The Ogden School District in Utah has introduced mariachi music programs, reflecting the city's diverse Latino population and fostering cultural appreciation among students. The after-school groups offer a musical experience as well as promoting inclusivity and community engagement, according to teachers and administrators.

A group of students from Bruyeres, France, recently visited Hawaii on a cultural exchange trip to learn more about the liberation of their town 80 years ago by the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which was made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii. The 31 students and five teachers met with families of local veterans and paid visits to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, while a group of students from Hawaii plans a visit later this year to Bruyeres to mark the anniversary of the town's liberation.

Students who volunteer in the Project Butterfly club engage in 40- to 60-minute weekly online tutoring sessions with English-language learners in China. Through the tutoring sessions, the US students are able to sharpen their own skills and learn about Chinese culture and make friends while working with their peers.

A connection between the Honolulu City Council and the University of Utah Asia Campus in Korea led to the college sponsoring an esports tournament at Farrington High School in Hawaii over the weekend. City Council member Radiant Cordero explains that this partnership can get students thinking about esports-related jobs in Hawaii and around the world.

SuperCharger Ventures and a consortium of universities worldwide have formed the Digital Education Council, focusing on education technology challenges such as AI's impact on education and work. With monthly reports and thematic working groups, DEC aims to shape policies and strategies for the future of digital learning.

Recent research suggests that England's heavy reliance on synthetic phonics in early literacy education may not effectively cultivate a love for reading and comprehension skills. As literacy rates lag and enjoyment of reading declines, experts advocate for a more balanced approach that integrates phonics with broader comprehension strategies, aligning with children's natural inclination for storytelling.

Teaching with wordless books helps build students’ essential comprehension skills—at all ages. In their latest video column, education experts Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey show how interacting with wordless picture books allows readers to make predictions, think critically, and make meaning.

Black, Indigenous, and Latiné students belong in STEM. Literacy educators can be on the forefront of preparing underrepresented students for STEM-related opportunities. Read more in Kimberly Parker's latest column for Educational Leadership.