(K12) - Kicking a red rubber ball across the blacktop. Waving to a friend in a busy hallway. Trading snacks over a lunch table. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think.  

It’s in these everyday interactions that children learn some of life’s most important skills like sharing, resolving conflict, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. In essence, socialization isn’t just “nice-to-have" in childhood; it’s a developmental necessity. 

But today, many children aren’t getting the consistent, meaningful social interaction they need. Even before the pandemic, research showed that kids were spending less time together than previous generations. 

There are a number of reasons for this–but one primary factor is that not all students have the same access to social opportunities during the school day. 

Some move frequently because of military service, which means starting over often. Others experience bullying, exclusion, or safety concerns that make in-person schools feel unwelcoming. Some live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, or learn remotely and can miss out on informal, everyday interactions. And others simply haven’t found a community where they feel they belong.  

Thankfully, families can take simple steps to help children feel connected, build friendships, and strengthen social skills. 

Niyoka McCoy, Chief Learning Officer at K12, shares some ideas for getting started in your community: 

• Volunteering at local food banks, animal shelters, or churches 

• Library activities like reading clubs or STEM camps 

• Community activities including theater, martial arts, choir, or pottery 

• Recreational centers with pools, camps, classes, and sports teams 

• Youth esports leagues where children can experience teamwork 

For students who struggle to feel connected at school, whether due to frequent moves, safety concerns, or health challenges that keep them at home, McCoy offers a solution that might seem unexpected: virtual learning. 

“Many families share that online school was what their child needed to feel part of a community,” shares McCoy. “Students at K12-powered online schools attend live classes, participate in group projects, chat with friends in a virtual campus, attend in-person field trips, and compete in national competitions. Here, they can find a place where they feel safe and belong.” 

For many families, that sense of belonging was what their child needed. And every child deserves the chance to feel connected, no matter their circumstances.  

(NewsUSA) - A Michigan university unveils SOAR^™, a new smartphone-based degree program that brings college within reach for busy adults — at half the cost.

For millions of adults, finishing college was never about ability — it was about circumstances. Jobs, family responsibilities and rising tuition costs often forced higher education onto the back burner.

About 750 adults leave college every day in the United States. Most don’t fail academically; they simply run out of time, money, or both. For those who still dream of completing their degrees, the barriers can feel insurmountable.

That’s where the SOAR™ by Cornerstone University app comes in. 

Launched in 2025, SOAR is the nation’s first fully accredited bachelor’s degree designed to be completed entirely on a smartphone. The program currently offers a Bachelor of Science in strategic business management, preparing students with leadership and business skills employers consistently demand.

SOAR stands out for three reasons. It’s half the cost of the average accredited business degree, making it one of the most affordable in the nation. It’s flexible, with new classes starting every two weeks and lessons delivered in short, smartphone-ready modules so students can learn on the go. And it’s respected, carrying full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

For adults in the workforce, that means finishing a degree without stepping away from their jobs or families. For many parents, SOAR also removes the difficult choice between investing in their children’s tuition and finally finishing their own. With radically affordable tuition, both become possible.

“For too long, adults who wanted to go back to school were forced to choose between their education and their responsibilities,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “SOAR was built to remove those barriers — it’s a degree that works with your life, not against it.”

Take Alicia, a single mom in Michigan who enrolled this year. “I like to SOAR when I’m getting ready in the morning and driving to work,” she said. “I often log into the SOAR app after dinner when my little one is settled or in bed.”

Her story reflects the core mission of SOAR. It makes higher education accessible to those who thought the door had closed.

With looming retirements creating leadership gaps in the workforce, programs like SOAR aren’t just helping individuals — they’re preparing the next generation of business leaders. And this is just the start. New disciplines and advanced degrees are already in development, expanding options for learners who wish to continue their studies beyond a bachelor’s degree.

For adults ready to reclaim their dream of finishing college, SOAR offers a path forward: half the cost, fully accredited, and designed for real life.

Learn more about SOAR^™ by Cornerstone University at go.cornerstone.edu/SOAR1.

(NewsUSA) - One in four students in the United States today is Hispanic. Yet, despite this growing presence, Latino families are still underrepresented in many states' public and private school choice programs. In most cases, we don’t even know by how much.

