top of page
Joanne Jacobs
10 hours ago3 min read
Do special-ed kids do best in mainstream classrooms? Maybe not
The evidence that mainstreaming special-needs students improves their academic success is "flawed," says a new study.
0 comments
Joanne Jacobs
1 day ago1 min read
Achievement creates motivation
Achievement predicts motivation, but motivation doesn't predict achievement.
3 comments
Joanne Jacobs
1 day ago1 min read
Students want A's for trying hard, B's for (mostly) showing up
Gen Z students expect to be graded on effort, not achievement.
0 comments
Joanne Jacobs
2 days ago2 min read
Too many toys, not enough fun
American families have lots of toys, but kids get the most play value from the basics, such as blocks.
0 comments
Joanne Jacobs
3 days ago2 min read
Credits for competency makes sense -- if colleges avoid the credit-recovery route
"Competency-based" education makes sense -- if students really are competent.
3 comments
Joanne Jacobs
4 days ago1 min read
Misbehavior is worse, say educators
Student misbehavior is up and motivation is down: 2024 is worse than 2023.
2 comments
Joanne Jacobs
5 days ago2 min read
Do your math: You'll earn more as an adult
Math skills predict adult earnings more strongly than reading skills, health or other factors.
10 comments
Joanne Jacobs
6 days ago2 min read
We know how to get safe, effective schools, so why settle for chaos?
Teachers and students need safe, orderly schools.
11 comments
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 72 min read
Students need clear expectations, honest feedback
If schools can't hold students accountable, nobody's going to learn anything.
0 comments
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 62 min read
'Give yourself a break' is bad advice: Do difficult things!
Young people need to believe they can do difficult things. Don't tell them they're fragile.
4 comments
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 51 min read
Measuring good teaching by the smile-o-meter
Is it true that "the person doing the smiling is the person doing the learning"?
0 comments
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 42 min read
AI will replace human teachers in new Arizona charter school
A new Arizona charter will use AI to teach academics. Humans will "guide" children but won't teach.
0 comments
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 31 min read
California tells schools: Go easy on homework
A new California law urges school to set homework policies that ease stress and promote "equity."
1 comment
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 31 min read
UK will teach diverse, non-Western science
Britain's Labour Party plans to make science teaching less Western-centric and relax standards so lessons are more "enjoyable."
1 comment
Joanne Jacobs
Jan 22 min read
Return of the nerds: US should honor mathletes as much as athletes
Honor mathletes and science fair winners or plan to import a lot of high-tech immigrants.
3 comments
bottom of page