EdSurge Article Outlines the First Steps for Switching to a Personalized Learning Environment

EdSurge Article Outlines the First Steps for Switching to a Personalized Learning Environment

An article published on edsurge.com describes the strategies used by Weber School District to transform their traditional learning environment into one that delivers personalized learning.

Read an article detailing the strategies used by Weber School District in Ogden, Utah, to implement a blended personalized learning environment has been published on edsurge.com, an online ed. tech resource and community.

The strategies described in the article are meant to guide education leaders who are considering making the switch from a traditional classroom to a personalized learning environment. To this end, the article provides advice on how best to take the first steps in that transformation.

The first step for Weber has been to establish a single-school pilot called Weber Innovation High School, which will open its doors in August of this year. For help in supporting personalized learning at Innovation High, Weber has turned to School Improvement Network, a company with extensive experience in working with K-12 schools.  The high school will use the company’s Edivate Learn platform, a next-generation learning system that includes digital content from providers such as Accelerate Learning, Pearson, and Khan Academy. The platform also features tools that allow users to create individualized learning paths for each student. In addition to the Edivate Learn platform, School Improvement Network will provide training for both teachers and administrators to enable the transformation.

To read the EdSurge article detailing the steps that Weber School District is taking in its transformation to personalized learning, click here.

Jeb Bush and the Common Core - How the Common Core is Here to Stay

The Common Core is Tough! Three Reasons Things Will Get Better Quickly (and a Resource to Help Expedite the Process)

By Cameron Pipkin

For most of us, full-blown Common Core implementation is a forgone conclusion. True, there are a few states—Indiana, South Carolina, Oklahoma—that have repealed the Core, and another handful that never adopted it at all, but as of right now 40 states remain Common Core compliant. And despite the desperate hopes of haters, I don’t see that number dipping significantly anytime soon.

This means that by fall of 2015, the vast majority of educators in the US will have at least one year of Common Core implementation under their belts, along with assessment scores to show for it. It also means that for school and district leaders in their first year of implementation, things are about to get even harder.

Why?

Put simply, all the people in your life—teachers, colleagues, parents of students, school board member, etc.—who oppose the Common Core will have a lot more ammunition. And when I say ammunition, I mean the low Common Core assessment scores you’re nearly guaranteed to see in year one.

Of course, low scores won’t distress you. You expected your students to struggle on the Common Core assessments in year one. Your schools are at ground zero of a drastically new way of teaching coupled with a dramatically new way of testing. Things are bound to be tough for a little while.

The haters, however, won’t hear any of that. They’ll see a large dip in student achievement one year to the next and they’ll cry foul. They’ll march to school board meetings, write their senators, hold rallies, and maybe even call for your job. Honestly, there’s not a whole lot you can do about this. Haters are gonna hate.

But there is good news.

First, you should know that you’re not alone. Every state that has implemented the Common Core thus far has seen significant drops in student assessment scores in year one. You probably already know this.

Second, as we’ve discussed frequently in this blog, there are good reasons to believe that if you work hard, work smart, and stay the course, things will get better very soon. States that have been implementing the Core for years are actually seeing really encouraging results. There’s no reason to believe that this won’t happen in your schools as well.

Third, there are fantastic resources out there to help you (like the ones you’ll find on every page of this blog, for example). And if you’re dealing with bad Common Core PR in your school, district, or community, there’s help for that too.

For example, Jeb Bush (yes that Jeb Bush) and his Foundation for Excellence in Education will soon be offering online courses focusing on how to promote the idea that the standards are necessary for national security, why data collection is essential, and how to win over parents, teachers, and citizens in the education reform conversation. The courses will be designed specifically for policy makers, but I’m willing to bet the curriculum will be of use to education leaders as well.

Whether you agree with his politics or not, I’m sure you’ll find much of the advice helpful in turning around perceptions and creating buy-in for the Common Core among your stakeholders.

Jeb Bush Offering Online Courses Promoting Common Core read the article about the upcoming courses.

