[Weekly EdNews Round Up] 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools Announced

No one knows better than educators about the importance of staying up-to-date. In Edmentum’s Weekly News Round Up, you’ll find the latest and most interesting education news, all in one place.

349 schools have been recognized by Betsy DeVos as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Read all about this and more in this week’s EdNews Round Up!

U.S. Department of Education Announces 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 349 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

What Happens When You Pay Students to Get Ready for College?
Chalkbeat
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has a new tactic for helping more students get ready for college: paying them money as they take small steps in that direction. It is helping Rhode Island try out the strategy, aimed at high-scoring students from low-income families in the state.

Why The Art of Speaking Should Be Taught Alongside Math and Literacy
MindShift
Mindfulness programs have become popular on K–12 campuses, but in some parts of the country concerns about religious intrusion keep the trend at bay.

School Districts Expand Supports to Bring More ELLs to CTE
District Administration
Extra supports help embed language instruction into CTE programs, closing what some educators see as an “opportunity gap” faced by students learning English. And student participation in hands-on projects can help accelerate language acquisition.

Pimples Could Be Good for Your Grades
The Atlantic
High-school students with acne tend to have higher GPAs and are more likely to finish college, according to a new study.

A Glimpse Inside the Transition to Trauma-Informed Practices
MindShift
Educators at Fall-Hamilton Elementary share how they've transitioned to trauma-informed teaching and what that has meant for students.

A Recording Studio for Every Student: Teaching Music Class in the Digital Era
EdWeek
Teachers say new tech tools give young students more creative freedom in music classes, and offer older students who haven’t participated in band or choir an entry point into the subject.

How to Cultivate Curiosity in Your Classroom
Greater Good Magazine
Curiosity comes in different forms, and we can encourage it in the classroom to help our students thrive.

Education policy is often a topic of conversation in state and federal legislatures. Stay in-the-know with this week’s top stories regarding education reform.

See the New Federal Education Budget Signed Into Law by Donald Trump
EdWeek
Not adjusting for inflation, the $71.5 billion budget is the largest-ever appropriation from Congress for the Education Department.

Tax Hikes to Fund Schools? Once Taboo, the Idea Is Gaining Momentum
EdWeek
Politicians on the state campaign trail this year are making some eye-popping promises for parents and educators: billions more dollars for schools, double-digit pay raises for teachers, and hundreds of millions more to replace dilapidated schoolhouses.

N.C. Schools in Areas Damaged by Storm Can Waive 20 Attendance Days, NC Leaders Agree
The News & Observer
State leaders crafted disaster-relief legislation aimed at quickly moving millions of dollars to ensure compensation for school employees and allow schools to waive up to 20 school days. Flexibility on voter registration and polling places damaged in the storm are also part of the recovery plan.