6.10.22 A view from the classroom: 6 tips for improving assessments so they work better for students and teachers Like many schools around the country, my K–8 public school in Boston is just now wrapping up end-of-year testing. After taking a long, collective breath, I’m seizing this opportunity to reflect... Read more
6.9.22 NWEA research helps us better understand differential growth during school years and summer for students in SPED When I was growing up in Michigan, the summers were hot and sticky. You prayed the evening would bring lightning bugs and a cool breeze. Despite the high temperatures, my Michigan summers were... Read more
6.7.22 Inclusion takes hard work “Ms. Daughtery, I don’t know if I can do it,” he said. “I’m sure you can,” I answered. In kindergarten, this student was identified with a learning disability and put into special... Read more
6.2.22 Proof is powerful: How to show students evidence they’re learning Data rich, information poor. It’s a problem so common, it has its own acronym: DRIP. And it’s a challenge I certainly felt as a classroom teacher and teacher-leader supporting professional... Read more
6.1.22 Pride in our students, pride in ourselves: What you need to know to be an LGBTQ+ ally June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month, a time in which LGBTQ+ people and the allies who support us celebrate the beauty and resiliency of our community. The history of Pride is rooted in... Read more
5.31.22 Strong opinions, loosely held: Demystifying social emotional learning Reflect briefly on what comes to mind when you hear the phrase “social emotional learning” (SEL). You might have strong opinions about it, and that’s OK; a lot of people do these days. Across... Read more
5.27.22 What will it take to improve literacy instruction in U.S. public schools? Two experts weigh in When I taught high school business classes, it was so upsetting to see 16- and 17-year-olds struggling to access the reading material. No one should get to high school, or beyond, and find... Read more
5.26.22 Demystify student thinking about math Two math teachers walk into a break room and proceed to have an accessible, fantastically math-nerdy chat about what it means to understand students more deeply. The result? A snack break–length... Read more
5.24.22 8 questions teachers should ask when giving assessments Every school district wants to make sure it’s administering and using formative, interim, and summative assessments at appropriate times and in appropriate ways. The task of building and... Read more
5.19.22 A world designed for me: Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day Like many other American kids, I attended a summer camp where I spent some time outdoors, learned new things, and made long-lasting friendships. At my camp, though, I was introduced to a whole new... Read more
5.17.22 Teachers in training need mentorship and instruction in the science of reading The band played “Pomp and Circumstance” while the soon-to-be graduates filed in, all smiling and waving. The education majors were easy to spot, with caps adorned with glittery apples and neatly... Read more
5.13.22 New survey gives insight into teacher views on assessment, unfinished learning, and more As schools around the country administer spring assessments, a new survey gives us insight into how teachers feel about the tests—especially amid more than two years of disrupted... Read more