Academics

Pop culture hooks kids on lessons in Chicago, California

By Paul Katula •
Teachers have found that using pop culture devices, such as songs, videos, and poems, can often help engage students in lessons. Furthermore, teachers have the flexibility to modify those lesson plans as their students need.

Judge allows UCLA to post purchased videos online

By Paul Katula •
A federal district judge in California dismissed with prejudice a claim brought by educational video manufacturers against UCLA. They tried to bar the university from posting purchased educational videos on the Internet.

Facebook, IL Liquor Control Act of 1934 may collide

By Paul Katula •
Changes to the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934 will make parents and guardians who own private property where underage drinking occurs guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, starting Jan. 1.

Iowa district considers expanding math curriculum

By Paul Katula •
As we push algebra into lower grades, this creates a need at the top of the math curriculum in high schools for instructors who can teach higher math skills, as Waukee Public Schools are now finding out.

Did Fairfax Cty. board waste taxes to go after a teacher?

By Paul Katula •
The case of a Virginia teacher, falsely accused of child sex abuse, underscores the waste by school districts on legal fees, the destruction of the career of an innocent man, and the need to get real help for true victims of child sex abuse in our schools.

Student sues to distribute fliers for birthday party

By Paul Katula •
The US Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit heard arguments in a case involving a student whose school district barred her from distributing fliers for her birthday party, held at her church.

Bias detected in pre-election polls

By Paul Katula •
The pre-election polls turned out to be biased a little, and we take a look at how teachers can incorporate some of this information into lessons in statistics and probability as defined in the US Common Core.

Freedom of speech, religion in cheerleading sign

By Paul Katula •
A Texas high school cheerleading group is using religious sayings and texts to inspire their team, and a court is allowing it temporarily while it considers both sides of the First-Amendment debate.

MacArthur genius grants, 2012 edition

By Paul Katula •
The MacArthur Foundation announced this year's winners of fellowships, commonly called "genius grants," and the list has a few surprises.