Education and Training Archives

Strengthening school-afterschool partnership_Tips trends 2026 School Superintendents Conference_feature: man speaks and presents in front of room full of people with a screen to his left

Strengthening school/afterschool partnership: Tips and trends from the 2026 School Superintendents Conference

At the 2026 National Conference on Education hosted in Nashville by the School Superintendents Association, I heard a sentence that defined my...

learning environments What John King's teachers were actually doing_feature: group of students listens to black male teacher outdoors teaching them about plants

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Opinion

What John King’s teachers were actually doing

Helping youth thrive is about designing learning environments that prioritize consistency, challenge, and agency.

Structure, control and leaving room, youth environments _feature: image of clay pot spinning on record player

331

Opinion

Structure, control and leaving room

Youth practitioners play a critical role in shaping youth environments by establishing norms, safety, and a larger vision — not by controlling...

Childcare, early care, OST: Group young children holding hands while running towards camera across green grass with trees in background

457

From the Field

Beyond fragmentation: Advancing continuity of care and cumulative opportunities in OST

OST can move from a patchwork of programs to a cohesive ecosystem boosting equity and learning; becoming a vital part of the...

civic skills, youth thriving, Six reasons to read Teen Centered Civics for Human Thriving_feature: group of teens put hands together over world map

972

From the Field

Civic skills for 20 million young people: A Q&A with Rajiv Vinnakota

Karen Pittman speaks with Rajiv Vinnakota about cultivating civic skills that develop effective citizens.

AI in schools: person on laptop while also using AI chatbot on smartphone

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From the Field

Flourishing in the Age of AI: Q&A with Courtney Garcia of LearnerStudio

Merita Irby speaks with LearnerStudio's Courtney Garcia about a new anthology exploring what it means for young people to flourish in the...

To fix student chronic absenteeism schools ust support families first_feature: Young teacher having meeting with parent of schoolboy, they sitting at table and talking together after lessons

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From the Field

To fix student absenteeism, schools must support families first

With chronic absenteeism still 50% above pre-pandemic levels, schools are using ineffective punitive or reward-based strategies instead of family supports.

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance_feature: recess, group of very happy children playing game with yellow ball

841

From the Field

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance

We must ensure kids are experiencing high-quality recess and a school climate that makes them want to attend every day.

QA_ Karen Pittman _2026 NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service Public Education Award_older black woman stand at podium with hands clasped in front of her

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From the Field

Q&A with Karen Pittman, 2026 recipient of the NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service to Public Education Award

Youth Today's Karen Pittman, often referred to as the godmother of positive youth development, received the award on February 13.

The overlooked link between literacy, STEM and student success_feature: Little children with microscope studying Chemistry in science classroom

801

From the Field

The overlooked link between literacy, STEM and student success

For decades, schools across the country have invested heavily in literacy reform. New curricula, mandates and funding have reshaped classrooms, yet reading...

When accomodations exist on paper but not in practice_how ACT testing fails students with disabilities: male high school student taking test on laptop

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Opinion

When accommodations exist on paper but not in practice: How ACT testing fails students with disabilities

Students with disabilities face barriers when trying to access standardized testing accommodations, especially those without strong adult support networks.

at-risk community-based family support grants: black family sits on porch of exposed wood house

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Grants

At-risk community and family support program grants

GRANT FOCUS: At-risk Community/Family Support, Education, Job/Career Training, Reentry/Recidivism | Amount: Up to $15,000 | Deadline: Feb. 20, 2026

The empty desk_A student's view of the siege in our hallways_feature: shadowy classroom with empty desks

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Opinion

The empty desk: A student’s view of the siege in our hallways

A junior at Columbia Heights High School in Minnesota gives a glimpse into what it's like to be student during the ongoing...

skilled trades and trades education: Yong person with brown hair in top knot leans over work tale peering at liquid in long yellow level

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From the Field

We taught students to love hands-on learning. Let’s help them continue to embrace it once they leave the classroom.

Many students, encouraged by hands-on learning, are perfect for a career in skilled trades. But, society's response has often been: Go to...

What I learned teaching sex education as a teen, and why every school needs it_feature: young woman points to diagram of sexual organs in front of classroom

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From the Field

What I learned teaching sex ed as a teen, and why every school needs it

A peer educator speaks about her experiences teaching peer-led sex education lessons.

From systems leadership to learning ecosystems stewardship_feature: group of kids watch an educator giving a presentation outside

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Opinion

From systems leadership to ecosystems stewardship: A next step for OST intermediaries?

The benefits of comprehensive learning ecosystems are vast, but a vital part of maintaining and stewarding them will fall on OST programs/intermediaries.

On learning and meaning making _feature: group of youth working at table together

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From the Field

On learning and meaning making

Katherine Plog-Martinez speaks with Kim Sabo Flores about how meaning making—reflecting on and making sense of experiences—is crucial to youth development.

Grants to support and educate youth combatants, youth associated with non-state armed groups: male student raises hand in developing country classroom

536

Grants

Grants to support and educate youth associated with non-state armed groups

GRANT FOCUS: Youth Combatants, Youth Welfare/Wellbeing/Safety/Development, Education, Mental Health | Amount: Up to $5,000 | Deadline: Jan. 31, 2026 (LOI)

Giving Tulsa students a clear path from curiosity to career_feature, afterschool STEM: group of youths in rocket and drone club along with mentor/teacher

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From the Field

Giving Tulsa students a clear path from curiosity to career

Afterschool STEM programs spark interest and help students build skills and confidence while increasing awareness of STEM careers.

An invitation to learn reflect and act together for equity-centered thriving: group of diverse youth happily works at table together

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Opinion

An invitation to learn, reflect and act together for equity-centered thriving

A new podcast features foundational thinkers, exemplary youth practitioners and policy leaders discussing what it takes to support equity-centered thriving.