(NewsUSA) - As the school year gets underway across the United States, a new report illustrates that student engagement is essential for learning, but gaps remain about how to achieve, measure, and sustain students’ interest in the classroom. 

The report, Education Insights 2025–2026: Fueling Learning Through Engagement, was conducted on behalf of Discovery Education, a leading edtech provider, and includes data from 1,398 superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, and students from across the United States who were surveyed in May 2025. 

Overall, more than 90 percent of teachers, principals, and superintendents said that engagement is a critical metric for understanding student achievement and 99% of superintendents surveyed believe student engagement is one of the top predictors of student success. Perhaps most interestingly, 92% of students say that engaging in lessons makes school more enjoyable. 

Also, educators and students reported different perceptions of engagement levels. Although 63% of students agreed that “Students are highly engaged in school,” only 45% of teachers and 51% of principals surveyed agreed with the same statement. 

In addition, educators disagreed on the top indicators of engagement; 72% of teachers said asking thoughtful questions was the strongest indicator of student engagement, while 54% of superintendents rating performing well on assessments as a top engagement indicator.   

The report also found that students rated their own engagement at school higher than their peers. Among elementary school, middle school, and high school students, 70%, 59%, and 61%, respectively, perceived themselves as engaged in learning. However, 42%, 36%, and 39%, of elementary school, middle school, and high school students described their peers as engaged in learning. 

The impressions of artificial intelligence’s role in learning varied among respondents, according to the report. Two-thirds of students said they believed that AI could help them learn faster, yet fewer than half of teachers report using AI themselves to complete tasks. 

School administrators expressed more enthusiasm for AI than teachers. Only 57% of teachers agreed with the statement "I frequently learn about positive ways students are using AI," while 87% of principals and 98% of superintendents agreed. Likewise, only 53% of teachers agreed with the statement "I am excited about the potential for AI to support teaching and learning," while 83% of principals and 94% of superintendents agreed. 

“One of the most important findings of this report is that that engagement is seen as essential to learning, but is inconsistently defined, observed, and supported in K-12 classrooms,” said Brian Shaw, Discovery Education’s Chief Executive Officer. “I believe this highlights the need for both a more standardized approach to measuring student engagement and connecting it to academic achievement,” he added. 

To download the full report and find more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.

(NewsUSA) - The anti-inflammatory medication dupilumab, marketed as Dupixent, is the subject of a lawsuit alleging a link between the use of the medication and the development of a type of skin cancer known as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Dupixent is prescribed for several medical conditions including asthma and eczema. CTCL is a type of skin cancer that develops in white blood cells, which help the body fight infection.

Early signs and symptoms of CTCL include red, scaly patches, rashes, lumps and bumps, discoloration, thickened skin, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, itching, fever and chills, unexplained weight loss, pain or tenderness, and night sweats. As CTCL progresses, the visual changes can affect up to 80% of the skin’s surface. Ultimately, the disease can spread to internal organs, including the spleen and liver.

Dupixent manufacturers Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi Genzyme failed to adequately warn of the risks in taking the drug, according to Ellen Relkin, partner in the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg and practice group chair of the firm’s Drug and Medical Device Litigation team. The law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg is taking legal cases for patients who have and used an anti-inflammatory medication and have been diagnosed with skin cancer.

“Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a very rare type of skin cancer. This makes it all the more critical for the manufacturer to warn patients about the danger,” states Relkin.

A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported an increased risk of CTCL was found in a cohort of atopic dermatitis patients who used dupilumab. “The increased risk persisted after exclusion of prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use. Risk was not increased for other cutaneous or lymphoid malignancies,” the researchers wrote.

“Doctors and patients alike need to be sufficiently warned, and patients who take Dupixent, and their doctors, need to keep a careful eye out for any disturbing changes to their skin,” says Ms. Relkin.  

“Those who took Dupixent and are suffering deserve compensation. And we are going to help you get it,” she insists.

Weitz & Luxenberg is encouraging anyone diagnosed with CTCL who used Dupixent to contact the firm for information about legal options and a free initial consultation. Call (917) LAWYERS or visit https://www.weitzlux.com/firm-news/dupixent-skin-cancer-lawsuit-ctcl/.

(NewsUSA) - The end of summer means back-to-school season for families across the country. As parents shop for new backpacks and clothes, they should be sure not to overlook one of the most important parts of the back-to-school checklist – the visual health of their child.

