Christy Hovanetz, ExcelinEd, Author at eSchool News

The dangers of attempting to ‘Instant Pot’ educational progress

May 8, 2025 by Christy Hovanetz, ExcelinEd

Right now, K-12 needs a little more tough love--stronger expectations, accountability and leadership for students and their progress.

States aren’t happy with how their students are doing--not well, by all objective measures--but instead of focusing in on long-term solutions, they’re lowering expectations and sweeping those academic…

Students with Special Needs

Meeting the rising demand for school-based speech and behavioral support

May 8, 2025 by Cheryl Haibach, Kelly Education

Adapting to the growing need for therapy services in schools requires innovation and flexibility--here's how to meet the demand.

As districts and schools nationwide struggle to find qualified therapists, particularly speech-language pathologists and board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), there’s a growing demand for these specialized professionals.

Digital Learning Tools

4 edtech tools that can transform student teamwork

May 7, 2025 by Jon Oosterman, Van Andel Institute for Education

As a longtime STEM educator, I’ve come to understand the value of teamwork, both within the classroom and beyond. Teamwork is essential for building students’ social-emotional intelligence.

K-12 Cybersecurity

Edtech gone rogue? Tackling “Dirty Stream” attacks amidst uncontrolled app overloads

May 7, 2025 by Apu Pavithran, Hexnode

Safeguarding student data and securing the digital future of education is a joint venture to keep Android apps safe for schools.

In May 2024, Microsoft identified a critical vulnerability pattern targeting Android applications, ominously called “Dirty Stream.” This vulnerability allows malicious apps to overwrite files, potentially leading to arbitrary…

Featured on eSchool News

One word, meaningful impact: Creating classroom culture through collective dialogue

May 5, 2025 by Jacob Shiffrin, Relay Graduate School of Education

Small but powerful language adjustments represent a fundamental mindset shift in how educators approach engagement and classroom culture.

Having conducted well over a thousand observations of K-12 teachers over the last 10 years, I have noticed there is one piece of feedback I have given more…

Teacher Professional Development

The math anxiety equation: How to solve for confidence in math class

May 5, 2025 by Brian Dean, UnboundEd

$To conquer math anxiety, we must first help students believe they are capable learners of mathematics--and that starts with the right PD.$

One of my first vivid memories of math is of timed tests. I still remember how visceral my panic felt--sweaty palms, heart pounding--as I scrambled to recall facts…

College and Career Readiness

Career-connected learning builds a more employable, future-ready generation

May 2, 2025 by Edson Barton, YouScience

If we pair students’ strengths with in-demand careers through career-connected learning, we are ensuring the success of our students.

Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a fundamental psychological theory that explains human motivation. At its base are physiological and safety needs, followed by love and belonging, esteem,…

College and Career Readiness

Prepared for tomorrow: Reimagining readiness in Indiana education

May 2, 2025 by George Philhower, Ed.D., Eastern Hancock Schools & David L. Dimmett, Ed. D., MBOE, Project Lead The Way

To truly support student readiness, teachers need the resources, tools, and confidence to thrive in evolving classrooms.

Across the country, education is on the brink of significant change. Schools, districts, and policymakers grapple with the realities of a rapidly evolving workforce that requires discipline-specific knowledge.

College and Career Readiness

A new kind of high school diploma trades chemistry for carpentry

May 1, 2025 by Ariel Gilreath, The Hechinger Report, Chalkbeat

Attitudes toward high school CTE courses--once thought of as classes for students who struggled--have improved significantly over the years.

In a corner of Huffman High School, the sounds of popping nail guns and whirring table saws fill the architecture and construction classroom.

College and Career Readiness

From curiosity to clarity: Showcasing career paths to young learners

April 29, 2025 by Tina Leslie, FlexPoint

With the right support, educators can help students connect their passions with meaningful career paths and opportunities.

While I used to be deeply involved in CTSOs as an advisor and teacher, stepping into an administrator role has allowed me to continue engaging with students in…

AI in Education

What I learned building an AI tool for my own kids (and millions more worldwide)

April 25, 2025 by Ivan Crewkov, Buddy.ai

It may require a heavy lift up front, but if an AI product can truly make a difference for kids, every challenge is worth it.

A recent survey found that 88 percent of U.S. parents believe AI is essential to their children’s education, but most aren’t even sure whether the technology is being…

Classroom Management

Here’s what birdwatching taught me about classroom management

April 24, 2025 by Ronak Shah, Chalkbeat

Anyone entering the classroom deserves the support and experience they need for classroom management to thrive despite challenging headwinds.

Teachers often seem to have eyes in the back of their heads. They respond to a murmured question in a class full of conversation. They can tell if…

Teaching Trends

Beyond digital literacy: Why K-12 educators must prioritize data literacy

April 23, 2025 by Dr. Steve Baule & Dr. Joel J. Traver, Winona State University

Using digital tools does not mean students or educators possess data literacy or understand the quality, context, or implications of data.

