Classroom teaching is a black box profession. The lack of ongoing professional critiquing leaves every teacher in the uninformed position of “I will keep doing what I am doing. It seems to be good enough.” How can a teacher know if a lesson uses good instructional practices and behaviors? How can a teacher assure positive correlations between teaching and learning? Teachers are on their own when it comes to evaluating their personal teaching performances. Continue reading
Test Less and Converse More
How do you really know what your students know? Is a student’s learning only the composite score of tests, quizzes, papers, and projects? Be Socratic-like. We can do better when we use better practices.? Continue reading
Weep Not For NAEP – Rely On Local Data
As readers of national educational news, we should remember that the only data that matters is local data. Change in national trends will not be the result of action by federal or state governments, but only by careful and healthy consideration and use of data at the local school district level. Know your local data and help your local leaders to use it effectively. Continue reading
Children In Our Safekeeping
Often, we hear it said after a child tragedy, “We have to make sure this never happens again!” Truth be told, “never again” is not attainable. However, creating an unlikelihood of tragedy and living safely and sanely within our reality of facts are attainable and school is a good place for children to be. Continue reading
Be Bold and Emboldened About Your 2025-26 Educational Goals
August is the right time to confirm your 2025-26 student achievement goals and ensure commitment of all school resources to achieving those goals. In the weeks before children walk into school, be bold in publicly broadcasting your educational goals for your students and embolden all educators to achieve your/their goals. Continue reading