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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Get insight from educators on the latest ideas and innovations changing the way students learn.

Paper and Pencil Curriculum: How Much Do You Rely on It?

Ben JohnsonFebruary 23, 2011

Tags Curriculum, Technology Integration, All Grades

Paper is the lifeblood of schools. Rivers of paper pass through the copy machines and flow through hallways to the classrooms. Students and teachers swim in a sea of paper: paper bound in books, loose-leaf paper, college rule paper, graph paper and consumable paper glued in workbooks.

Turning the Tide: Taking Competition Out of School Reform

Maurice EliasFebruary 10, 2011

Tags Charter Schools, Education Reform, , Teacher Development, All Grades, New Jersey

The overall education policy and even more strongly, in my home state of New Jersey, encourages the development of charter schools. Often, support for charter schools is framed in the context of competition being good for education, as it is in business.

Duncan Joins Calls to Reinvent Career Technical Education

EdutopiaFebruary 3, 2011

Tags Career and Technical Education, Dropout Prevention, Education Reform, Integrated Studies, Student Engagement, High (9-12)

Recently, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan called for a renewed emphasis on career and technical education (CTE) in America's schools. Not the old "vocational" approach, where some students are tracked to enter a trade upon graduation from high school, while others are prepared to enter degree programs in college.

The Power of Comprehensive Assessment

Bob LenzJanuary 26, 2011

Tags Achievement Gap, Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Education Reform, Performance Assessment, Student Engagement, High (9-12), California

What if we had a tool that assured us as educators that we had prepared students for college success? At Envision Schools, we believe that our Deeper Learning Assessment System is preparing our students for success in college and the data is backing up our belief.

Legislation Done Right Can Drive School Improvement

Anne OBrienJanuary 5, 2011

Tags Accountability, Achievement Gap, Education Reform, Teacher Development, All Grades, California

Sometimes I write about concerns with education legislation. That it doesn't always take into consideration the expertise of those in the schools -- those who are actually responsible for the implementation of the policy. That evidence doesn't always support it. That it can create perverse incentives.

Why Performance-Based Pay for Teachers Makes Sense

Ben JohnsonDecember 20, 2010

Tags Accountability, Education Reform, Teacher Development, All Grades, Texas

Up until now, I have stayed away from hot-bed political conversations but I am now right in the middle of one: Performance-based pay for teachers. I am currently managing a grant to implement performance-based compensation systems in ten charter schools and the fun is only beginning.

Oh, the Places You'll Go! Cool Jobs in Math and Science (Guest Blogger)

EdutopiaDecember 16, 2010

Tags Integrated Studies, All Grades, Math, Science

Today's guest blogger is Linda Rosen, the CEO of Change the Equation. She has over 35 years of experience helping to develop and implement innovative, strategic frameworks and policies that support high quality STEM teaching and learning, grades PreK-16. She has taught mathematics and mathematics education from high school through graduate school.

Extend, Don't Cut, Learning Time

Anne OBrienDecember 8, 2010

Tags Achievement Gap, Education Reform, Teacher Development, All Grades, California, Massachusetts

Over the last few months, it has become painfully clear that state and local budgets are suffering. Given that they provide the vast majority of funding for public education, we can expect that public schools and districts will have to do more with less for the foreseeable future.

Advice to New and Student Teachers: Hold Fast to Dreams

Gaetan PappalardoDecember 6, 2010

Tags Education Reform, New Teachers, Pre-Service Teachers, Teacher Development

There were really no wrong answers: just answers. I guess that's why I became an elementary school teacher: to look at the day's offerings with brand new eyes. How about you? Don't you long for those days, too? I hope you remember what it's like to be a kid because I think that's just what we need to "make a difference."

(remember you said that?)

On Education Reform: Equity

Eric BrunsellNovember 23, 2010

Tags Achievement Gap, Digital Divide, Education Reform, All Grades, Rhode Island, Wisconsin

Two months ago, education reform was at the center of discussion. The documentary Waiting for "Superman" was creating a stir. NBC hosted "Education Nation." A spirited debate was on -- perhaps not in the traditional media, but at least in many forums around the web, including here at Edutopia. Many were inspired by the discussions. Others were outraged at the one-sidedness of the discussion.