Self-identification and problem-solving

Young students who understand they have "multiple identities" -- such as being a sibling, student and athlete -- have improved creative problem-solving skills, according to a recent study. The findings show that the students are four times as likely to consider various ways to solve a problem, compared with their peers.
Gaither, G. (2019).  Thinking about multiple identities boosts children's flexible thinking. Developmental Science (May 19). https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.12871

Remaking Videos

In analyzing 93 video remakes, inspired by the video "Love Language," researchers found that producing remake videos may enhance media literacy competencies by offering a means for youth to develop creative skills through strategic imitation.
Hobbs, R., & Friesem, Y. (2019). The creativity of imitation in remake videos. E-Learning and Digital Media.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2042753019835556

Teachers' Need for More Technology Help

While novice teachers may have grown up using technology as "digital natives," two new studies discussed find they still may need support in using education technology in the classroom. One researcher found that teacher training on technology did not always align with the skills new teachers need on the job, which became evident during student teaching. Preservice teachers also have difficulty choosing appropriate technology for their classroom
Karr, K. (2017).  A phenomological study of first-career millennial novice elementary school teachers' use of technology. Doctoral dissertation, Liberty University.
https://ae-uploads.uoregon.edu/ISTE/ISTE2019/PROGRAM_SESSION_MODEL/HANDOUTS/112190345/fulltextdocumentISTE2019.pdf
Webber, K. (2019). Are preservice teachers prepared for their technology integrated future classrooms? Paper presented at ISTE conference, June, Philadelphia.
https://ae-uploads.uoregon.edu/ISTE/ISTE2019/PROGRAM_SESSION_MODEL/HANDOUTS/112136796/ArePreserviceTeachersPreparedforTheirTechnologyIntegratedFutureClassrooms_KWEBBER.pdf

Unused Software Report

About 67% of software licenses held by schools go unused, according to a 20-19  study from. The report recommends that school leaders properly plan for software rollouts and measure return on investment more carefully.
Education return on investment. (2019). Huntsville, AL: Glimpse K12
https://www.glimpsek12.com/blog/schoolsoftwarespending

K-12 Online Education Report

“After years of rapid growth, full-time online education for K-12 students appears to be plateauing amid ongoing concerns about poor performance, financial mismanagement, and inadequate regulation and accountability structures. A collection of reports released by the group this week says that as of the 2017-18 school year, there were 501 full-time virtual K-12 schools in the U.S., enrolling more than 297,000 students. That represents less than 1 percent enrollment growth over the previous year.” (Education Week, June 7, 2019).
Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2019. By Alex Molnar. National Education Policy Center. May 2019. 125 p.

Outside Factors for Student Success Report

High-school graduation rates are trending upward, and prekindergarten enrollment and eighth-grade math proficiency have remained steady, according to a 2019 report. The report also examines how socioeconomic factors, health, family and community issues affect outcomes for students. For example, among children in low-income homes, 78% of 4th-graders score below the proficient level in reading, compared to 48% of children in moderate- and high-income families.
2019 Kids Count Data Book. Baltimore, MD: Annie E. Casey Foundation.
https://www.aecf.org/m/databook/aecf-2019kidscountdatabook-embargoed.pdf

Computer Science Access Inequity Study

About 61% of high schools in California do not offer computer science education, according to a study. Research shows that about 3% of high schoolers were enrolled in such courses but students from rural, low-income areas and students of color have less access.
Kapor Center. (2019). Computer science in California's schools. Oakland, CA: Kapor Center.
https://www.kaporcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Computer-Science-in-California-Schools.pdf