6.1.23 Carolyn Frost, NWEA A simple idea for adding crosscutting concepts to science lessons My stepdaughter is attending nursing school. During her initial hospital rotations, she wondered if she had made a mistake. She thought nursing would be more than distributing medications and giving... Read more
5.30.23 Steven Wise, NWEA Don’t test after lunch: Time of day affects test-taking engagement When we assess a student’s achievement using MAP® Growth™, we assume they remain fully engaged throughout the test. This assumption allows us to view their RIT score as an accurate indicator of... Read more
5.25.23 Megan Kuehl, NWEA Free lesson plans for your science classroom are here I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: science is not neutral. Given this reality, it makes sense that students need opportunities to see science through an equity lens and build the skills... Read more
5.23.23 Michael Dahlin, NWEA Measuring growth and understanding negative growth As an NWEA researcher, I often answer questions about how to interpret changes in observed scores on MAP® Growth™. Measuring student growth with MAP Growth is a lot like measuring growth in height... Read more
5.18.23 Cindy Jiban, NWEA How responsive teaching can transform reading instruction How much do we want all our students to be successful in reading? I’ll borrow a phrase from my son when he was little and say, “Infinity much.” We can all get behind that statement. So how... Read more
5.16.23 Michael Dahlin, NWEA To measure a year’s growth, begin with the student The research team at NWEA serves our educational partners by offering technical support on a range of assessment issues, including how to understand and use MAP® Growth™ norms. One common... Read more
5.12.23 Chad Aldeman, freelance writer State test results must be released more quickly to benefit kids Over the next two months, at least 25 million elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide will sit down for state exams in reading, math, and science. Most caregivers will want... Read more
5.11.23 Kailey Rhodes, Northwest Academy 10 ways I’m putting myself first this summer When I was a new teacher, summer became a “parking lot” of my ideas. During the school year, whenever I would realize an opportunity for growth in myself, I would think, “That’s what... Read more
5.9.23 Lindsay Deacon, NWEA 4 conditions for maintaining instructional coaching success at the end of the school year The end of the school year is a time for celebration and reflection—and it’s important to make sure instructional coaching doesn’t get swept aside by urgent tasks, like testing season... Read more
5.4.23 Cindy Jiban, NWEA How to use progress monitoring to close gaps in foundational reading skills When we use progress monitoring with a student, will we close gaps in learning? Maybe, but maybe not. It all depends on how we respond to the data. So how can we be planful and clear about... Read more
5.2.23 Scott Adamson, Chandler-Gilbert Community College Why it’s important to support fluency in mathematics The idea of fluency is big in K–12 mathematics education. However, there is not a clear, shared meaning of the word. In fact, if you were to ask educators to define “fluency” in the... Read more
4.28.23 Lindsay Kubatzky, NCLD States must keep the needs of all students in mind as they revamp assessments The pandemic took an extraordinary toll on teaching and learning in US schools; however some groups of students, including those with disabilities, were disproportionately impacted. The negative... Read more