The aim of this paper is to explore the identity of the teacher as a dialectical being that is in permanent construction, to identify some obstacles teachers might find in this process while operating in an institutional framework, and the effects these could have upon the teacher and the goals she pursues with her students. By ruling out the idea…

Getting initial instruction right is essential for improving student and teacher efficacy. Teachers are more likely to hit the mark when they work with colleagues to unpack the standards before instruction. By designing what the authors call a "proficiency scale," and aligning instructional strategies for the varied levels, teachers can…

The current document serves two purposes. First, it provides an overview of six key features of a high-quality, comprehensive package of policies and guidance to support student social and emotional learning (SEL). These features are based on Collaborative for Academic Social, and Emotional Learning's (CASEL's) review of the research literature on…

The goal of this primer is to help education leaders understand the mutually reinforcing relationship between social and emotional development and ambitious academic goals. Instruction that promotes students' social and emotional development (SED) facilitates better student outcomes on college- and career-ready (CCR) standards. The converse is…

Over the years, most states and districts have focused professional development on teachers rather than principals. However, evidence suggests that principals can play an important role in reaching our national goals of high achievement for all students. School leaders are powerful levers for change--when given the right training and support. But…

Standards-based grading, in which grading should be designed to communicate to students their current level of mastery with regards to well-articulated standards, is becoming popular at the K-12 level. As yet, the literature addressing standards-based grading at the university level is scarce. In this paper, I document my attempts to put into…

Curriculum is the "heart" of any educational Organization. Realizing its importance, many school districts engage in a curriculum renewal cycle. Doing this well can be a crucial factor in students' academic success During a typical cycle, the district identifies an area of study, at which point district and school personnel dive deep…

This article outlines an issue-based lesson for a physical science course in which students investigate potential alternative energy sources for Alternatown, a fictitious city. Students are randomly selected to serve as town council members or as representatives of different alternative energy source options put before the council. The…

The authors take on myths and misinformation about the Common Core State Standards and seek to tell the positive ways in which the standards work to move education.

This article draws on three assessment paradigms -- psychometrics, outcomes-based and curriculum-based assessment -- to discuss paradigmatic changes in senior school assessment and achievement standard-setting in Queensland, Australia, over the last 50 years. These include radical reforms in 1970 from university-controlled examinations to…

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) ensures educational equity for multilingual learners through supporting school districts and charter schools to develop, implement and evaluate research-based language instruction education programs so that multilingual learners, including students with English learner status, attain academic language…

Contemporary professional development efforts have shifted away from a deficit model toward the acknowledgment of the agency and ability of teachers to evaluate and direct their own professional learning. This article describes how middle school science teachers can take charge of their own learning by initiating and participating in…

States, districts, and schools must work to develop effective implementation and communications plans around the Common Core State Standards and aligned assessments. The Education Trust commissioned research on the communication of changes to state assessments in the recent past and lessons learned from that effort identify key elements of an…

This commentary discusses what disciplinary literacy is and why it is important. It then discusses the ways in which elementary school teachers can infuse aspects of disciplinary literacy into elementary instruction. It argues that the Common Core Standards, even those at the K-6 level, are providing avenues for preparation for disciplinary…

Science students should undertake engineering design projects and carry out scientific investigations, as recommended by the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS Lead States 2013). However, studies show that students misconstrue the goals of science and engineering and are uncertain about their respective practices (Gilbert and Wade…