Click here to sign up for a free education policy course from the Foundation for Excellence in Education

The Nine Key Criteria that make a Common Core-Aligned Performance Task Effective

The Nine Key Criteria that make a Common Core-Aligned Performance Task Effective.

In our last blog post, we wrote about author and education expert Jay McTighe’s advice for designing rich performance tasks that can prepare students more effectively for the rigor of Common Core assessments.

In this post, we’ll share his list of nine criteria for judging whether a Common Core-aligned performance task you’ve created is of high quality.

McTighe suggests rating your tasks on a scale of 1-3 for each of the following characteristics, with 1 meaning “not yet,” 2 meaning “somewhat,” and 3 meaning “extensively”:

1. Addresses and assesses targeted standards or outcomes.

1. Calls for understanding and transfer of knowledge.

Requires extended thinking—not just a simple answer (levels 3 or 4 in Webb’s Depth of Knowledge framework).

4. Is set in an “authentic” context.

5. Includes criteria or rubrics targeting distinct traits of understanding and successful performance—that is, these criteria don’t simply focus on the surface features of a product or performance.

6. The task directions for students are clear.

These three additional criteria are optional, he says:

7. Allows students to demonstrate their understanding or proficiency with some appropriate choice or variety.

8. Effectively integrates two or more subject areas.

9. Incorporates appropriate use of technology.

McTighe’s book, Core Learning: Assessing What Matters Most, was published using School Improvement Network’sLumiBook platform, a robust eBook platform that includes weblinks, video clips, and opportunities for discussion with the author and with other readers.

In McTighe’s LumiBook, you can find dozens of templates and examples of rich performance tasks that are Common Core-aligned. There is also a free webinar in which he explains some of the core concepts from his LumiBook.

Five Key Strategies for Developing High-Growth Schools - Free Webinar

Watch the Recorded Webinar Presented by Bobby Moore and School Improvement Network

To help schools achieve high student academic growth, it helps to examine not only what teachers do in the classroom, but also what schools and districts do system wide.

In this webinar, Dr. Bobby Moore, Senior Director of Battelle for Kids, will examine the five key strategies that Ohio school districts participating in the SOAR School Improvement Collaborative are using to become highly effective systems that produce significant student gains.

The five key strategies are:

• Limiting goals and/or initiatives to focus on student learning
• Establishing important structures and routines
• Developing a balanced assessment system
• Using multiple measures to inform improvement and accountability
• Empowering teachers and developing leaders system-wide

Learn from school leaders in districts across the country about their experiences in adopting these strategies for student success.


Suggested audience: Central office staff, principals, and teachers

The PowerPoint and a Certificate of completion for PD credit is available.

To watch the webinar click here

The Real Value of Teachers and How to Support Them

Last week, our CEO and President, Chet Linton, was a guest on KSL Studio 5 explaining new research about the economic value of an effective teacher and five ways parents can better support their students’ teachers.

Here are some highlights of the research and insights he shared:

The Economic Impact of a Teacher – An effective teacher who teaches for 30 years with an average class size of 25 students whose students all go on to earn college degrees or technical certificates has a $930 million positive impact.

The Social Impact of a Teacher – These same teachers also contribute to a:

• 19% drop in welfare dependence
• 22% drop in divorce
• 19% drop in smoking
• 12% drop in obesity
• 28% drop in incarceration

How to Support Effective Teachers – Here are five ways parents can better support teachers to help their students get the most out of their education and training:

1. Prep your student – Help your students arrive at school on time, well rested and fed, and prepared for a full day of learning. Help them understand the value of an education and the impact it will have on their life.
2. Volunteer – Be a classroom aide or offer other help that your students’ teachers might need.
3. Be the bridge – Help students understand what the teacher wants them to learn in a specific assignment and why they need to do it. Put it into context and help make their homework relevant to them.
4. Show school spirit – Get involved in the PTA, go to parent-teacher conferences, and go to school functions and events.
5. Support quality training – Vote for and support ballot measures and candidates that support quality training for teachers and education funding.

