Posts by Tom Vander Ark
Ed Policy
Networks, Platforms, & Procurement
Schools in a network share a common mission, pedagogical approach, measurement system, structure, schedule and staffing strategy. Networks are usually horizontal (i.e., same school model and support system), but the concept could be applied to a vertical feeder pattern (e.g.,ReynoldsburgeSTEM) or a small district (e.g.,Mooresville)
Ed Policy
Try This: 10 Things Every State Should Do Now
A state chief asked for a list of things that his state should try. With help from Eric Smith, Chiefs for Change, here's a list of the top ten list of things every state should do now:
EdTech
LightSide Essay Scoring Engine Goes to School
LightSide, a tech spin-out of CMU, improves student writing skills by using machine learning to assess writing. When deployed, their system automatically gives feedback on student essays, encourages revision, and eases the burden of grading for teachers struggling to maintain high standards for classroom writing.
Leadership
Another Study Validates Replacement of Big Bad Schools With New Small Schools
Another study demonstrating the effectiveness of the new small high schools in New York City was released last week. Like prior studies, this one dramatically understate the real benefit of the new schools in favor of gold standard research methods. The new schools have grad rates double many of the closed high schools.
EdTech
25 Smart #SocialMedia Tips For #EdLeaders
Let’s continue the conversation at iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Symposium. I’m leading a social media conversation on Tuesday at 4:30pm. We’ll use #EdSocial.
Leadership
CityBridge is Changing the School Landscape in DC
The CityBridge Foundation was formed by Katherine and David Bradley in 1994. For the last dozen years it has served as a best practices shop for D.C. schools with an initial focus on early learning.
Personalized Learning
Common Choice: Thin Test Prep or Deeper Learning
Higher expectations and engaging learning experiences are compatible. New college and career ready expectations will yield better preparation for American students if education leaders value deeper learning rather than resorting to stifling test prep.
Personalized Learning
Leading for Powerful Learning: Observations & Pictures from Danville
The pictures attached tell a great story! The first three are from Bate where students created furniture from cardboard. Talk about something that required thinking ...WOW! What's also really cool about this is that the kids have included their original design sketches and plans with the furniture, so you can really see their thinking processes.
Ed Policy
The Digital Learning Opportunity & What it Means for School Finance
Learning opportunities are expanding and improving around the country. With online and blended learning, students are gaining access to personalized learning and expanded options.
EdTech
Killer App: MasteryConnect Reinvents the Report Card
On standards-based grading, MasteryConnect CEO Mick Hewitt has been asking, “How do we get parents to care about this?” Mick believes the answer lies in showing parents a visually appealing report card with access to details of what students are not understanding relative to the state or Common Core standards.