In late September, children are back in school, routine is established, and reading lists are determined. What do these lists include? Often, traditional textbooks dominate, especially in public schools, where they are usually prepared by committees. These textbooks range from uninspiring to sometimes promoting particular agendas. Alternatively, some curricula are delivered through monotonous computer screens....
Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills is celebrating notable academic progress at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year. In the 2025-26 period, District 228 reported a 99% OnTrack rate for freshmen and a 99% course pass rate in both semesters. The school’s graduation rate rose to 91%, showing improvement from the previous year....
Los Angeles, Calif. At Micheltorena Street Elementary in Los Angeles, Principal Nichole Sakellarion has spent over a decade easing the transition for kindergarteners. Her initiative involves welcoming these young students a day earlier than the official start. Fifth-graders act as mentors, helping kindergarteners navigate their emotions and the new environment. Toolbox coaches like Noemi Ulloa...
More than 25 states now mandate that students learn to read and write in cursive. This educational requirement reflects a significant shift back to a once-common practice in American schooling. In the early 20th century, learning to write in cursive or script was standard in the United States. Children were generally taught this style, as...
On a Saturday afternoon, families gathered at a transformed West Side warehouse. Jacob Williams, a rising seventh grader, eagerly watched his hair fall to the floor. His excitement was evident the moment he spotted the barber chairs, his mother shared, especially since the haircut was complimentary. Haircuts were just one of the essential services available...
Teaching and learning math pose distinct challenges. To ensure your children acquire the necessary skills to excel with the curriculum, consider using math learning resources. These resources can complement your child’s current math education or provide additional practice to enhance their understanding of concepts. Today, you can choose from traditional workbooks and a variety of...
Lila Byock noticed her oldest son, aged 11, was spending excessive time on his school-issued iPad. In central Los Angeles, his school required the device even during PE class. Frustrated, Byock challenged the school’s approach to digital learning, questioning its necessity after the COVID-19 pandemic, and found no reasonable justification. The school simply maintained usage...
Essential Skills for Kindergarten Readiness As kindergarten approaches, preparing your child can ease the transition into longer days with unfamiliar faces and new skills. Dr. Aimee Ketchum, a pediatric occupational therapist and creator of the STEM Starts Now Digital Child Development Program, offers insights into the essential skills children need for kindergarten. Soft Skills Ketchum...
School District U-46 is in the midst of a significant relocation project known as “Moving the U.” According to Lela Majstorovic, deputy superintendent of instruction, the shift of sixth grade to middle school is a key aspect of the plan. However, it represents just one element of a broader initiative named Unite U-46. The project’s...
School districts across the nation face challenges with declining enrollment, reduced funding, and budget shortfalls. This has led to discussions on school closures and ‘rightsizing’. Leaders are under pressure to reduce costs while ensuring academic recovery for students. A critical issue often overlooked in these discussions is that school closures do not affect all communities...