NEWSLETTER
As we look back at the K-12 stories that resonated most with our readers last year, a trend quickly emerges: 2024 was the year of the personal essay.
EdSurge Voices of Change columnists and fellows clearly captivated our audience with both their technical and emotional reflections. They gave their opinion on innovation in mathematics and social-emotional learning. They shared first-hand experiences about racism in the workplace. Our top post of the entire year was a vulnerable essay about one manager's leadership failure and how he made things right.
There were also widely read articles about the ways educators and school systems are coping with rapid changes: how to make access to algebra equitable for historically disadvantaged students and catch up with new technological standards that help students with disabilities. And, of course, readers were eager to receive information about how to address the ways in which artificial intelligence is changing the dynamics of their classrooms.
But overall, EdSurge articles that highlighted educators' experiences and called for greater connection captivated readers throughout the year.
Here are the most popular K-12 stories of 2024.
By Nicola Hodkowski
Researcher Nicola Hodkowski advocates going beyond having students memorize the process of doing mathematics and instead fostering a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. It's not an easy task, but she lays out several strategies educators can use to ensure concepts stick. The approach results in increased student confidence, their ability to apply mathematics in the real world, and success during more advanced mathematics classes.
By Sarah Wright and My Aniefuna
When Black female educators came together as part of an EdSurge research project, they connected over similar experiences with trauma, work-life balance, racism, and stress. School administrator Sarah Wright shares her thoughts on a trauma-informed approach to leadership.
By Jessica Kato
There are many features that make Gen Alpha unique from its predecessors. They are the first generation made up entirely of children born in the 21st century, connected by the digital sphere almost from birth, and the oldest among them were only 10 years old when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Teacher trainer Jessica Kato explains to educators how to engage and leverage the strengths of Generation Alpha.
By Daniel Mollenkamp
California made a controversial policy decision last year when it adopted a new math framework that recommends waiting until ninth grade to introduce students to algebra. Their goal was to make access to algebra, a “gateway” to more advanced mathematics classes, standardized and therefore more equitable.
By Daniel Mollenkamp
In April, the U.S. Department of Justice expanded the Americans with Disabilities Act to include technology standards in public schools, colleges, and universities. The changes were intended to eliminate the burdens that students with disabilities face when accessing digital content. The onus now falls on schools to ensure they are purchasing accessible materials, and the clock is ticking to meet the two-year deadline.
By Katie Wills Evans
As the world in which high school students graduate continues to change at a rapid pace, teacher Katie Wills Evans notes that graduation requirements remain the same, leaving students feeling anxious and unprepared for the transition to adulthood. She makes the case for the need for graduation requirements to evolve, considering how little multiple-choice questions or essay prompts on standardized tests have to do with students' lives after high school and their ability to thrive.
By Clementina José
SEL professional development opportunities are often disconnected from the realities of life for Black and Latinx students who have faced adversity, social worker Clementia José explains in her essay. She provides ideas on how to support students regardless of their background or experiences, including the power of listening instead of imposing solutions.
By Jeffrey R. Young
For better or worse, it seems like ChatGPT and its ai brethren are disrupting educational norms at almost every turn. OpenAI opened the floodgates of change again when it made a version of ChatGPT free for everyone, making it accessible to every student with an internet connection. He left it to education experts to strategize how teachers should use ai to their advantage.
By Michael Paul Ida
Teacher Michael Paul Ida is often the only Asian American educator in the room during professional development seminars, which puts immense pressure on his shoulders to speak to the experience of students and other educators in his community. In her personal essay, she describes the emotional toll of feeling invisible and why her non-Asian colleagues should start listening, for the benefit of their Asian American peers and students.
By Damen Scott
While Damen Scott worked hard as a director to ensure staff members felt respected and empowered, one stressful day led to a painful interaction with a colleague, shaking his own confidence as a leader in the process. Scott writes about his experience taking responsibility and rebuilding trust—and the power of listening.
