Alternative education is growing in South Dakota, with options such as hybrid schools, microschools and online education. Hybrid school models, like Buffalo Christian Homeschool Academy, are gaining traction and offer a mix of in-person and at-home learning, appealing to educators seeking smaller class sizes and more personalized teaching approaches.

Kristen Day advocates for "hummingbird teaching," where educators subtly guide and observe rather than dominate the classroom -- encouraging children to solve problems independently. Day contrasts this with "helicopter teaching," which can hinder development, and cites studies showing that child-led learning boosts confidence and motivation more than traditional, teacher-directed methods.

Wildfires in Southern California have forced the closure of 335 schools, affecting more than 211,000 students, as educators step up to provide support and shelter. Educators are working to support displaced students and families, even as some have lost their own homes, and are providing emotional support to students affected by the wildfires, recognizing the trauma and uncertainty they face.

The new Mundi Inclusion Program at Regina High School in Warren, Mich., will introduce a new special education curriculum that mirrors the general education curriculum but includes visual aids and hands-on resources. This tailored curriculum aims to meet the unique needs of students with significant disabilities, offering different assignments and tests while maintaining the same educational concepts. The program also includes a peer-mentor program, pairing general education students with inclusion students.

The use of sight words in early education is being scrutinized as the science of reading movement emphasizes phonics instruction. While sight words are often taught through memorization, experts like Kari Kurto of the Reading League advocate for phonics to help children recognize words automatically, and Tim Shanahan, an emeritus professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, suggests integrating high-frequency words into regular instruction, acknowledging the challenge of phonetically irregular words.