During the first years of life, a child's vision is constantly changing and developing. Healthy eyes and quality vision are important for reading, writing, and learning in the classroom, and vision issues that are left undiagnosed and untreated can lead to learning disabilities and delays in development. That’s where vision screening comes in.

“Clear vision is important for success in school and at home,” said Dr. David Hunter, president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). “Kids don’t always realize that they have vision problems, as they often assume that everyone else sees the world the same way that they do. That is why regular vision screenings are so important. Good vision increases not only their ability to learn, but also their self-confidence. And vision screening in the early years can detect treatable conditions like amblyopia (‘lazy eye’).”

To increase access to eye exams for kids who are referred by vision screening, the Children’s Eye Foundation of AAPOS funds the All Children See program. The program provides an opportunity for kids who are uninsured or underinsured to receive a no-cost comprehensive eye exam from a volunteer pediatric ophthalmologist near them. The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) is an organization of more than 2,000 pediatric ophthalmologists working across the U.S. and Canada to advance the quality of children's eye care. The Children's Eye Foundation is its philanthropic arm, which works to improve quality of life for visually impaired kids worldwide. 

“Early and frequent vision screenings can mean the difference between permanent vision loss and a lifetime of good vision,” said Dr. Christie Morse, executive vice president of the Children’s Eye Foundation. “Our AAPOS doctors envision a world where every child is thriving with the best sight possible.”

School nurses who might be unsure when to refer a child to their pediatric ophthalmologist can find guidance at childrenseyefoundation.org. Nurses and parents are encouraged to look out for these warning signs, even if a child is not referred by vision screening:

• Does not read at grade level
• Misaligned eyes
• Squinting

Backpacks, pencils, new clothes, and good vision are the perfect recipe for a great school year!

(Adam Hawf, Superintendent of Schools, K12) - In a virtual café, students write resumes, sit for interviews, and take on roles that imitate real-world jobs. In an RV-turned-lab, a health science teacher travels across her state, helping students earn professional certificates. In Colorado, others climb a 13,000-foot mountain while taking steps to earn a wilderness first aid certification. And in Tokyo, a young inventor confidently presents his creation—an AI-powered tool for early cancer detection.  

These experiences may look remarkably different, but they all share one thing in common: Each describes a hands-on career opportunity available to students enrolled in a K12-powered online school. 

At K12, students follow an award-winning high school curriculum with an incredible bonus—they can incorporate career-focused courses and experiences into their schedules that help launch them into their dream jobs right after graduation. From agriculture and business to engineering, hospitality, and manufacturing, students are introduced to a wide range of industries. While still in high school, they’re gaining real-world skills and knowledge that will help them be successful in the workplace. 

But they’re not just learning about careers—they’re experiencing them. These unique opportunities extend far beyond the online classroom through meaningful hands-on activities. K12 students earn certificates, shadow professionals, intern at major corporations, present at national competitions, and build essential skills. These students are getting a powerful head start discovering fulfilling and rewarding futures.  

Through student-led organizations like Business Professionals of America and SkillsUSA, students participate in leadership conferences, community service projects, and competitive events. Whether they’re creating a digital marketing campaign, showcasing computer model designs, or challenging peers in a national competition, K12 students are learning to lead, innovate, collaborate, and overcome challenges with confidence. 

K12 is committed to preparing students to become confident, job-ready individuals who can look toward the future with purpose and excitement. By giving them the chance to get hands-on in their chosen field, K12 is helping students get ahead and stay on a path to success. 

(NewsUSA) - For millions of children across America, the back-to-school season is filled with excitement and promise. But for far too many, it begins without access to books—the most critical tool for academic success. Every student deserves to walk into school embraced by the excitement of learning—not burdened by what they lack.  Marine Toys for Tots—the Nation’s premier Christmastime children’s charity—has grown into a powerful, year-round force for good. Among its year-round programs, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program continues to provide pages of possibility and ignite a love of reading to disadvantaged children well beyond the holiday season through Operation Turn the Page.

The Operation Turn the Page initiative focuses on reaching children in underserved communities who are attending Title I funded schools, where access to books and literacy resources is limited. By distributing high-quality, age-appropriate books and educational resources through schools, libraries, and trusted community partners, the Program empowers children to strengthen reading skills—and unlock their full potential.

