1.12.21 3 tips for student goal setting this winter With every new year come New Year’s resolutions, and many people focus on getting in better shape. But even something as predictable as a spike in gym memberships at the start of the year is... Read more
1.7.21 3 ways to make the switch to grading for learning I have a confession. Last August, I wholeheartedly believed that 2020 could not get any worse. I was wrong. Schools opened, then closed. Even with glimmers of hope about a COVID-19 vaccine,... Read more
12.31.20 12 blog posts that defined 2020 Every December, I wait impatiently for Google to release their annual year-in-search video. I may shrug at the references I plumb don’t get, blaming my age or aversion to social media, but the... Read more
12.29.20 7 tips for reporting on student achievement to your board this January As I have watched building and district administrators pivot to support students during COVID-19, I have often thought about my time as a district administrator. I worked as a director and... Read more
12.21.20 9 free professional learning webinars to binge-watch this winter break Let’s be real: Zoom fatigue is really a thing, and everyone’s brains are tired. If you’re a teacher, your brain is likely especially tired because you’ve spent the year adapting with and... Read more
12.17.20 What’s wrong with tracking students by math ability? It’s clear that this is not a normal school year. Sure, experiences are closer to normal in some places, but 2020 has been anything but cooperative when it comes to teaching and learning.... Read more
12.15.20 5 little things that are really big One of my former principals used to provide her staff with a one-pager of little things that were really big—small actions that too often go underacknowledged or undervalued yet make an... Read more
12.10.20 How remote testing can keep students connected and on track When you administer an interim learning assessment like MAP® Growth™, you get back mountains of data that helps you answer all kinds of important questions. For example: Which kids are... Read more
12.8.20 Research, policy, and practice: Dr. Aaliyah Samuel on early childhood development, equity in schools, and listening to educators’ voices This week, I had the opportunity to talk with Aaliyah Samuel, executive vice president of government affairs and partnerships here at NWEA. She leads the effort at NWEA to impact public policy... Read more
12.3.20 How to pick the right digital tool: Start with your learning goal I bet you’re often inundated with advertisements for digital learning tools, yet often do not have the time to process all the options. In 2020, the flood of choices is likely bigger than... Read more
12.1.20 Learning during COVID-19: Initial research findings and 5 things we can do The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional forms of education and continues to create challenges for school systems and the students they serve. Educational leaders and teachers have the... Read more
11.23.20 5 tips for engaging K–3 students in your responsive planning process Do you remember your kindergarten teacher? For many of us, the first few teachers we have stick with us. For one of my colleagues, it’s her third-grade teacher. The one who taught her that... Read more