social workers strive to address growing mental health issues, according to a report in Education Slice. Los Angeles County has partnered with Hazel, a teletherapy company, to provide virtual therapy sessions to students. However, the rollout has faced challenges, with only 607…
K-12 Tech Innovation Drives Paradigm Shift in Education
K-12 tech innovation has reshaped traditional classrooms and equipped students with skills needed for life and work in the 21st century, according to a report in eSchool News. A significant piece of K-12 tech innovation is integrating interactive devices and digital learning tools. This transforms static learning spaces into dynamic, multimedia-rich environments. Edtech tools empower…
How to Support Students Afflicted by Trauma
Students across the country are faced with community violence, racial injustice and school shootings every day, leaving educators to respond by adapting lesson plans or offer emergency support, according to an article in Chalkbeat Detroit. Some schools have added social workers, counselors and other mental health resources to confront the toll community trauma can have on…