“A backpack, notebook, or set of pencils might seem like small items, but for a child who has none of these essentials, they represent hope, dignity, and the chance to start school on equal footing with their peers,” says LtGen Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

This need is urgent:  National assessments show that two-thirds of American fourth graders are not reading proficiently—and more than a third are reading below grade level. Without early intervention, these children fall further behind—facing challenges in school that often carry into adulthood.

“Reading is the foundation for everything—education, opportunity, and lifelong success,” LtGen Laster emphasizes. “With this initiative, we’re not just providing books to children in need—we’re providing hope, confidence, and the ability to dream bigger.”

The Program provided backpacks filled with school supplies and books to hundreds of local foster children in Mt Laurel, New Jersey, as part of their back-to-school summer distributions. Thanks to local Toys for Tots Coordinator, Gina Capate, and her team of volunteers, the foster children were welcomed into a space designed just for them—a place where joy, choice, and care were front and center.

One foster child said, “I picked a book about space and one about animals. I’m going to read them both tonight!”

“For many of the children we support, the books we provide might be the first book they’ve ever owned,” LtGen Laster adds. “Each one is a building block toward a brighter future and will open a world of possibilities and opportunities for these children.”

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program also recently provided back-to-school essentials to children living in Austin, Texas. In partnership with Tackle Hunger and Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, the event welcomed hundreds of children attending Title I funded schools, and each child received essential school supplies and a toy to mark the start of a new school year—small gifts that carried big meaning.

"This wasn't just a back-to-school event—it was a reminder that every child deserves to feel prepared, seen, and celebrated," said one volunteer. 

Through Operation Turn the Page, supporters help the Toys for Tots Literacy Program provide educational resources to disadvantaged children. In 2024, the Program delivered 2.8 million books—building confidence for children who once felt left behind, developing reading skills that create lifelong learners, and filling backpacks with possibilities.

To learn more about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and to donate, visit https://www.toysfortots.org/programs/literacy-program/. Together, let’s turn every backpack and book into a vessel of hope.

(NewsUSA) - The passage into law of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a substantial shift in U.S. energy policy — reversing policies that have powered energy growth to meet skyrocketing energy demand. While proponents cast it as a pro-growth, budget‑cutting measure, its impact on America’s burgeoning solar, wind, and storage industries is profoundly concerning.

The bill phases out clean energy tax credits rapidly. These credits helped in the deployment of 49 GW of energy capacity in 2024 alone — representing 93% of all new electricity generation. Cutting them short now disrupts manufacturing, risks hundreds of thousands of jobs and could lead to increased electricity rates across the country.

U.S. electricity demand is expected to rise 35–50% by 2040, primarily fueled by the increase in data centers and the artificial intelligence. Clean energy—wind, solar, storage—is positioned to fill that gap. With more than 2,000 GW queued for interconnection and 95% of upcoming projects coming from renewables, derailing this pipeline now raises serious concerns about meeting future energy needs.

The clean energy economy is a powerhouse: 320 GW of utility-scale capacity, supporting nearly 80 million homes, sustaining 1.4 million jobs, and contributing $18 billion to GDP annually. Faster tax credit phase-outs threaten to stall U.S. manufacturing growth spurred by the demand of clean energy components— undermining U.S. competitiveness against countries like China and forfeiting thousands of high-paying jobs in rural America.

While incentives for oil, gas, coal, nuclear, hydrogen, and carbon capture remain strong, solar and wind now face additional hurdles to the detriment of energy reliability. The bill unmistakably tilts federal policy toward specific energy sources at a time when diversification is key to grid resilience.

As a result, the threat of higher consumer prices and diminished grid reliability without clean energy’s rapid expansion is real. We need every reliable energy source—but we also need coherence in federal policy that doesn’t undercut one side of the energy spectrum.

This new law will slow the renewable boom. Developers and consumers in this race know the stakes: global competitiveness, energy affordability, and environmental stewardship. Our national interest demands it. The new law is a step back—and America’s energy future deserves better.

(Amy Leitman, President, NTM Info & Research) - Millions Are Affected by NTM Lung Disease Each Year—Experts Call for Earlier Detection, Research, and Patient Support

As the world prepares to observe World NTM Day on August 4, 2025, NTM Info & Research (NTMir) is calling on patients, physicians, caregivers, and policy leaders to shine a spotlight on nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, a growing but underrecognized threat to global respiratory health.

