Comprehensive vs. Supplemental Instructional Materials What is the difference between comprehensive and supplemental learning materials? What are comprehensive instructional materials? A comprehensive curriculum, also called core and basal, is a primary instructional resource designed for a specific content area. It is a full course that addresses all, or nearly all, of the standards and foundational…
How School Leaders Can Support New Teachers New teachers have so much to offer your school. They bring a fresh perspective on education, knowledge of modern teaching strategies, and a desire to start their career with a bang. When supported by school leadership, new educators can dramatically improve student performance. While all teachers need support,…
5 Ways School Leaders Can Boost Team Morale You’ve hired a talented team to help your district increase student achievement, but how do you keep them motivated throughout the school year? Team morale refers to the enthusiasm educators have for their jobs, their pride in their schools, and their interest in increasing academic achievement, according…
3 Reasons to Offer Early Childhood Education Is early childhood education worth your school’s time and investment? A chorus of research studies says “Yes!” Early learning programs set students on the path to academic success by developing the skills they’ll need to excel in school. What is early childhood education? Early childhood education (ECE) includes…
Why Teachers Need Curriculum-Based Professional Development to Improve Student Learning You find a stellar curriculum that will take your district to new heights, but how do you guarantee your teachers will use it? A study published in Professional Development in Education shows that teachers implement a new program better when they receive curriculum-based professional development…
Using Tech in the Classroom Wisely Technology has revolutionized the way we educate our children. Images, virtual field trips, lab experiments, and other rich media are some of the countless ways technology creates an enriched learning environment. However, some argue educators shouldn’t use technology in the classroom because it means more screen time, distractions, and…
3 Factors that Keep Students Safe and Prevent School Violence Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children can learn and grow without worrying about their physical or emotional safety. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case; recent school shootings have left school leaders wondering what more they can do to keep students safe. Whether…
Curriculum Evaluation Rubric for School Board Members Your curriculum director sends you learning materials and asks you to evaluate them. What you say could determine whether students get the best education possible and your district achieves its goals. No pressure, right? It’s normal to question yourself when looking at curriculum after curriculum to determine which…
Why is it important for school boards and superintendents to get along? Richard Goodman said it best in his book, Getting There from Here: “Strong, collaborative leadership by local school boards and school superintendents is a key cornerstone of the foundation for high student achievement.” Conflicts between board members and superintendents arise as they try…
Learning gains are more important than ever before, and there are many reasons your district may be considering designing a summer school program. Summer enrichment activities help students not only maintain, but also increase their academic skills, according to Miami Dade School District (2011). A Borman and Dowling study found that students from high-poverty schools…