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More math, more learning in Tennessee
Tennessee districts that analyze student data and reteach topics students didn't understand are boosting middle-school math scores.

Joanne Jacobs
19 hours ago2 min read
1 comment


Georgia tackles 'literacy crisis' -- Will California be next?
Reading scores are up in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee . Other states are trying to follow the leaders. Only one in...

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 212 min read
5 comments


Houston's comeback: Structure, direct instruction are paying off
Students are learning more at Houston schools that stress teacher-guided classrooms, structure and order.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 212 min read
6 comments


Scripted lessons are replacing DIY teaching: Will kids learn more?
Schools are moving to scripted, structured lessons and "high-quality" (they hope) learning materials.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 72 min read
2 comments


Don't blame parents for things they can't control
Parents can send children to school rested and ready to learn, but schools have to do their part too.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 32 min read
3 comments


Schools are becoming social services hubs with a little reading and math on the side
Schools are trying to solve every student's every problem, but neglecting their academic mission.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 281 min read
2 comments


If a student isn't learning, who's responsible?
Teaching students to be responsible for their actions is back in fashion.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 272 min read
5 comments


Academia tilts very far to the left: Restoring balance won't be easy
Renaming DEI departments and ending diversity statements won't fix academia's intellectual monoculture.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 242 min read
15 comments


Dump the devices and bring back textbooks
Good, old-fashioned printed textbooks are valuable learning guides.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 202 min read
6 comments


Data-loving district sees big learning gains: Is there too much testing?
Math and reading scores are way up in a high-poverty California district, but some teachers say there's too much testing.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 183 min read
1 comment


How 'Bama got better in math: Crunching numbers, coaching teachers pays off
Fourth-grade math scores are way up in a rural Alabama county that's turned to data analysis and coaching to improve learning.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 182 min read
0 comments


Teachers can't do it all: Let them focus on teaching
Teachers should focus their time and energy on teaching, not DIY curriculum design.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 132 min read
1 comment


Phonics is the first step: What else do students need to become good readers?
Reading comprehension is based on decoding, vocabulary and knowledge, say "science of reading" advocates.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 272 min read
16 comments


Teaching number sense: 3 + 4 is not 34
Children need to learn basic math facts at an early age to develop number sense.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 242 min read
4 comments


In search of the 'science of math'
Is learning math really like learning to ride a bicycle?

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 243 min read
5 comments


Johnny, Jelani and Juan can't read: Is it Mom and Dad's fault?
Don't blame parents for children's reading struggles.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 173 min read
0 comments


Education's naked-emperor problems
School leaders are often naked emperors surrounded by people who'd rather pretend than speak the truth.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 152 min read
4 comments


Ban phones: Teens spend a quarter of the school day on their phones, says study
Teens average 90 minutes each school day on their phones.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 132 min read
1 comment


What did we get for $190 billion in school aid? Very little
Pandemic learning loss averaged half a year for most students, but the neediest students lost more in reading and math.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 122 min read
1 comment


You may have a few dings, but you're not 'broken'
Telling students they're "broken" is a bad message.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 92 min read
2 comments
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