SEL & Mindset
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the deliberate commitment to including a framework of essential skills and dispositions that complement academics but historically have not been a part of curricular design. Learners acquire and effectively apply the skills necessary for self-regulation or managing and talking about emotions, forming relationships, setting goals and demonstrating empathy during their learning.
Schools Worth Visiting
Really Ready Students in Action
Recently we have been writing about what it means to be #ReallyReady for college, work and life, discussing five critical dimensions of readiness. Here are several examples of schools that implement these elements for their students.
SEL & Mindset
Getting Smart Gift Guide | 10 Gifts that Teach SEL
We know that prioritizing SEL is important, but we also recognize that it can be hard to do. Which is why we created this holiday gift guide listing of some of our favorite toys, books and apps that can help foster social and emotional learning.
Project-Based Learning
6 Strategies for Teaching Public Policy
Teaching students to understand public policy can be a challenge, but few topics have as great a power to affect the long-term health of a society. Here are six strategies to help educators teach policy and civic engagement.
Leadership
Computer Science Education Week is Underway
The eighth annual Computer Science Education Week is officially underway, and students and teachers across the world are celebrating by participating in local Hour of Code events.
Competency-Based Education
Science Assessments Under NGSS: What Can We Expect?
The introduction of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) has been a catalyst for the development of assessments that are more aligned to what we actually want next-gen scientists to be able to do and perform.
SEL & Mindset
Developing Self-Directed Learners
Growth of the freelance- and gig-economy makes self-direction an imperative, and the learner experience is crucial when it comes to designing environments where students can learn to be self-directed.
Project-Based Learning
Really Ready: Preparing ALL Middle and High School Students for College, Work and Life
In this paper, written in partnership with Apex Learning, we describe why we need to prepare all students to be Really Ready for college, work and life, as well as strategies for districts and educators to address these necessary skills with their students.
Ed Policy
What Students (and Schools) Can Do if We Stop Ranking Them
By: Rhonda Broussard. Are we preparing every student for the world they are entering, or are we investing in a factory model of education designed as an assembly line? The old model of education is under question, and we have some hard decisions to make.
Project-Based Learning
Business Partnerships in PBL…What Does That Really Mean?
By: Tony Donen. In my work as principal at STEM School Chattanooga, I have found several cost friendly and mutually beneficial solutions that connect businesses, students and teachers that I call "Business Partner PBL."
Personalized Learning
Infographic | Really Ready for College, Work and Life
This infographic highlights how not all students are getting what they need for college, work and life, and how particular strategies and supports can be a solution for districts looking to help every student be really ready for the future.