In middle school and high school, students begin to face complex issues that go beyond the classroom but still impact their education. The way schools should handle topics regarding sexuality is one such issue at the center of ongoing debate. How do we teach students about sex? Do we teach students about sex? Where does the parents’ job end and the schools’ begin?

From this issue arise two oppositional viewpoints, both of which have students’ best intentions at heart: sex education, in which students are taught about safe sex practices, and abstinence education, in which students are encouraged to abstain until marriage. The effects, implications and success o…

Every year, more and more teachers are taking advantage of the wealth of information available online. Teacher blogs, education sites, social networking tools and lesson plans are all available on the Internet, and each can provide a tremendous boost for teachers getting back into the swing of things at the start of the school year.

While the breadth of information can be a blessing, it also leaves teachers with a lot to sift through before they can find the most helpful resources out there. To help make your transition back to school as smooth and successful as possible, we've ass…

To certain parties, the idea of adding more days to the academic calendar may be highly unpopular. Few students would willingly give up the freedom of a lengthy summer vacation. Many teachers also rely on this time to plan for the upcoming school year and take a much-needed deep breath.

Nonetheless, schools nationwide are finding that the benefits of such a plan outweigh the inconveniences. The National Center on Time & Learning, a non-profit research group based in Boston, hosts a database of the nation’s schools and the length of their school year. Today, more than 170 schools have moved to 190-plus-day school years, as com…

These days, mobile apps are as prevalent in the classroom as they are in the office. Teachers need information on the run, as well as fun activities and lesson plans to keep their students engaged. To meet those needs, developers have been steadily adding to an impressive lineup of educational apps. In an increasingly digital classroom, all teachers should consider finding ways to utilize these creative and useful apps. Here are five must-have education apps for a successful back-to-school season:

1. Mobile Education Store

• Available on: iPad, iPhone
• Focus: Grammar and syntax
• Pr…

Have you ever had a dream that you thought you could pursue if only you had the financial means? A new company called Upstart was founded by a team of former Google employees to help you follow that dream by raising funds online. According to the team: "We noticed that too many talented college grads take jobs they’re not excited about, rather than following their true passion. Whether constrained by debt or just comforted by traditional career options, too many students take the perceived 'safe path' ... whether you’re an engineer, artist, financial wizard or entrepreneur -- we believe the most important startup is you."

Helping People Do What They're Meant to Do…