Why Providing Proof of Skills Is Essential for Students' Future Success

A longtime educator and expert in Competency-Based Education teaching models argues that there is a significant misalignment between the vehicles through which students communicate what they know and can do and the opportunities available in the workforce, and he says K-12 education should be implementing skills tracking, which would fix the issue for both students and employers.

New Guide Offers Tips, Case Studies on How to Choose High-Quality Online Teaching, Learning Solutions

As the pandemic’s negative impacts on learning outcomes continues to make headlines in K–12 education and as leaders consider what works and what doesn’t, a new guide from VHS Learning offers research-based help in selecting online learning solutions.

How Apple Learning Coach is Sparking a New Enthusiasm Among Both Educators and Students

THEJournal.com editor and host Kristal Kuykendall visits with several K–12 educators, instructional coaches, and education technology specialists who participated in the Apple Learning Coach pilot program before it was launched publicly this past March and they share deep insights and inspiring stories about how ALC has been a change agent at their schools: from helping spark new enthusiasm among students and teachers, and improving the frameworks of existing teacher coaching programs, to building technology-powered instruction that dramatically increases student engagement, creation, and collaboration.

NAEP: Remote Learning Not Solely to Blame for Decline in Reading and Math Achievement

Most of the United States saw declines in reading and math achievement on standardized tests between 2019 and 2022. Those declines happened in both fourth- and eighth-grade in a large majority of states and jurisdictions.

Study Shows Millions of Student Privacy Breaches on Social Media

A 15-year study of 18 million Facebook posts linked to U.S. schools and school districts shows that millions of students have been unintentionally put at risk by identifiable images, names, and locations available to the public.

Research: Administrators Grapple with Morale; Teachers More Open to Student Autonomy

Project Tomorrow presented findings from its latest SpeakUp Survey in a briefing to Congress today. SpeakUp is the largest research project focusing on education technology, averaging well over 300,000 participants each year since its launch. The latest research captured changes in attitudes and priorities from administrators, teachers, and students.

Teacher Burnout Top Concern Among Fellow Educators

A national survey found that the majority of educators (71%) are worried about teacher burnout during the 2022-2023 school year, even though most (66%) are optimistic about the new year.

Apple Expands Community Education Initiative to Over 600 Communities

Launched in 2019, Apple’s Community Education Initiative (CEI) has been expanded to 150 partners in 600 communities in 99 countries and regions, and all 50 states, the company announced. CEI provides access to coding, creativity, and job opportunities to students of all ages and from all backgrounds, with special focus on communities that are traditionally underrepresented in technology.

7 Questions About Discovery Education's Ready-To-Use Resources with SVP Lance Rougeux

This installment of THE Journal’s “7 Questions: Ed Tech Explainer” series gives Discovery Education Senior Vice President Lance Rougeux an opportunity to summarize Discovery Education's new Ready-To-Use Resources for teachers, how they help in the classroom, and what's planned for these kinds of instructional materials.

Aspen SIS Integrates with Google Classroom

Follett today announced its Aspen Student Information System now integrates with Google Classroom. The integration allows educators who use Google Classroom to export grades to Aspen SIS for report cards and transcripts, among other uses.

AWA Accepting STEM Grant Applications Through December 31

The American Water Association Charitable Foundation is now accepting STEM Education grant applications from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 as part of its Keep Communities Flowing program, which awards grants for Water and Environment, Workforce Readiness and STEM Education.

Free Online Tutoring Comes to South Dakota K–12 Students Statewide

South Dakota has launched a free online tutoring program for all K–12 students in the four core subjects of English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The program is funded by federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan.

IBM, Hispanic Heritage Foundation Providing Free SkillsBuild Tech Courses to Latino Students

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation has partnered with IBM Education to provide IBM's SkillsBuild education program to Latino high school students free of charge, giving them skills they need to meet workforce demands.

UltiMaker Launches New MakerBot SKETCH Large 3D Printer for the Classroom

3D printer manufacturer UltiMaker has introduced a larger model of its popular education-specific MakerBot 3D printer using the SKETCH platform, the company said, noting that the new MakerBot SKETCH Large 3D printer has “more 3D printing power” than the standard SKETCH printer and enables educators and students to turn their ideas and designs into reality on a larger scale.

KIRKBI Acquires BrainPOP Edtech Platform

KIRKBI, the family holding and investment company of the LEGO brand, has made its first investment into digital learning by acquiring total ownership of BrainPOP, the digital education company whose key product is short animated films that help students learn with simple and clear concepts to encourage cognitive development and life skills.

McGraw Hill Launches Social Media-Style Study App SHARPEN

McGraw Hill has announced the launch of its mobile study app, SHARPEN, to help students who have been turning to social media to find studying help. In a recent Morning Consult survey McGraw Hill conducted of 500 undergraduate students, 74% said they had changed the way they study due to the pandemic, citing stress and overwhelm as factors.

New Leaders Named at Tools 4 Reading, Newsela, ParentSquare, Age of Learning, DreamBox Learning, GoGuardian, PLTW, City Fund

October 2022 People on the Move for K-12 education include Judi Dodson at Tools 4 Reading, Camila Franco at Newsela, Sashangar “Sash” Sreetharan at ParentSquare, Ty West at Age of Learning, Andrew Poggio at DreamBox Learning, Dionna Smith and Ya Xu at GoGuardian, David Dimmett at Project Lead The Way, Marlon Marshall at City Fund, and dozens of leadership awards recipients at the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents annual conference.

Reading Horizons Announces Tech-Enabled Edition of Reading Horizons Discovery

Literacy skills company Reading Horizons has launched a new edition of its multisensory Reading Horizons Discovery program, upgrading to a tech-enabled version that provides instant and actionable data to enable teachers to help their K–3 students become proficient readers.

YouScience Acquires NC3T, Expanding Its College and Career Readiness Solutions

Aptitude assessment and CTE solutions provider YouScience has acquired the National Center for College and Career Transitions, or NC3T, expanding YouScience’s ability to help K–12 students find and prepare for the career and college options that best fit their interests and abilities, according to a news release.

Two Nonprofits Merge in Push for More Evidence of Impact in Ed Tech Decisions

Two national nonprofits, EdTech Evidence Exchange and InnovateEDU, are merging in hopes of accelerating their work to improve outcomes and efficiencies in the usage of technology K–12 education, the organizations announced.

Apple Rolls Out iPad Learning App Updates, More Resources for Educators

Apple recently announced a number of updates and new resources for K–12 educators, including new instructional resources emphasizing project-based learning, creativity, and collaboration, as well as professional learning opportunities.

Upcoming K–12 Grants