🐴 The four types of screen time

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💡 1 THOUGHT

We highlight a variety of perspectives on screen time, and don’t take sides on the issue. But there’s a lot of wisdom in Jeremy Kauffman’s breakdown into four distinct categories, along two axes: engaged vs. passive; educational vs. non-educational.

To the extent you embrace screens, strive to spend more time in the upper right and less time in the lower left (this goes for adults too!).

📊 2 TRENDS

1. Standardized Tests Strike Back - After a pause during the pandemic, elite universities like Harvard, MIT, Brown, and Johns Hopkins are reinstating SAT/ACT requirements. A new National Bureau of Economic Research paper found test scores out-predict GPA for first-year college success. Supporters say the move restores a clear, measurable signal of merit, while critics argue it doubles down on outdated metrics.

2. Teens Question College ROI - Only 58% high-schoolers and recent grads believe "a good job requires a college degree.” Instead, they're prioritizing:

• On-the-job training (83% see as valuable)

• Professional licenses (77%)

• Professional certificates (75%)

🔨 3 TOOLS

1. The $0 “Startup Accelerator” Hiding in Your Library (Getting Smart) - Did you know your library card can unlock pro-level market-research databases, SCORE mentors, and even free legal consults? Challenge your teen to find a community problem and prototype a micro-business before summer ends.

2. Newsela - If you've ever struggled to find reading materials that both challenge and engage your students, Newsela adapts real-world news to different reading levels. Great for families with multiple kids of different ages.

3. When Homeschool Excitement Fizzles (Homeschool Better Together) - Pam Barnhill has a refreshing how-to on embracing the natural seasons of learning. Instead of trying to maintain that back-to-school energy all year, she shows you how to identify your family's peak learning times and plan your year around them.

That’s all for today!

– Charlie (the OpenEd newsletter guy)

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