The recent news that NBA center Jason Collins is gay was greeted with widespread attention and acceptance. In a measure of just how much public opinion has shifted, the 34-year-old Collins was lauded for his courage in coming out of the closet as the first openly gay male professional athlete...

A new national study shows that the use of smartphones among teens has increased during the past year. The news is hardly shocking to parents and educators -- but it does give us an opportunity to reflect on the role of technology in our kids' lives --...

Each day we get closer to the dire predictions that will be brought on by the impending sequestration cuts, I -- and many other Americans -- become more and more incredulous. The country has not had a budget for 1,400 days! Is it really possible that the president and Congress...

As 2012 fades into memory, we look forward to the blank slate that is 2013. With the still fresh wounds of the horror and destruction of the two Sandys -- Superstorm Sandy and Sandy Hook Elementary School -- the usual New Year's Resolutions like losing weight seem frivolous and off...

The holiday season is in full swing, and there's a feeling of good cheer almost everywhere you go. For many people, this is a time of celebrations and gatherings with family and friends. There are parties, projects and plays at school, and religious services and other activities in the neighborhood....

We are all grieving. We are all frightened. We are all bereft. Every parent, every grandparent, every sister, every brother, every relative, every friend, every teacher, every human being -- has been diminished by the unspeakable massacre of little children and the caring adults who tried to save them at...

The coming of this year's holiday season was heralded with record sales in stores and online. As much as we believe that it is our patriotic duty to pump up our failing economy, this year we cannot help but stop and survey the need around us.

Victims...

Amid the massive devastation of super storm Sandy that has touched virtually everyone in Long Beach, L.I., the light of caring and giving shined brightly this week.

Many teachers from public and parochial schools throughout Long Island who were off on Veterans Day came to the Long Beach Ice...

Now that the 2012 presidential campaign is over and the people have spoken, it's time to move ahead. Our country faces overwhelming economic challenges and looming deadlines, including a "fiscal cliff" of tax increases and severe spending cuts, a spiraling national debt, and huge annual deficits. There are...

There's a nip in the air and pumpkins are everywhere: In patches, on porches, in stores and in schools. It's hard to ignore the signals that Halloween is fast approaching.

Almost every store has aisles of costumes and candy. Elementary schools plan Halloween parades and high schools organize Safe Halloween...

Breaking news -- it's now official. Parents are a more significant force in the education of their children than schools! As reported by Michele Molnar in Education Week, a new study indicates that parents who are engaged and involved are more influential in the education of their children...

October is National Bullying Awareness Month, and as we ask our children and our schools to prevent bullying, we ought to take a hard look at ourselves too. Recent attacks on an overweight female Wisconsin TV anchor -- and her response -- illustrate the point.

Last week, Jennifer Livingston...

The 350,000 students and 29,000 students in the Chicago Public Schools returned to school on Wednesday after the teachers' union voted to suspend its strike that had lasted seven days.

Union members must still ratify the contract agreement with the school district. Key provisions in the contract...

Charlotte -- In a rousing speech to the cheering New York Democratic delegation here Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called New York the "progressive capital of the nation."

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner introduced Cuomo by citing a Siena Poll that found 56 percent of New Yorkers believe the state is going...

After five days at the RNC in Tampa, I arrived in Charlotte on Monday to a city rollicking with DNC festivities and tumult. A street fair appeared to strain the city's security forces as kids with painted faces and their parents filled the streets, along with delegates, guests, and media....

I'm so thrilled to have the good fortune of attending BOTH Presidental Conventions. Last week I was at the RNC in Tampa, and this week I plan to be at the DNC in Charlotte.

There have been a number of references to education in the various speeches at the...

It's the time of year when parents who have school-age children are in back-to-school mode. But not only should we be thinking about preparing our children for a new school year, we should also think how we can best plan our own schedule.

As a fervent supporter of parent engagement...

As we look forward to a brand new school year, parents are busily getting their children ready for the first day of school. And that means spending money. The average parent will spend $688 this year equipping children with back to school clothing and supplies. Most schools prepare...

The conviction of Jerry Sandusky on 45 counts of sexual abuse ought to send a collective chill down the spines of every parent, educator, coach, and school administrator -- everywhere.

Convicted of sexually assaulting 10 boys, prosecutors said Sandusky used the Second Mile charity, which he ostensibly...

In her K-12 Parents and the Public blog in Education Week, Michele Molnar wrote this week about the importance of parents staying engaged in schools over the summer. I couldn't agree more.

She wrote about my friend, Myrdin Thompson of Louisville, Ky., who is the regional director...