Jon Skolnick, Ed.L.D

While summer learning programs are getting underway, it’s not too late to incorporate the Science of Reading into what your library has planned. We know that summer learning programs in public libraries can be a vital resource for maintaining and improving early literacy skills, as well as help close achievement gaps brought about by systemic barriers in education. As Harvard researchers noted in 2013, summer reading interventions can especially have a positive impact on the reading comprehension ability of low-income children. In a new blog post on the Urban Libraries Council blog, learn about 5 ways libraries can easily integrate the science of reading into existing summer programming. https://lnkd.in/eVhDQNwT

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I love centering discussions around a text because of how it makes for rich discussion. What better way to do that than bring colleagues together to read relevant research? Join me for a “Text Talk” centered on “Improving Teaching Practice with Instructional Coaching” published by Laura Neergaard Booker and Jennifer Lin Russell. This research brief is full of actionable ways to improve our instructional coaching systems. **SWOON** Join me to read and discuss this resource in an informal collegial conversation! Folks who register will get a copy of the research brief to preread and the recording of the conversation. You may be interested in this if you… - Want clarity about the gaps in your system - Serve as a literacy leader (at any level) - Are a building or system leader reflecting on coaching - Have an interest in improving outcomes through instructional coaching I invite you to join me on May 28th at 2:30PM EST. Let’s talk about instructional coaching! Register at bit.ly/may28LRCworkshop #coaching #everyonedeservesacoach #instructionalcoaching #educationalconsulting #coach #teachercoach #removeshamefromteaching #vulnerability #coachingstrategies #principals #leadership #leaders #themoreyouknow #knowbetterdobetter #educoach #webinar #freeworkshop

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This article sheds light on the challenging decisions district leaders face amidst budget shortfalls and declining enrollment. Marguerite Roza insightful analysis delves into the tough choices between school closures and cutting back on vital services like counseling and electives. With many districts navigating these dilemmas, exploring AI tools such as Microsoft's Copilot and Khanmigo could be pivotal in maintaining quality education amidst resource constraints. If you are a district leader, how are you thinking of leveraging AI to ameliorate the challenges of budget reductions? Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/g89HwRES #AI #Khanmigo #Micrsosoft

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School accountability systems often stumble on their own design, and then their validity is threatened. In the first of a three-part blog series, Juan D'Brot and W. Christopher Brandt explore how systems should balance simplicity with complexity.  https://loom.ly/hvS365E

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One of the challenges in navigating culturally responsive, relevant, and sustaining approaches to pedagogy and assessment in state and district systems has been (1) parsing what people mean when they use different language, (2) and figuring out how different frameworks can help us center issues like criticality, fidelity to shared standards, and who has agency, depending on the specific goals of a given context. My friend and colleague Robbin Thornton Riedy has written a brief review of the literature surrounding different culturally conscious frameworks and the implications for assessment design. What I appreciate more than anything is that Robbin's cut encourages us to look deeper than a colloquial take on words like "responsive" and "relevant". Instead, she asks readers to lean into not only the contexts within which different frameworks were born, but also the issues they center, and the implications when they are taken up in a broader way in educational systems. https://lnkd.in/eEBxPwZe

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If observations are going to improve teaching and learning, then teachers have to enjoy them and feel like the process is a safe endeavor. This sampling of words from a survey of teachers in a Trust-Based Observations school in a small California district give us an idea of the positive teacher mindset about observations that I'm talking about. Make no mistake about it, when we stick to traditional models of observation, when we at any time as part of this process are rating or providing grades on pedagogy, all of our best efforts to build relational trust with our teachers will be diminished and resistance will be the result. I know many of you feel that resistance despite your best efforts. It's not your fault--you are using your best emotionally intelligent self and all your kindness--but research shows the rating/grading gets in the way of our best efforts to create a culture of trust that leads to collective teacher efficacy. If you're interested, we can show you a new system and observations can become a joy (believe it or not) for you and for your teachers--it's the breakthrough you are looking for on the path to schoolwide growth. Please reach out: https://lnkd.in/emQvMUxJ

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School and District leaders with strategically designed Comprehensive Literacy Plans have clearly outlined what educators and learners need for success across the K-12 trajectory. Let’s collaborate and learn the critical components of effective plans. https://lnkd.in/g52Q3meB

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We know vetting and reviewing apps for teaching and learning is daunting but necessary for an open, trusted, and innovative edtech ecosystem. 1EdTech Consortium, CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), Digital Promise, InnovateEDU, ISTE, and SETDA want to help. That’s why we’ve pledged to work together and establish Five Quality Indicators for EdTech & AI Products. This collaboration aims to reduce the massive duplication of effort in school districts nationwide that go through detailed review processes for apps before they can be approved for use. A consistent set of quality indicators, when validated by trusted experts, saves time for school leaders who are already overwhelmed with other critical responsibilities. Learn more about how we can ease the burden on schools: https://lnkd.in/gDvQjvth

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Attention School Leaders: NCEE’s newly released Framework for AI-Powered Learning is now available! Learn how to strategically implement AI in your schools with our short and long-term planning guidance. Discover global best practices and start transforming your educational environment today. And let me know what you are trying in your schools so others around the country can learn from you and your students! #LearningToLeading #SchoolLeadership #AILiteracy #FutureOfEd #TeachAI https://bit.ly/4cM2rjj

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High quality instructional materials matter in PreK, too!