NTM lung disease is caused by environmental bacteria found in water and soil. While many are exposed, people with underlying lung conditions—particularly bronchiectasis—are at higher risk of infection. Alarmingly, new data show that NTM cases are rising by more than 8.2% annually, particularly among women over age 65 and individuals with chronic lung disease. The economic burden per patient can exceed $30,000 per year, underscoring the cost of delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options.

“NTM lung disease is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions we see today,” said Amy Leitman, JD, President of NTMir. “It doesn’t just threaten lives—it disrupts them. But the earlier we recognize the symptoms, the better our chances of preventing severe lung damage and improving patient outcomes.”

Most people diagnosed with NTM also have bronchiectasis, a condition that causes permanent damage to the airways. When combined, the diseases can lead to a vicious cycle of recurring infections, declining lung function, and years of missed opportunities for proper care.

“We want to empower people to listen to their lungs,” said Leitman. “If someone is experiencing persistent coughing, fatigue, shortness of breath, or unexplained weight loss—don’t wait. Ask your doctor if NTM could be the cause.”

This year’s theme, “Recognize. Respond. Rise Together,” emphasizes the critical need for:

• Early diagnosis through improved screening protocols
   
• Patient education and community engagement
   
• Investment in research and innovation to support more effective and accessible treatments
   

To that end, NTMir continues to lead efforts to:

• Deliver comprehensive educational resources on diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing clinical research
   
• Support a global network of patients and caregivers through online communities and local support groups
   
• Advocate for increased research funding and policy change to address the unmet needs of the NTM community
   

Visit www.WorldNTMDay.org for patient stories, educational tools, clinical trial information, and ways to take action.

Header image caption: Amy Leitman, President, NTM Info & Research
National advocate, subject matter expert on NTM lung disease and bronchiectasis

(NewsUSA) - Summer is the season to celebrate citrus—bright, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Right now, fresh lemons, mandarins, and navel oranges from Chile are arriving in stores, bringing a taste of sunshine from the Southern Hemisphere straight to your table. Each fruit offers unique health benefits and endless ways to enjoy them in the warm months ahead.

Lemons: The Zest of Life
Lemons are famous for their tangy flavor, but their real power lies in their nutritional value. A single lemon provides over half your daily vitamin C needs, supporting immune health and radiant skin. They're also rich in antioxidants and compounds that aid digestion. In summer, lemons shine in sparkling lemon water with mint, drizzled over grilled seafood and vegetables, or blended with honey and frozen into refreshing popsicles.

Mandarins: Sweet Little Boosters
Mandarins are smaller, sweeter cousins of the orange, with easy-to-peel skin that makes them perfect for on-the-go snacking. They deliver a solid dose of vitamin C along with fiber, which helps support healthy digestion. Their natural sweetness and juiciness make them a great addition to summer fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or chilled smoothie bowls. For a twist, toss mandarin segments into a green salad with toasted almonds and a light citrus dressing.

Navel Oranges: Classic & Juicy
Navel oranges are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—seedless, sweet, and satisfyingly juicy. Like their citrus cousins, they're loaded with vitamin C and also provide folate and potassium, nutrients that support heart health and energy. In the summer heat, they're perfect sliced and chilled for an afternoon snack, juiced for a fresh breakfast drink, or incorporated into savory dishes like orange-glazed chicken or grilled shrimp skewers with orange segments.

A Citrus Summer Tip:
Store your citrus in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer, and bring it to room temperature before eating to enjoy maximum juiciness and flavor. Whether you're sipping, snacking, or cooking, these citrus fruits add a burst of sunshine to your summer—and a boost to your health.

(Ro Thomas Schwarz, KidNuz Editor in Chief) - News - the good, the bad, the fake - is everywhere, all the time. It’s on our phones, feeds and in our faces 24/7.  And while that can be overwhelming for adults, it’s downright distressing for children who haven’t yet developed the skills to look beyond scary headlines, clickbait, and partisan spin.

And yet they see it, hear it, and feel it. Today’s kids desperately need - and deserve - an antidote; someplace they can go to get informed, not afraid. So we created it. KidNuz is a free, 7-minute, 6-story daily news podcast that meets kids where they’re at. It’s fun and factual, timely and nonpartisan, and age-appropriate for kids 8-13 years old who want to know what’s going on in the world — not what’s wrong with the world. Every weekday during the school year, our team of Emmy-winning journalists delivers the latest news from politics, science, sports, the animal kingdom and more. Much of the coverage is top of mind, important, and impactful, while some of it is just plain reassuring: people are more alike than they are different, kids can do remarkable things, and no one is too young make a difference. 

