The editors at Education Week have handpicked memorable articles from 2011. Below are ten of the most significant stories from our 2011 coverage of what’s being taught in our nation’s classrooms.
Take another look at the reporting and analysis in these stories from our expert team of reporters. For more compilations, visit our complete collection of memorable Education Week stories from the past year.
1. Multiple ‘Curriculum’ Meanings Heighten Debate Over Standards
Multiple meanings of the word are driving some of the debate around translation of the common standards into classroom use. (March 29, 2011)
2. Standards Writers Wade Into Curriculum
Some educators are disturbed about what they view as undue influence over how English/language arts is taught in schools (August 9, 2011)
3. Consortia Flesh Out Visions for Common Tests
A new set of documents from the two groups offers clues to how the common standards might be taught and how they’ll look on tests. (August 10, 2011)
4. State Lawmakers Make Curricular Demands of Schools
Legislation sets mandates for schools to cover topics in civics and science, financial literacy, arts, sex education, and more. (May 10, 2011)
5. Researchers Probe Causes of Math Anxiety
New studies are exploring why studying mathematics makes some students break out in a cold sweat. (May 16, 2011)
6. STEAM: Experts Make Case for Adding Arts to STEM
Momentum is building to explore how the arts can be linked with STEM subjects to enhance student learning and help foster creativity and innovation. (December 1, 2011)
7. New Science Framework Paves Way for Academic Standards
A National Research Council panel issues a framework for K-12 science standards that promotes a greater emphasis on depth over breadth. (August 9, 2011)
8. Teachers Tackle Text Complexity
New York City schools are seeking ways to engage students in increasingly complex texts and help them conquer subject-specific literacy skills. (March 14, 2011)
9. Majority of States’ Standards Don’t Mention 9/11
While the causes, effects, and aftermath of the attacks appear to occupy little space in the classroom, in-depth lessons can be found. (August 30, 2011)
10. States Target Early Years to Reach 3rd Grade Reading Goals
To help 3rd graders become proficient in reading, new laws and initiatives are focusing on the preschool to 2nd grade years. (June 29, 2011)
