A Fla. District Leads in Violence Prevention

http://www.pulitzer.org/files/2012/public_service/assault09.pdf

Kristen A. Graham

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network)

1 April 2011

Text / 800-1500 Words

Palm Beach County, Florida has many of the same social problems that Philadelphia has, including “gangs, drugs, and poverty.” However, their school system has managed to keep students safe by employing “safe-school case managers” who build relationships with students, and they offer a youth court that is a system run by students who peer-review cases of unrest. The initiatives in this county has prevented school violence from happening without metal detectors and just two police officers.

‘A National Admissions Office' for Low-Income Strivers

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/upshot/a-national-admissions-office-for-low-income-strivers.html

David Leonhardt

The New York Times

16 September 2014

Text / 800-1500 Words

Attending college is not always a given option for gifted teenagers from less-than-wealthy backgrounds. National organization QuestBridge creates a way for low-income and minority high-achieving students to go to their dream colleges free of cost.

A New Model of School Reform

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/a_new_model_of_school_reform

Jeremy Adam Smith

Greater Good Magazine

21 May 2014

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is transforming educational systems in Oakland by forming mentor relationships between adults and students. Unlike other models, though, the adults are the ones held accountable.

A Peek into Silicon Valley's Newest Bet: AltSchool

https://medium.com/bright/a-peek-into-silicon-valley-s-latest-bet-altschool-abf6c6973ecd

Mary Jo Madda

Bright Magazine

1 July 2015

Multi-Media / Under 800 Words

AltSchools use a completely different education system - interconnecting technology and hands on experiments - to help students achieve a higher degree of learning. Students are grouped into small, personalized cohorts so they can be both mentors and mentees for their fellow peers, creating a collaborative learning space for all.

Boston: There's an App for That

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/boston-theres-an-app-for-that-107661.html#.VYml6PlViko

Ben Schreckinger

Politico

10 June 2014

Text / Over 3000 Words

Boston had a hard time solving civic problems efficiently and holding its leadership accountable. In response, a team in the Mayor's office was charged with "making Boston better through clever, low-cost hacks" such as a mobile app that allows residents to send government service requests to City Hall.

Does class size matter? Research reveals surprises

http://seattletimes.com/html/education/2024894748_edlabsmallclassesxml.html

John Higgins

The Seattle Times

28 October 2014

Text / 800-1500 Words

Research in the U.S. suggests that a small class size is not enough but in combination with teacher training it leads to a change in achievement.

Education in Indian Country: Obstacles and Opportunity

http://www.edweek.org/ew/projects/2013/native-american-education/running-in-place.html

Lesli A. Maxwell

Megan Garner

Swikar Patel

Education Week

4 December 2013

Text / Over 3000 Words

Native American student graduation rates are much lower than that of any other demographic. The Red Cloud school teaches students on a reservation in South Dakota about the Lakota history to empower the kids and encourage resilience.

Even Odds Day 2: Manhood 101

http://www.sfchronicle.com/local/bayarea/item/Even-Odds-Day-2-23198.php

Jill Tucker

San Francisco Chronicle

18 August 2013

Text / 1500-3000 Words

In Oakland, black males are almost as likely to be killed as they are to graduate high school. One school is giving them special classes with black mentors to better address their emotional needs and keep them in school.

Even Odds: A Place Apart

http://www.sfchronicle.com/local/item/Even-Odds-Part-3-23284.php

Jill Tucker

San Francisco Chronicle

18 August 2013

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Young black males in Oakland are suspended more frequently and graduate high school at a much lower rate than their peers. A charter school specifically designed for African American boys focuses on providing them with role models to create a supportive environment, combat the effects of trauma, and push them to succeed.

Education lessons from Maine, New Hampshire

https://digital.vpr.net/post/education-lessons-maine-new-hampshire

Jane Lindholm

Patti Daniels

Vermont Public Radio

7 April 2015

Radio / Over 15 Minutes

As Vermont struggles to create legislation regulating school district management and financial efficiency, the state looks to models in Maine and New Hampshire for guidance. In Maine, school districts have tried to save money and resources through consolidation; in New Hampshire, officials have reworked the way schooling is financed altogether.