Watch the complete interview on how you can support teachers.

National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month: 10 Strategies to Stop Bullying

School Improvement Network Releases Infographic Showing Prevalence and Impact of Bullying, 10 Strategies to Prevent It

Check out our new infographic on bullying prevention in honor of Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month showing the prevalence and effects of bullying in schools, and 10 strategies to stop bullying in any school or classroom. The infographic, accompanying resources, and additional tools are available to all educators on the company’s main site.

“Bullying, in all its manifestations, is a very real and serious problem for thousands of students nationwide, preventing them from learning effectively and thriving at school,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “These resources, compiled from our decades of researching and documenting best educational practices, can help educators everywhere combat bullying, so every student can learn, grow, and master the skills they need to graduate ready for college, a career and life.”

The infographic provides educators an overview of bullying forms, effects, prevalence, and prevention strategies. Highlights include:

• One in every four students is bullied
• One in every 10 students drops out of school due to bullying
• Children who are bullied are more likely to have migraines, depression, anxiety, and consider or attempt suicide

Despite these grim statistics, research shows there are 10 strategies educators can use to stop bullying, including:

• Change the school environment
• Organize an anti-bullying committee
• Train staff in prevention
• Devote class time to prevention
• Increase adult supervision in “hot spots”

In addition to a full explanation of the strategies, the infographic points educators to a free trial of Edivation, where they can access more anti-bullying resources.

Click here to see the infographic on the effects of bullying and 10 strategies to prevent it.

New Classroom Management Strategy Increases Student Engagement

School Improvement Network Video Segment Shows How to Use Nonverbal Praise Routines to Increase Student Engagement

new video segment showing a classroom management strategy to increase student engagement using nonverbal praise routines. The video segment is available to all educators as part of the weekly publication, “Strategy of the Week.”

“As part of our cause of helping 100 percent of educators become effective so that 100 percent of students can become college and career ready, we’ve dedicated the last two decades to creating the resources educators need to become as effective as possible in everything from classroom management to standard-specific instruction,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “When fully implemented and integrated, these resources can boost teacher effectiveness, increase student engagement, and even raise student achievement.”

In the new classroom management video segment, educators will learn how to use nonverbal praise routines to increase student engagement and involvement, and contribute to a greater sense of classroom community.

Click here to see the new classroom management video segment and how to increase student engagement with nonverbal praise routines.

Click here to see other teaching strategies in “Strategy of the Week.”

Click here to gain access to more classroom management video segments with a free trial of Edivation.

Lesson for Common Core Math Standard 6

New School Improvement Network Video Shows a Master Teacher’s Lesson for Common Core Math Standard 6

View the Strategy of the Week segment showing a master teacher’s lesson for the Common Core Math Standards. The video segment is available to all educators as part of the weekly publication “Strategy of the Week.”

“After decades of research documenting the best practices in education in classrooms around the world, we’ve captured master teachers in action demonstrating everything from how to teach the skills in the Common Core Math Standards or any state-specific standards to effective classroom management,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “With these resources, educators have access to what they need to be continually improving their practice to be as effective as possible.”

In this video, educators will see a master teacher’s lesson for Common Core Math Standard 6 to help students know how to calculate accurately and efficiently and communicate precisely to others. The video aligns to Common Core Standard MP.6.

Click here to see the video of a master teacher’s lesson for Common Core Math Standard 6.

Click here to see other teaching strategies from master teachers on the Strategies in Teaching blog.

Click here to see other lessons and videos in “Strategy of the Week.”

Eighth Grade Common Core Math Lesson

Eighth Grade Common Core Math Lesson to Analyze and Solve Linear Equations

 view our new blog post featuring an eighth grade Common Core math lesson to analyze and solve linear equations available to all educators on the Common Core Blog. The Common Core Blog is written by present and former educators to provide resources for implementing the Common Core math and ELA standards.

