Accountability in Education Student outcomes involve far more than proficient standardized test scores, and accountability for outcomes is a shared burden that extends outside the school. Families, communities, businesses and policymakers- these parties and more are all stakeholders in student outcomes and need to meet the challenge of empowering learners in a collaborative way, with […]
School Improvement
Posted inBook Review
Movie Review: Tested
Think that there’s a lot on the line for kids taking tests? Plenty of pressure? Stress? Difficulties? Mess? Welcome to New York City Public Schools, says writer, producer, and director Curtis Chin in his film Tested. His story line follows twelve 8th grade students who are wrangling over the decision to take the Specialized High School […]
Posted inUncategorized
A Teacher Requests Her Students Not To Be Tested
I have had the immense fortune of being able to be in front of children in many different capacities for 25 years. It truly humbles me to know that for 25 years, parents have trusted my professionalism, training, care, creativity, and judgment when it comes to their children. My experiences include both regular/general education, and […]
Posted inHigh School, School Improvement
Power Hour: More Than Just Recess
Across the nation, schools are searching for methods to empower students, establish community, and prepare them for the real world. For some schools, the primary objective is to convince students to attend school, while other schools worry about over stressing their students. Power Hour, a school-wide “free” hour, allows students to take ownership over their […]
Posted inChild Development, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, High School, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Middle School, New Teacher Bootcamp, School Improvement, Teacher Burnout
The Final Days of School
Charles Swindoll said, “Attitude is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, money, circumstances, than failures and success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, ability or skill. It will make or break a business, a home, a friendship, an organization. The […]
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Tests aren’t Best
I don’t know kids but I like tests to know more about kids I think tests are best (The anonymous corporate reformer who ate Dr. Seuss) Tests are preparing to descend upon us. The are being discussed in training, warnings, plannings… But once in a while you get to be with colleagues and plan […]
Posted inUncategorized
Tests aren't Best
I don’t know kids but I like tests to know more about kids I think tests are best (The anonymous corporate reformer who ate Dr. Seuss) Tests are preparing to descend upon us. The are being discussed in training, warnings, plannings… But once in a while you get to be with colleagues and plan […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, From the Front Lines, Opinion, School Improvement
Gotta "Maslow" Before You "Bloom"
In sharing last week’s article on the Hidden Stories of the Average American Classroom, several teachers began discussing the need to “Maslow” before you “Bloom.” But what exactly does that mean? Past Writings on “Maslow Before You Bloom” Tomaz Lasic actually wrote about this topic with an article of his own in 2009, where he noted […]