[Weekly EdNews Round Up] National School Walkout Conveys Clear Message

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.

On Wednesday, students across the country got up from their classrooms during the National School Walkout, a movement intended to protest gun violence, as well as pay tribute to the victims of school related gun violence. Read about this topic and more in this week’s News Round Up.

Across the Country, Students Walk Out to Protest Gun Violence
npr
Across the country, students walked out of class for 17 minutes on Wednesday, one for each victim who died at the shooting in Parkland, Florida, one month ago. But the day of activism was not just limited to students stepping out of their schools.

Student Walkouts Have Changed American History Before. Here's How
TIME
On Wednesday, across the United States, participants in the National School Walkout left their classrooms for 17 minutes, for the 17 lives lost in the shooting. Though student walkouts can still be controversial, they have an established place in American history.

Betsy DeVos on Guns, School Choice, and Why People Don't Like Her
60 Minutes
In the interview that’s been making headlines all week, Betsy DeVos sat down with Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes to discuss guns, school choice, and why people don’t like her. The secretary of education has been one of the most criticized members of President Trump's Cabinet, but DeVos says she's "more misunderstood than anything."

How Empowering Girls to Confront Conflict and Buck Perfection Helps Their Well-Being
MindShift
Despite the unparalleled access to opportunities that young women have today compared with the past, many are still absorbing strong messages about how they should look, act, and be. For girls, many of the most powerful influences come from the media, but young girls could find relief among the real people in their lives.

Eight Ways to Introduce Kids to STEM at an Early Age
The Hechinger Report
Children are capable of understanding science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts when they are less than a year old, but these skills must be developed intentionally, according to a new report released by The Center for Childhood Creativity (CCC) at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

The Gifted Child in Foster Care: Lost in the Shuffle
EdWeek
Poverty, trauma, and high rates of mobility keep bright children in the foster care system from finding their way into academically rigorous courses and programs.

The Real Reason Your Translation App Will Never Replace Language Learning
EdSurge
Of all the classroom subjects technology is poised to change, perhaps none stoke the imagination quite like language learning. As wearable tech and machine translation become increasingly sophisticated, many see them as the future. But one teacher has four reasons why translation apps shouldn't replace language learning.

Why Technology is at a Tipping Point in U.S. Schools
edscoop
Technology in the classroom continues to stir debate over its promise as a transformative tool for learning — and questions about how effectively teachers can make use of it. ISTE chief Richard Culatta and N.Y. Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia address lingering concerns about edtech at SXSW EDU.