The Blog

Back in 2011, Indiana Public Law 73-2011 altered state and local textbook adoption procedures. Under this law, Indiana no longer follows a strict six-year cycle for math materials adoption. Textbook adoptions are now under the control of the local superintendent and school board. Adoption of new math materials is optional, and districts have the discretion to continue to use current materials beyond the six-year cycle without needing a waiver from the state.

My guess is if I ask teachers who have taught for more than one year, they can name a student they know who will come to class without any materials like a pen, pencil, paper, or book. Teachers can name a student they know who will ask to go to their locker or use the restroom during class. I’m also willing to bet teachers can name a student who will stay silent when they are asked to answer any questions in class. Knowing teachers can name students who do these actions, I as

This past year has certainly been traumatic for some and I think it’s safe to say that it has been stressful for most. It has me wondering how might this global experience and its many layers affect us as we reach this one-year anniversary? I posed this question to a group of teachers recently. Upon reflection, they discovered they were holding frustration, grief, resentment, and ongoing uncertainty in their minds as well as in their bodies.

We are living through an incredible time of physical and emotional disconnection. Despite technological advances created to keep us connected, we seem to be moving in the opposite direction. We’ve seen it happening for years as smartphones become the focus at dinners, video games trump family game nights, texting takes the place of phone calls, and emojis replace the use of words.

As most of us learned in the past year, we can’t predict what will happen next and when we feel out of control or faced with a lot of new, potentially frightening, things all at once it is easy to get overwhelmed, burnt out, and disconnected. Perhaps, if we spend time looking inward rather than out for answers, we might find ourselves better equipped to grow through the tough times without losing ourselves. I believe this might be true for individuals, organizations, and ev

Educators, do you want to be in the know?  Here are some great Indiana education resources and very brief Indiana political resources that you can subscribe to and get the latest information to keep you in the know in under 15 minutes!

Differentiation is a term that all teachers know. We read about it in books, hear about it in training, and see it on our evaluation rubrics. Teachers know they have to differentiate to meet the needs of their students. They try to do so with the knowledge and tools that they have. Many teachers do this with high levels of success.

School turnaround is an intervention directed toward a low-performing school that delivers considerable gains in achievement, and readies that school for the process of transformation into a high-performing institution. It refers to the efforts being made by districts and states to improve student outcomes, build capacity, and sustain reforms. Professional development for teachers can help in this regard.

What is rigor? In education, rigor refers to instruction, schoolwork, and learning experiences that are academically and intellectually stimulating. It applies to lessons that encourage students to think deeply, rather than to lessons that just demand memorization or information recall. For example, a fill-in-the-blank worksheet wouldn’t be considered rigorous by most teachers.

What we learned in 2020 was that there are many new aspects of learning to address. We have done research on the leaders in these areas and put together a book list to help you get a grasp on the new trends in education. Introducing our list of the 6 best books for teachers 2021.  

When it comes to being a school leader, there are many issues that need to be addressed. Strategic planning as a school leader does not just consider studies and preparing children for possible futures but also working to develop pathways to reach an envisioned future. This means challenging students to think for themselves as well as developing core values and beliefs.

In education, information speaks volumes. Data analysis can provide an overview of what students know, of what they should know, and what can be done to meet their academic needs. With proper analysis and interpretation of data, teachers can make informed decisions that positively affect student outcomes. In this article, we will discuss how to make data-based decisions to inform your instruction.

Data is important, and it is everywhere. Teachers collect all sorts of information about students. These data can inform and influence teachers how to teach, what to review, and what to adjust. Yet, some teachers may still not be aware of how to get data and how to use it. In this article, we will answer these questions: Where can you find data? And why is it important to use data in your classroom?

Standardized testing has fueled a national debate in the last few decades. Some argue that standardized tests narrow the curriculum and encourage teacher-centered instruction. Many parents also don’t feel comfortable with the fact that their children are being judged on the basis of tests that puts too much emphasis on test scores, and too little on personal background, innovation, and critical thinking. In this post, we will answer the question, “Why does the United States u

Teaching is a challenging job. Even before entering the classroom, teachers have to prepare schedules, lesson plans, and homework. They experience a mixed bag of feelings throughout their career: disappointment, frustration, joy, love, and triumph. Fortunately, there are books that provide real stories, tips, and motivation that will make teaching easier and more effective. The following is a list of the 10 best education books to read in 2019.  

Many schools across the US are finding it hard to deal with student misbehavior. And usually, students are punished for not knowing how to behave rather than being taught appropriate behavior. The objective of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is teaching positive behavior. You may be asking, “What is PBIS?” This article will answer that question.  

Let’s say one of your students is intimidating you or even scaring you. You feel threatened, bullied, and teaching became a real nightmare. Why is this happening? Children with antisocial or extremely aggressive behaviors can be diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder. Putting a definition over these two will help you understand why certain behaviors are being displayed. These are the main things everyone should know about Oppositional Defiant D

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological disorder that is characterized by developmentally inappropriate hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity. It is believed that children with ADHD have an impairment in the brain’s executive functions which affect the way they learn, store, and retrieve information. ADHD is suspected when a child’s behavior in class is problematic. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of ADHD.

The pressures of modern life, anxiety disorders, and depression are common emotional and psychological problems that children nowadays face at a very young age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death among the youth ages 10 to 24. Suicide prevention and intervention programs in the ongoing professional development for teachers and education support professionals can help mitigate the risk of suicide among

Every time you open a new book, you’re embarking on a new intellectual and emotional journey. The ideas contained in a book can open your mind, helping you gain a deeper understanding of things that are significant to your personal or professional life. In particular, books about education can expand the knowledge database of educators, increase their awareness on the latest trends, and help them improve practices.