Teaching Blog

Teaching Now

The Teaching Now blog explored the latest news on the teaching profession, from practical classroom tips to raging policy debates. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: teaching, teaching profession, and curriculum.

Teaching Profession Q&A The Nation's Top Teachers on Self-Care, Student Voice, and What They Would Say to Trump
The four finalists for National Teacher of the Year say their fellow teachers are sharing their stories and their students' stories more than ever, and it's time for policymakers to listen.
Madeline Will, February 24, 2020
11 min read
Curriculum California Agrees to $53 Million to Settle Lawsuit Over Low Literacy Achievement
Targeted in a lawsuit focused on students' struggles to read, California has agreed to provide $53 million for early literacy instruction and a range of services to support it.
Catherine Gewertz, February 20, 2020
3 min read
Curriculum Should Teachers Give Students 'Spanish Names' in Spanish Class?
Renaming students is a common practice in foreign-language classes, but there has been a growing pushback among some educators, who say it can be culturally insensitive.
Madeline Will, February 20, 2020
3 min read
Curriculum Navigating the Curriculum Maze: States Stepping in to Help Teachers
If Virginia's proposal is approved, it will become part of a trend: states that are taking a stronger role in helping teachers find high-quality curriculum materials.
Catherine Gewertz, February 20, 2020
2 min read
Reading & Literacy Reading Instruction 'Keeps Parents Up at Night': Advocates in Wis., Calif. Push for Changes
As schools apply more scrutiny to the methods and materials they use to teach early reading, educators and parents in some states have started to form new advocacy efforts—trying to pressure states and districts to adopt new approaches to teacher training and evaluating materials.
Sarah Schwartz, February 19, 2020
4 min read
Teaching Profession Do High-Stakes Tests Make Teachers More Likely to Quit? Study Says No
A new study found that eliminating state testing did not have an effect on overall teacher turnover and attrition.
Madeline Will, February 14, 2020
3 min read
Social Studies A Rap Video Makes the Case for Voting. Here's How One Teacher Used It
Students often struggle to understand the power that the legislative branch of government has, said middle school social studies teacher Beth White.
Sarah Schwartz, February 10, 2020
3 min read
Teaching Profession What Do Teachers Need? Nearly 2 Million DonorsChoose Requests Shed Some Light
A new analysis by Grantmakers for Education shows that online crowdfunding requests are on the rise, and the fastest-growing category is for students' basic needs.
Madeline Will, February 10, 2020
5 min read
Education Would Putting Teachers in Charge of Buying Lead to Smarter Spending in Schools?
While advocates have long pushed for principals to play a bigger role in deciding decide what districts purchase, a new paper argues that districts should move buying decisions even closer to the classroom.
Daarel Burnette II, February 7, 2020
3 min read
Teaching Profession Q&A For Teachers, Life Is More 'The Office' and Less 'Freedom Writers,' Roxanna Elden Says
Elden's new novel, "Adequate Yearly Progress," is a satirical look at the day-to-day frustrations, minor victories, and interpersonal drama of teaching.
Madeline Will, February 7, 2020
8 min read
Mathematics 7 Takeaways From the 2019 Advanced Placement Results
Nearly one-quarter of the high school graduates of 2019 who took Advanced Placement exams scored a 3 or higher, continuing trends of score improvements among students overall, according to results released Thursday by the College Board. But the results also show small declines for three ethnic groups, including white students.
Catherine Gewertz, February 6, 2020
5 min read
Curriculum Graduation Ultimatum: Learn Economics and Personal Finance, More States Say
Half of all states now require students to take an economics course or a class that covers economics content, and 21 require instruction in personal finance, according to a new report.
Sarah Schwartz, February 5, 2020
2 min read
Education The Iowa Caucuses: a Political Mess, but a Teaching Opportunity?
Primary season is now upon us. Here are three ideas for teaching in the wake of the Iowa caucus fallout.
Stephen Sawchuk, February 4, 2020
4 min read
Girl holding test with C- letter grade.
Getty
Assessment When Teachers Are Tough Graders, Students Learn More, Study Says
A study from the Fordham Institute argues that "the mindset that says 'everybody gets a gold star' does more damage than good."
Madeline Will, February 4, 2020
5 min read