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Leadership

7 Traits of Learner-Centered Teachers

Working with teacher and leaders in Harmony Public Schools, we identified 7 traits of learner-centered teachers. Learner-centered teaching requires acting as a guide, providing on-demand support, leveraging technology for personalized learning, committing to professional growth, embodying core values, encouraging student autonomy, and creating authentic learning experiences.

EdTech

Effective Testing: Time Is of the Essence

By: Dr. Stuart Kahl. We’re facing a dilemma in educational testing. Testing higher-order cognitive processes and deeper learning as well as high-stakes accountability testing has led to widespread concerns about over-testing infringing on instructional time. We’re using too many tests, and the tests are too long.

Difference Making

Learning is Happening Everywhere–Let’s Embrace That

By: David Blake. As a rising generation of learners progress within their careers, they increasingly look beyond formal education to develop, sharpen and learn new skills. But despite the fact that learning is happening in every way and everywhere, measuring it is not happening--and it should.

Ed Policy

Goal 2025: 60% of Americans with Degrees

The Lumina Foundation is leading and supporting American efforts to boost college degree completion from about 40% to 60% by 2025. The Indianapolis-based foundation is focused on quality degrees as well as recognized job credentials.

EdTech

Generic vs Coherent Teacher Prep

We’ve inherited sedimentary layers of local, state and federal EdPolicy--not system designed to prepare young people for the idea economy and not an easy system in which to teach. In contrast we know that good schools are coherent--everything is mission-aligned to benefit teachers and students. The benefits of purpose-built coherent teacher preparation hold the potential to extend quality learning for all teachers and students.

Leadership

Two Strategies for Empowering Teacher Leaders

In a coherent system, everything works together for students and teachers: content, learning experiences, assessment, professional development, schedule, structure, staffing and supports. Here are two ways to create this coherence and empower teacher leaders.