TL;DR (Too Long;Didn’t Read) Mastery learning doesn’t fail because of teachers. It fails when systems don’t support it.This post explains why mastery learning breaks down when it’s treated as a classroom-level strategy instead of a system-wide commitment. It explores what teachers are really experiencing, the leadership blind spots that undermine mastery, and what schools must design for if mastery learning … Read More
Eliminating Student “Escape Routes” to Foster Accountability
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) Students often disengage when systems allow them to opt out of learning without consequence. In this post, Chad Ostrowski explores how traditional instructional structures can create hidden “escape routes” and offers practical strategies to increase accountability, promote reflection, and foster true mastery. By removing opportunities to avoid effort, teachers can build classrooms where perseverance and … Read More
Computer Science Education Week and its Impact on Students
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), first established in 2009, is a national initiative that champions the importance of computer science education across the United States. Born from a partnership among organizations like Google, Intel, and the National Science Foundation (NSF), CSEdWeek continues to grow as a movement that inspires students and empowers educators to bring computational thinking into every classroom. … Read More
10 Lessons for EDUpreneurs – Learned Over 20+ Years of Entrepreneurship
I’ve been doing this entrepreneurial thing for more than 20 years now. I’ve had a bunch of wins, and a WHOLE LOT of losses. I say “losses” but I’m one of those people who doesn’t really like that word. I’m with the people that say “lessons” instead. As cliche as that might be, it’s true. Every loss has been a … Read More
Stop Making Excuses and Start Making Changes
I know that title sounds harsh, but let me explain. As educators, we face numerous challenges daily. Whether it’s limited time, scarce resources, standardized testing pressures, or varying levels of student engagement, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and fall into the trap of making excuses for why things aren’t going as planned. However, dwelling on these obstacles doesn’t lead to … Read More