Negative Stereotypes Shown to Affect Learning, Not Just Performance

"Negative stereotypes not only jeopardize how members of stigmatized groups might perform on tests and in other skill-based acts, such as driving and golf putting, but they also can inhibit actual learning, according to a new study by Indiana University researchers."

Music May Harm Your Studying, Study Says

"If you're studying for a test, putting on background music that you like may seem like a good idea. But if you're trying to memorize a list in order - facts, numbers, elements of the periodic table - the music may actually be working against you, a new study suggests."

Higher-Education and School Leaders Meet to Work on Common Goals

"An association of state higher-education executives and one of school leaders met with each other for the first time last week, to try to get beyond finger pointing and find ways to improve student performance."

A Popular Principal, Wounded by Government’s Good Intentions

"Ms. Irvine was removed because the Burlington School District wanted to qualify for up to $3 million in federal stimulus money for its dozen schools."

Study: Practicing 'Intelligently' Makes Perfect

". . .it's not just practice that makes perfect. It's practicing intelligently that improves performance. Such are the conclusions of a study published this week in the journal Nature Neuroscience by a group of neuroscientists at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles."

The Creativity Crisis

"With creativity, a reverse trend has just been identified and is being reported for the first time here: American creativity scores are falling. . .The necessity of human ingenuity is undisputed. A recent IBM poll of 1,500 CEOs identified creativity as the No. 1 'leadership competency' of the future."

An Interview with Delia Stafford: About Alternative Certification

An Interview with Delia Stafford: About Alternative Certification.

What Happened to Studying?

"In survey after survey since 2000, college and high school students are alarmingly candid that they are simply not studying very much at all."

States Work Together to Create New Academic Tests

"Two big coalitions of states are competing for federal dollars to create a series of new national academic tests to replace the current patchwork system."

E is For Explosion

Subtitle: "E-Readers, Etextbooks, Econtent, Elearning, E-Everything"

Lure of Teaching Jobs Fades in Tough Times

"With tax receipts down across the nation and funds from the federal stimulus plan drying up, school districts in a number of states are expected to lay off thousands of teachers this summer. Tenured teachers who don't fall under the ax may be hit with the unpleasant one-two punch of stagnant wages and higher age requirements in order to retire with full benefits."

Bill Gates Interview: Charters Should Lead Innovation

"The Microsoft founder sat down with Education Week at the National Charter Schools Conference in Chicago to discuss innovation, technology, and his foundation's influence on school policy."

Study Shows Teens Benefit From Later School Day

"Giving teens 30 extra minutes to start their school day leads to more alertness in class, better moods, less tardiness, and even healthier breakfasts, a small study found."