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

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More School Time, Well Spent, Boosts Academic Achievement and Engagement at Edwards Middle School

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Five Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning

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Blogs on High (9-12)

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As an Effective Diagnostic Tool, Does AYP Measure Up?

Dr. Katie KlingerOctober 18, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Funding, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Math, Hawaii

Reading local newspapers about yearly school progress can certainly be discouraging. And as backwards as it may seem, each article makes me wonder if we are indeed setting the "bar" for success too low? Too low, you say, when students often do not make the minimum proficiency set by each state?

A Primer on Citizen Science

Eric BrunsellOctober 13, 2010

Tags Mentoring, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Math, Science

In August, I wrote about the importance of providing children with role models in science, technology, engineering (STEM). In that post, I encouraged teachers to participate in the #scichat Challenge by inviting an expert into your classroom, either in-person or by using technology (You still have time to participate!).

A Web 2.0 Class: Students Learn 21st Century Skills, Collaboration, and Digital Citizenship

Andrew MarcinekOctober 11, 2010

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Digital Citizenship, Global Education, Integrated Studies, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Student Work Examples, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, High (9-12), English Language Arts, History

Christopher Columbus was wrong when he reported to the King and Queen that the world is round. In fact, the world is flat and so are many of our classrooms in this great nation.

For years, students learned within the parameters of a building, which then separated them into rooms. Students would attend class daily and the teacher would present the daily lesson. This is how a school day has progressed for years. And in many US classrooms, it still does. However, this not the case in three high schools in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Using Staff Expertise to Increase Graduation Rates

Anne OBrienOctober 8, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Dropout Prevention, Education Reform, Teacher Development, High (9-12), Washington

We've been hearing a lot recently about how the problem with our schools is the people in it -- the principals, the teachers and especially their unions. Or the problem is governance. Clearly kids can't perform well because the system is keeping them down. If only we had more charter schools -- that would solve everything.

Students Who Struggle: Focusing on Strengths

Heather Wolpert-GawronOctober 6, 2010

Tags Special Education, Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

The first paycheck I ever received sent me to an art gallery to buy a print of an artist I had seen years before.

Restorative Justice and Youth Court: Alternatives to Suspension

Betty RayOctober 1, 2010

Tags After-School Learning, Bullying, Dropout Prevention, New Teachers, Professional Learning Network (PLN), , Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion called "Culture Shift, Alternatives to Suspension: Creating Connections for All Students," which highlighted the effectiveness of a restorative justice and youth court as an innovative approach to juvenile justice.

Writing Response Takes an (Objective) Village

Todd FinleyOctober 1, 2010

Tags Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, High (9-12), English Language Arts

I was wrong a few days ago. I believed that an early version of this blog post had the swagger and crispness of flat front khakis, until my night students responded to it. They noted scores of errors in the piece. Are you talking about you or other writers? Shouldn't the use of 'first' be followed by a 'second' later? Paragraph two confuses me. Their blood was up. Break time? No need. The metaphor doesn't really help me understand the concept. You repeat the word 'right' in that sentence. I scribbled in the margins, trying to keep up with their insights.

Evidence that PBL Works

Bob LenzSeptember 30, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, High (9-12)

Many of us out there know that project-based learning (PBL) inspires students to understand core content knowledge more deeply and gain key skills for success in college and career. Many of us have also directly contributed to results for students on state tests, college-going, and college persistence metrics.

The Five Features of Science Inquiry: How do you know?

Eric BrunsellSeptember 29, 2010

Tags Arts Education, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Teaching science through science inquiry is the cornerstone of good teaching.

Not My Father's Shop Class: Fusing Career Tech with College Prep

EdutopiaSeptember 28, 2010

Tags Career and Technical Education, Integrated Studies, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, High (9-12)

In the late 1970s, when I moved into my very first apartment at the start of my junior year in college, my father gave me a gift. It was a gift fit for his daughter -- a box of nails, and a hammer to pound them with, pliers, a set of wrenches, a flat and a Phillips screwdriver, and a manual drill, all neatly arranged in a blue metal toolbox. The handsaw, being too large for the box, was packaged separately.