While digital literacy has become an aspirational cornerstone of modern education, the exponential growth of data-driven decision-making across industries reveals critical gaps that demand a stronger focus on…

College and Career Readiness

SkillsUSA competitions give students hands-on experience with career skills

April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 by Graham Celine, Intelitek

SkillsUSA students develop career skills and outperform peers not enrolled in a CTE student organization in seven essential areas.

The most effective way for students to learn career-ready skills in fields such as advanced manufacturing and robotics is by applying these skills in the context of authentic…

AI in Education

The human edge in the AI era

April 22, 2025 by Tara Chklovski, Technovation

Career survival now demands we continuously learn, embrace the discomfort of being beginners again, and boldly step into the AI unknown.

In the Future of Jobs 2025 report, the World Economic Forum predicts that 60 percent of jobs will require upskilling or retraining, or they'll be threatened. The skills we…

AI in Education

Philly teacher embraces AI but treads carefully amid data privacy and bias concerns

April 21, 2025 by Carly Sitrin, Chalkbeat

Educators say they want students to learn how to use AI and machines as a tool to help them locate their humanity within their own writing.

When Adrienne Staten’s fellow teachers first started talking about using artificial intelligence tools in their classrooms, Staten was not on board.

Education Policy & Funding

Programs like tutoring in jeopardy after Linda McMahon terminates COVID aid spending extensions

April 18, 2025 by Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

The federal department did not answer questions about how much COVID aid is being withheld or how many school districts are affected.

HVAC projects to improve indoor air quality. Tutoring programs for struggling students. Tuition support for young people who want to become teachers in their home communities.

Online & Hybrid Learning

Unlocking potential: The power of online courses in our school

April 17, 2025 by Katie Kiniry, Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy

An online learning site coordinator shares seven lessons she’s learned along the way--and how students have responded to flexible learning.

Our school has built up its course offerings without having to add headcount. Along the way, we’ve also gained a reputation for having a wide selection of general…

Digital Learning Tools

5 vocabulary strategies powered by technology

April 16, 2025 by Ashley Pursley, Anderson School District Five

Vocabulary instructional strategies, amplified through technology, help students strengthen their vocabulary and reading comprehension

In my work with middle school students, I’ve seen how critical that period of development is to students’ future success. One area of focus in a middle schooler’s…

College and Career Readiness

The power of goal setting: A skill for lifelong success

April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 by Phylicia Littleton, Pearson Virtual Schools

No matter the educational environment, clear goal setting helps students channel their energy in the right direction and outline objectives.

For students, the mid-year stretch is a chance to assess their learning, refine their decision-making skills, and build momentum for the opportunities ahead.

Student Well-Being

The importance of teacher-student relationships

April 15, 2025 by Dr. Yuvraj Verma, Bessemer City Middle School & William Howard Taft University

Students are motivated by teacher-student relationships when they know teachers genuinely care about their academics and personal growth.

Middle school marks the transition from late childhood to early adolescence. Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson describes the transition as a shift from the Industry vs. Inferiority stage into…

ELL

Virtual art meets language learning: A tech-enhanced ESL experience

April 14, 2025 by Nesren El-Baz, ESL Educator

Using virtual art with ELLs transforms language learning into a rich, human experience, using self-expression to enhance learning.

Art has a unique power in the ESL classroom--a magic that bridges cultures, ignites imagination, and breathes life into language. For English Language Learners (ELLs), it’s more than…

Student Data Security

Leadership is key to protecting student data privacy in 2025

April 14, 2025 by Linnette Attai, CoSN

For many school districts, successful implementation of a student data privacy program may require some form of organizational change.

In the year 2025, no one should have to be convinced that protecting data privacy matters. For education institutions, it’s really that simple of a priority--and that complicated.

Teacher Professional Development

Ethical PD: Doing right by the teachers who do right by the world

April 11, 2025 by Ben Talsma, Van Andel Institute for Education

Ethical PD is a philosophy that puts teachers and their needs front and center, for the benefit of students, communities, and the nation.

Teachers are superheroes. Every day, they rise to the challenge, pouring their hearts into shaping the future. They stay late to grade papers and show up early to…

District Management

Leading (again) in uncertainty

April 11, 2025 by Sean Slade, BTS Spark

In uncertain times for school leaders, success can be found in moving away from rigid hierarchies to more flexible approaches.

We are again in uncertain times. We again find ourselves dealing with sudden changes and uncertainty. We seem to be in a state of constant change and ambiguity.

Digital Learning Tools

Rethinking student assessment: Tools and strategies for meaningful evaluation

April 10, 2025 by Jessica Campos, M. Ed, Mesquite Independent School District

Digital tools help educators move beyond one-size-fits-all tests to assessments that capture student growth in meaningful ways.

