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Rex Ogle Addresses School Absenteeism and Socioeconomic Challenges in New Book

Rex Ogle Addresses School Absenteeism and Socioeconomic Challenges in New Book

Printz Honor author Rex Ogle has released a new mixed-media middle grade novel titled 'Absent,' illustrated by LJ-Baptiste, which explores the complex issues surrounding school absenteeism. Ogle's book delves into the reasons why children miss school, drawing from his own experiences growing up under the poverty line in the 1990s. The narrative follows three boys from impoverished backgrounds who end up in detention together, each missing school for different, yet interconnected, reasons. Ogle highlights that school absenteeism, which spiked during the pandemic, remains 50% higher than pre-Covid levels, disproportionately affecting poor communities where approximately 30% of students are chronically absent. He also points out that school funding is often tied to attendance, leading to fewer resources for the students who need them most when attendance declines.

U.S. Catholic Schools Adopt Low-Tech Approaches Amid Concerns Over Excessive Screen Time

U.S. Catholic Schools Adopt Low-Tech Approaches Amid Concerns Over Excessive Screen Time

Several U.S. Catholic schools are transitioning to low-tech educational environments, reducing or eliminating individual digital devices for students. This shift is driven by growing concerns about the negative effects of excessive screen time on children's well-being and academic performance. For instance, Holy Family School in Dale City, Virginia, stopped providing digital devices to students, opting for occasional computer access through shared carts, and observed improved learning and retention. The Erie Catholic School System also announced that kindergarten through fifth-grade students will no longer participate in a 1:1 take-home Chromebook program, instead utilizing shared classroom technology. Dan Guernsey, a professor of education at Ave Maria University, notes that while laptops haven't consistently raised test scores, excessive screen time is linked to poor educational and health outcomes, including impaired attention, lower grades, and increased myopia. These schools are prioritizing hands-on ...

Study Finds Supportive Teachers Improve Outcomes for Transgender and Non-Binary Students

Study Finds Supportive Teachers Improve Outcomes for Transgender and Non-Binary Students

A new report by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups GLISTEN and the Trevor Project indicates that transgender and non-binary students who receive affirmation at school experience greater belonging, achieve higher grades, and show increased engagement in the classroom. The research, which surveyed over 3,700 transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse young people aged 13 to 24, along with nearly 2,000 trans middle and high school students, highlights the significant impact of supportive educational environments. Simple actions such as using students' preferred names and pronouns, discussing LGBTQ+ issues in class, supporting LGBTQ+ student groups, and implementing inclusive policies contribute positively to students' experiences. Conversely, more than half of the surveyed trans and non-binary students reported encountering at least one discriminatory policy or practice, and approximately 60 percent experienced negative events like verbal harassment or restrictions on their dress. A quarter of students missed 16 or more...

Aiken High School Educator Aaron Parker Named Ohio Teacher of the Year Finalist for Innovative Agriculture Program

Aiken High School Educator Aaron Parker Named Ohio Teacher of the Year Finalist for Innovative Agriculture Program

Aaron Parker, an agriculture educator at Aiken High School in College Hill, has been recognized as a finalist for Ohio Teacher of the Year. Parker developed an innovative farm program at the school, which sits on 61 acres and features gardens, greenhouses, chickens, goats, and alpacas. The program aims to foster academic, emotional, and social growth among students, particularly those from refugee backgrounds who bring valuable agricultural knowledge. According to Parker, the initiative began with a single garden and the belief that a sense of belonging is crucial for student development. The program emphasizes care, teaching students to care for plants, animals, and the environment, which he believes translates to caring for their peers. Principal Lisa Votaw noted the farm's role in providing emotional support, citing instances where students experiencing panic attacks found solace there. Student Elizabeth Vitales highlighted the peace and focus she gains from working on the farm, often volunteering with ...

Middle Tennessee High School Ranks as Nation's Best by U.S. News and World Report

Middle Tennessee High School Ranks as Nation's Best by U.S. News and World Report

Central Magnet High School in Rutherford County, Middle Tennessee, has been named the number one high school in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report. This ranking is based on the school's performance in state assessments and its college-readiness metrics. Central Magnet has consistently been recognized among the top schools nationally since its establishment in 2010, moving up from the third position last year. The Director of Schools in Rutherford County, Jimmy Sullivan, expressed pride in this achievement, commending the school's employees, parents, and students for their consistent high performance. Dr. Clark Blair, the current principal, highlighted that this recognition validates the daily efforts of students and staff, emphasizing Central Magnet's unique environment where students are passionate about learning, participate in various activities, and aim to contribute positively to their communities. Eight of the 440 high schools in Tennessee, including Central Magnet, are located in Rutherford Coun...

