7.11.23 COVID-19 impacts: New data shows older students’ recovery needs attention As our nation’s educators remain hard at work trying to move the needle for students who have not yet rebounded from COVID-19 impacts on schooling, we’re hit with difficult news: older... Read more
7.6.23 Assessment subscores: Why we have them and what they can—and can’t—do Many common misconceptions and barriers are holding states back from innovating and improving summative assessments, including the value of subscores. Assessment subscores, as they’re used... Read more
7.4.23 5 ways instructional coaches can use protocols for more engaging group learning I admit it: in meetings, I’m that person. I often fidget, stand in the back, and check my watch more than necessary. It’s not that I’m not interested in the content or what my colleagues... Read more
6.29.23 3 tips for understanding when—and how—to use formative assessment When I was in the classroom, I felt skilled using data. My students set daily personal goals, we had learning targets based on our data, and students had assessment goals. I often taught... Read more
6.27.23 Misconceptions preventing innovation and improvement in state assessments The purpose of state assessment systems has been hotly debated over the past 20 years. State assessments are designed to ensure every child has access to an equitable and excellent education,... Read more
6.22.23 What is formative assessment? Human-centered formative assessment drives long-term, holistic success for students. Because there is still confusion around this type of assessment, let’s explore what it is and why it should... Read more
6.20.23 10 ways to meet the learning needs of all students Walk into any classroom today and you’ll find great variation in student growth and kids with a variety of strengths, academic experiences, and needs. Superintendents now report an average of... Read more
6.15.23 Your math academic identity makes a difference for your students We’ve got a big problem in math education and people are struggling to solve it. Student performance is declining, teachers are overwhelmed, professional development is lacking, and... Read more
6.13.23 It’s time to prioritize rigor in math instruction I was an unremarkable math student for most of my K–12 years. That said, I have a few very distinct memories of my math journey. In second grade, I remember being sent to the third-grade... Read more
6.8.23 Integrating supports for student success in writing How can we support all learners in an academically diverse classroom? Will providing supports to some give them an unfair advantage? We can begin to address these common concerns by thinking... Read more
6.6.23 In response to Bill Gates in The 74: NWEA experts weigh in on math instruction Whenever Bill Gates discusses anything, it sets internet hearts aflutter. After all, the Microsoft founder and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation standard-bearer has a lot of experience and... Read more
6.1.23 A simple idea for adding crosscutting concepts to science lessons My stepdaughter is attending nursing school. During her initial hospital rotations, she wondered if she had made a mistake. She thought nursing would be more than distributing medications and... Read more