Getting smart about social and emotional learning measurement

Writing for AEI, Laura Hamilton and Heather Schwartz explore the complex topic of measurement of social and emotional learning (SEL). They posit that the way in which advocates choose to measure SEL will play a critical role in shaping the effort’s goals and success, but provide several warnings about measurements: First, the lack of clarity Read more about Getting smart about social and emotional learning measurement[…]

The Promise of Adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for All Youth

Researchers from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, D.C. have released a new report, “The Promise of Adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for All Youth.” Adolescents—young people ages 10 to 25—make up nearly one-fourth of the U.S. population. Drawing upon recent scientific advances, the report finds ample evidence that adolescence offers great promise: Read more about The Promise of Adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for All Youth[…]

The Path to Instructional Excellence and Equitable Outcomes

The Path to Instructional Excellence and Equitable Outcomes explores District of Columbia Public Schools’ innovative approach to supporting teaching instruction, called Learning Together to Advance our Practice, or LEAP. LEAP is based on research that has found the most effective professional learning is school-based and content-specific, grounded in the instructional materials and strategies that teachers Read more about The Path to Instructional Excellence and Equitable Outcomes[…]

Principal Pipelines: A Feasible, Affordable, and Effective Way for Districts to Improve Schools

Rand has released a new report on The Wallace Foundation’s Principal Pipeline Initiative (PPI). Students performed up to 6 points above the median percentile on state tests in schools that implemented the program, which is aimed at improving school leaders. Research across the decades has confirmed that effective school leadership is associated with better outcomes Read more about Principal Pipelines: A Feasible, Affordable, and Effective Way for Districts to Improve Schools[…]

Sounding the Alarm for Boys in our Schools

In Fordham’s Flypaper, Erika Sanzi recently wrote about the crisis for American Boys in public schools. Excerpts of the piece appear below: There was a time decades ago when girls trailed boys in math and science and we as a nation deemed that to be unacceptable. Starting in the 1970s, initiatives and organizations sprung up Read more about Sounding the Alarm for Boys in our Schools[…]

Attendance Activities Year-Long Planning Calendar

Attendance Works has developed year-long planning calendars for districts and schools seeking to improve student attendance. The calendars include example activities to do before the start of class (July-August) through year end (May-June). Activities are provided for staff, Tier 1 (universal) intervention, Tier 2 (targeted) intervention, and Tier 3 (intensive) intervention. The calendars can be Read more about Attendance Activities Year-Long Planning Calendar[…]

50 Best Educational Technology Tools, Ever!

Common Sense Education has compiled a Top Picks list containing their 50 favorite learning tools ever. This megalist has tools that span all subjects, grades, and purposes. Since 2013, Common Sense Education has been teachers’ trusted source for in-depth, independent, and unbiased ratings and reviews of edtech tools. They have rated over 3,000 products for Read more about 50 Best Educational Technology Tools, Ever![…]

Selecting Evidence-based Practices to Improve Schools

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires the use of evidence-based practices to improve outcomes at low-performing schools-but how can education leaders and policymakers make sure they are choosing the right ones? A new AIR guide provides concrete action steps and resources that state and district leaders can use to ensure they choose the right Read more about Selecting Evidence-based Practices to Improve Schools[…]

EdPrepLab Will Help Educators Develop the Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions to Support All Students in Learning Deeply

The Learning Policy Institute and Bank Street Graduate School of Education have announced the launch of Educator Preparation Laboratory (EdPrepLab), an initiative to help educator preparation programs ensure that new teachers and leaders are able to provide K-12 students with education that helps them develop skills like critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and being able to Read more about EdPrepLab Will Help Educators Develop the Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions to Support All Students in Learning Deeply[…]

Why do we have public schools?

Recently in Forbes, John Merrow wrote an interesting piece on the purpose of public schooling. Excerpts appear below: Why do we have public schools? Prior to the pervasive growth and ubiquity of the internet, it was easy to answer that question because a school’s objectives were clear and rarely questioned: 1) teach, 2) socialize, and Read more about Why do we have public schools?[…]

Reimagining the Teaching Profession for the 21st Century

In a new issue brief, iNACOL outlines five key opportunities for state policymakers to transform the teaching profession to enable it to support the shift toward student-centered learning models in K-12 education. Modernizing the Teaching Workforce for Learner-Centered, Competency-Based, Equity-Oriented Education: State Policy Recommendations makes five recommendations to leverage the unique role of state policymaking: Read more about Reimagining the Teaching Profession for the 21st Century[…]

Of those who consider teaching, who actually end up in the classroom?

A new Baccalaureate and Beyond study of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) examines 29,000 US students who earned a bachelor’s degree in 2015-16. Of those students, 41% had considered teaching as a career in college, but less than 17% actually ended up in a classroom.  Results vary by college major, with business, health Read more about Of those who consider teaching, who actually end up in the classroom?[…]

Examining Career Trajectories of Black Male Educators in P-12 Education

Through their goal of transforming the teaching profession and increasing the cadre of educators and administrators in P12, the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) has partnered with University of Phoenix (UOPX) to examine the current trajectories of Black male educators as they enter into and advance within school settings. Each year, Read more about Examining Career Trajectories of Black Male Educators in P-12 Education[…]

Insights on Diversifying the Educator Workforce

The Center on Great Teachers and Leaders (GTL Center) has released a free, user-friendly data tool that helps states, educator preparation programs (EPPs), and districts to identify and visualize diversity gaps across the entire educator career continuum, from “future teachers” graduating from high school and entering preparation programs, to preservice teachers entering the educator workforce, Read more about Insights on Diversifying the Educator Workforce[…]

SEL Integration Approach for Classroom Educators

Transforming Education has released a new resource, SEL Integration Approach for Classroom Educators. In A National at Hope, the Aspen SEAD Commission highlighted the importance of “integrat[ing] social, emotional, and cognitive development into academic curricula and throughout the day.”  By integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into the fabric of the school day, educators can support students Read more about SEL Integration Approach for Classroom Educators[…]

International Comparison of Teachers in Grades 7-9

Nine out of 10 American teachers in grades 7-9 are satisfied with their jobs but have low opinions of how the profession is perceived. That’s according to results from the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).   When asked whether the teaching profession is valued by Read more about International Comparison of Teachers in Grades 7-9[…]