Smart Parents
We spend a lot of our time creating and sharing resources for educators and parents (who are often one and the same audience). Time and time again, we observe that families are left out of the equation when it comes to determining the primary audience for education reports, papers and articles—even though they are among the hungriest for informed opinions that can help them. Smart Parents is a blog series for parents, by parents who are navigating educational opportunities + making powerful decisions for and with their students. Learn more in Smart Parents: Parenting for Powerful Learning.
Personalized Learning
Parents as Chief Advocates
By: Nancy Weinstein. In this letter to parents everywhere, Nancy writes about her experience as her daughter's chief advocate. Nancy knows parents have to advocate for their children. As a psychologist once told her, "You must become the expert in your child's problems." Here's her inspiring story as her child's Chief Advocate.
Leadership
3 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Innovative School
By: Nina Rees. As school choice has taken root across the country, parents are making educational choices for and with their children. Nina offers up these three factors that can help parents when choosing innovative schools.
Personalized Learning
The Power of Personal Relationship in Personalized Learning
By Cara Thorpe. How can we extend the success of personalized learning beyond the school day? Cara shares practical advice for making the decision on the best after-school learning option for students.
Ed Policy
My School Information Design Challenge
The Foundation For Excellence In Education reports that developed a new, 21st century reporting strategy that better presents important school performance information.
Personalized Learning
3 Ways Parents Can Spot Student-Centered Learning
What can parents look for to determine if their child is in a student-centered learning environment? Here’s advice from a mother of two school-aged children, a former classroom teacher and a current advocate for student-centered learning.
Personalized Learning
Lessons for Learning and Life: 10 Messages Parents (and Teachers) Can Teach Kids
Parents are in a unique position to help their children draw connections between what they are learning and doing (in school, activities, community service, family conversations, and more) with enduring life lessons.
Personalized Learning
What Personalized Learning Means in My Family
What a school looks like that prepares students for meaningful, authentic work and meaningful relationships, what we still need to provide our kids for real personalized learning, and how our family promotes this kind of education at home.
EdTech
The Power of Parents, Teachers, and Technology in Character Education
How character is acquired, how parents and other adults shape the character of their children, and how school-based, digital learning could advance intentional character growth.
EdTech
Common Sense, Science-Based Advice on Early Learners’ Screen Time
Daily life increasingly includes video, smartphones, and touchscreen tablets. Is staying away from screen time really the best approach for children?
Personalized Learning
If Ever There Was a Kid Born to Read
What happens when two self-described bookworms have a son who would choose to learn by doing and seeing instead of reading and how as parents they teach to his learning preference.