February 1, 2012 An influx of federal funds targeting the nation’s lowest performing schools has state and districts sorting through how to implement the four intervention models. This Spotlight explores the logistical and practical impact of U.S. Department of Education’s School Improvement Grant (SIG) program on improving underperforming schools across the country.
February 1, 2012 State legislatures have recently passed anti-bullying laws to protect students and principals and teachers face the challenge of keeping students safe. This Spotlight offers school leaders practical tools and strategies for bullying prevention.
December 30, 2011 Laptops, tablets, and other technologies can engage students and allow them to work at an individual pace. But, for teachers, administrators, and policymakers, there are questions about the implementation and effectiveness of tailored instruction. This Spotlight examines how educators can make “intelligent” assessments of their students and integrate technology to deliver personalized learning experiences.
November 1, 2011 Educators have turned to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) as a way to develop professional skills and improve student learning. This Spotlight offers tips and practical experience from those using PLCs as a way to build teacher-to-teacher collaboration, including how to start teacher learning communities and how to maintain group motivation and avoid burnout.
September 1, 2011 Access to quality data provides district leaders with the opportunity to make informed instructional and management decisions. This Spotlight examines the potential risks and advantages of data systems and the various ways in which data can be used to improve learning.
March 17, 2010 Innovative schools and educators are taking teacher professional development in new directions. With changes in technology and some schools' emphasis on looking within for learning opportunities, professional development is evolving even as budgets tighten.
May 5, 2011 Assessing teacher performance is a complicated issue, raising questions of how to best measure teacher effectiveness. This Spotlight examines ways to assess teaching and efforts to improve teacher evaluation.
September 1, 2011 There is ongoing debate about the implementation of common-core standards. These standards have widespread implications for curriculum, teacher training, student assessment and technology planning. This Spotlight follows the latest developments, state-by-state, and looks at the key players influencing the process of implementation.
June 23, 2011 The role that religion plays in schools is a contentious and often hard fought battle. This Spotlight examines growing debates, from the classroom to the courtroom, on topics like evolution, religion in textbooks, and school choice.
April 29, 2011 Engaging students in effective and meaningful
science instruction is a priority for both teachers and researchers. This Spotlight takes a look at
innovative science education programs and the challenges of producing the “next generation” of scientists.
April 6, 2011 Programs serving the nation’s economically disadvantaged students and those with disabilities receive federal funding through No Child Left Behind’s Title I. This Spotlight examines research on
Title I, how districts are turning around low-performing schools, the effectiveness of tutoring, and implementation challenges.
March 8, 2011 Charter schools have gained increased prominence in the national education landscape in recent years. This Spotlight examines research on student achievement, student enrollment patterns, and scalability issues in charter schools.
November 19, 2010 Reading is considered a bedrock skill in the overall process of learning. This Spotlight explores innovative programs aimed at helping students who struggle with reading.
November 1, 2010 The Common Core State Standards Initiative has produced its final set of much-anticipated academic standards, in math and language arts. This Spotlight looks at the policy and practical implications for states and schools as they contemplate the standards and their impact on the lives of students and educators.
September 22, 2010 What's the best way to judge a teacher's performance? This Spotlight looks at how organizations and researchers are trying to pin down meaningful ways to evaluate teachers' skills and abilities.
June 1, 2010 Many educators are learning that it's not just young children who need help with literacy skills. This Spotlight explores unique strategies and programs for working on literacy with middle and high school students.
December 9, 2010 This Spotlight features the 10 most-viewed stories of 2010, as selected by our online readers. Online readers zeroed in on our coverage of the new voluntary academic standards, as well as pieces on teaching reading, making math instruction meaningful, and the use of interactive whiteboards in classrooms.
August 26, 2010 Heading back to school offers new challenges for
teachers, as well as students. This Spotlight offers tips for educators on easing into the new academic year as smoothly and productively as possible.
July 9, 2010 Assessment is complicated in both practical and policy terms, raising myriad questions of how to best gauge student learning. This Spotlight looks at how schools and experts are approaching assessment.
August 23, 2010 What are the best ways to introduce students to math concepts? This Spotlight explores innovative approaches and special challenges in teaching math.
August 18, 2010 Providing gifted students with meaningful challenging work that keeps them engaged in learning is not always an easy task. This Spotlight explores different ways schools are approaching gifted learning and the numerous issues facing gifted students and those who teach them.
July 31, 2010 Persistent gaps in student achievement are among the most vexing problems facing schools today. This Spotlight explores progress and setbacks on the achievement gap front and what schools are doing to improve learning results for all children.
June 21, 2010 Principals have long been seen as important to the success of schools. This Spotlight takes a closer look at effective school leadership and the challenges principals face.
June 21, 2010 Recognizing the essential role of high school diplomas in their students' lives, this Spotlight examines how schools are using new strategies and a whatever-it-takes attitude to discourage dropping out and boost graduation rates.
