What is the Common Core, Anyway?

The Common Core State Standards is a U.S. education initiative seeking to align the varied curricula between states. Established in 2009 by the National Governors Association, the new initiatives for standards in literacy and mathematics was developed as a solution to high school graduates not being adequately prepared for what adult-life requires. The new standards […]

Hate Common Core? Why Blaming the CCSS is Misdirected.

The Common Core State Standards have been a hot topic ever since the initial launch into the American school system, sparking debate from parents, teachers, and even celebrities. It’s thought of as “the next new math,” coming to rattle and destroy society’s primary way of doing multiplication, division, and the like, and many are questioning […]

Breaking down the Common Core’s 8 mathematical practice standards

The Common Core mathematical practice standards are the foundation for mathematical thinking and practice for students as well as guidance that helps teachers modify their classrooms to approach teaching in a way that develops a more advanced mathematical understanding. Think of these standards as a guide to creating a more complex and absorbing learning experience […]

Good vs. Great Professional Development: Spotting the Differences

While there are many different professional development courses out there, they should not all be treated equally. All programs come with different guidelines, rules and course materials so when it comes to choosing the correct courses for you make sure you know that you are getting a great course and not just a good one. […]

Common Core Resources

CorePlanner.com “Common Core Standards for Kindergarten through 12th grade serve as a map assisting teachers with planning instruction, crafting their own lessons and linking their plans with the standards. CorePlanner enables you to check and document Common Core Standards for Math and English as they apply to each lesson plan.” LearnZillion.com “Amazing teachers, amazing Common Core […]

How to Prepare for the Common Core State Standards in 3 Steps

With a majority of U.S. states on track to fully implementing the Common Core State Standards during this year, many around the nation are left with questions about the changes in education and how the implementation will happen. Whether you’re a fan of the new standards or not, field testing has already started in 36 […]

Five Ways Technology is Changing the School Day (For the Better)

Technology in the classroom is a hot topic in education that continues to be discussed as the presence of technology in everyday life continues to grow. In one camp, there are those who argue that technology in the classroom can be a detriment to learning; a distraction to students. In another, it’s argued that technology, […]

Advantages of online professional development courses

Professional development for teachers has continued to grow in popularity and necessity, with more and more schools and instructors choosing to enlist in courses that can benefit them both personally and professionally. Although traditional professional development courses were taken in classroom settings, online courses have been steadily gaining popularity as many are realizing the advantages […]

Attention Teachers: SAT changes to reflect Common Core by 2016

The College Board recently announced proposed changes to the SAT, the most influential and critical college-admissions exam. The reshaping of the SAT test is said to change the penalty for incorrect guesses, the vocabulary words, and creating an optional essay, with the goal of creating an exam that better reflects the new Common Core standards. […]

Leading Trends in Education To Get Behind

Advancements in technology are reshaping the classroom and the way students and educators interact. Schools around the country are embracing the multimedia revolution and integrating new software and devices into their course work. Here are five trends sweeping the nation in education and how you can jump on board. 1. BYOD. “Bring Your Own Device” […]