Educators want to make a difference for their students and have thoughts on how to strengthen their schools in light of the current education reform debate. But what if their ideas could have the sort of effect that the creation of the printing press had on universal learning or interchangeable parts had on manufacturing? With each of these…

A small change in how teachers and parents read aloud to preschoolers may provide a big boost to their reading skills later on, a new study found. That change involves making specific references to print in books while reading--such as pointing out letters and words on the pages, showing capital letters, and showing how they read from left to…

When the authors recently examined a federal survey of students in elementary and high schools around the country, they found that many students are not being challenged in school. Their findings include: (1) Many schools are not challenging students and large percentages of students report that their school work is "too easy"; (2) Many…

Thoughtful educators personalize schools--greeting students by name, offering extra academic help, checking in about serious family problems. Some go further, such as setting up specialized clubs or internships with local businesses. Such acts benefit students, helping them feel connected to school and helping teachers and other staff respond to…

This article discusses a new approach to teaching--professional learning community (PLC). Teachers have long collaborated with colleagues and participated in continuing education, but becoming a PLC is a new experience. A PLC is perhaps best defined as a fundamental shift in a school's culture. It is distinguished by three key elements: (1) a…

The importance of effective principals to school reform is well-documented. But what makes a school principal an effective change agent, and how can a school board and district administrators assist in pushing their top site leaders to excellence? Many district and board leaders say it's all about vision, building trust with staff, and developing…

The education of teachers in the United States needs to be turned upside down. Teacher education must shift away from emphasizing academic preparation and course work loosely linked to school-based experiences to programs fully grounded in clinical practice and interwoven with academic content and professional courses. This clinically based…

The evidence is clear: America's boys are being left behind by current practices in the classroom. Boys are dropping out of high schools in significant numbers, failing to complete college degrees, and behaving more violently. The author states that teachers should pay close attention to statistics that track these trends, seriously regard the…

Currently, K-12 education in the United States is dealing with three major challenges: (1) global skill demands versus educational attainment; (2) the funding cliff; and (3) a looming teacher shortage. Independently, these factors present significant challenges. In combination, they create a national imperative for swift action to create a more…

Over 50% of the nation's teachers and principals are Baby Boomers. During the next four years the nation could lose a third of its most accomplished educators to retirement. The wave of departures will peak during the 2010-11 school year, when over 100,000 veteran teachers could leave. In less than a decade more than half of today's teachers--1.7…

The Broader, Bolder Approach to Education Task Force is made up of 62 national policy experts, with diverse political affiliations, who come from fields that include education, social welfare, health, housing, and civil rights. This article presents a shortened version of the Task Force's recently released statement on the Broader, Bolder Approach…

In traditional Chinese medicine, a key maxim is "Zhi Bing Yao Zhi Gen," which literally means, "To cure a disease one must cure the underlying cause." The author was reminded of this principle when she reflects on K-12 math education reform when the US. President Bush's 2006 State of the Union Address prompted yet another wave…

Good education begins with an objective assessment and accurate diagnosis of specific "deficiencies." Transforming assessment from a system of primarily external judgments made by others to a system driven primarily by self-correction is the new frontier for instructional leaders. In this article, the author describes how student-centered…