Formative Assessment in Distance Learning

Formative assessment at a distance is challenging but possible. This article discusses how to check for understanding and provide meaningful feedback to students working remotely. The author offers specific tips such as the importance of collecting data over time, providing feedback, and leveraging relationships. This article can be useful to teachers of any subject and… Read More ›

How Top Teachers Make Student Voice a High Priority

This article features advice on how to foster student voice from 6 expert educators. Education Week reporters interviewed winners of the Milken Educator Awards, an annual contest for teachers and principals, about the importance of supporting student voice. The conversations range from the importance of helping students form their own questions to the role of… Read More ›

“It’s Our Right…”: The Opportunities Gained by Helping Students of Color Practice Resisting Racism

In this article, two authors discuss lessons they learned about supporting student activism during research for their book, Schooling for Critical Consciousness: Engaging Black and Latinx Youth in Analyzing, Navigating, and Challenging Racial Injustice. They share examples that illustrate the importance of supporting actions taken by students to protest rather than simply teaching about systemic… Read More ›

10 Steps to Incorporating Student Voice into Remote Learning

This article offers advice to help teachers foster student voice through remote learning. The authors begin by asserting the critical importance of student voice to engage students and give them a sense of control during closures due to COVID-19. The authors discuss the importance of connecting with students on a personal level, encouraging feedback, and… Read More ›

Students Will Go Back to School Eventually

This article offers practical advice for schools and districts to help students catch up when they return to school after closures due to COVID-19. It includes concrete ideas for possible changes and supports to help students readjust, from changing the length and structure of the school year, to providing tutoring and access to mental health… Read More ›

3 Ways to Use Video Conferencing with Students Learning Remotely

In this article, Catlin Tucker, a veteran teacher, blended learning coach, and author, shares ideas for using video conferencing in student-centered ways. She explores 3 ways to leverage video conferences to foster deeper learning and connections with and amongst students. These include small group instruction, discussions and conferencing with students. These tips will be useful… Read More ›

New Remote Learning Resources from Common Sense

Cover

For many, our education system feels unprepared to transition to remote learning that was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar will explore ways to make learning from home an awesome experience that thrills kids, engages teachers, relieves families, and restores community. This webinar will introduce Wide Open School, a new, free online resource to… Read More ›

A New Way Forward Series: Building a Learner-Centered Future

Cover

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented myriad challenges on multiple fronts but it has also provided a unique opening to reinvent how the education system serves our nation’s youth. Learner-centered leaders have been reinventing education in small pockets around the country for decades, and their expertise can help to transform education for every single child in… Read More ›

Ensuring Student-Centered Opportunities for All Students

I trust it is the hope of every principal that the educational debt Ladson-Billings refers to is resolved at the end of each academic year and that all students have achieved equitable learning outcomes. But as we know, academic outcomes are not enough. Schools are expected to educate the whole child too, as evident in… Read More ›

Innovative Ways to Make Coronavirus a Teachable Moment

This article explores ways in which teachers can incorporate discussion of COVID-19 in their current lessons. It offers examples from a variety of subject areas and grades.  The article might spark ideas for creatively using the current situation to engage students and encourage student voice through content that feels relevant and connected to their current… Read More ›