“The Common Core State Standards are designed to progressively lead students to master the 21st century skills they need to succeed in college and a career when they graduate from high school,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “Through resources like Edivation and the Common Core Blog, we strive to provide all educators with the tools and resources they need to implement the Common Core with fidelity, including Common Core math and ELA lessons, real video examples of master teachers teaching to the Common Core Standards, and the Learning Progressions tool to help educators see the skills students need to master for each grade and subject.”

In this Common Core Blog post, educators will see a master teacher’s Common Core math lesson for teaching how to analyze and solve linear equations, including how to help students set up the equations, work in groups, and explain their work.

Click here to see the Common Core math lesson on the Common Core Blog.

Click here to see other Common Core resources on the Common Core Blog.

Click here to learn more about the Common Core resources in Edivation.

Report Finds That Teacher Evaluations Need Further Support

School Improvement Network Releases Report of Professional Development Policy for Teacher Evaluation Support in all 50 States

Results Show Dearth of Policy or Guidance in Majority of States, Hindering Impact of Teacher Evaluations

SALT LAKE CITY—July 10, 2014—School Improvement Network, the leader in educator effectiveness systems, today announced a report on teacher professional development policy in all 50 states showing a dearth of guiding support for districts in the majority of states. Taken as a whole, the report findings indicate that schools, districts, and states lack the professional development and support needed to make soon mandated teacher evaluations a meaningful part of professional growth towards educator effectiveness.

“Teachers are, and always have been, our number one priority,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “For evaluations and observations to have a meaningful impact on educators and the students they teach, educators must have the personalized resources and support they need to improve practice and spur professional growth. Without this connection, evaluations are merely compliance.”

The report includes the following key findings:

• Only four states—Connecticut, Kentucky, New Jersey and South Dakota—have made strides in creating systems to support teachers around new evaluations
• Most states could only speculate about the efforts by local education agencies to build teacher capacity around evaluation, especially in connection with personalized professional learning plans
• Eight states were confident local education agencies were developing and implementing such a support system
• Nine states are still in flux over their evaluation system, preventing work towards corresponding professional growth plans
• Four states’ teacher evaluation systems do not include a professional learning provision for teachers
• Fifteen states offer no funding or give funding on a limited basis for professional support and resources

The report also includes detailed case studies on the work and progress in the four states that have made progress in creating a system to support teachers in evaluations, and more explanations and findings about the status of projects tying professional development to teacher evaluations in other states.

A complete view of the report can be found at http://www.schoolimprovement.com/research/white-papers-brochures/beyond-teacher-evaluation/.

Classroom Management Webinar - RIck Smith Author of Conscious Classroom Management

New Webinar Gives Back-to-School Classroom Management Strategies from Education Experts

Education Expert Rick Smith Gives Classroom Management Strategies from New LumiBook

Coming up on July 17, 2014 we have a free webinar with back-to-school classroom management tips from education expert Rick Smith from his new LumiBook, “Conscious Classroom Management: Unlocking the Secrets of Great Teaching, Second Edition.”

“In our work with over 1.2 million educators nationwide, classroom management is always a focus of educators to increase student engagement and learning,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “The insights from Rick Smith’s webinar and new LumiBook give educators ready-to-implement ideas and strategies that can make meaningful improvements in their classroom.”

In this webinar, educators will learn dozens of practical strategies to implement from the first day of school until the end of the year, including:

• Three keys to increasing consistency
• Five nonverbal procedures to save time and motivate your students
• Three teacher assumptions that invite student cooperation
• How to discipline students from across the room
• How to succeed with difficult students
• How to grow in inner authority
• How and when to use consequences
• How to “hold your ground” in ways that invite student cooperation
• Practical approaches for motivating your reluctant learners
• A variety of "nuts and bolts" that are vital for classroom survival
• Strategies that result in reduced anxiety and a fresher, more positive approach to teaching

The webinar will be held Thursday, July 17, at 4 p.m. EST.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Click here for more information about Rick Smith’s new LumiBook, “Conscious Classroom Management: Unlocking the Secrets of Great Teaching, Second Edition.”

