Educational reform has taken many forms throughout history. But all reform efforts are based on the premise that improvements made to the educational system will have large returns to society. In particular, in the form of increased well-being and decreases in long-term societal costs. In the 1980s, a marked change took place in the approach … Continue reading Writing a Continuous Standards-Story for Students
Presented by Mark Adato – Transcription Below Introduction Welcome to the “Illuminate Whiteboard Series.” My name is Mark Adato. I’m an Implementation Manager on the D and A team, and today, we’re talking about the next generation science standards, also known as NGSS. So let’s talk about these standards that science teachers all over the … Continue reading What is NGSS Anyway?
The Illinois Report card has undergone two major changes throughout the few years. The good news is that it currently sits as one of the most user-friendly and informative state school reports in the country. Before explaining how the Report Card has improved, it helps to have a basic understanding of its definition and function. … Continue reading Understanding the Shifts in Illinois State Reporting
Closing the achievement gap is no simple task, but educators in Colorado are making progress. According to the Denver Business Journal, the state’s high school graduation rate is up again, reaching its highest level since 2010. At 79%, Colorado’s current graduation rate is just under the national average of 84%, which has also been … Continue reading Chipping Away at Colorado’s Achievement Gap
Are the stars spinning, or is it just you? Discover how the spinning Earth changes the way we see stars. If you’re a stargazer (or an aspiring one), this science fair project will help you create a star clock that uses the stars, angles, and math to determine what time it is on earth! Materials … Continue reading Science Project Ideas for Teachers: Star Clock
Literacy is a foundational part of our personal and professional lives. Adult educators have internalized much of the reading and writing process. But these tasks often feel nebulous to students. Why is this the case? Unlike solving a math problem, we can’t always break down reading and writing into clear steps. Teachers may struggle to … Continue reading 6 Strategies for Effective Writing & Reading Instruction
Presented by Annie Stefano – Transcription Below Introduction Welcome to the “Illuminate Whiteboard Series.” My name is Annie Stefano, and I am a customer success manager for the Implementation team. Today, we’re going to talk about some essential questions you wanna ask yourself before you change your report card. Believe it or not, this is … Continue reading What To Ask Before You Change Your Report Card
As educators, we understand data’s vital role in providing insights that can lead to better student outcomes. But too often, academic, behavioral, and cultural data stays in the system it’s housed in and never gets a chance to drive a holistic approach to educating students. With no easy way to access so-called data “silos,” … Continue reading Breaking Down Silos to Turn Data into Action
Last month, Brittany Dimick at Salt Lake City Schools highlighted her popular “CAR” BI Tool Report (Cumulative Assessment Report) that provides an easy and convenient way to access all the assessment data for any particular student. The report pulls in local interim assessments, state assessments, and national assessments (such as DIBELS and SRI), and displays … Continue reading BI Tool: MAP Low Level Analysis Report
It’s comforting to know that 94% of those between the ages of 18 and 29 have access to a smartphone, as it opens many doors for students. This is because technology provides students with access to tools that may previously only have been available to a few. Access to smartphones also opens the door to students … Continue reading Can Technology Help Students Make the Most of Their Studying?