There has been a spike in negative comments about mathematics and standards since the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Regardless of whether the comments are fueled by social media or traditional media, educators need to be armed with strategies for helping parents understand, navigate, and embrace the Common Core's mathematics…

Including students in school governance isn't just a way to teach them about civics, it's a smarter way to run a school. Schools tend to govern themselves as a single-loop learning organization. The better model is a double-loop organization that would promote greater participation, deliberation, feedback and, ultimately, more buy-in from…

Describes a new method of resolving conflicts, called "collective gaining," that has been implemented in the Forest Park (Illinois) public school system. The method encourages teachers, administrators, and school board members to work together to benefit all parties concerned. (Author/WD)

Describes the work of an elected team of junior high school teachers that helps frustrated colleagues resolve classroom management problems. (MCG)

The executive director of Public Agenda describes the seven-stage journey toward public consensus, underlines the importance of genuine public involvement, and provides some common-sense principles to guide those seeking to foster public engagement. Reform-minded educators should listen carefully, create an ongoing process, seek diverse…