May 28, 2009 Education technology is evolving at a fast pace and in surprising new ways. This Spotlight takes a closer look at innovative high-tech resources that are transforming classrooms and learning.
August 2, 2009 Digital learning is expanding to connect more students than ever to learning. This Spotlight examines the role of school leaders in crafting students' e-learning experiences.
May 11, 2010 With student diversity growing dramatically
and schools facing mounting pressure to boost achievement, many teachers are looking for ways to attend to students’ unique learning needs. This Spotlight focuses on how teachers are using differentiated instruction to give students individualized support.
January 20, 2009 This Spotlight explores how schools and teachers are using innovative means to help their English-language-learner students gain skills in speaking, reading, and writing.
February 17, 2010 The $4 billion Race to the Top initiative is the Obama administration's signature education program. This Spotlight examines insider perspectives on Race to the Top policy, the role of standards in the competitive grant program, and states' preparations to secure their piece of the funding pie.
April 13, 2010 School uniforms and student dress codes can be the source of heated debate. This Spotlight examines the research on school uniforms and the challenges schools face in implementing dress codes.
February 5, 2010 Sometimes, the difference between success and failure in class and on assessments boils down to student motivation. This Spotlight on Motivation describes innovative ways of reaching and inspiring students to study harder and take learning further.
December 11, 2009 For many, homework is a school tradition, but that doesn’t mean everyone agrees it should stay that way. This Spotlight explores how much time students spend on homework, research on its usefulness, and challenges surrounding homework practices and policies.
December 11, 2009 FREE! Education Week's 10 most-viewed stories of 2009, as selected by our online readers. Try a Spotlight for FREE.
November 30, 2009 With autism more frequently diagnosed than ever among American schoolchildren, educators are confronting their students' numerous and diverse needs. This Spotlight examines technology, research, and parent and advocate perspectives about the complex disorder and how schools can rise to the challenge of teaching children on the autism spectrum.
November 1, 2009 More and more American students are being encouraged to take introductory algebra in 8th grade. This Spotlight examines efforts to support algebra instruction and the accompanying policy challenges.
October 23, 2009 Research indicates that students benefit when their parents are engaged in their learning and schools. This Spotlight explores how to encourage meaningful home-school connections.
October 9, 2009 The push for voluntary national core standards is moving full steam ahead, with 46 states signing on to the effort. This Spotlight takes a closer look at the process for developing national standards, the main players in the process, and standards ideas under consideration.
September 15, 2009 Classroom management is often one of the most challenging parts of the job for new teachers. This Spotlight explores how educators can create successful learning environments in sometimes difficult situations.
September 24, 2009 With fears of the H1N1 flu in the air, schools are under more pressure than ever to get their crisis management plans in good order—and quickly. This Spotlight shares tips for keeping school running in the face of an outbreak, reaching students if schools close, and taking thoughtful steps to avoid spreading germs in the first place.
May 1, 2009 The first year of a new teacher's career is always challenging. This Spotlight provides insight and practical suggestions for getting started on the right foot.
May 28, 2009 Teaching English-language learners is a complex endeavor that requires skill and patience. It is also a reality that more and more schools are facing. This Spotlight examines assessment and instruction in the everyday world of ELLs and their schools.
February 24, 2009 Want to know what the stimulus package will mean for the nation’s schools and for you? The Spotlight on the Stimulus brings together the latest information and analysis on the federal economic-stimulus package.
June 29, 2009 Few topics arouse such strong passion as how best to teach children to read. This Spotlight focuses on research on what works in teaching reading and successful tools and tactics already at work in classrooms.
May 1, 2009 Response to intervention relies on early evaluation of students’ learning needs to modify the instruction they receive. This Spotlight takes a closer look at the increasingly popular practice.
July 2, 2009 The No Child Left Behind Act is perhaps the most controversial and far-reaching federal education law on the books. This Spotlight looks at where adjustments have been made to NCLB and what lies ahead for the law and schools.
May 1, 2009 Should teachers’ pay be based on their students’ academic performance? Some reformers say yes, but others question the effectiveness of performance–or merit–pay. This Spotlight takes a closer look at the issue.
May 28, 2009 Successful charter schools come in many flavors, but many are especially concerned with developing effective leadership. This Spotlight examines the ways schools cultivate new leaders and the many strengths and skills those leaders must draw upon.
May 28, 2009 American schools use many strategies to make classrooms more inclusive of students with disabilities. This Spotlight looks at inclusion and school technology’s growing role in supporting it.
May 1, 2009 STEM—short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—is considered crucial subject matter for today’s students and critical to their future success in the global economy. This Spotlight takes a closer look at innovative approaches to STEM teaching and learning in American schools.
August 4, 2009 With funding shrinking, schools and districts are looking for ways to do more with less when it comes to technology. This Spotlight explores how information technology professionals and educators can rise to the challenge.
