How education coped in the shift to distance learning.

whitePaper | August 13, 2020

Determining whether a product has the right kind of research to prove effectiveness is often a confusing process. ESSA now requires school districts to purchase intervention programs that have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they improve student outcomes. Choosing a program with research-based effectiveness increases the likelihood that it will improve student achievement. Understanding ESSA’s tiers of evidence standards and knowing what to look for will help districts make informed choices about an intervention program’s potential effectiveness.

whitePaper | March 13, 2020

An online learning plan covers the teaching strategies, communication rules, devices, solutions, and policies supporting online or blended learning in the school community. Keep the plan as simple as possible, but make the expectations clear for learners, teachers and guardians as to how to learn and teach online. An IB World School has agreed to share their online learning plan as an example of what to consider when creating one. This plan is updated regularly, as is common for schools using online learning under emergency circumstances.

whitePaper | January 27, 2023

The fallout from COVID-19, continuing advances in digital technology, and intensifying pent-up demand for student centered learning have combined to present an unprecedented opportunity to transform education across whole systems. We have been impressed by the tireless action to address the emergency needs of students and families. We are deeply encouraged by the growing desire to seize the opportunity to focus on the deep purpose of education through the twin pillars of well-being and learning. Learning for all will spark a new interest and commitment to equity, where diverse students will be drawn to Global Competencies (such as our 6Cs), learning more about their worlds as they commit to building a better future for themselves and humanity.

whitePaper | August 24, 2020

Among hundreds of educational leadership definitions, this one is helpful in that it allows for flexibility in many scenarios. While it talks about achieving goals by influencing others into action (which could indicate guiding educators, caregivers, members of the school board, or the community, depending on the situation), it does not define one particular goal, which allows for flexibility of interpretation. In the current environment, it is important to be flexible in defining an educational leader while also taking care not to stray too far from established goals and effective frameworks.

whitePaper | March 31, 2020

Several studies have highlighted the potential benefits of technology use in education, with some even suggesting a few technologies in particular that have the ability to enhance a student’s overall knowledge and skills.2 The traditional teaching model, based on active instruction by a teacher and passive reception of knowledge from a student, does not necessarily still allow students to develop many 21st century skills needed to be successful in an increasingly tech-based economy.

whitePaper | December 9, 2022

Every summer and fall, the news cycle is littered with stories about summer learning loss. This is because many students, especially those from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, begin each school year performing at achievement levels that are below what they were before the start of summer break. In education, we refer to this as summer learning loss or the summer slide.