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When friends suggested I include charter schools among the places to visit during my recent trip to see innovative learning models in New York City, I was skeptical. I was focused mostly on spotlighting microschools, learning pods, hybrid homeschools and similar experimental programs created by entrepreneurial parents and teachers who are reimagining K-12 education in […]

Faced with the undeniable fact city kids attending charters schools do far better on state exams than those stuck in the regular public-school system, critics routinely complain that charters “teach to the test” — as if that’s somehow a bad thing. Tests, after all, measure what kids are supposed to learn. Schools that don’t “teach to the test” effectively

In all of my language-learning experiences, whether that’s taking Japanese in college or learning Spanish in high school, I often ponder what a challenge learning a language actually is. At the time, I would question, “How did I even learn English as a kid?” Well, in many cases, children are better language learners than adults.

The deterioration of boundaries, compounded with poor teaching conditions, leads to a myriad of problems. It’s difficult to create connections, let alone teach content, while being cursed by students. I usually don’t care to talk about my experiences teaching. I’m afraid that I would paint a deficit-based portrayal of my students and families (unless, of

Standardized tests should be used as “a flashlight” on what works in education not as “a hammer” to force outcomes, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said during a speech last week. The statement reflects a shift in thinking since annual testing became federal law more than 20 years ago, and it echoes past comments from Cardona, who

It’s January, the middle of the school year, and yet tenth grader Lala Bivens is preparing for her first day at a new school. Bivens started fall classes at One City Preparatory Academy, a new charter middle and high school in Madison, Wisconsin, but on January 13 a teacher shortage forced the school to shut

First-year teacher Tamir D. Harper wanted to be an educator so that he could help the community he grew up in and to give his students a chance of having a better education system than he had. Harper teaches eighth-grade students in English and social studies at the Henry C. Lea School in West Philadelphia.

In each of these educators, students said they found a friend, mentor, role model, and more. “Abbott Elementary,” a wildly popular television sitcom centered on an optimistic Philadelphia school teacher, will return with new episodes this week — just in time for a new school year and following a successful Emmy Award run. Chalkbeat asked readers to

Follow the teacher’s lesson plan. Form relationships with students. When all else fails, use your acting skills. I am a non-licensed central office district employee. There are times over the past years when I have been required to substitute in schools.  What is the best way to establish relationships with the students and have a

In each of these educators, students said they found a friend, mentor, role model, and more. “Abbott Elementary,” a wildly popular television sitcom centered on an optimistic Philadelphia school teacher, will return with new episodes this week — just in time for a new school year and following a successful Emmy Award run. Chalkbeat asked readers to