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AdLit gathers interesting news headlines about literacy, middle grade and YA books, best practices in instruction, and other key topics related to middle school and high school teaching and learning.

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The rollout for the Updated FAFSA Application Has Been Delayed Again (opens in a new window)

NPR

August 16, 2024

The Department of Education has again delayed the rollout of its updated federal financial aid application, known as FAFSA. Typically, the form is made available in October, and students fill it out for the following academic year. However, the form for the 2024-2025 cycle was also delayed to December last year, as the department worked to update its technology – per a congressional mandate. In the process, families’ incomes were not adjusted for inflation, which caused a $1.8 billion deficit in available aid.

Compelling Historical Fantasy YA (opens in a new window)

Book Riot

August 08, 2024

Historical Fantasy as a subgenre plays with expectations, creating a unique reading experience. What we know about the past is already a part of our expectations from previous readings, studies, or media. We’ve been to museums, seen the photos and read the history books. Historical Fantasy serves as a way to explore themes within a historical context and have a bit of fun. 

How Do Students Use ChatGPT as a Writing Support? (opens in a new window)

International Literacy Association

August 07, 2024

Educators and researchers are interested in ways that ChatGPT and other generative AI tools might move beyond the role of “cheatbot” and become part of the network of resources students use for writing. Researchers studied how high school students used ChatGPT as a writing support while writing arguments about topics like school mascots. They found that ChatGPT can become a part of a social, distributed model of writing, and that students can use ChatGPT as a resource for writing without sidestepping the processes of planning, drafting, and reviewing.

For Too Many Kids, Books Are Uncool and Unread (opens in a new window)

Seattle Times

August 02, 2024

According to new research from Circana, a consumer research firm, middle-grade readers are now the biggest underperforming segment in the American market. “Middle grade,” a term that gets confused with “middle school,” refers to children’s literature — the traditional novels of childhood (“A Wrinkle in Time,” “Wonder,” “The Westing Game”) that lodge in our hearts for a lifetime. These are the books that make us readers.

Middle School Program Combats Absenteeism by Encouraging Students to Solve Real-World Problems: ‘Flipped Everything on Its Head’ (opens in a new window)

The Cool Down

August 02, 2024

An innovative middle school program is transforming education while tackling attendance and engagement problems. This refreshing approach could be the key to making school more engaging and preparing the next generation of environmental problem-solvers, and it’s one of an increasing number of such projects around the country that is empowering the younger generation in hands-on ways. “It’s just like a happier version of school.”


 

What Gets in the Way of Students Feeling a Sense of Belonging at School (opens in a new window)

EdWeek

July 26, 2024

Creating school communities where all students feel a true sense of belonging is no small feat. It’s a complex concept affected by so many different dynamics—from how students get along with their peers to whether they feel represented in the school curriculum, according to researchers and education policy leaders who discussed the concept during a webinar on July 24.

Why US Schools Need to Shake Up the Way They Teach Physics (opens in a new window)

The Conversation

July 26, 2024

America has a physics problem. Research shows that access to physics education varies based on race, gender, sexuality and disability. Physics courses are usually standard offerings in suburban high schools, but at urban and rural schools that isn’t the case. Even in places where physics is taught, the lessons rarely highlight how physics can be applied to students’ everyday lives.

2024 Margaret A. Edwards Award Acceptance Speech by Neal Shusterman (opens in a new window)

School Library Journal

July 26, 2024

Neal Shusterman received the 2024 Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors an author “for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.” The annual award is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association and sponsored by School Library Journal. Here is his acceptance address, delivered June 30 at the ALA Annual conference held in San Diego.

An LA School Battles Chronic Absenteeism With Washers and Dryers (opens in a new window)

The 74

July 18, 2024

Many students don’t come to school because they lack clean clothes, said principal Jose Hernandez. In May, the school was one 20 that received a new washing machine and dryer from the Rams NFL football team and the Think Watts Foundation; along with $2 million in clothing to schools serving low income students. Earlier this year, LAUSD also announced a mobile laundry service for homeless students as part of the district’s attempt to combat chronic absenteeism. 

The Great Recalibration of AP Exams (opens in a new window)

Fordham Institute

July 18, 2024

The Advanced Placement program is undergoing a radical transformation. Over the last three years, the College Board has “recalibrated” seven of its most popular AP Exams so that approximately 500,000 more AP Exams will earn a 3+ score this year than they would have without recalibration. If this process continues in other exams in the coming years (as I expect it will), approximately 1,000,000 more AP Exams every year will earn a 3+ score. The end result will be a win for AP students everywhere: Millions of high school students will save millions of dollars in college credits in the coming years.

As Temperatures Rise, Schools Without AC Struggle to Keep Students Healthy and Learning (opens in a new window)

PBS News

July 12, 2024

Studies show that in more places in the United States, there are now more days hotter than 80 degrees during the school year than there were in 1970. Schools that can’t afford air conditioning are struggling with overheated classrooms, which researchers say pose both academic and health risks. John Yang speaks with Washington Post reporter Anna Phillips, who covers climate change, for more.

The Best Summer 2024 Book Preview (opens in a new window)

Book Riot

July 05, 2024

The Millions‘ seasonal preview lists have been a staple of the bookish internet since well before BuzzFeed popularized the idea of the listicle, and they continue to deliver. The summer 2024 preview has landed, boasting more than 80 titles coming out July through September (which is apparently now a summer month?).