5 Scandals in Education

Steven WeberBlog, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Grade Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Scandals exist in schools. Teachers and administrators must analyze their schools to see if they exist or have the potential to develop. There are 5 scandals in education: low expectations, lack of instructional leadership, culture does not emphasize formative assessment, curriculum alignment is left to chance, and students are not required to think. Throughout history, scandals have been documented. … Read More

Evaluating EdTech, Content, and Other Classroom Tools

Teach Better TeamBlog, Engage Better, Grade Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better

TL;DR: Assessing Content in Education Systems (ACES) is a strategy for evaluating educational content created by the author of this post. ACES is based on four key spectrums: active or anchored, creation or consumption, educational or entertainment, and social or solo. Knowing how to assess content is a foundational skill, especially because the technical aspects change often in our fast-paced … Read More

Focus on the Focus Blog Series Overview

Kari PitstickBlog, Grade Better, Mastery Done Better

Focus on the Focus Blog Series Overview The Focus on the Focus Blog Series offers grading, assessment, and feedback support for educators! Learn more about purposeful student conferencing and refocusing your assessments with student understanding in mind. In addition, get simple tips to improve your grading practices! Posts in the Series Student Conferencing with a Focus on the Focus (Video Blog) … Read More

Focus on Improving Your Grading Practices

Andrea KalchbennerBlog, Grade Better, Mastery Done Better

TL;DR: Focus on improving your grading practices by cutting the fluff, grading what matters, eradicating participation and completion points, and allowing redos. Avoid taking points off for late work. Use formative assessments to guide student progress and include students in the assessment process. Have you ever had a parent ask you why their child is passing your class but failing … Read More

Refocus Your Assessment: Grading and Feedback for Understanding

Teach Better TeamBlog, Grade Better, Mastery Done Better

TL;DR: It is time to refocus your assessment and consider grading and feedback for understanding. Make sure students know what the learning goal is and what they are working toward. Ensure feedback is specific, useful, and given in a timely manner. Consider the following feedback structure: Where are you in your proficiency? Why are you there? What are your next … Read More