From the limited demographic data available, including a recent analysis by Conoce tus Opciones Escolares and Child Trends, we can see one clear trend: where states do report, Hispanic families are often underrepresented. When it comes to private school scholarships and education savings accounts, Hispanic students typically participate at lower rates than their share of the overall student population. But in most states, demographic breakdowns don’t exist. The data are incomplete, outdated, or never collected, leaving us with only a partial picture.

That lack of reporting is the real issue. Without consistent state-level data, we can’t know whether programs are reaching Hispanic families fairly, or whether barriers like language access, outreach, or eligibility rules are keeping them out. The gaps we do see suggest inequities, and the gaps in the data itself make it impossible to know the full story.

Still, we know Hispanic families are exploring their options. Today, one in three charter school students nationwide is Hispanic. At the same time, families are turning to homeschooling in new ways. About 18% of families who reported homeschooling in 2023-2024 were Hispanic. Those are not small numbers; they show that Latino families are active participants in school choice, even if official reporting doesn’t fully capture them.

In a national survey conducted in June, nearly three out of four Hispanic parents surveyed (73%) said they had considered a new school for their child last year, and more than half said they expect to do so again this year. The reasons were familiar: moving to a new community, children entering school for the first time, or transitioning between grade levels; others pointed to dissatisfaction with their child’s current school, but the results make clear that Hispanic parents are engaged in exploring school choices for their children.

But when participation data are missing, the story told to the public is incomplete.

As a Latina, I know how much families sacrifice to give their children opportunities they never had. My parents believed education could change the course of our lives, and they showed me that school could open doors that once seemed out of reach. Today, I see that same determination in Hispanic families across the country. Parents are making tough choices and searching for schools where their children will be safe, supported, and inspired. The least the system can do is make sure those opportunities are visible and that participation is reported effectively.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the contributions of Latino communities. It should also be a time to recognize how much families are shaping the future of American education. Every parent wants the same thing: to see their children grow, succeed, and dream bigger. That means making sure programs are not only available but understandable to the families who need them.

Free resources are available to help parents explore their options in Spanish through Conoce tus Opciones Escolares at opcionesescolares.com, and in English at myschoolchoice.com. Sometimes one of the most powerful things we can do is share those resources with a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. For many Latino families, simply having access to clear, trusted information in Spanish can change the path their children take in school.

The next step is simple: states must report participation clearly and consistently. Until they do, the full role of Hispanic families in shaping education will remain underestimated and unseen.

Krissia Campos Spivey is the senior director of navigation programs and partnerships at Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a National School Choice Awareness Foundation project that helps U.S. families who speak Spanish explore their K-12 education options and choose a great school for their children. Krissia is Salvadoran-American and lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

(NewsUSA) - Young children are naturally curious, and an innovative program from BrightPath Early Learning and Child Care puts this curiosity center stage. The BrightPath curriculum, BeeCurious, involves guided exploration and multiple forms of expression while offering preschoolers autonomy and choices and celebrating learning as a joyful experience.  

The BeeCurious Curriculum takes a holistic approach to learning that taps into children’s natural curiosity. Multidisciplinary approaches are part of daily activities in a range of areas including:  

-Math Discovery. BeeCurious teaches math concepts based on developmental scope and sequence of skills, with material that may be swapped out to engage with children’s interests and better align with skill development.  

-Creative Discovery. An open-ended component of the curriculum supports joyful self-expression with a full range of artistic materials to support process-driven creativity. 

-Language and Literacy. Decoding sounds, building an awareness of print concepts and nurturing a love of language are essential elements for developing and increasing literacy. 

-Physical Literacy. The physical literacy curriculum engages children’s curiosity with time spent outdoors and the development of a love of being active. This segment combines standardized content and content developed by the children through inquiry. 

-Building Connections.  The development of social-emotional skills to become part of a learning community is key to the BeeCurious program. Cooperation, uniting for common goals, and interacting with peers are incorporated into this topic.