New Hampshire Establishes Task Force to Address Student Screen Time in Schools

New Hampshire Establishes Task Force to Address Student Screen Time in Schools

Following a statewide ban on cellphones in schools, the New Hampshire Department of Education has launched a 32-member 'Screen Time Task Force.' This panel, which includes superintendents, principals, educators, a high school student, and representatives from the Departments of Education and Justice, will spend the next month examining the role of technology in education. The task force aims to develop recommendations for schools and teachers on how to better manage the use of laptops, tablets, and other screens. The initiative comes as educators, like Concord High School social studies teacher Kim Bleier, observe that while cell phone bans have helped, students are now often distracted by their one-to-one devices. The task force will specifically investigate how screen time impacts student learning, engagement, mental health, physical activity, sleep, and overall well-being.

Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy Ranks as Utah's Top High School, Beehive Academy Falls Out of Top 10

Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy Ranks as Utah's Top High School, Beehive Academy Falls Out of Top 10

Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy in Lindon has been named the top high school in Utah, according to the latest annual rankings released by U.S. News. This marks a significant shift, as Beehive Science and Technology Academy in Sandy, a perennial No. 1, dropped to 11th place. Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, with a senior class of 88 students, also secured the 399th position in the overall national rankings. U.S. News evaluated over 18,000 high schools across the U.S. using a methodology that weighted scores based on multiple indicators, including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, graduation rate, and state assessment performance.

Savannah Morning News

The 10 best high schools in Georgia. See US News & World Report rankings

The 10 best high schools in Georgia. See US News & World Report rankings

U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-2027 ranking for the best high schools, and these are the 10 best in Georgia.

Thousands of Michiana Students Return to Class Amidst New Cellphone Policy and Staffing Improvements

Thousands of Michiana Students Return to Class Amidst New Cellphone Policy and Staffing Improvements

Thousands of students across Michiana have returned to school this week, marking the beginning of the new academic year. Several institutions, including Corpus Christi Catholic School, St. Thomas More Academy, Trinity Academy, and Andrews Academy in Michigan, welcomed students back. Notably, two of the largest districts in the area, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation and South Bend Community School Corporation, also commenced their school year. The South Bend Community School Corporation has addressed previous transportation issues by adding more paraprofessionals to bus routes and ensuring a full staff of bus drivers, with extra drivers on standby. Superintendent Mansour Eid stated that the district does not anticipate the transportation problems seen in past years. Meanwhile, Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Heather Short discussed the implementation of Indiana’s new bell-to-bell cellphone ban, clarifying that phones must be powered off and inaccessible once students enter school buildings, tho...

Center for Excellence in Education Expands Research Science Institute to Stanford University in 2027

Center for Excellence in Education Expands Research Science Institute to Stanford University in 2027

The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) has announced the expansion of its flagship Research Science Institute (RSI) program to Stanford University, commencing in the summer of 2027. This new initiative will host 50 highly accomplished high school students for a rigorous six-week summer research program. The Stanford program will mirror the established RSI MIT program, maintaining the same standards of academic excellence and innovative research. RSI MIT will continue to serve 100 students, while RSI Stanford will begin with 50. Andrew Charman, PhD, a physicist and lecturer at UC Berkeley, will direct RSI at Stanford. The program is free for all selected students and will involve participants in the entire research cycle, from literature review to drafting research plans and delivering oral and written reports. The first week will consist of intensive STEM classes, followed by a five-week research internship under the guidance of distinguished scientists and researchers.

Maine Opens First Recovery High School to Combat Teen Substance Abuse

Maine Opens First Recovery High School to Combat Teen Substance Abuse

Maine has opened its first recovery high school, the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School, located on the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus. This initiative aims to provide a supportive educational environment for teenagers struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The school is primarily funded by opioid settlement funds received by the state and is notable for being the only rural recovery high school in the U.S., according to the Association of Recovery Schools. The inaugural class consists of four students who will live on campus five nights a week, a unique feature among recovery high schools. Students will attend trade classes in the mornings and online academic classes in the afternoons, alongside developing coping skills and participating in physical activities. The program is free for families, with funding secured for the first two years and plans for future legislative support.

Common Sense Education Launches Digital Literacy and Well-Being Curriculum for High School Students

Common Sense Education Launches Digital Literacy and Well-Being Curriculum for High School Students

Common Sense Education has introduced a new Digital Literacy & Well-Being curriculum specifically designed for high school students in grades 9-12. This free, research-backed framework aims to equip students with essential digital literacy skills to navigate the complexities of the modern digital landscape. The curriculum comprises over 25 lessons that address contemporary digital challenges, including AI literacy, the impact of social media, cyberbullying, screen time management, and understanding one's digital footprint. It also focuses on developing offline skills necessary to manage these online issues effectively. The initiative provides teachers with a comprehensive resource to either introduce these concepts for the first time or update existing digital education programs, ensuring that students are prepared for the evolving digital world.