NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Talizha Jones returned from summer vacation after fourth grade to an unwelcome surprise at school: Students would have to stay in class until 4:15 p.m. four days a week. "I was very upset," the now-14-year-old recalled. "I was asking my grandma if I could switch schools."

The Cajon Valley Union School District is nearing the end of what Superintendent David Miyashiro calls "an innovative program that provides teachers risk-free hands-on learning and support as they transform their classrooms to a digital learning environment."

Redesigned learning spaces can engage students and faculty members, research says. New research shows classroom layout and furniture can positively impact student engagement. What if the key to boosting student engagement was as simple as swapping out desks and chairs and rearranging the layout of a classroom? -- isn't this cool? MB