Why it’s time to lay the stereotype of the ‘teen brain’ to rest

The Department of Education is in the process of withdrawing nearly 600 pieces of guidance—regulations federals officials say are “out of date” but which some advocates say are an attempt to rollback protections for minorities and disabled students. Read more>>

New York City education officials will commit $8 million systemwide to expand anti-bullying measures and create new programs, including devising an online complaint portal for families and providing targeted support for 300 schools with high rates of bullying. Read more>>

About two-thirds of Illinois public high schools posted below-average to rock-bottom scores on the SAT college entrance exam, given for free for the first time to 11th-graders last spring at school, revealing that thousands of students are still struggling even as the state pushes kids to achieve at higher levels. Read more>>

Forty-four of the Florida's 67 districts have elected superintendents, with most of the large, urban systems opting for a school board-appointed leader instead. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission will debate whether to put a permanent end to the elected superintendent position. Read more>>

Two students are separately suing their schools, saying that teachers and administrators shamed or punished them for their protests, violating their constitutional rights. The students, both in the Houston area, said they had received especially harsh treatment in recent months. Read more>>

Attorneys argued a case before the state's highest court and hundreds of students at Cass Technical High School. The court hearing marked the 21st time the state's Supreme Court has taken its proceedings to either a high school or college as part of the court's Community Connections program. Read more>>

Districts in Minnesota and California are participating in pilot programs that provide all-electric, zero-emissions buses that should cost much less to power and maintain. Read more>>

We’ve been told for years that the developing teen brain is the the reason for risky adolescent behavior, but there’s much more to the story. A review of years of scientific research into teens suggests that it is time to put this belief to rest. Risky behavior might more accurately be attributed to a “biologically driven need for exploration.” Read more>>

When teachers, school leaders and central office staff are all pulling in the same direction and are tackling tough questions about teaching and learning head on, the experiences within teacher teams become the foundation for both adult and student learning throughout the district. Read more>>

Using our bodies and gesture to teach is something parents and preschool teachers do instinctively. But the benefits can extend to teaching advanced and abstract concepts. As education depends more on technology and virtual instruction, it will be vital to capture aspects of human interaction that engage both body and mind. Read more>>

In Timeless Tales 2.0: NexLevel, student players journey with their guide to explore a digital world where stories are disappearing and data is mysteriously corrupted. Skills and standards explored in this game include characterization, spelling, reading fluency and more. Read more>>

Brea Olinda USD is partnering with Informed K12 to move key paper-based processes online, including student registration, personnel requisitions, parent-teacher forms and other school business paperwork. Read more>>

A new series of science experiments from Great Courses Plus brings educational resources designed to foster creative thinking in STEM to a younger audience. The new activities include making a balloon-powered hovercraft, building an electromagnet and other experiments. Read more>>

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Michael Patton, the current superintendent of the South Glens Falls CSD, will begin his new superintendent of schools duties for Saratoga Springs City School District at the beginning of the year. He will replace Michael Piccirillo, who is expected to retire. Read more>>

Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kotowski announced her retirement, effective January 2019. She has served in her current position since 2006. Kotowski previously led the Monterey County Office of Education’s Educational Services Division for 14 years. Read more>>

Mary Elizabeth Davis has been picked to replace Rodney Bowler, who is retiring as superintendent of the Georgia district. Davis has been the chief academic officer for the Cobb County School District for the past three years. Read more>>