How debate education drives activism and achievement Alison DeNisco A number of schools nationwide are committed to teaching skills coaches say will last a lifetime, including how to maintain eye contact and ask meaningful questions. Read more>> Meeting the promise of continuous improvement Sponsored by AdvancED While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for continuous improvement, a recent report from AdvancED offers insights into what successful schools do well and where all schools, even the highest-performing ones, need to improve. Download the full report or executive summary to learn more. Read more>> High school internships can be solution businesses, communities need Tallahassee Democrat While many employers have internship programs for college students and recent graduates, smart companies will get a head start on building a workforce by identifying and developing even younger tal Read more>> How technology impacts your meal program: Five ways to stay ahead of the game Sponsored by MySchoolBucks by Heartland School Solutions With an estimated 40 percent of parents between the ages of 38 and 18, millennials are part of an ever-growing parent population in K12 schools. With the increasing reliance on convenience-based technology as a part of daily life, here are ideas to help engage with parents and promote your meal program in the digital age. Read more>> Why more school districts are holding class just four days a week Stateline No national database tracks the number of public schools that cram instructional hours into four days. But the schedule—long popular in rural Western communities—is becoming more common elsewhere as school leaders search for ways to both attract teachers and save money. Read more>> Former educators answer call to return to school The Hechinger Report Rural school districts across Mississippi and around the country are facing similar staffing challenges, often made more difficult by their remoteness. Bringing back retired teachers may be a good temporary fix for urban and rural districts alike, but it should not be considered a solution. Read more>> High-paying trade jobs sit empty, while high school grads line up for university NPR While a shortage of workers is pushing wages higher in the skilled trades, the financial return from a bachelor's degree is softening. But high school graduates have been so effectively encouraged to get a bachelor's that high-paid jobs requiring shorter and less expensive training are going unfilled. Read more>> | 