EdTech
Personalized Learning
The AYPF Oscars for Youth Development
American Youth Policy Forum recently released a report, How 23 Programs Support Youth on the Path to College and Beyond. The programs (below) “have been proven to help young people successfully complete high school and be prepared for success in postsecondary education and careers.” I’ve had the good fortune to…
Personalized Learning
Bloomfire Formalizes Informal Learning
Here’s an article with a little western MI love for Bloomfire , a Kalamazoo start up creating groups “of informal, social-learning opportunities can be dedicated to anything from sales strategies to fishing.” Bloomfire Manefesto is a little groovy, but if you’re not thinking about the future of…
EdTech
New York State Makes it to First Round
New York State Makes it to First Round New York State is one of 16 first-round finalist for federal funds from Race to the Top, the national competition to re-invigorate American education with US$4.3 bln.
Personalized Learning
A Financial Analyst Follows His Heart
School Administrator ran a great profile of John Welch, superintendent of the Highline School District, a complicated and diverse 5 city school district which surrounds SeaTac airport, near Seattle. John was a budget analyst in Tacoma, WA when I hired him as Finance Director, then CFO. John won a national…
Personalized Learning
More Better Accountability; EEP & DFER Show the Way
The Education Equality Project and Democrats For Education Reform issued a report on the accountability provisions within the current NCLB law–a topic people love to hate. This report is a great reminder of why we need accountability to promote equity and excellence and why strong accountability must be carried…
Personalized Learning
T1 Should Support College/Career Goal
National Journal asks whether, as the president suggested, that Title 1 should be contingent upon state adoption of college/career ready standards. I think the answer is yes. Title 1 is an effort to promote equitable educational outcomes. The most important equity goal is that every student should graduate…
EdTech
Technology is Missing From Nation's Education Narrative
Tom Vander Ark of Revolution Learning and I were speaking recently around corporate interests in education. One bright spot to this corporate interest in social movements is the Pepsi Refresh Project, which presents a broad list of categories to urge consumers / social media savvy constituents to choose where…
Personalized Learning
House R's Could Learn From Jeb
House Republicans launched these four focus grouped principles: local control, empowering parents, letting teachers teach, and protecting taxpayers. The ‘platform’ has no aspirations, it doesn’t solve problems, it simply seeks to avoid offense. It’s clear ESEA isn’t happening this year. Hill Republicans would do well to spend an…
Personalized Learning
DC Updates: Tony, Supts, Dog With Bone, Talent
Deputy Secretary Tony Miller got a rowdy but appreciative reception at the Education Industry Association last night. Education service providers asked Tony why education is the only department that shuns private sector involvement (e.g., Energy investments). The answers–you can work for districts and it’s historical–didn’t satisfy the…
Personalized Learning
3 Pivot Points to a Performance-Based Education System
In education, there’s a lot up in the air right now: standards, testing, employment practices, budgets, student technology, online learning, and federal policy. It’s conceivable that if we took advantage of the uncertainty, a few places could emerge with a better and cheaper education system. Here’s three pivot points that…