This descriptive case study approach with multiple cases and an interrupted time-series design used quantitative and qualitative data to answer two research questions: 1) What changes occur over time in the problem-solving strategies, text-reading accuracy, and phonological knowledge of struggling readers in response to targeted instruction in an…

The 2018 edition of "Technology Counts" is a nationally representative survey of 500 principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders to better understand what principals are thinking and doing about some of the technology issues in their schools today. Contents include: (1) Pressure Points for Principals (Kevin Bushweller);…

During the preschool years children develop many new skills, including gross motor abilities, which serve as a foundation for school readiness skills in areas such as language, socialization and cognition. Like other domains, motor skill development does not happen without practice opportunities. That is, it requires multiple opportunities whereby…

Research shows that U.S. students continue to lag behind in science and mathematics internationally (Fleischman, Hopstock, Pelczar, & Shelley, 2010; Provasnik et al., 2012). A recent study found there is a direct link between students' mastery of academic subjects and their ability to collaboratively problem solve, a critical 21st century…

This article proposes that libraries reimagine their information literacy instructional programs using a broader conceptualization and implementation of information literacy that promotes collaborative and personalized learning experiences for students, faculty, and staff, while embracing scalable instruction and reference strategies to maximize…

This article describes an innovative teaching approach that can offer the changes needed for school improvement. When entering an Education: Basic and Interactive (EBI) classroom, one will see students focused on accomplishing self-guided tasks and eager to move on to the next challenge in their self-paced learning. The EBI Project described here…

Based on reports created for the 2017 National Summit on K-12 Competency-Based Education, this article explores how educators can take action to build momentum for and implement competency education and performance assessment. As a guide to taking action, the article provides the following: (1) links to the four framing reports from the Summit;…

For families with toddlers approaching their third birthdays, parent-child playgroups provide opportunities to support children's school readiness skills and to prepare both children and parents for changes they are likely to encounter during the transition to preschool. However, all transitions are unique; they depend on families' needs and…

One of the most powerful strategies to support next generation science instruction is the use of instructional models. The Biological Sciences Curriculum Study 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) instructional model is arguably the most widely used version of a learning cycle in today's classrooms. The use of the 5Es as an…

At one elementary school in Massachusetts, students are actually excited about homework. In this article, Cathy Vatterott and educators from Vinal Elementary School explain how--and why--they have made the shift to individualized homework, "a methodical, standards-based approach that starts with big ideas and enduring understandings from the…

Before there were children with disabilities in typical schools in North America, there was only hope and need. Before the creation of highly specialized plans of education, individualized instruction techniques, methods of differentiating group instruction or regulations mandating the adherence to government regulations, there were only families,…

Now in its Third Edition--expanded with over 100 new tasks and questions--this bestselling resource helps experienced and novice teachers to effectively and efficiently differentiate mathematics instruction in grades K-8. Math education expert Marian Small shows teachers how to get started and become expert at using two powerful and universal…

This study focused on discovering what instructors' experiences help elementary school students develop not only academically but also socially. This qualitative multiple case study method was guided by Yin, and the purpose of the study was to investigate effective instruction strategies from the perspective of instructors who worked in an…

Diversity in schools is at an all-time high, and student diversity will continue to increase (Crouch, 2012; Tomlinson, Brighton, Hertberg, Callahan, Moon, Brimijoin, Conover, & Reynolds, 2003). The result is a need for teachers to respond to the differences among students. Teachers can respond to student differences through differentiated…

Highline Public Schools is a large suburban school district bordering Seattle in the State of Washington. The district enrolls students in grades Prekindergarten through 12. The student population is diverse. Before Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield began her tenure at the district, the focus for technology was to ensure that equipment was current;…