Additional enrichment programs featured throughout each week include:  

-Global Citizenship: Children’s curiosity extends to other cultures, and the BeeCurious program fosters the importance of kindness and respect for all people, starting with their peers. The program introduces the concept of contributing to a society that welcomes all. Children develop curiosity about other cultures, a respect for differences, and a willingness to engage with new ideas. For example, after a Jaipur market activity, children continued to incorporate elements of that play into their daily routines, setting up mini markets and using new words they had learned.

-Environmental Stewardship: Children not only explore the wonders of nature and the environment, but also learn how to keep it safe for future generations. 

-STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are incorporated into weekly hands-on projects that engage children’s curiosity and guiding them to becoming critical thinkers and innovators.  

“Through the BeeCurious Curriculum, inquiry learning is nurtured,” according to Samaya Khattak, Chief Education Officer at BrightPath. “The new Learning Framework allows children to explore the world around them, examining their environments and fostering their innate curiosity through hands-on interactions of their individual journey of learning,” she said.  

The BeeCurious program also integrates essential skills of self-care, self-regulation, and problem-solving into the rhythm of activity, as well as sign language and featured artists of the month. 

Overall, children thrive when they feel connected and valued. One parent noted how their child began using the phrase "BeeKind" at home, reminding siblings and friends to show empathy and patience. These early lessons, not only in math and language, but also in cultural awareness and kindness, help lay the groundwork for children to become thoughtful, inclusive members of their communities.

Visit brightpathkids.com for more information and book a tour today!

(NewsUSA) - With the fall season here and parents settling into back-to-school routines, now is an ideal moment to ensure preschoolers are getting the best care and education possible for the year ahead. For many families, this means seeking programs that offer more than just a few hours of pre-K, and that align with family schedules and budgets.  

Low or No Cost Options Still Enrolling 
Many state and local pre-K programs with free or subsidized tuition are still accepting students, even if the school year has already begun in the area. These public pre-K programs provide foundational learning at little or no cost to families. Checking with your state or school district office, or local early childhood providers, is the first step to finding openings. 

Extending Beyond Local Districts 
Importantly, some public pre-K programs in local child care centers extend beyond local school districts. In several states, partnerships with providers like KinderCare allow families to access state-funded pre-K in community-based settings, offering parents more options and greater flexibility when choosing where their child learns and grows. 

Wrap-around Care Adds Convenience & Value 
For parents who need care before and after the state’s allotted pre-K hours, or for full days, wrap-around care is essential. Providers like KinderCare offer full-day programs that extend beyond free pre-K slots, allowing parents with multiple young children to have one convenient drop-off and pick-up. This arrangement eases daily juggling for working parents, means fewer transitions, and ensures children have a consistent, supportive learning environment all day long. 

Public Pre-K Partnerships Across the Country 
Across the U.S., states are expanding access to early learning by partnering with trusted providers like KinderCare. Families in 19 states can enroll in KinderCare centers that participate in state-funded pre-K programs, giving them access to high-quality education that fits their schedules and budgets. Today, nearly all of these states still have spots available for parents to enroll their children. These partnerships open doors for families who might not otherwise have access to convenient, affordable preschool options. 

Some states are going even further: New Mexico, for example, will now offer universal child care for every family in the state, regardless of income. This bold approach ensures that no family must choose between quality early education and affordability. 

And as the school year begins, parents have choices. With public pre-K, wrap-around care and state partnerships that extend programs beyond local districts, families can find options that fit both their budget and schedule, while giving children a strong, full-day foundation for learning, growth and success. 

Families can find more details on participating states and available programs at kindercare.com/public-prek. 

(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.

(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. 

(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

(Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer at Stride) - Summer is almost here, and the educators at K12-powered online schools have created your ultimate guide to fend off summer learning loss. These tips can help keep your child’s mind active and engaged during the break—when learning often takes a backseat and academic progress can slide.  

Research shows that students in grades 1-8 lose around 17-34% of their English language arts and math gains over the summer. Once fall rolls around, teachers typically dedicate the first couple months to helping students catch up. 

While teachers will help your child get back on track in the fall, you can take proactive steps this summer to help them maintain and even grow their skills and knowledge. 

