Kindergarten | Cradle to Career Roadmap

Children in kindergarten build their independence, self-reliance and self-confidence. These skills begin developing at home as children take more responsibility for simple tasks such as dressing themselves with less outside help. Being prepared for school includes academic knowledge such as recognizing their first and last name but children also will also need to be able to communicate their needs, feelings and interests.

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How Social Studies Can Help Young Kids Make Sense of the World

This news article provides background on the importance of teaching social studies to young children for their development as critical thinkers and communicators who know how to take meaningful action.

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Goal Setting to Increase Student Academic Performance

This article discusses how teachers and students in one district used goal setting to improve student achievement. The article also outlines recommendations for successful academic goal implementation.

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Sure, We Teach History. But Do We Know Why It’s Important?

This article highlights the importance of studying history for understanding the present and preparing for the future.

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Improving Social Emotional Skills in Childhood Enhances Long-Term Well-Being and Economic Outcomes

This paper provides data for investing in impactful social and emotional learning programs for all children and recommendations for future research.

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The Link Between School Attendance and Good Health

This article showing the link between chronic school absenteeism and poor long-term health outcomes can help pediatricians and their colleagues promote school attendance through interactions with patients and parents and government advocacy.

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Laws, Policies & Regulations on Bullying

This resource details laws, policies, and regulations addressing bullying in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories.

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8 Indoor Activities to Release Kids' Energy

This article has eight indoor exercise activities for parents with younger children.

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COVID-19 and Emotional Wellness

This article provides parents resources and recommendations for supporting their child and themselves during COVID-19.

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Attendance Awareness Toolkit 2019-2020

This toolkit includes customizable resources and strategies for schools, community organizations, businesses, and faith leaders to improve school attendance.

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San Bernardino Countywide Vision Website

The Countywide Vision is a community-based effort to create a county where residents and investors can prosper and achieve well-being. The Countywide Vision website includes the Countywide Vision statement, information on progress being made to achieve the Vision, and resources to help everyone participate in the Vision effort.

Reports

Is Retaining Students in the Early Grades Self-Defeating?

Even in the absence of test-based promotion policies, the extent to which America’s school systems have retained low-performing students in the same grade has varied considerably over time. Proponents of retention have long argued that low-performing students stand to benefit from an improved match of their ability to that of their peers and from the opportunity for additional instruction before confronting more challenging material. They also contend that the threat of being held back and the creation of grade cohorts that are more homogenous in ability could yield benefits even for higher-performing students.

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5 Factors to Consider When Parents Request Grade Retention for Their Child

This 2020 article from District Administrator provides information that might be helpful when parents may want their child to repeat the grade he was in before the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure he doesn’t miss out on any learning. But retaining the student could present more challenges than benefits for him in the long run the author contends.

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What Research Says About... / Grade Retention

In this 2008 article, Jane L. David shares with readers what research says about the effectiveness of current education reforms. In the coming months, David will examine the research behind such approaches as incentives to attract teachers to high-poverty schools and small learning communities. In framing the issues and drawing conclusions, she will draw on articles from peer-reviewed journals and reports from research institutions as well as her own 35 years of experience studying schools and districts.

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Is Grade Retention Right for Your Child?

Grade retention refers to the practice of keeping a child in the same grade for more than one year, typically because of poor school performance. In most cases, parents and educators retain students because they have not mastered the skills needed to be successful at the next grade level. They believe that receiving the same instruction for another year will provide more time for the child to learn the skills and mature physically and intellectually.

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Should My Child Repeat a Grade?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes children are most successful when they are supported to advance grade levels with their peers, when possible, while reasons behind their lack of academic progress are sorted out and addressed. This article provides information on whether grade retention is best for your child.

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Grade Retention and Promotion: Information for Parents

Grade retention, also known as nonpromotion, flunking, failing, being held back, or the gift of time, refers to a child repeating his or her current grade level again the following year. Whether used to address low performance and/or behavior problems, research generally has not found favorable achievement or adjustment outcomes for students who are retained. Nevertheless, retention rates have been rising. This trend appears to be heavily influenced by the recent “reform” movement emphasizing national or state-wide educational grade-level standards and accountability and the accompanying grade-level tests to determine which students are promoted to the next grade. The National Association of School Psychologists provides this guide for parents on grade retention. Whatever the reason, if retention is suggested for your child, it is vital that you as a parent make sure you know what options are available and are involved in making decisions about his or her education. By working together, parents and educators can discuss and identify specific strategies to help ensure the educational success of your child.

Reports

Grade Retention Research Brief

Hanover Research reviews literature on the academic, social-emotional, and equity-related effects of grade retention. This research brief also presents potential alternatives to retention and social promotion, and includes case studies of two school districts which have successfully implemented alternatives to grade retention.

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The ABLE Guide (Accessing Blended Learning Education)

The ABLE Guide adapts content from the Distance Learning Playbook by Fisher, Frye and Hattie (Corwin Press) and focuses on four principles of learning and connects and aligns numerous digital tools to help these principles come to life within different learning environments. The four principles of learning are Relationships, Engagement, Monitor & Feedback and Demonstrating Mastery. In each of the four sections of the ABLE Guide we provide some introductory information, a vignette, some additional insights/information and then a link to a digital toolbox which aligns various digital tools to support implementation of the principle. The ABLE Guide also aligns the four principles to important standards in education. The Guide draws connections between the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards, the CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) competencies and the NSQ (National Standards for Quality Online Learning) standards. Links to each of these standards are found in the section for each principle.

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Distance Learning Resources

Distance Learning Resources for Administrators, Educators and families.

Reports

National Education Technology Plan

The National Education Technology Plan (NETP) sets a national vision and plan for learning enabled by technology through building on the work of leading education researchers; district, school, and higher education leaders; classroom teachers; developers; entrepreneurs; and nonprofit organizations. The principles and examples provided in this document align to the Activities to Support the Effective Use of Technology (Title IV A) of Every Student Succeeds Act as authorized by Congress in December 2015.

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California Department of Education Digital Learning Integration and Standards Guidance

The California Digital Learning Integration and Standards Guidance was adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) at their meeting on May 12–13, 2021.

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Code.org

Code.org is a non-profit organization and eponymous website that aims to encourage people, particularly school students in the United States, to learn computer science.

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ISTE Standards

The ISTE Standards for Educators are your road map to helping students become empowered learners. These standards will deepen your practice, promote collaboration with peers, challenge you to rethink traditional approaches and prepare students to drive their own learning. Connect with other educators in the ISTE Standards Community and learn how to use the standards in the classroom with the ISTE Standards for Educators ebook.

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Physical Education Articles from Edutopia

Explore and share tips, strategies, and resources for helping students develop physical fitness and health.