Schools Worth Visiting
The Getting Smart team visits hundreds of schools each year and is grateful for the opportunity to see high-quality teaching and learning in action. This series features stories of schools that share best practices, lessons learned and next-gen teaching practices that support high-quality, personalized, project-based learning for all students.
Early Learning
The Results Are In: Kindergarten Transition Programs Work
By: Philip dela Houssaye and Fernando Madrid. Starting kindergarten off on the right foot is one of the strongest indicators of a child’s success in school. Here are four key takeaways from our district’s Early Kindergarten Transition (EKT) program.
Leadership
David Haglund on Lessons Learned in Santa Ana
As he transitions to a new role in a new district, David Haglund shares lessons learned during his time as deputy superintendent and chief academic officer for Santa Ana Unified School District.
Equity & Access
Closing The Achievement Gap With The Power of Data
The Education Equality Index (EEI) site recently released its national data analysis findings, providing insights from high achieving schools that could help close long-standing achievement gaps for students from underserved communities.
Leadership
How to “Pick the Lock”: The Five Secrets to One Stone’s Success
One Stone thrives because it places students at the center. Here, I take a deeper look at the techniques they use to develop and maintain their culture.
Future of Learning
AltSchool: Designing the Future of Learning
For the past four years, AltSchool has been building a technology-enabled network to empower and connect families, students and teachers. Learn more about what else this innovative school is working toward.
Leadership
A Maine School District’s Approach To Personalized Learning
When districts are considering personalized learning, it's important for them to reflect on their own vision, culture and transparency. I asked RSU-2 Superintendent Bill Zima to share his insight on these three themes for his district's personalized learning journey.
Leadership
Your Fans Want You To Be Better, Not Different
From studying the new book Superfandom, EdLeaders can learn three ways to best work with school and district 'fans' in order to shape a successful future.
Leadership
An Innovative K-8 Human-Centered Approach at Design39
While the Design39 facility renders many speechless, the teaching and learning that take place at “D39” leave visitors feeling inspired and more motivated than ever to create empowering learning experiences for students. Read more in our detailed account here.
Project-Based Learning
Santa Ana Unified Creating Incredible Pathways for Students K-12
When people think of large urban districts, they often think about all the challenges that they face. And it’s true--large urban districts often have to overcome many hurdles. But these challenges are not insurmountable, and Santa Ana Unified proves it.
Leadership
Increasing Student Access Through Project LEAN In
By: Sam Sakai-Miller. Project LEAN In is San Lorenzo Unified School District's program for implementing a 1:1 student:device ratio in classrooms to increase student engagement and achievement. Here are lessons learned, best practices and unexpected benefits.