How K12 roles are changing DA Staff Across K12 education, the roles of educators are shifting as instructional practices advance, schools more actively support the social-emotional development of students, and new technology is integrated into the classroom. In a survey, readers described how their roles in education are changing and how their responsibilities will evolve in the coming years. Read more>> Teaching media literacy in the classroom Sponsored by Listenwise Build critical skills by exploring the "fake news" problem and exposing students to real journalism through media aligned to your curriculum. Explore free classroom resources and lesson plans on fake news and media literacy. Read more>> Scaling back standardized testing is a good thing Lancaster Online There is nothing intrinsically wrong with standardized testing. We need tools to measure academic performance. But standardized testing has come to play too big a role in assessing school and teacher performance, which is unfair to the teachers of students with economic disadvantages and learning disabilities. Read more>> Equipping students to deal with the opioid epidemic Sponsored by Discovery Education With 91 Americans dying every day from opioid overdoses, it is more important than ever to ensure that students and their families have the information they need to make smart choices around prescription opioids. Empower your community with free prevention resources from the DEA and Discovery Education. Read more>> How Sandy Hook changed America's schools CBS News The December 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School left a lasting mark on the way students, parents and officials view school safety. In addition to reigniting debates over gun control and mental health care, it helped usher in an era of "active shooter drills" and difficult conversations about safety for even the youngest kids. Read more>> How the tax bill hurts the poorest schools The New York Times It’s common to hear people say that the quality of students’ education shouldn’t depend on their ZIP code. But the Republican House and Senate tax bills would make ZIP codes matter more than ever. They would create an incentive to hoard opportunity by raising funds that remain close to home. Read more>> Making the most of apprenticeships Grand Rapids Herald-Review Business leaders, educators, and families are making a big difference by working together and bringing apprenticeships to more people, especially students. National leaders should be doing the same. Read more>> Nebraska wise to reconsider civics definition for teachers Omaha World-Herald This moment in our politics is fraught with loaded, and sometimes coded, words that trigger emotional responses. That’s why the Nebraska Department of Education was wise to pull back from unnecessary provocation in its proposed civics guidance for teachers. Read more>> | 