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Our new study, with Christina Weiland, Jennifer K. Duer, Meghan McCormick, Allison Friedman-Krauss, Mirjana Pralica, Samantha Xia & Shira Mattera highlights that strong policies are needed to ensure that private provider and public school classrooms have comparable quality and child outcomes. The findings underscore the need for further research and policy focus to ensure equitable, high-quality Pre-K access and to narrow opportunity gaps before kindergarten entry. https://lnkd.in/eZ_6aMsZ

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💡📚This article dives deep into the transformative effects of inquiry-based learning, showcasing the profound impact when students take the reins of their education. It's truly inspiring to see how fostering curiosity and empowering students to ask meaningful questions can unlock their potential in ways traditional methods cannot. As educators, we understand that preparing students for real life goes beyond memorization and regurgitation of facts. That's why Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs play a crucial role in our educational framework. #EmpowerStudents

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🌟 Navigating Budget Cuts in Education: Insights from District Leaders 📉 As federal relief funds near expiration, districts nationwide face tough choices. Kari McGann of Flemington-Raritan School District reflects, "We peel away layers of the onion as far away from the core as we can. But eventually we’re going to touch that core." 🍎💬 Cuts in essential services impact equity, urging for federal guidance to protect student needs. Let's collaborate to innovate and secure sustainable funding. Contact Bluum for support in these critical decisions. 🌟🎓💡 #EducationLeadership #BudgetCuts #StudentEquity

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There are lots of strong opinions on this topic, I am curious about yours. Some thoughts, we continue to ask more of teachers. It might make sense to reduces class sizes if we are asking teacher to further differentiate instruction. I do think separate schools especially for in the Elementary space is the wrong idea. Kids need to be about the meet and make friends with all types of children. I have questions about the goals of SPS, if we would like to identify a more proportionate representation of students as HC, lets try that. First, SPS has implemented a universal screening. If there is still a disproportionate result it might be helpful to identify those students on the cusp and provide additional supports to both families and children (tutoring, family Ed resources, or parent coaching).

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Check out this brief by Daniel Buck! "We tend to conceive of struggling readers as lacking basic decoding skills and phonemic awareness, so busy stumbling over simple words that they can’t really attend to comprehension. Yet for every kid who struggles to decode, there’s another who reads fluently but betrays a lack of understanding." I agree with Natalie Wexler that educators need to develop student's content knowledge and vocabulary, and their students need access to complex syntax so they can actually comprehend what they've decoded. At Renaissance Learning we understand this priority, and we provide students with over 8,200 books via our myON digital library. Rich, complex, grade-level books are a click away! Let's explicitly and systematically teach content knowledge!

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👨‍🏫 “Teachers are not leaving their profession, they’re leaving their working conditions” 🎙 That’s an insight that Andi Fourlis, superintendent of Mesa Public Schools, shared with me in our recent conversation about her district’s team teaching initiatives. 👍 I have long been an advocate for team teaching, so I loved learning about the ways the switch has made an impact in Andi’s district. • Teachers are feeling less isolated and retention is up • The leadership opportunities presented by the team structure has teachers seeing a longer term future in the profession  • Teaching teams are incorporated into planning and decision-making processes • Teams have the flexibility to match students with what they need when they need it  • Schools don’t need to rely on subs when a teacher is out—their teams are there to step up 💡 But it has been a big change that has required rethinking processes, redesigning physical spaces and changing attitudes. Learn more about how Andi and her team are overcoming those in our full conversation below. 👇 Let us know what you’ve learned about team teaching in the comments!

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Equity begins by crafting a school schedule that takes into account a school community’s mission and its students’ needs, ensuring that purposeful practice in literacy is individualized and dynamic. I have worked with schools and districts across the country looking for scheduling guidance to plan the most impactful educational programming possible, and I’m excited to share that Renaissance Learning is providing this eBook to school and district leaders everywhere. We worked hard to think through the steps, validated with colleagues in the field, and itemized crucial considerations at both the school and district levels. Take a peek and let me know what you think: What is an aha moment? What is missing? How do you ensure the best systems and structures to uphold the promises of MTSS? Of purposeful practice?

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