‘Academic Freedom’ Used to Question Evolution

State legislators are arguing that teachers have a right to raise doubts about essential scientific theory as a matter of free speech. (May 14, 2008)

Gas Prices Drain Okla. Schools

Administrators in some Oklahoma school districts find balancing student transportation and classroom needs difficult. (May 12, 2008, AP)

School Districts to Face NCLB Sanctions

Facing a possible shortage of as many as 100,000 qualified teachers in the next decade, California contemplates how to turn around failing districts. (May 10, 2008, AP)

Ask the mentor

Building the Parent-Teacher Relationship: Part I

Anne T. Henderson and Karen L. Mapp, authors of Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family-School Partnerships, answer readers' questions on overcoming obstacles to successful parent-teacher relationships. First of two parts. (May 6, 2008)

Web Watch

Virtual Morality

Teachers’ pages on MySpace and Facebook are being noticed for the wrong reasons. And more. (May 9, 2008)

Technology-Rich Classrooms Render Textbooks Useless

When laptops, digital cameras, and interactive programs are available, many students and teachers find textbooks old hat. (May 9, 2008, AP)

Asian-American Students Struggling Under NCLB

Schools are failing to identify such students under the No Child Left Behind Act and to get them the academic interventions they need, a report says. (May 14, 2008)

Featured Blog

Seeking Teachers for Gifted Children

What makes a great teacher for gifted children? Tamara Fisher shares her thoughts. (May 8, 2008)

Best Practices: Writing for Fun (and Learning)

Science teacher Anthony Cody says creative writing assignments can help tap students' imagination and drive learning. Add your comments at the end of the story. (May 7, 2008)

Featured Blog

Blogboard

Teacher's look at what's new and noteworthy on educator blogs. Recently: A charter school considers training students for Homeland Security. And more. (May 5, 2008)

Discussion

The Best Books on Teaching

What's your favorite book on teaching? What books would you recommend to colleagues and new educators.
Join the discussion. (April 30, 2008)

California Teachers to Learn of Layoffs Next Week

Roughly 14,000 teachers will learn whether the layoff warnings they got in March will mean they will not have jobs in the fall. (May 14, 2008)

Facebook Adds Safeguards for Users

Facebook will add more than 40 new safety measures to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies. (May 8, 2008, AP)

Teachers Weigh in on Ineffective Colleagues

Most teachers see tenure as a formality that has little bearing on teacher quality, according to a national survey. (May 6, 2008, AP)

Districts Act to Stem Violence Against Teachers

Experts say it's difficult to get reliable statistics on student violence against teachers. But national and district data show a drop in such violence over the past decade. (May 14, 2008)

CURRICULUM NOTES

Getting Students Excited About Science

A lesson plan suited for Earth Day fans the flames of controversy over climate change. (April 30, 2008)

N.Y.C. Paying for Revamped Hiring System

New York City teachers who have been unable to find new jobs in the district, but remain on the payroll, will cost the city $81 million by the end of this school year. (May 7, 2008)

FIRST PERSON

Reframing Bullying in Middle Schools

A middle school principal confronts bullying with tolerance. (April 28, 2008)

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SOURCEBOOK

Avoid Learning Community Burnout

Tips on keeping professional learning teams energized. (March 1, 2008)

Fla. Evolution Bills Die

Legislation dies which would have prohibited school officials from punishing teachers who challenged evolution. (May 2, 2008, AP)