1. Enroll in a summer course. 

Summer school is one of the most effective ways to prevent summer learning loss. Online options, like K12-powered online schools, make it easy to fit learning into your family’s summer routine. Whether reinforcing challenging concepts or exploring new and interesting subjects, online summer school provides enrichment in a flexible setting.  

2. Read for fun. 

Reading can boost cognitive performance, language development, and academic achievement and decrease symptoms of stress. Visit your local library and let your child pick books that interest them to nurture a lifelong love for reading. 

3. Get career focused. 

High school students can get real-life experience in different career paths through activities like volunteering, job shadowing, and internships. The K12 Career Services Center offers online resources, including an internship search tool, to help them get started. 

4. Explore community activities. 

Local classes, academic and recreational camps, and community sports can provide structure and purpose for children who prefer the routine of the school year. Whether it’s a pottery class, a STEM camp, or a soccer team, these activities help develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.  

5. Play to learn. 

Games—whether classic arcade, puzzles, or role-playing—can boost motivation and engagement. Add an educational twist, and learning becomes entertainment. Language apps like Duolingo and platforms like K12 Skills Arcade are great tools that turn gaming into brain-boosting fun. 

By incorporating one or more of these activities into your child’s summer routine, you can help prevent learning loss and keep their mind engaged! Small, intentional changes like these can make a big difference and set your child up for a strong, confident start to the new school year. 

(NewsUSA) - Across the United States, schools and families are grappling with a troubling rise in chronic absenteeism among students. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% (18 days) or more school days, has grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2022-2023 school year, nearly one in three students was chronically absent, with even higher rates for students with disabilities, students of color, and students learning English as a second language.

Chronic absenteeism, largely driven by student disengagement, has serious implications for academic success. When students feel disconnected from their school, they are less likely to attend, and their academic performance suffers as a result. Chronically absent students are more likely to fall behind in their studies and are four times as likely to drop out of high school.

To address this, superintendents, principals, and educational administrators are exploring innovative strategies to foster a stronger sense of belonging at school and boost student engagement.

Igniting Peer Leadership to Boost Engagement
Many schools have discovered that mentorship programs, peer-to-peer relationships, and social-emotional learning initiatives can help students feel more connected to their school communities and improve attendance rates. By leveraging one of the most underutilized resources in schools—students themselves—through peer mentorship and leadership programs, school communities are able to cultivate supportive, caring environments that motivate students to attend and engage.

One organization, Center for Supportive Schools (CSS), has seen success with its Peer Group Connection (PGC) program, which fosters peer leadership and mentoring. This program has proven effective in boosting attendance and engagement across grade levels.

“Chronic absenteeism continues to be an ever-present challenge, but it’s not one schools have to face alone,” shares Center for Supportive Schools Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jonathan Mathis. “By empowering students as leaders and mentors, we can foster engagement, connection, and belonging. Through peer leadership, schools can build a strong culture where every student feels supported, motivated, and ready to succeed.” 

In a 2018 study of more than 8,000 students, CSS found that those who participated in PGC attended school an average of six more days than students who did not. A year after completing the program, participants attended between 2.4 and 7.8 more days of school than their peers. “My peer leaders motivate me to get better grades and to keep coming to school,” shared one PGC participant. 

By encouraging students to take on leadership roles and strengthening peer relationships, PGC helps students develop a stronger sense of identity with their school community, leading to improved academic outcomes. Additionally, the program equips students with valuable leadership skills that will serve them well after graduation.

Elevating Student Voices to Foster Belonging
Another CSS program, known as When Students Lead (WSL), empowers groups of peer advocates to conduct research, identify pressing issues within their school community, present solutions, and implement student-led campaigns to address those issues.

This program helps students feel more connected to their peers and their community by giving them a leadership role on issues that matter most to them. It also fosters important leadership skills, including research, data analysis, critical thinking, collaboration, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Making A Lasting Impact on the Next Generation
The evidence is clear: when we empower students to lead, connect, and support one another, their attendance and performance improve. By implementing peer-to-peer programs, schools can reduce chronic absenteeism while creating a stronger sense of community, improving student outcomes, and providing students with crucial leadership skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. For more information, visit www.supportiveschools.org.