School Improvement Network Releases Edivation, a New Personalized and Adaptive Learning Solution for Educators

Edivation Replaces PD 360 and Brings a New On-Demand Professional Learning Platform, Personalized Content Recommendations, and Advanced User Interface

PD 360 is now Edviation. This represents a significant new direction for School Improvement Network, and the new platform will be the single vehicle for innovative personalized learning products for educators in the future.

“The evolution from PD 360 to Edivation is yet another landmark in School Improvement Network’s long history of innovating education,” said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. “In 1991, we were the first company to document classroom best practices on video. In 2007, we were the first to deliver these resources online and on demand. Now, in 2014, with the transformation of PD 360 to Edivation, we are the first education company to create a resource that intelligently serves personalized content from a rich supply of resources research-proven to increase student achievement and educator effectiveness.”

The name Edivation derives from “edification,” “innovation,” “elevation,” and “motivation,” meant to represent the breadth and depth of the resources available to support educators in every aspect of their work beyond professional development content. The green “i” in the logo represents “implementation” and “individualized” or personalized” learning.

Through Edivation, educators will have access to the resources formerly available in PD 360, Common Core 360 and Observation 360 (the Educator Effectiveness System), such as thousands of videos showing best practices in education with master teachers, lesson plans and classroom aids, meaningful and personalized observation templates, and access to a professional learning community of more than a million educators. But with Edivation, these resources will be automatically served to educators based on their profile and administrator-assigned PD. In coming months, this Edivation feature will be expanded to deliver educators personalized content based on their interests and previous searches. Administrators can also seamlessly make and implement professional development plans for an entire district or system or a single educator.

Independent, peer-reviewed research in the Journal of Instructional Psychology found that when educators used the tools within Edivation for at least 10 minutes a week, student proficiency on standardized tests increased by an average of 18 percent in a single year compared to district averages. The same study showed dropout rates decreased by 20 percent, discipline issues decreased by 33 percent, and 10 percent more students expressed intention of attending college compared to district averages.

For more information about Edivation, visit http://www.edivation.com/. 

Personalized Learning Solution for Students with GAGE

The GAGE personalized learning program is available to selected school districts this fall for the 2014-2015 school year. 

Our personalized learning solution GAGE is now scalable across any school or system. GAGE provides everything needed to transform a traditional school or district into a personalized learning environment and gives districts the ability to provide personalized, mastery-based learning along with real-time professional development resources for educators combined into a single system.

"True personalized learning has the potential to revolutionize education by allowing educators to meet the precise and unique needs of 100 percent of students, but has never before been possible because educators have not had the tools and resources to implement a sustainable model," said Chet D. Linton, CEO and president of School Improvement Network. "Now, the personalized learning transformation powered by GAGE provides the technology and curriculum students need bundled with the training, support, and reporting educators need to engage students in a higher level of thinking and learning, making personalized learning a scalable reality for any school or system."

Personalized learning with GAGE shifts pedagogical practice to help students take ownership of their learning experience, including ho, when, and where they learn. Beginning at their current level of understanding, students are able to use a range of activities based on their personal interests, learning styles, and goals, ultimately leading them to subject mastery at their individual pace. By teaching students "how to learn," this personalized learning system transforms education into a lifelong learning experience by equipping students with the skills they need to compete in a modern global economy and continue learning and finding solutions to problems independently.

GAGE is delivered on the Agilix xLi platform, a proven and scalable learning platform and was field tested and proven in multiple schools and districts before becoming available to all districts and systems.

"Education is moving to personalized learning because it has been shown to be a more effective model," said Curt Allen, CEO of Agilix. "School districts need the platforms, tools, and professional development support required to provide these new opportunities for their students. School Improvement Network's personalized learning solution GAGE pulls all these elements together in an integrated, scalable, and sustainable way. We are pleased to provide the platform for the delivery of this solution."