In today’s evolving educational landscape, effective student assessment goes beyond multiple-choice tests and letter grades. According to a recent study, over 60 percent of educators believe traditional assessments…

STEM & STEAM Trends

How hands-on learning deepens STEM engagement

April 8, 2025 by Vernier Science Education

Hands-on learning helps students integrate concepts across STEM fields--just like scientists and engineers do in their work.

STEM careers are on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM occupations is expected to grow by 10.4 percent from 2023 to 2033,…

DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access)

States must promise their schools don’t use DEI or lose federal money, Trump administration says

April 8, 2025 by Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

The threat over DEI comes as many school districts are preparing their budgets for the next school year amid significant economic uncertainty.

The U.S. Department of Education is giving state education agencies 10 days to certify that their schools do not engage in any practices that the administration believes illegally…

COVID in Schools

10 ways COVID changed American schools

April 7, 2025 by Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat

Five years on, the impact of COVID-era closures reverberate through schools and in the lives of students, parents, and teachers.

COVID had already killed thousands of people in other countries and was spreading in the United States when a top federal health official said schools should prepare to…

AI in Education

Most teachers agree AI is a time-saver

April 7, 2025 by ESchool Media Contributors

Teachers who use AI frequently say they believe the technology will have a positive impact on students' learning

More than half of educators (62 percent) are already making use of AI at school, with more than one-quarter using it daily for work purposes, according to a…

ELL

6 ways to make math more accessible for multilingual learners

April 4, 2025 by Veronica Burnett, Accelerate Learning

$Using edtech tools and other supports, teachers can make math more meaningful and engaging for multilingual learners (MLs).$

Many math tasks involve reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These language demands can be particularly challenging for students whose primary language is not English.

College and Career Readiness

How CTE supports college and career readiness

April 4, 2025 by Megan Bottkol, Diamond Oaks Career Campus, Great Oaks

Career and technical education (CTE) isn’t just about learning skills—it’s about shaping futures and ensuring students have career readiness.

As a career and technical education (CTE) instructor, I see firsthand how career-focused education provides students with the tools to transition smoothly from high school to college and…

AI in Education

Understanding why students cheat and use AI: Insights for meaningful assessments

April 3, 2025 by Timothy Montalvo, Iona University

By addressing the causes of cheating, teachers can motivate students to engage with assessments authentically and avoid AI-based cheating.

In recent years, the rise of AI technologies and the increasing pressures placed on students have made academic dishonesty a growing concern. Students, especially in the middle and…

District Management

6 ways tech simplifies school communication and engagement

April 3, 2025 by Lisa Melashenko & Elena Clemente, Alisal Union School District

Districts often struggle with school communicat, but new platforms help ensure the right messages reach the right groups.

As technology trainers, we support teachers’ and administrators’ technology platform needs, training, and support in our district. We do in-class demos and share as much as we can…

Teaching Trends

Opportunities in failing: Why K-12 education needs more productive struggle

April 2, 2025 by Samuel M. Baule, U.S. Army & Marian University

Implementing failure in the classroom isn’t about making school harder--it’s about making learning more meaningful via productive struggle.

Throughout my education, I have always been frustrated by busy work--the kind of homework that felt like an obligatory exercise rather than a meaningful learning experience.

Digital Learning Tools

How multimedia and interactive tech transform engagement

April 1, 2025 by Sam Bowman, Contributing Writer

The most successful edtech implementations prioritize pedagogy over technology, using multimedia and interactive tech to student engagement.

Education today looks dramatically different from classrooms of just a decade ago. Interactive technologies and multimedia tools now replace traditional textbooks and lectures, creating more dynamic and engaging…

Teaching Trends

Using technology to support learning through movement

March 31, 2025 by Dr. Tammy Seneca and Stephanie Thompson, West Baton Rouge Parish Schools

The right technology can use the excitement and fun of physical activities to reinforce learning concepts through movement.

There is significant evidence of the connection between physical movement and learning. Some colleges and universities encourage using standing or treadmill desks while studying, as well as taking…

Education Policy & Funding

Halting education research in the name of ‘government efficiency’ is incredibly inefficient

March 31, 2025 by Jenn Finders, Chalkbeat

Cutting education research funding threatens science and innovation, and undermines researchers's work to make a difference in people's lives

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. In recent weeks, we’ve seen federal ... Read more

COVID in Schools

COVID still casts a shadow over American school boards

March 28, 2025 by Erika Cohen, Chalkbeat

Schools and school board debates can only be productive when people practice civility, which didn't always happen during COVID.

During the seven years I served on the Derry School Board in New Hampshire, the board often came first. During those last two years during COVID, when I…

COVID in Schools

Five years on: COVID’s impact on schools–and what’s next for education

March 27, 2025 by Dr. Megan Kuhfeld & Dr. Karyn Lewis, NWEA

Education's next 5 years will be crucial in determining whether we can prevent pandemic learning gaps from becoming permanent for students.

Five years ago this month, the World Health Organization officially labeled COVID-19 as a pandemic. In response, life as we knew it came to a halt, schools were…

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