Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Salem-Keizer Oregon School District Finds Impressive Results using PD 360

Large, Suburban Oregon District Builds Focused Differentiated Learning with PD 360

Serving nearly 41,000 students in 67 schools, Salem-Keizer Public Schools has been working hard on increasing student achievement, and it shows. Their focus on Common Core, student engagement, closing the achievement gap, etc., aligned with successful PD 360 implementation has made all the difference.

From 2008 to 2012:
·      Dropout rates decreased from 7.20 percent to 2.63 percent
·      AP exams had a 17 percent increase in student performance
·      AP participation increased by 35 percent
·      Sophomores taking the PSAT/NMSQT increased by 2,580 students


Friday, June 6, 2014

Whatiscommoncore.org Shows How the Common Core State Standards Have Wide Support, Drive Economic Growth and Success

School Improvement Network Launches New Comprehensive Resource Showing How the Common Core State Standards Will Drive Economic Growth, Support for the Standards by Educators, Parents, Business Leaders

Whatiscommoncore.org, a new website showing how the Common Core State Standards will drive economic growth and stability, and support for the Standards from business leaders, educators and parents.

“In the midst of political agendas and misconceptions, the Common Core State Standards have become overly political and gravely misunderstood,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “Simply put, the Common Core State Standards are a progressive set of educational standards that drive students towards college and career readiness, spur economic growth and development through building a qualified workforce with critical job skills, and foster societal growth for communities, states, and the entire nation.”

Whatiscommoncore.org combines explanation of the Common Core State Standards with real video examples of the Standards being taught by master teachers, the results of national surveys showing educator and parent support for the Standards, the myths surrounding the Standards, the business leaders and organizations supporting the Standards, and evidence showing how the Common Core Standards will drive economic growth and stability for communities, states, and the nation.

Click here to visit Whatiscommoncore.org.

Click here for free resources and information for implementing the Common Core State Standards on the Common Core Blog.

Kansas School Turnaround - A Success Story

See the School Turnaround That Transformed a Rural Kansas School District from the State’s Lowest Testing School into a Top Performer

Leaders Increased Student Achievement and Educator Effectiveness with the Educator Effectiveness System.  View our recent case study showing the school turnaround in a rural Kansas school district that transformed it from the state’s lowest testing district to one of the top three districts with the Educator Effectiveness System. With this holistic system, district leaders increased student achievement in math and reading, educator leadership skills, and educator enthusiasm.

 “We applaud Southeast USD 247 for their dedication and progress towards increasing educator effectiveness and helping every student graduate college and career ready,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “The Educator Effectives System has driven hundreds of school turnarounds by giving schools and systems the resources to support educators in every aspect of their professional growth and personalize resources to their specific needs, helping them become as effective as possible to increase student mastery and college and career readiness.”

 Using the Educator Effectiveness System, Kansas’ Southeast USD 247 saw school turnarounds as the district went from having the lowest test scores in the state to rising to become one of the state’s top three districts in math, reading and science. The Educator Effectiveness System has also increased leadership skills among educators and teacher enthusiasm. The Educator Effectiveness System is an end-to-end professional learning solution with thousands of tools and resources that fills professional development needs, provides complete support for Common Core implementation challenges, delivers powerful observation and evaluation tools, and more.

Click here to see the full report on the school turnaround in a rural Kansas district using the Educator Effectiveness System.

Click here to see independent research on the impact of the tools within the Educator Effectiveness System that have powered thousands of school turnarounds nationwide.

Click here for more information about the Educator Effectiveness System.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

How are the Common Core State Standards being Implemented in Your State?


We are following up on a survey we did a few months back on the Common Core State Standards and would love to hear your voice.

Common Core Survey - Win a Kindle Fire
Has your state adopted the Common Core State Standards? Have you received any training on the standards? What level of public support have you seen?

Let us know in this three-part survey and be automatically entered for a chance to win a free Kindle Fire HD!

Giveaway ends June 12, 2014, and the winners will be notified by email and announced on our Facebook page.