-
The impact of increased VR use in K-12 education
Bambi Majumdar EducationAs the use of digital technology expands across the K-12 spectrum, newer tools like virtual reality (VR) are creating quite an impact. A slew of ed-tech companies have introduced VR apps that can transform the way we teach and learn by bringing vivid experiences to the classroom, which can attract and inspire young minds. VR-based lessons, virtual field trips, and immersive science labs all have immense potential to increase student engagement and performance and boost learning outcomes.
-
Overcoming obstacles to teaching about climate change
Sheilamary Koch EducationA radio program, entitled "Teaching Climate Change: Push and Pull," aired on April 23 on Washington, D.C.'s WAMU-FM immediately following the release of a new NPR/Ipsos poll showing that teaching climate change in schools is supported by over 80% of teachers in the U.S. Teachers backing climate change education may not surprise you — what's alarming is the gap between support for it and its prevalence in K-12 schools around the country. The nationally representative poll of 505 teachers showed 86% in favor of climate change education — yet only 42% actually teach it.
-
STEAM education for English learners
Erick Herrmann EducationEducators all over the world are familiar with the importance of STEM as critical skills in the 21st century. Employers around the world are looking for students who are proficient in these content areas as pathways to college and career readiness. Some have included another letter acronym in this abbreviation, an "a" for "art." This iteration creates the acronym STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art, and math. While it is easy to recognize the importance of integrating these areas into instruction, when working with English learners, teachers may feel that there are challenges or issues that arise for implementing deep STEAM instruction with this population.
-
Misunderstandings about IEPs, 504s, and college accommodations for LD,…
Elizabeth C. Hamblet EducationWhether I am online looking at posts people are sharing or talking to parents or professionals at my presentations, I find that there is — understandably — a lot of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of what does and doesn’t happen for students with disabilities at college. Based on the conversations I’ve had at my presentations, it seems some people either believe there are no disability accommodations available at college (or that they’re only for people with visual, hearing, or physical disabilities) or that colleges have to follow students’ high school plans. Neither of these statements is true, but I understand why people believe them.
-
How white Americans and black Americans lead separate lives
Patrick Gleeson EducationIncreasingly, Americans live in separate worlds, divided by race, class and political allegiance. Not only is does this segregation continue into the 21st century, studies show that it has increased over a period of decades and is still increasing today. An almost unavoidable consequence of this kind of social apartheid is that on those occasions when groups do attempt communication, their experiences differ so greatly that instead of the communication leading to further understanding, it can lead to further disbelief.
-
Understanding principal turnover
Brian Stack EducationFor me, this is about the time of the year when some of my teachers will come to me and ask me if I am planning to leave the school at the end of the year. "If you leave, I leave!" is a common phrase I hear from them. The truth is, I’m not looking to leave. I have a high level of job satisfaction, and I am excited to go to work every day in an effort to work with my team and my staff to make a difference for the 700 students that we serve. I wish more of my principal colleagues could feel the same way about their school and their situation.
-
The empathy gap in education
Patrick Gleeson EducationLet’s begin with a lede borrowed from the June 5 edition of The Los Angeles Times: "Leaders of the Los Angeles school district made a calculated gamble: The January teachers strike made such a huge, positive impact on the public that sympathetic voters, they thought, would overwhelmingly pass a tax increase to benefit schools." Here’s the background: Los Angeles public schools, like public schools across the country, are overcrowded and lacking in resources, particularly in the resources needed to educate minority students with special needs.
-
Who’s against affirmative action in education?
Patrick Gleeson EducationAmericans' views about affirmative action are notoriously slippery. To give you some idea of how slippery they can be, consider two polls. A February 2019 Gallup Poll determined that over 60% of all Americans favor affirmative action policies in education for both women and minorities, a pronounced increase in favorable responses from the previous 2016 Gallup poll. Meanwhile, a 2019 Pew Poll determined that about three-quarters of all Americans oppose affirmative action in education based on race or ethnicity and only 7% believe it should be a major consideration in college admissions.
-
Persistent myths about IEPs, 504s, and college admissions/accommodations…
Elizabeth C. Hamblet EducationIn April, I saw a post that said, "It’s IEP season again." At high schools across the country, that’s the time of year IEP teams of families and professionals are finalizing plans for their students — some of whom are now rising seniors. That got me thinking about things I hear from both parents and educators — that some IEP teams are moving students from one kind of plan to another (typically from an IEP to a 504) or off of their plans entirely for their senior year based on misunderstandings about college admissions and accommodations. I hope that addressing these myths will be helpful to everyone involved planning for these students — educators, administrators, other relevant professionals, and family members.
-
Texas gives teachers a raise with new education funding bill
Julie Anne Wells EducationRecently, the Texas Legislature made unprecedented moves to direct money towards education initiatives. On June 11, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that will reward schools and districts based on their performance, support low-income students, and increase compensation for working and retired teachers. While the new bill guarantees that teachers will receive a raise, it is still unclear what the exact amount will be. Here are a few things we do know about the bill that will impact every school and every teacher in the state of Texas.
All Education Articles