If you asked your colleagues, the answers you get may surprise you.
It’s something I’d encourage you to do- run an experiment at your school or district- and see what happens. A few months ago, I did just that.
Read MoreIn Schools, On Schools
SPI's blog is named to emphasize that our best ideas come from observations in our own schools as well as at high-performing schools across the United States. We are proximate to the work going on in high-poverty schools that get results for students, and we are working to share these bright spots with others. Through generous sharing of best practices, our mission is to increase access to high-quality schools for all students, regardless of zip code.
If you asked your colleagues, the answers you get may surprise you.
It’s something I’d encourage you to do- run an experiment at your school or district- and see what happens. A few months ago, I did just that.
Read MoreDespite spending billions on professional development (PD) in the United States, well-regarded studies by organizations such as American Institutes for Research (AIR) and TNTP show no measurable results from this spending. This was the case even when the training was considered rigorously aligned to the tenets of best practice for educator professional development. At the same time, student outcomes, especially for students of color and students living in poverty, are unacceptable.
Read MoreThe good news is this may very well be the much sought after silver bullet we’ve long searched for in educational improvement circles. The bad news is that this elusive magic elixir is very hard to come by. Simply put, know-how is the detailed practical knowledge necessary to get good ideas to actually work in classrooms, schools, and districts.
Read More