9 Affordable Ways Schools can Enhance the Lives of Teachers & Students

9 Affordable Ways Schools can Enhance the Lives of Teachers & Students

9 Low-Cost Ways Schools can Make Life Better for Teachers & Students is the headline of one of my recent Ed Week columns. Educators suggest 9 strategies for improving the education experience for teachers and learners alike. Here are some excerpts: 1. Encourage collaboration among teachers by creating opportunities for them to work together, share … Read more

Efforts by California education officials to reassure students about safeguards from Trump administration policies

Efforts by California education officials to reassure students about safeguards from Trump administration policies

When Alejandra Lopez saw swing states that had gone for Joe Biden in 2020 leaning red for Donald Trump on Tuesday night, it felt like déjà vu. “I was really distraught. Honestly, I really would have never thought I would see him having a second term in office,” said Lopez, who is a second-year political … Read more

Supporting second-year students in college: Four strategies to help them succeed

Supporting second-year students in college: Four strategies to help them succeed

Higher education experts gathered at the Student Success US conference in Knoxville, Tenn., to discuss the various factors that impact student retention and success beyond the first year of college. While many institutions have robust systems in place to support new students during their initial year, there is a need to focus on continued support … Read more

Reflecting on the Past: Four Valuable Lessons Learned from Community Organizing Which Have Benefited My Students and Myself Throughout the Years

Reflecting on the Past: Four Valuable Lessons Learned from Community Organizing Which Have Benefited My Students and Myself Throughout the Years

As a former community organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation, my experience has greatly influenced my teaching in the classroom. Here are some valuable organizing adages that I have found useful when working with students: 1) “Sometimes the only worse thing than losing a fight is winning one.” This adage reminds me to carefully choose … Read more

Collaboration between Pepperdine students and facilities staff improves language learning

Collaboration between Pepperdine students and facilities staff improves language learning

Students in Spanish 251 at Pepperdine University participate in a language exchange program with Spanish-speaking facilities staff to enhance their conversational skills and build relationships. Marilyn Koziatek/Pepperdine University For college students who are learning a new language, applying classroom concepts to real-life situations, especially listening and speaking, can be challenging. At Pepperdine University, a collaboration … Read more

The focus of standardized testing is on preparing students for the future, not just on the score.

The focus of standardized testing is on preparing students for the future, not just on the score.

Key points: The importance and rigor of AP exams have once again come into focus with the release of the latest test scores. Discussions surrounding the new scoring method and the consolidation of content continue to emphasize the value of a single test score, overlooking the primary reason students should take AP and other standardized … Read more

Analyzing the Origins of Reading Challenges in Older Students

Analyzing the Origins of Reading Challenges in Older Students

Overview: The decoding threshold is a significant factor that hinders the ability of older students to comprehend text. Despite the expectation that students master basic reading skills by third grade, many continue to face challenges with reading well into upper elementary school and beyond. A recent study commissioned by the Advanced Education Research and Development … Read more

Students demand a say in decisions as they head to the polls

Students demand a say in decisions as they head to the polls

Student-run school board candidates’ forum at Fremont High School on Oct. 22, 2024.  Credit: Louis Freedberg / EdSource While most attention in the United States is focused on the presidential elections today, I’ll be watching two local school board races that will be historic for a completely different reason.  For the first time, young people … Read more

Empowering Students to Transition from High School to Career Success

Empowering Students to Transition from High School to Career Success

High school students all over the country face a common challenge – figuring out how to prepare for a future career. The increasing number of high-quality non-degree pathways adds to the complexity, making it difficult for students to choose the best route to acquire the foundational skills necessary for a successful and fulfilling career. Students … Read more

Engaging First-Generation College Students on Campus: Six Strategies

Engaging First-Generation College Students on Campus: Six Strategies

Higher education institutions can support first-generation students who are interested in participating in on-campus co-curricular activities by raising awareness of available opportunities and considering the need for flexibility in the format and timing of such activities. Engagement in collegiate activities, such as student organizations, on-campus work, and faculty-led research, are considered high-impact practices that are … Read more