Posts by Tom Vander Ark
OECD: Innovation Can Improve Learning, Equity, Efficiency and the Economy
“Innovation in the public sector in general, and in education in particular, could be a major driver for significant welfare gains,” says a new report from the OECD, Measuring Innovation in Education.
Blended Reading Success in the Intermediate Grades
Cypress-Fairbanks principal Becky Koop has had success with READ 180, a blended learning reading program.
Local & State Policies That Boost Achievement & Innovation
Local and state policy makers should enact pro-growth, pro-achievement, pro-employability, and pro-innovation policies to help boost achievement and innovation.
Smart Cities Q&A with Jessie Woolley-Wilson
I recently sat down with DreamBox CEO Jessie Woolley-Wilson a former Blackboard executive, who also serves as director of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning. Here's our conversation.
Great Boards for Great Schools
By Brian Jones & Tom Vander Ark. Good schools change communities by lifting expectations, reinforcing positive values, preparing thoughtful citizens, and building property values. That's why we feel so strongly about expanding access to quality schools.
President Signs Jobs Bill
Passed by congress on July 9, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act will streamline the federal workforce training system, trimming 15 programs that don’t work, giving schools the opportunity to cater their services to the needs of their region, and empowering businesses to identify what skills workers need for success and help workers acquire them.
The Best of School & Other Great Poems in Teaching With Heart
“Teaching with Heart is full of good news about our schools” said Parker Palmer. “The good news comes from ninety gifted and committed educators, each of whom shares a brief personal story about the teaching life, accompanied by a poem that embodies insights, values, or a vision that helps sustain him or her.”
Next Gen Accountability: Ohio & Beyond
A discussion of how accountability should work--from students to universities--with a few comments about where Ohio is on the curve.
10 Things Parents/Guardians Should Do Now
Hope you’re enjoying the summer break and visiting some cool places with the kids. As you’re getting ready to go back to work, spend a few minutes thinking about your role as a learning leader. Here’s 10 things you can do for your K-12 students that will make a difference. Manage…
Houston: As Good as it Gets
School improvement is more about execution than innovation, but doing what works — like tutoring struggling students — consistently across a network seems pretty innovative in education.