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.
EdTech
What if We Wanted for All Kids What We Want for Our Kids?
In “Our Kids,” Putnam utilizes personal storytelling and data analysis to paint a clear picture of what it is like to grow up poor in America.
Personalized Learning
Sage Advice From a HigherEd Veteran: Getting a Head Start on Finding the Right College
By: Richard Ferguson. Parents, teachers and students themselves will find this list by Richard Ferguson, former CEO of ACT, about the importance of finding the right fit for college.
Leadership
Organized Parents Can Transform Education- Indeed, It Won’t Happen Without Them
By: Jose Arenas. This blog cuts to the core about what parent advocacy and activism can look like in schools. If you want to move beyond the PTA and get political, Jose has inspiration and information for how parents can transform our schools.
Personalized Learning
Why Online Learning Works for My Family
By: Angela Shelton-Garofano. If you are unhappy with your child’s current schooling situation, overwhelmed or worried about what online schooling means or wonder if it’s a fit for your child, I suggest you give it a try. I regret not enrolling him sooner. Don’t let that regret be yours; give online schooling a chance.
Personalized Learning
Understanding Middle Schoolers: 4 Tips for Success
Whatever the contradiction is in your household, it is important to remember that the journey that these soon to be adults are traveling is a difficult yet AWESOME one. They are in a constant state of learning and discovery and as parents and guardians, we GET to be along for the ride!
Personalized Learning
Why An Anti-Screen Family Has Gone Blended
By: Heather Staker. How one visit to Acton Academy led Heather and her husband to decide to move from Hawai'i to Texas and why blend has sharpened the intellectual, moral, and interpersonal development of their children.
Personalized Learning
The Elementary Years: Four Pillars That Build a Strong Foundation
By: Liz Wimmer. The knowledge and skills children gain from 6 to 12 years form the basis of all future education. Parents can help children take advantage of this readiness and build a solid foundation for later success. Here are four key areas where parents can guide children during the elementary school years.
EdTech
12 Ways to use Inside Out to Teach SEL, STEM, and Life’s Ups & Downs
Now that you’ve seen the movie (or even if you haven’t), here are 12 ways teachers and parents can help kids extend and apply what they saw in the movie to use as a springboard to teach about the brain, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and life in general.
Personalized Learning
Your Child, Your Choice: Finding the Right School for Your Child
By: Gary Gruber. A major challenge for parents is how to make an informed choice that includes the age and stage of your child and his or her specific needs and interests when it comes to school selection.
Leadership
Why Letting Youth “Run the Store” is Important for their Development & Life Success
By: John Weiss. Giving young people voice, choice and decision-making opportunities is critical to support their healthy development and life success. They need to make decisions, act on their intentions and work collaboratively in school, in after-school programs and in family structures.