[Weekly EdNews Round Up] The State of Online Testing in 2018

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.

Continued teacher strikes across the nation and mounting classroom costs are enough to frustrate teachers and districts alike. Check out this week’s EdNews Round Up, featuring stories about the state of online testing in 2018, why teens should understand their own brains, and how 13 Reasons Why has caused many schools to issue warnings to parents.

Online State Testing in 2018: Mostly Smooth, With One Glaring Exception

edWeek

Like many states, Tennessee made the decision in 2014 to switch to online tests. However, the transition to online testing has proven difficult for many states. Some difficulties in testing caused students to be unable to submit their test or to be kicked off the system completely. These issues have left many states devastated and wondering what the next steps are.

As Expectations of Teachers Change, Administrators Rethink Their Observation Practices

EdSurge

New tools and teaching methods have emerged and the tried and true lessons that have been used for decades are no longer best practice. But as teachers change their practices to meet their students’ needs, how are administrators changing the way they observe and provide feedback to teachers?

How Many Teachers Are Highly Stressed? Maybe More Than People Think.

neaToday

Everyone knows that teaching is one of the most demanding and stressful professions. And most are probably aware that a majority of teachers are feeling a high level of stress. Still, we may have been underestimating the magnitude of the problem, according to a new study by the University of Missouri (MU).

As States Debate Anti-LGBTQ Bills, Educators Focus on Supporting All Students

neaToday

While voters and legislatures nationwide continue to push for more LGBTQ-friendly policies, many educators are taking action in different ways.

Educators Incorporating Personalized Learning in Classrooms

U.S. News

Teachers in an Alaska borough are embracing a different approach that allows students to choose what and how they learn.

Why Teens Should Understand Their Own Brains (And Why Their Teachers Should, Too!)

MindShift

Until recently, it was thought that the brain was only actively developing during childhood. New research finds that the brain continues to develop during adolescence. A new book shares insights for educators into how young adults are thinking, problem-solving, and learning.

As '13 Reasons Why' Returns, Schools Try To Help Students Who Are Thinking Of Suicide

NPRed

School officials have issued warnings to parents ahead of the second season of the Netflix drama "13 Reasons Why,". The first season, which centered on the suicide of a high school student, triggered cautions from the National Association of School Psychologists.

How to Plan and Implement Continuous Improvement In Schools

MindShift

While research-informed practices are important, this process can often mean that the interventions are unrealistic or disconnected from the hectic reality of many classrooms, and are rarely used. But what if teachers themselves were the research engine -- the spark of continued improvement?