Teachable Moments

Extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and snowstorms are becoming more frequent and causing school closures and delays. Many schools nationwide are adopting clean energy solutions for a variety of benefits, including keeping schools open during power outages.

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Learn more about the College of Charleston here.

Working with a mentor in college is invaluable and will benefit students long after they graduate. My colleague, Tom Martin, founder of the Martin Center for Mentorship at the College of Charleston, says mentoring isn’t just something for students or recent graduates – it’s a lifelong process.

Students in South Carolina are more likely to access mental health services in schools than in any other setting. However, the state has struggled to decrease the ratio of counselors to students and in 2022, reported one mental health counselor for every 1,300 students. 

The mental health of adolescents remains a serious and growing problem. In 2021, 42% of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless, up from 26% in 2009.

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More than 124 million children across the world are considered obese. Childhood obesity leads to poor mental and physical health outcomes and sets them up for a lifelong trajectory of poor health.

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In recent years, college professors have been sounding the alarm about a decline in students’ reading abilities. Many educators report that even highly motivated students are struggling to comprehend and analyze complex texts. 

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The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology recently released a toolkit to help K-12 leaders integrate artificial intelligence. The guidance, focusing on mitigating risks, strategically using AI, and enhancing classroom learning, arrives as many schools still lack an AI policy.  

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Kindergarteners used to spend time coloring, cutting with scissors and building with blocks. However, this approach has changed to teacher-led instruction in reading and math. Many young students missed out on essential learning experiences during the pandemic, making it more crucial to implement recovery efforts.

Teachers dedicate countless hours and significant funds to support their students. Recent data indicates that teachers spend about $800 out of their own pockets each year on everything from pens and pencils to cleaning supplies and snacks.

Standards-based grading has faced scrutiny in recent years. Educators question the effectiveness of letter and percentage grades, which have been the standard for over a century.