[Weekly EdNews Round Up] Is Summer Breaking America’s Schools?

Is summer breaking America’s schools? How much of their own money does the average teacher spend on school supplies? Did architects from a century ago affect how students learn in your classroom? Can IT departments combat cheating? Find the answer to all these questions and more in this week’s EdNews Round Up!

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. 

Is Summer Breaking America's Schools?
U.S. News
If the American Dream depends on its education system, summer break could be holding its students back. With one of the longest summer breaks in the world, American students can lose up to one month of learning over break, and the loss goes beyond just learning.

Who is the Average U.S. Teacher?
neaToday
A new federal survey asked U.S. teachers about their backgrounds, salaries, job satisfaction - and how much of their own money they spend on classroom supplies.

The Number of Students Taking Online Courses Is Quickly Rising, But Perceptions Are Changing Slowly
Edsurge
In both K12 and higher education options for students to take whole courses, blended courses and—in some places—entire degree programs online are more prevalent than ever. So why is it taking so long to change public perception?

How Decisions Architects Made A Century Ago Affect Learning Today
MindShift
Alexandra Lange's new book has insights on the influence of school and classroom design on children's learning throughout history.

How IT Departments Can Help Combat Contract Cheating
edscoop
A new form of plagiarism, called contract cheating, has emerged. Here's what higher ed CIOs can do to stem the tide of ghostwritten work.

Simple Relationship-Building Strategies
edutopia
Embedding dual-purpose tasks in coursework can help teachers overcome the obstacles to forging strong relationships with students.

After-School Programs Enter Career-Tech Space
EdWeek
Amid a growing interest in career- and technical-education, afterschool programs offer additional options for high school students to learn job skills and explore their interests in trades.