Compose tips

Allowed HTML tags: <a> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>

This site allows HTML content. While learning all of HTML may feel intimidating, learning how to use a very small number of the most basic HTML "tags" is very easy. This table provides examples for each tag that is enabled on this site.

For more information see W3C's HTML Specifications or use your favorite search engine to find other sites that explain HTML.

Tag Description	You Type	You Get
Anchors are used to make links to other pages.	`<a href="http://www.learningfirst.org">LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights</a>`	LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
Emphasized	`<em>Emphasized</em>`	Emphasized
Strong	`<strong>Strong</strong>`	Strong
Cited	`<cite>Cited</cite>`	Cited
Coded text used to show programming source code	`<code>Coded</code>`	`Coded`
Unordered list - use the <li> to begin each list item	`<ul> <li>First item</li> <li>Second item</li> </ul>`	First item Second item
Ordered list - use the <li> to begin each list item	`<ol> <li>First item</li> <li>Second item</li> </ol>`	First item Second item
Definition lists are similar to other HTML lists. <dl> begins the definition list, <dt> begins the definition term and <dd> begins the definition description.	`<dl> <dt>First term</dt> <dd>First definition</dd> <dt>Second term</dt> <dd>Second definition</dd> </dl>`	First term First definition Second term Second definition

Most unusual characters can be directly entered without any problems.

If you do encounter problems, try using HTML character entities. A common example looks like & for an ampersand & character. For a full list of entities see HTML's entities page. Some of the available characters include:

Character Description	You Type	You Get
Ampersand	`&`	&
Greater than	`>`	>
Less than	`<`	<
Quotation mark	`"`	"

Lines and paragraphs are automatically recognized. The line break, paragraph and close paragraph tags are inserted automatically. If paragraphs are not recognized simply add a couple blank lines.
Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.

Living and Learning with Mobile Devices

A new report by LFA and Grunwald Associates, with support from AT&T, examines how parents perceive the value of mobile devices, how they see their children using mobiles, and what they think of the possibilities for mobile learning.

Controlling the Message

ASCA Executive Director Kwok-Sze Wong suggests actions that all educators can take to start regaining control of the public discourse around public education.

Supporting Language Acquisition in ESLs

Dr. Stewart is the winner of PDK International's 2013 Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for her work on Latino/a immigrant students and literacy. Learn more about her research on how social media supports English language acquisition.

Resources: Common Core State Standards

LFA member organizations are working hard to ensure the successful implementation of Common Core. Check out this compilation of their numerous resources for educators, principals, administrators and parents.

School Safety

Children should be safe at school, but sometimes - as with the recent school shooting in Newtown, CT - the unthinkable happens. Here are resources to help schools & communities prepare for, act during, & recover after a school crisis.

SIGN UP

Get RSS

A VISION FOR GREAT SCHOOLS

On this website, educators, parents and policymakers from coast to coast are sharing what's already working in public schools--and sparking a national conversation about how to make it work for children in every school. Join the conversation!

LEARN MORE >