12.8.20 Joe Gallagher 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 and... Read more
9.3.20 Christine Pitts 4 ways educators can lift up BIPOC communities This month I volunteered to co-chair the inaugural equity committee for the PTA at my children’s elementary school. This decision was complicated. I felt uncomfortable taking on this role in my... Read more
8.4.20 Christine Pitts 3 ways to support kindergarteners this fall I forgot to register my preschooler for kindergarten this spring. I realized when I still hadn’t been contacted by his school about kindergarten registration. I panicked. My family and I sat down... Read more
7.6.20 Aaliyah Samuel 10 ways policymakers can seize the moment and reimagine education Education leaders are evaluating new learning environments and policies to secure healthy and thriving schools this fall. We’ve yet to determine whether they will also address inequities, bias, and... Read more
4.14.20 Christine Pitts How a Superintendent of the Year is responding to COVID-19 and looking to the future The world is upside down right now—especially schools—as we struggle and come together to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. I feel fortunate to have been able to sit down with Gustavo... Read more
1.23.20 Michael Tappler How my district is rethinking state assessment Clayton County Public Schools, where I work as a psychometrician, is a member of the Georgia MAP Assessment Partnership (GMAP), a consortium of districts in Georgia dedicated to reducing overall... Read more
11.26.19 Christine Pitts 3 ways to boost your SEL curriculum My oldest son began second grade this fall. During a recent visit to the grocery store, he started bickering with his older sister. When I threatened that they’d lose their afternoon treat if they... Read more
11.14.19 Christine Pitts How to better prepare kids for kindergarten There is something dreadful about testing incoming kindergarten students at the beginning of the school year. When I was a reading specialist, I assessed students entering with lower proficiency in... Read more
10.17.19 Chris Minnich NWEA on the future of state assessment It’s time to rethink state assessment. District leaders and teachers have long desired less testing―not to mention timelier and more meaningful summative test results. State departments of... Read more
9.24.19 Samantha Musacchia The new assessment 101: How policy shapes schools At NWEA, our policy and advocacy team, in collaboration with our state and government partnerships team, is committed to educating policymakers around assessment issues to help strengthen the... Read more
5.17.19 Chris Minnich Brown v. Board Anniversary Provides Opportunity to Recommit to All Kids Today marks the 65th anniversary of one of the most consequential decisions in the history of the Supreme Court. Brown v. Board of Education said that no student may be separated by his or her... Read more
5.16.19 Aaliyah Samuel A New Strategic Vision for NWEA Policy and Advocacy On one of my first trips to the Portland office I noticed a small plaque on the first floor that read: “NWEA is committed to providing the data and analysis that truly catalyzes kid-centric... Read more
