Educators are faced with many decisions regarding supporting students' writing. While writing achievement and curriculum-based measure scores provide numbers that are important for high-stakes decisions like determining special education eligibility, they do not provide educators with information on a student's explicit instruction needs. Written…

The OECD's Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) represents a comprehensive international comparative assessment of the information processing skills of adults vital for the full participation in social and economic life in the 21st century. PIAAC is now in its second cycle and continues a series of international…

It is important that schools and districts measure the essential employability skills and knowledge that students gain from Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences and give students an opportunity to document and reflect on their learning. The assessment and reflection process helps students in the following essential ways: (1) helps students make…

This report describes the construction of the database of skill needs indicators, i.e. the OECD Skills for Jobs Database, and presents initial results and analysis. It identifies the existing knowledge gaps concerning skills imbalances, providing the rationale for the development of the new skill needs and mismatch indicators. Moreover, it…

True leadership can come from anywhere within an organization. While supervisory roles can lead to an inherent leadership dynamic based on reporting lines, it is often difficult for individuals to develop as leaders when they feel caught between their staff and upper-level administrators within their organization. This article will look at current…

A picture is worth a thousand words! Extension professionals are often looking for the picture that best captures an event and tells its story. Look beneath the surface, though, and a picture is worth much more. Developing a 4-H press corps results in a collection of useful photos but has the added benefit of providing 4-H members with an…

Creating diverse caring classroom environments, for all students, using innovative technology, is the impetus of this article. Administrators and teachers in many states have worked to integrate 21st Century Learning Outcomes and Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP) into daily teaching and learning. These initiatives are designed to…

Physical educators are discovering the benefits of using video analysis to support their instruction and assessment. Slow-motion playback, zoom, and voice-over narration are just some of the features built into increasingly affordable mobile devices and applications that can easily be used by teachers to support student learning. Additionally,…

Student learning outcomes, beyond the traditional, need to be crafted for the 21st-century learner. It is essential that each student develops a foundation of knowledge, but that is only the beginning. He or she must then have the opportunity to engage in learning that builds on that foundation. There must be enough time in the school day to allow…

Determining the writing skill level of students commencing tertiary education is a key element in predicting their likely study success and in providing appropriate writing development opportunities. Writing tests constructed around written instructions often assume high levels of reading and comprehension skills, which in some instances impose…

Successful careers in sustainability are determined by positive real-world change towards sustainability. This success depends heavily on professional skills in effective and compassionate communication, collaborative teamwork, or impactful stakeholder engagement, among others. These professional skills extend beyond content knowledge and…