Journalism

“It’s rare to see education reporters incorporate science into their writing so effectively and clearly…Korbey has an ear for strong quotes…The writing is a notch above, and the [interviews of] families and teachers … are insightful.” —Education Writers Association judges

“Is it Time to Drop ‘Finding the Main Idea’ and Teach Reading in a New Way?”, Edutopia

Some schools are changing the way they teach reading—based on research that shows background knowledge is more critical to comprehension than general skills like ‘finding the main idea.’

“When the Show Must Go Online for Theatre Students,” MindShift

 Covid-19 has meant theatre kids are performing from their bedrooms and garages. Here’s how they’re handling it.

“How Can We Teach Children to Spot Fake News?” , TES (cover story for The Times UK Education Supplement)

Everyone agrees that we have to teach young people to spot fake news – a need highlighted recently by the deluge of misinformation about the pandemic. But how teachers should go about doing this is hotly debated.

“Cracking the Code on Reading Instruction Stories,” Phi Delta Kappan’s The Grade

Education journalism is starting to wake up to the importance of reporting on how schools teach reading. Journalists share tips on what makes a great story.  

“How to Raise a Good Citizen: Democracy in Action,” Your Teen Magazine

After generations of apathy, teens are getting politically involved. Here are some of the best ways, backed by research, to raise a good citizen.

“How More Teachers are Being Trained in the Science of Reading,” MindShift

In 2019, more than half of teacher training programs now teach the “Science of Reading,” compared to 35% just a few years ago, in 2013.

Want to Save Democracy? Start with Your Little League, The Washington Post

An op-ed on how parents can teach civic virtues without getting into the politics of the moment, based in research from Building Better Citizens.

Want Better Political Discourse? Teach Civics for the 21st Century, The Tennessean

A growing number of Americans are losing faith in democratic government. We need to reinvent civics teaching before it is too late. Based on Building Better Citizens.

How Classroom Political Discussions—Controversies, Too—Prepare Students for Needed Civic Participation, MindShift

Researchers argue that the best antidote to political polarization in classrooms is talking more politics, not less. The key is guidance from an experienced teacher. An excerpt from Building Better Citizens.

The MindShift Guide to Understanding Dyslexia, MindShift

A 40-page printable PDF meant to deepen understanding around dyslexia including how to recognize it, teaching techniques, technology aids, parent guidance, and the stories of people with dyslexia.

The Reading Wars: Choice vs. Canon, Edutopia

English teachers are wrestling with how to navigate the increasingly contentious terrain between student choice and assigning the classics.

Unraveling the Myths Around Reading and Dyslexia, Edutopia

Teachers are seeking new training to understand the brain science around dyslexia, the most commonly reported disability among children.

The Power of Being Seen, Edutopia

How well do you know your students? In a Nevada school, a simple strategy pushes teachers to look beyond the lessons.

Digital Text is Changing How Kids Read—Just Not in the Way That You Think, MindShift

Since digital reading is still in its infancy, for many adults it’s hard to know exactly what the issues are—what’s happening to a young brain when reading online?

For Digital Natives, Appreciating Shakespeare's Words with Performances, MindShift

Traditional instruction often goes along with teaching Shakespeare, but some educators are finding new ways to engage the young, digitally-oriented brain.

What Do Students Lose by Being Perfect? Valuable Failure, MindShift

In a new book, parent and educator Jessica Lahey asks parents and teachers to back off and let kids fail.

A History in Which We Can All See Ourselves, Edutopia

Educators are finding ways to tell a richer history of America—responding to the demands of an increasingly diverse student body.

New Times Call for a New Civics, Edutopia

After decades of decline, civics education may be staging a comeback as teachers help their students make sense of a heated political climate.

Will Virtual Reality Drive Deeper Learning?, Edutopia

As an ever-growing array of virtual reality tools hits schools, educators wonder if the technology lives up to its hype.

Nashville Confronts SEL Resistance Head-On, Edutopia

A social and emotional learning initiative gains traction, meeting the needs of a changing city.

School Lunches are Too Short—and That’s a Problem, Bright Magazine

Rushed eating can affect kids’ health and create food waste. A growing movement is fighting to give kids more time at the table.

Finland’s Education System Isn’t Perfect—But We Can Still Learn from It, Bright Magazine

A Boston elementary-school teacher moved to Finland and discovered some of the root causes of the so-called “Finnish Miracle,” and compared them to American education systems.

Girls Knit Their Way to a Math Career, Bright Magazine

Knitting and crocheting require mathematical thought. A growing movement hopes to use these crafts to interest girls in the sciences.

The Challenges of Identifying Dyslexia in Students, MindShift, Education Writers Association award finalist

This award-nominated, six-part investigation takes a look at how dyslexia, the most common learning disability, is often misdiagnosed, untreated and ignored in many schools.

Should Preschoolers Have Homework?, The New York Times

A race for “skills” has some preschools assigning worksheets to the barely potty-trained.

Discovering that Your 18-Month-Old is Using an iPad in Preschool, The Atlantic

Should there be “screentime” at daycare and preschool? And if yes, how much is too much?