The podcast is on a roll. Every day, 200,000+ kids and adults tune in. Teachers point to students’ increased awareness of current events — and the informed conversations that follow. “We have our morning meeting daily discussing the most interesting topics on KidNuz,” says Julia, a 5th grade teacher from London Mills, Illinois. “I overhear them talking in the hallways, too. They are thinking deeper and challenging each other.” Parents like Kim, from Flanders, New Jersey, use KidNuz as an onramp. “When there is a news story that is difficult for me as an adult to explain because of my emotional reaction to it, it helps me to hear (KidNuz’) simplified version to have a baseline conversation with my son. Sometimes political stories, sometimes disaster stories.” 

Psychologist Elizabeth Burns-Kramer, a KidNuz advisor, is most interested in the mental health benefit; specifically, KidNuz’ ability to dial down news anxiety. "Oftentimes, (traditional news and social media) headlines and stories are framed in ways to increase fear and to portray the world as unstable. Developmentally, children are not always able to reality test headlines or to hold the nuance required when learning about complex news stories. KidNuz utilizes its team of experts in communications, psychology, and parenting to introduce and to report what is occurring in non-frightening ways.” New episodes drop every weekday morning at 7am. Tune in today!

Listen: KidNuz, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Share: Tell a parent, teacher, or school about KidNuz
Learn: Visit Kidnuz.org for additional resources
Donate: As a nonprofit, we rely on donations from our listeners and community.

(NewsUSA) - “A Magical Loveliness of Ladybugs” by Amy L. Stark, Ph.D.

In a world filled with zany, fast-paced children’s books, “A Magical Loveliness of Ladybugs” offers a refreshing style that acts as a gentle reset button for busy minds.

Imagine finding your bedroom filled with ladybugs. That is exactly what Jan finds when she comes home from school.

This beautifully illustrated children's book, based on a true story, helps kids notice and find value in the natural world around them. The story focuses on children and adults' interactions with plants, bugs and butterflies, and demonstrates how nature can be sustained by planting habitats and gardens.

“Small creatures often carry the biggest truths,” the author says, and that ideal can be found throughout every page of the book.

If you're looking for a picture book that celebrates quiet moments, encourages close observation and fosters a lifelong love for nature, this one belongs on your shelf.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4jYkwOl.

“The Bitter End Birding Society” by Amanda Cox

Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt prepare for retirement. A town called Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she's desperate for respite from the attention and unwarranted admiration of her community. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers takes her under their wing — a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.

But when Ana's adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree — one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son — what began as a getaway to help her great-aunt becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3GXtAEX.

“Anchored by Love” by Marie-Claire Moriah Wright and David Saccoh Wright

Siblings Clara, Max and Ash all found their own paths in life, but despite their individual achievements, it was the strength of their family that truly defined them. The cruise had been a chance to reaffirm that love, to reconnect and remind themselves of what mattered most: their bond as a family.

Through love, they found a way to withstand every obstacle life had thrown at them. Their journey had taught them that success isn’t just about achievements or accolades — it’s about the moments of connection. Because true joy and fulfillment came not just from what they had done, but from whom they had shared it with.

Their story is a testament to the power of love — and as they sailed into the future, they did so knowing that their hearts, their lives, and their family were forever anchored by love.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/40v68FA.

“Design for Your Mind” by Annie Guest

Homes are more than buildings; author, attorney and mental health therapist Annie Guest discovered this after the death of her parents. “My parents left their house to me. I decided to reimagine it in ways that would help me remember the whole of my parents’ lives — not just those sad final years — as I rebuilt my own life.”

Guest takes us through her journey and shows us the magic of how she transformed her home sustainably and on a budget. Using 95 “before” and “after” photos accompanied by easy-to-follow explanations of the science of good interior design, Guest helps us discover the true purpose of each room and how it can promote healthy living.

This is more than a book of inspired, affordable interior design. It’s a guide for anyone facing a new beginning who wants to recreate a home that supports well-being, self-expression and personal empowerment.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3IACnxa.