A blueprint for breakthroughs:Federally funded education research in 2016 and beyond Michael B. Horn A blueprint for breakthroughs:Federally funded education research in 2016 and beyond This white paper examines gaps in the current R&D process and provides concrete recommendations for a more effective approach to education research. May 3, 2016 Michael B. Horn
How to make time for innovation Julia Freeland Fisher How to make time for innovation Last month, I had the privilege of observing a gathering of Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE) districts in Concord, N.H. The PACE pilot program […] Apr 20, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
Is blended learning closing achievement gaps? Julia Freeland Fisher Is blended learning closing achievement gaps? Often when we speak with K–12 educators about blended learning, teachers and leaders working in high-poverty neighborhoods want to know: does blended learning work for […] Apr 8, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
Utah and Florida signed bills to support competency-based learning pilots, but now the real work begins Julia Freeland Fisher Utah and Florida signed bills to support competency-based learning pilots, but now the real work begins This month, governors in Utah and Florida signed bills supporting the creation of competency-based education pilot programs in districts and schools. Utah’s bill, SB 143, […] Apr 7, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
Blended learning up close—really close Julia Freeland Fisher Blended learning up close—really close One of the miracles of modern microscopes is that they allow us to see things so up close that they look nearly unrecognizable. Take the […] Mar 25, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
Beware of taking flexibility a step too far Julia Freeland Fisher Beware of taking flexibility a step too far At its best, online learning can catalyze new heights of flexibility—in path, pace, place, space, and teacher-student interactions—amidst an education landscape that has long looked […] Mar 11, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
Mentorship metrics reconsidered Julia Freeland Fisher Mentorship metrics reconsidered Last week economist Susan Dynarski published a pithy and compelling op-ed in the New York Times calling for the additional supports needed to get low-income […] Mar 1, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
To tackle school climate, rethink student engagement Julia Freeland Fisher To tackle school climate, rethink student engagement Last week, Hillary Clinton’s campaign proposed a $2 billion plan to reform K–12 school disciplinary practices. The plan marks a crucial effort to both ameliorate […] Feb 26, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
Will the decline of AP course offerings spur the rise of Course Access? Julia Freeland Fisher Will the decline of AP course offerings spur the rise of Course Access? Last month, Nat Malkus of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) published a study on the trends in Advanced Placement course offerings in public schools from […] Feb 16, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
Blending learning from the top down or the ground up? Julia Freeland Fisher Blending learning from the top down or the ground up? As more states gear up for online testing regimes, state agencies and advocacy groups are flocking to support digital infrastructure and learning. For example, in […] Feb 10, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
How should we spend $4 billion on computer science education? Get experts involved Julia Freeland Fisher How should we spend $4 billion on computer science education? Get experts involved This week, President Obama announced that he would call for a $4 billion dollar commitment in his 2017 budget to bring computer science education to K-12 […] Feb 3, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher
In search of on-ramps to competency-based learning Julia Freeland Fisher In search of on-ramps to competency-based learning As more and more school systems across the country explore “going competency-based,” we need to be attentive to the processes that will actually allow such […] Jan 26, 2016 Julia Freeland Fisher