Pushing Generative AI Literacy in the Classroom May Be Premature

Pushing Generative AI Literacy in the Classroom May Be Premature

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence is driving a movement to rapidly embed genAI literacy — the understanding and skills required to responsibly and effectively utilize these technologies — into the fabric of K-12 education, according to The 74. The challenge lies in discerning the appropriate timing, speed and manner of integrating genAI literacy, and…

Embed Civics Knowledge with Reading Tests for Better Student Learning Outcomes

Embed Civics Knowledge with Reading Tests for Better Student Learning Outcomes

States should embed civic content into statewide reading assessments, writes Ross Weiner of the Aspen Institute’s Education & Society Program in an article in The 74. “This simple change would incentivize more attention to civic learning while making reading tests more engaging, equitable and accurate” he writes. “Including civic content on every grade’s reading test…

Student Surveys Should Be Implemented Carefully to Evaluate Teachers

Student Surveys Should Be Implemented Carefully to Evaluate Teachers

School districts across the country are increasingly turning to surveys that ask students to rate their teachers and their schools on various metrics of quality and effectiveness, according to an article in Education Next written by Vladimir Kogan, a professor in The Ohio State University’s Department of Political Science. “It’s not too late to consider…

Equitable Grading Practices Limit Teacher Discretion

Equitable Grading Practices Limit Teacher Discretion

The push for more equitable grading policies has contributed to grade inflation and yielded little evidence of increased rates of learning, according to a report released by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education reform research and analysis organization, as reported in K-12 Dive. While some grading reforms have merit and may benefit students, practices…

One District Moves to a “Knowledge-Building” Curriculum

One District Moves to a “Knowledge-Building” Curriculum

At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, educators in the Portage schools outside of Kalamazoo, Mich., decided to overhaul how they taught reading comprehension, according to Education Week. Instead of focusing on teaching skills and strategies they would structure units around topics in science, social studies and world cultures. The idea would be to…

A Revised Indiana Absenteeism Bill Could Impact Students and Parents

A Revised Indiana Absenteeism Bill Could Impact Students and Parents

Indiana House lawmakers have amended a Senate bill focused on chronic absenteeism to require school districts to prohibit habitually truant students from participating in extracurricular activities., according to Calkbeat Indiana. They also altered Senate Bill 282 to add instructions that school officials must report habitually truant students to the prosecutors’ office, and that prosecutors must…

Students’ Socioeconomic Status Part of New Report Card

Students' Socioeconomic Status Part of New Report Card

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will introduce a new composite measure of student income that takes into account broader family and school resources, according to Education Slice. The index incorporates factors such as eligibility for school meals and other federal safety-net programs, the total share of students eligible for income-related programs at…

New York Officials Consider Expanding Ways to Get Certified Due to Teacher Shortage

New York Officials Consider Expanding Ways to Get Certified Due to Teacher Shortage

As New York grapples with a teacher shortage, state education officials are debating additional paths to becoming certified — including options beyond obtaining a master’s degree, according to Chalkbeat New York. Under current regulations, educators must obtain their master’s degree within five years of entering the classroom. That’s the only way teachers can stay in…

Newly Arrived Students Require Greater Attention

Newly Arrived Students Require Greater Attention

A coalition of educators, researchers and advocates has launched the National Newcomer Network Policy Platform to improve supports for newly arrived students to the United States, according to Education Slice. The recommendations call for federal legislation and dedicated state funding to support wraparound services for students, including a proposal to strengthen newcomer case manager roles…