Education News

Interesting Stories from Around the Nation

May

Math Study Shows Difficulty in Motivating Teachers to Change Behaviors | Link to article

A national study tested whether email nudges could increase teacher engagement with an online math platform — the results showed only minor gains in student progress.

As ‘Grading for Equity’ Movement Grows, More Teachers Are Pushing Back | Link to article

Schools across the U.S. are rethinking how they grade students, with Joe Feldman’s “Grading for Equity” approach gaining attention — but also sparking debate and implementation challenges.

Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning? | Link to article

Despite declining student achievement and rising concern from educators, national leaders have shifted focus away from learning itself. This article explores how grassroots efforts — not politics — are now leading the charge to bring back strong academics, relevant math pathways, and real educational equity.

April

Why Steubenville, Ohio, Might Be the Best School District in America | Link to article

Despite economic hardship, Steubenville’s exceptional literacy success offers a powerful, replicable blueprint for education reform nationwide.

At Project-Based Tech Valley High School, Small Is Big | Link to article

Tech Valley High in New York offers a personalized, project-based STEM education that fosters student creativity, collaboration, and community engagement in a small school setting.

Gallup Poll: Half of School Leaders Say Finding a Good Math Teacher is Tough | Link to article

A new Gallup poll shows that nearly half of school leaders struggle to hire qualified math teachers, raising concerns about teacher prep programs and instructional quality.

Let’s Make NAEP a True National Yardstick for Local Autonomy | Link to article

Education experts propose transforming the NAEP into a universal tool for academic accountability, balancing federal standards with local flexibility.

March

The Schools Reviving Shop Class Offer a Hedge Against the AI Future | Link to article

Schools across the U.S. are revitalizing vocational programs with modern tools and hands-on learning to prepare students for in-demand, high-paying trades without requiring four-year degrees.

Why Alabama was the only state where math scores improved over pre-pandemic levels | Link to article

Alabama’s hands-on, student-centered math instruction and statewide coaching strategy helped it become the only state with improved fourth-grade math scores since the pandemic.

The South Surges Academically in Alternative View of National Exam | Link to article

When adjusted for student demographics, Southern states like Mississippi and Florida lead the nation in academic performance, highlighting the impact of targeted state-level education reforms.

Education Reforms that Can Strengthen the Nation’s Schools | Link to article

Education expert Thomas Toch outlines six bipartisan strategies—like expanding tutoring, improving teacher quality, and strengthening early reading instruction—to boost U.S. student achievement and equity.

February

Virginia’s Fixing the Gap Between What Report Cards Say & What Kids Really Learn | Link to article

Virginia is rolling out a new system to give parents clearer, data-driven insights into their child’s academic progress.

America’s Kids Are Still Behind in Reading and Math. These Schools Are Defying the Trend | Link to article

Some schools are proving that smart strategies like tutoring and extra learning time can close achievement gaps.

California Should Emulate States Posting Gains on ‘Nation’s Report Card’ | Link to article

States like Louisiana and Mississippi are making real academic progress—should California follow their lead?

After Declaring NAEP Off-Limits, Education Department Cancels Upcoming Test | Link to article

A major national test has been canceled—raising concerns about tracking student progress post-pandemic.