Looking for the latest news on educator practice, policy, advocacy and impact?
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11.03.2026 21:53
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Looking for the latest news on educator practice, policy, advocacy and impact?
Read last week’s roundup – and sign up for this week’s:
"If we want better futures for our communities, we must begin where futures are built: early. And that means ensuring every child and every family in PA receives a true Head Start in life," Teach Plus PA Policy Fellow Amy Baranowski writes.
Read more:
ICYMI: In new research from PA Needs Teachers and Teach Plus PA, the authors propose different ways to reimagine what teaching looks like to improve the experience of both students and teachers. One suggestion is to shift to a collaborative teaching approach.
At least half of the nation’s states have adopted cursive writing instruction in recent years, reversing a sharp decline in teaching of that skill after the Common Core omitted it from its standards, but educators say the return will have challenges.
Teach Plus Michigan teachers are in Lansing today advocating for literacy beyond 3rd grade, special ed funding reform, teacher retention, and real pathways after high school.
"Every student deserves a shot at the future they deserve." — Director Ben Locke
Watch: www.youtube.com/shorts/MaTtz...
What’s at stake if we lose the teacher pipeline?
Everything.
Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellowship alumnus Fatim Byrd shares the tangible steps Pennsylvania can take to end teacher shortages and continue to draw people to the profession:
Here’s how one teacher learned to make intentional instructional choices that meet students where they are while still holding them to high expectations – and how it worked.
Insights via Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellow Emilee Roy:
Two new reports caution that if schools make missteps implementing AI, the results could haunt them for years, locking them into a future largely written by big tech instead of those closest to kids.
As an educator, Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellowship alumna JoMeka Gray's advocacy for her students is fueled by what she needed as a student growing up in a rural, underserved area.
She shares how she pays it forward:
+ CO: Teachers make the case for career pathways
+ IL: Teacher leaders lay out their advocacy agenda
+ Nationwide: Mark your calendar for next week's conversation on the latest teacher workforce survey data
Explore this week’s Newsblast:
cm.teachplus.org/t/r-83059EF4...
Here’s how one teacher experienced the rise of cell phones in class and why she supports stricter phone bans and testified in favor of a bill before the State Senate.
Insights via Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellow Marissa Tanner:
As a teacher, Leading Edge Fellow Jaycie Homer has had AI help her meet her students' learning needs. As a mom, she's seen the consequences when it's used without critical thinking.
She shares the importance of using the technology thoughtfully:
Here’s how one teacher learned to make intentional instructional choices that meet students where they are while still holding them to high expectations – and how it worked.
Insights via Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellow Emilee Roy:
Only 16% of teacher preparation programs in Massachusetts adequately prepare teachers for effective reading instruction.
Teach Plus MA Fellow Luisa Sparrow shares her journey to teaching evidence-based reading instruction and why it matters for students:
Could growth be a better way to measure student success and learning?
Teach Plus Mississippi Policy Fellowship alumnus and ASU PhD student John Fredericks' research found that measuring growth over proficiency helps students, schools & states.
Read more:
www.azcentral.com/story/opinio...
A New Mexico bill championed by Teach Plus New Mexico research and advocacy would improve math instruction for student success.
"Teachers need preparation that builds deep understanding alongside instructional strategies," Fellow Andrea Lopez writes.
The U.S. Dept. of Education announced it will begin offloading the management of key federal programs for school safety, community schools, educational TV programming, and family engagement as the Trump admin. continues its bid to wind down the agency.
In new research from PA Needs Teachers and Teach Plus Pennsylvania, the authors propose different ways to reimagine what teaching looks like to improve the experience of both students and teachers. One suggestion is to shift to a collaborative teaching approach.
Teach Plus New Mexico applauds the State Legislature for passing SB29, the culmination of more than a year of research and advocacy by Teach Plus teacher leaders. The bill bolsters licensing requirements and updates how educators are trained in math.
Read more:
Could growth be a better way to measure student success and learning?
Teach Plus MS Policy Fellowship alumnus and ASU PhD student John Fredericks' research found that measuring growth over proficiency helps students, schools & states.
Read more: www.azcentral.com/story/opinio...
"Policy is most powerful when it's shaped by the people who live it every day." -Teach Plus MS Exec. Director Sanford Johnson
In this week’s Newsblast: Teacher leaders brought their expertise to the Capitol, pushing for a path from school to career for all students.
cm.teachplus.org/t/r-FA74EDFF...
New report from Teach Plus PA: "Reimagining Teaching: How Strategic Staffing Can Empower Teachers & Accelerate Learning in PA" emphasizes the need to reimagine the teaching role through strategic staffing to improve student outcomes and teacher retention.
www.paneedsteachers.com/reimagining-...
Looking to learn how other educators tackle building an inclusive classroom library for their students?
Teach Plus California Policy Fellow Frankie Avila shares how he approached it and how the state can make curricula more representative:
www.thecommunityvoice.com/opinion/colu...
Looking for the latest news on educator practice, policy, advocacy and impact?
Read last week’s roundup – and sign up for this week’s:
Teach Plus IN Policy Fellow Marissa Tanner testified before lawmakers about the benefits she saw in her classroom after a school cell phone ban.
“Our children were not just distracted, they were addicted. ... Students are talking to one another again.”
While there is reached broad consensus that schools and districts need to take action to reverse the trend of declining and stagnating math scores, disagreements continue about how to do so and how to identify the best strategies from research evidence.
Meet Alicia Simba, Teach Plus California TK teacher turning classroom experience into systems-wide policy impact. “How can I use my teacher voice to enact change for myself, for my colleagues, and most importantly, for my students and their families?”
Watch:
Congratulations to Teach Plus Indiana Policy Fellowship and Senior Writing Fellowship alumnus Ronak Shah on being named one of Indiana University's 2026 20 under 40!
IU highlighted Ronak's extensive education policy advocacy and more than 30 published op-eds.
How does your school and district support teen parents experiencing chronic absenteeism?
Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellow Cheryl Ring explains how we could redesign support systems to keep these students in class:
25 Teach Plus Mississippi teacher leaders are at the Capitol this week, bringing research-backed solutions straight from the classroom: modernize student data, strengthen college and career pathways, sustain literacy gains, and keep great teachers in schools.
Watch: www.youtube.com/shorts/8oz6L...