GAGE includes content from multiple curriculum partners, including Compass Learning®, Blended Schools Network, The NROC Project, and Qlovi. These resources, combined with School Improvement Network's tools, give districts and school systems everything they need to launch and sustain a personalized learning environment, including an engaging K-12 centric user experience, a digital library of K-12 curriculum aligned to the Common Core or any states standards, data-driven dashboards and analytics, and the most robust professional development resources and educator community available.

The new solution also provides the flexibility for districts to customize and supplement the digital curriculum library with their own resources, OER, or content from other publishers such as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Pearson, Compass Learning, and others.

The GAGE personalized learning program is available to selected school districts this fall for the 2014-2015 school year. District administrators interested in being considered for inclusion in this program should contact School Improvement Network at gage@schoolimprovement.com.

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

watch the video and case study.  

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.

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. 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.

School Improvement Innovation Summit 2014 - September 29 - October 1

The education experience you won’t soon forget.

Expand your thinking. Connect with top educators. And build the future of learning.

When: September 29–October 1 Where: Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah

Make plans to attend SIIS 2014, an intimate gathering of like-minded educators seeking to expand thinking, ideals, and vision. Join this group of visionaries who want to help build the future of teaching and learning. Come to learn, make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and reaffirm your love of teaching.

More than a conference, SIIS is an educational adventure of exploration, learning, discovery, and engagement. It’s a celebration of education and the purpose behind our profession. And it’s also an opportunity to have fun—to experience our annual welcome lu’au with great food, authentic island music, and amazing dance performances.

At SIIS 2014, you’ll go home with:

• An understanding of how to use powerful professional learning tools to createsignificant improvement in student achievement
• Valuable, productive relationships with other education leaders
• Insight into education from the student’s perspective

You’ll walk away with not only strategic frameworks and actionable tools, but also a refreshed sense of purpose and a positive outlook toward the future of education.

 Learn more at www.SIIS2014.com

NEW PD 360 Video Demo Live

The new PD 360 is Coming July 2014

We've just released the video demo of the new PD 360. This release is more than a feature freshener. It’s an entirely new platform with a new interface that learns what each of your teachers needs and automatically directs them to personalized resources.

Watch the video below - Just click.

Learn more about the exciting new changes at www.thenewpd360.com

School Improvement Innovation Summit - Sept. 29 - Oct. 1

More than just an education event. 

The School Improvement Innovation Summit (SIIS) is an annual meeting of the country's leading education innovators. Here they share strategies for improving education and discuss the developments that will shape education this year and far into the future.

Dates:
Monday, September 29 through Wednesday, October 1.

Times:
Monday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Welcome Luau 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The Summit is also a gathering point where educators and School Improvement Network trainers come to share best practices for using PD 360, Common Core 360, and Observation 360 to improve teacher effectiveness and increase student achievement.

• Meet with peers and share forward-thinking ideas for improving education
• Discuss industry developments that will shape the future of education with our experts
• Walk away from the Summit with strategic frameworks and actionable tools to help implement new tactics for teacher improvement and student achievement
• Garner insights into unique student perspectives, context, and culture from guest student speakers—and learn how that knowledge can shape a school's approach to education and professional development
• Enjoy the fresh mountain air of Utah and a day of fun and adventure in world-famous Park City
• Get face-to-face support! Our expert training staff will be on hand to help you and your team with any implementation challenges you may be facing with EES, PD 360, Observation 360, Common Core 360, or any of our solutions.

This year’s speakers include many top names in education, including: 

• Dr. Terry Holliday—Commissioner of Education, Kentucky 
• Jay McTighe—Educational Writer and Consultant at the Maryland Assessment Consortium 
• David Hyerle—Founder and President of the Thinking Foundation and Developer of the Thinking Maps® model 
• Alexina Medley—Principal and CEO of Warren Easton Charter High School, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Dr. Lucy Hansen—Principal at Agua Caliente Elementary School, Cathedral City, California

Learn more about the 2014 School Improvement Innovation Summit at www.siis2014.com