Author: studyblog

Key points: I once met a student who had attended three different schools before arriving at mine. His parents described him in familiar terms: quiet, disengaged, unmotivated. During one of his first classes, a teacher noticed the sketches in the margins of his notebook–detailed drawings of architectural structures and futuristic cities. Instead of redirecting him back to the worksheet, she asked about the drawings. For the first time in years, the student began talking about something he valued. Within weeks, the same student was volunteering ideas and asking deeper questions. Nothing about the curriculum changed. Someone simply saw him. Moments…

GREENVILLE, Wis., April 21, 2026 — School Specialty, a leading provider of learning environments and supplies to the pre-K-12 education market, is honored to announce the five winners of its 12th annual Crystal Apple Awards in anticipation of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8). This award program is dedicated to highlighting educators who serve as beacons of leadership, creativity and unwavering passion in their schools. Each year, students, parents, administrators, teachers and community members nominate educators who show extraordinary vision and commitment to their craft. From a pool of hundreds of entries, School Specialty selects 16 finalists from which five grand…

Key points: Some might worry that the introduction of AI tools in the English classroom will simply lead to more cheating and even worse literacy rates, leaving students unprepared for college and careers that demand strong writing and communication skills. While there are scary aspects of students using AI in school, there are many more benefits, tipping the scale toward learning to use AI appropriately rather than banning it. The following three use cases are designed to improve students’ literacy skills through the use of AI, which can be helpful for English teachers as well as in other content areas…

Key points: Reading is competing for attention in a world built for scrolling. A recent University of Florida study found that the share of Americans who read for pleasure on an average day dropped from 28 percent in 2003 to just 16 percent in 2023. Even when magazines, e-books, and audiobooks are included, that’s a 42 percent decline over two decades. These findings signal a broad shift in how people choose to spend their free time, and reading is unfortunately taking a backseat in today’s digital, cluttered world. It’s also a great opportunity for teachers to reverse the tide and…

Key points: AI is here, and it’s moving fast. For schools, that speed is both an opportunity and a risk: The right tools can transform learning, but the wrong ones can compromise data, equity, and instructional goals. Becoming “AI-ready” isn’t about chasing the newest shiny platform; it requires districts to build intentional systems that guide how AI is evaluated, implemented, and governed. To move from reactive experimentation to sustainable innovation, school districts should focus on the systems behind the software. By prioritizing collaborative governance, clear problem definition, and strong data infrastructure, districts can ensure AI becomes a catalyst for learning…

Key points: My first few years teaching math were a struggle for me and my students. Our textbook focused primarily on direct instruction: I do, then you do, but rarely we do. I tried to supplement with resources from my colleagues and Teachers Pay Teachers, but math was not a joyous time. Some of my second graders declared, “I’m not a math kid” at the ripe old age of seven. Once they put that wall up, it’s hard to break through. Last year, that all changed. Students began arriving excited to do math each morning. There was play, laughter, and fun. Even thinking…

Key points: AI is rapidly reshaping education, but not always in ways that support learning. A growing number of AI tools promise to “help” students by doing assignments, writing papers, solving problem sets, or even completing exams automatically. While these tools may appear convenient, they raise an important question: Are they removing barriers to learning, or removing learning itself? When AI replaces effort, learning pays the price AI is becoming deeply embedded in academic life. According to Tyton Partners’ Time for Class 2025 report, 30 percent of instructors and 42 percent of students report using generative AI weekly or daily. As…

Key points: In recent years, educational research has sparked significant discussion about whether boys and girls learn differently and if gender-specific teaching strategies could enhance academic outcomes. This exploration delves into the complexities of boys’ education and examines the potential benefits and considerations of implementing targeted teaching approaches. Studies from leading educational institutions suggest that traditional classroom settings may not always effectively address the unique learning needs of male students, leading to academic disparities and engagement issues that persist through higher education. Research indicates that boys often demonstrate different learning patterns and behavioral tendencies compared to their female counterparts. For…

Key points: Does the thought of student-led inquiry make you nervous? For some teachers, handing over control of the classroom to their students sounds like an invitation for disaster. What’s to stop things from descending into chaos? This is certainly a legitimate concern, but as an educator myself, I believe in the transformative power of student-led inquiry. I’ve also found the myths surrounding it to be greatly exaggerated. In my experience, productive student-led inquiry involves structured investigations, guided sensemaking, and putting educational standards into action. A teacher doesn’t simply hand over control of the lesson and then sit by passively…

Key points: In many K–12 schools today, fragmented student data has quietly become one of the most significant barriers to effective decision-making and day-to-day operations. While digital tools have expanded rapidly in classrooms and administrative offices, the systems managing student information, communication, and reporting often remain disconnected. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies that impact not only administrators, but also teachers, students, and families. At first glance, having multiple systems in place may seem manageable. Schools often adopt tools incrementally–one for attendance, another for grading, a separate platform for communication, and yet another for reporting. Over time, however, this layered approach leads…