Among parents of students who are learning online, 32% of parents say they are very concerned their children are falling behind in school, with 36% saying they are somewhat concerned, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Despite some concerns that students will contract the coronavirus, data shows that parents are more satisfied with in-person learning.

Book leveling, reading lists filled with "classics" and being shamed for reading choices are among the negative experiences that can turn students off to reading, asserts veteran teacher-librarian Julia Torres of Denver Public Schools. In this article, Torres and Julie Stivers, a teacher-librarian in North Carolina, suggest ways to heal reading trauma, such as by redefining reading to include audiobooks and creating an inclusive, diverse library.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted teaching and learning and put unprecedented burdens on teachers and other school staff. In this article, four school leaders share how they continue to motivate teachers and other staff members, such as Joe Sanfelippo, superintendent of a district in Wisconsin, who says he tries to ensure staffers take time for themselves and their families.

Teachers in California say they are avoiding talk of politics and next week's presidential election with each other and with students over concerns that the topic is too divisive. Erica Hodgin, co-director of the Civic Engagement Research Group at the University of California at Riverside Graduate School of Education, says research shows students want to learn more about the election, but teachers are concentrating on the process and less on particular candidates.

Remote learning is expected to expand over the next three years, according to a survey of 1,200 teachers and school leaders by Promethean. Data shows diminished focus on robotics and coding.

Pennsylvania's poorest school districts have as much as $5,000 less to spend per student than more affluent districts, according to an analysis of data collected as part of a lawsuit on school funding in the state. While some say achievement gaps are widening and dropout rates are increasing, some state Education Department officials and elected leaders -- defendants in the court case -- argue against linking student performance and funding.

Some school district leaders say they are seeing a decline in applications for meal assistance programs, despite an uptick in need because of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. This worries the leaders, who say poverty-based aid is used to calculate funding that supports academics, after-school care and other resources.

Nonpartisan nonprofit Rock the Vote and company Sid Lee are partnering with Minecraft to help educate students about voting. Officials say Build The Vote -- available online only this week -- is aimed at educating students about the process of voting and offering the opportunity for participants to "vote" on 10 issues, including gun control and student loans.

Support students struggling with trauma by creating rich communications environments in classrooms, with a focus on observations, feelings, needs, and requests.

This year's changes give educators the opportunity to reenvision what activities are truly necessary and what we can let go, writes teacher Christina Torres. Why not start with homework?