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 | Experts: Build on students' strengths, not weaknesses
The most effective instructional strategies help students cultivate their strengths rather than "fix" their weaknesses, many experts say. Although individual weaknesses are a fact of life, productive adults are those who have learned to develop their strengths in a way that compensates for weaknesses, these experts argue. Educational Leadership (9/1)
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| Fixing the gender gap in education
Newsweek quotes experts who argue boys are lagging on virtually every measure of academic success because the American education system has failed to cater to their unique, biologically driven learning styles. Some educators say they believe reviving single-sex schools, giving younger boys male mentors and replacing lectures with fast-paced hands-on activities will help close the gender achievement gap. Newsweek (1/30)
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| Cultural awareness a must in today's schools
U.S. classrooms are getting more culturally diverse every year, and that creates its share of conflicts between teachers and students. Experts say educators must be aware of cultural traits that may affect behavior, and that they also need to focus hard on creating an environment where all students feel accepted. American School Board Journal (1/2006)
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| | Student success depends on quality staff development
The National Staff Development Council (NSDC) is the 12,000-member association
committed to ensuring a successful educational experience for all students through staff
development and school improvement. Join before October 31, 2006 for our special
"baker's dozen": Sign up 12 or more schools in your district—for only $59 each (less
than ½ price)—and get the 13th membership FREE! Call 800-727-7288, or
click here for more information. | | |
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| Ohio schools shed "cookie cutter" approach to learning
Nine districts in Northeast Ohio have embraced "universal design for learning", an educational model that uses teacher collaboration and technology to tailor instruction to individual student needs. Proponents say UDL has reduced the achievement gap and boosted student engagement. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (5/30)
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| Celebrate Strengths, Nurture Affinities: A Conversation with Mel Levine
To prepare kids for adulthood, educators should celebrate students' strengths, so they are able to use these abilities to succeed in life. In an interview with Educational Leadership, Mel Levine, a pediatrician, an internationally known author and the cofounder of the nonprofit institute All Kinds of Minds, elaborates on the ideas that he presented at ASCD's 2006 Annual Conference on the importance of understanding differences in learning. Educational Leadership (9/1)
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| Voc-ed sheds stodgy reputation
Nontraditional offerings such as biotechnology, robotics and aquaculture are fueling a surge in vocational education enrollment nationwide, and many of the students attracted to the programs are high academic achievers, reflecting a shift in the traditional approach to voc-ed. The Boston Globe/Associated Press (4/23)
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 | | This can be the year your district makes genuine strides in professional development. NSDC can help. Join NSDC before October 31, 2006 and take advantage of our special "baker's dozen" offer: Sign up 12 schools in your district—for only $59 each (less than ½ price)—and get the 13th membership FREE! Call us at 800-727-7288, or click here for more information. |
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| School finds success with "boy-friendly" instruction
Educational Leadership takes a look at a Boulder, Colo., school that closed the boy-girl achievement gap in just a year by adopting "boy-friendly" teaching strategies that reinforce natural behaviors such as task-oriented discussion and physical movement. Educational Leadership (9/1)
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| Study: Students learn better from teachers of same gender
Gender is significant when it comes to learning, with boys learning more from male teachers and girls learning more from women, according to a recent study. Girls were found to have higher achievement levels and behave better in classes taught by women, who account for about 80% of teachers in U.S. public schools, while boys did worse with female teachers and better with men. CNN/Associated Press (8/27)
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| Unique school caters to First Nations pupils
Enrollment has been surging at Manitoba's Southeast Collegiate, a residential school run by the Southeast Tribal Council for aboriginal students. Unlike similar boarding schools of the past that forced students to assimilate in the white culture, Southeast Collegiate aims to prepare students to function in either their own world or in the broader multicultural society. The Montreal Gazette (8/28)
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| Some Denver schools reduce achievement gap
In Denver, where Hispanic students districtwide trail white peers in every grade and subject, a handful of schools have successfully boosted Hispanics' performance on state reading and math exams. Those schools use common strategies, such as team teaching and differentiated instruction, as well as unique programs to motivate pupils. Denver Rocky Mountain News (8/14)
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| Differentiated Instruction & Understanding by Design
The ASCD Virtual Symposium on Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design is an online learning extension to the 2006 ASCD Summer Conference. The Virtual Symposium will provide opportunities to listen to recorded presentations by Design experts, react to comments and questions posed by participants, create an online learning community and access additional resources. Find out more.
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| How to Coteach to Meet Diverse Student Needs
When special-education teachers and general education teachers work as equal team members, a school has a powerful way to provide differentiated instruction to meet a wide range of student learning needs. This video explores the qualities of effective coteachers and the planning and support that ensure coteaching works. Find out more
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| Winning Over Challenging Students
During the 2006 ASCD Annual Conference in Chicago, ASCD recorded five sessions highlighting new strategies for educators in overcoming the most difficult challenges with classroom management and student motivation. ASCD's annual conference held sessions including such topics as NCLB, reading and literacy, differentiated instruction and closing achievement gaps. Find out more.
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| Using Assessment in the Differentiated Classroom
Differentiating instruction requires that teachers respond to variations in students' readiness, interest and learning profiles, information best gathered through appropriate use of assessment. This professional development online course will identify uses of assessment to pinpoint students' learning needs, reflect on some principles of differentiated instruction and analyze uses of continual assessment that inform instruction. Find out more.
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| Integrating Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design: Connecting Content and Kids
A curriculum built on the goal of student understanding, integrated with instructional approaches that emphasize reaching every learner, can provide teachers with more specific teaching targets and more flexible ways to reach them. In this book, two of education's leading experts team up to provide a comprehensive and in-depth approach to ensure all students are learning at maximum levels. See sample chapters
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 | It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend."
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Product announcements appearing in SmartBrief are paid advertisements and do not
reflect actual ASCD endorsements. The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily
reflect the official position of ASCD.
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