Number 42: Fall 2012

Beth Hammett found out the hard way that most good things in education hang on giving people second chances.

The winner of the 2012 presidential election will face huge challenges when it comes to education. We wanted educators—the real experts—to have their say on the issues they think are most important. So we asked our readers to tell this year’s candidates why students matter, what they need and how to improve schools. Here are a few of the responses.

Story Corner: In 1920, Tennessee lawmaker Harry Burn followed his mother's advice on a controversial vote—and "freed 17 million women from political slavery."

More public schools are discovering yoga for kids can benefit classroom management—and learning.

Students with hidden disabilities can be a handful. Fellow students dislike them. Teachers are wary. But these students need not be lost in the shuffle or ostracized. Educators, parents and the students themselves can—working together—change the attitudes and behaviors causing so much trouble.

Don’t sugarcoat history in teaching the civil rights movement. Students deserve the full truth about both the racial bias that caused it and our hesitant steps toward freedom.

‘Conversion therapy’ poses as a medical treatment—but it’s really a type of bullying. Know what it is and how to help when LGBT students are told to ‘pray away the gay.’