Putting a positive spin on school discipline Alex Fertig and Ray W. Christner Building principals, assistant principals and other school administrators engage frequently with students in conversations to address inappropriate behavior. The goal of these interactions is not only to provide consequences, but also to help students to avoid the initiation of similar infractions in the future. School administrators are in an ideal position—when setting consequences—to help students build behavioral skills. Read more>> Selecting and sequencing student solutions: productive math discourse Sponsored by Ready Mathematical discourse plays an important role in helping students make sense of mathematics. Research shows there are best practices to foster rich classroom discussions. Mathematics expert Dr. Gladis Kersaint discusses how to implement these strategies, including selecting and sequencing student solutions. Read more>> A powerful lesson about student journalism spoiled News and Tribune An Indiana bill supporting student journalists met an unfortunate end. That’s when the education the students received from supporting this experience turned from a positive lesson about the power of ordinary citizens to influence change to a lesson that it’s possible to work hard and with integrity and still be outmaneuvered by those in power who don’t mind cutting ethical corners. Read more>> Measuring student growth without overtesting Sponsored by Istation Educators share eight ways to save time and reduce testing fatigue. Learn how to get a clear picture of student progress with a free e-book that explores the benefits of data-driven instruction. Read more>> Using busing to combat kindergarten truancy KPCC A new study reveals an unexpected approach to help schools reduce chronic student absenteeism: making sure kids ride the school bus. It found that 12 percent of the children who took the school bus were chronically absent, two percent lower than kindergarteners who didn’t take the bus. Read more>> Why foreign languages are a crucial skill Sponsored by Middlebury Interactive Languages Most of today’s companies do business with customers all over the world, and several also have branches in multiple countries. Chances are good that when students enter the workforce, they’ll be working with—or at least doing business with—someone from another nation, with its own culture and its own unique perspective, at some point in their career. Read more>> How much school recess is too much recess? Johnson City Press As structured physical education and recess programs have declined, obesity rates for children have climbed. That's why lawmakers must be careful not to trim too much time away from such valuable programs. Healthy and fit children often grow into healthy and fit adults that are less likely to be a financial drain on our economy and health system. Read more>> A Washington County school district customer's story Sponsored by Kronos Incorporated The Washington County School District used paper-based manual systems for timekeeping, payroll and HR processes, resulting in data entry errors and added costs. Learn how the district moved to an automated workforce management solution to improve efficiencies, cut costs and make data-driven decisions. Read more>> How school choice turns education into a commodity The Atlantic Schools are a public good that extreme market proliferation would eventually destroy. Markets always have winners and losers. In the private sector, the role of competition is often positive. But what happens to a community when its public schools are defunded or closed because they could not “compete” in a marketized environment? Read more>> | 