The disruption of the pandemic underscored inequities in education systems and prompted educators to think beyond traditional measures of student achievement. However, as students returned to the classroom, conventional narratives of learning loss reemerged. Learning loss implies students, not systems, need to be "fixed," which misses…

Does our teaching keep up with our preaching about equity? Some of the teachers most vocally outspoken about social inequities, says Henry Seton, end up reproducing these inequities in their own classrooms. Seton shares two critical steps for ensuring this doesn't happen.

To achieve equity, besides identifying problems with student achievement that need to be surmounted, educators must perceive themselves to be capable of meeting all students' learning needs--they must have collective efficacy. Learn five key practices a school leader can take to build staff collective efficacy by fostering deep reflection. When…

High school science teacher Michelle Vanhala reflects on her (sometimes rocky) path to standards-based grading and a grading system that aligned with her educational philosophy.

The act of reflection provides an opportunity for amplifying the meaning of one's work through others' insights; applying meaning to new situations; committing to experimentation or innovation; and documenting learning and sharing knowledge. Students and teachers need time for metacognitive reflections, collaborative dialogues, and portfolio and…

Argues that schools will largely fail in their efforts to improve the moral and emotional growth of students if they do not attend to the moral and ethical development of teachers, especially urban teachers, who suffer from depression and disillusionment, the two primary causes of which are isolation and stress induced by problem students.…

Teacher leaders do not fulfill their potential without the right kinds of support. Using the stories of two teacher leaders, Lattimer describes how school and district administrators succeed and fail at encouraging teachers to take on or withdraw from leadership roles. The two teachers profiled were more likely to assume leadership roles when…

At one Illinois elementary school, student portfolios have been a powerful vehicle for understanding what students know and understand about standards. Before developing a portfolio, educators should listen to children as they evaluate others' accomplishments and encourage conversations and reflections that affirm students' sense of competence.…

An experienced teacher spends too much time as a special-events coordinator facilitating movement among tests, instead of encouraging and enhancing student learning. For each test, she must rearrange the classroom and its routines, coordinate test materials, and assuage her third graders' fears. Teachers lack time to improve their practice. (MLH)

Dialog leads to collective meaning-making and shared understanding by building a sense of connection and belonging. Skillful discussion displays rigorous critical thinking, mutual respect, weighing of options, and decision making that serves the group's visions, values, and goals. When school faculties develop these skills, they transform their…

Teaching portfolios are making their way into today's classrooms in three important ways: as habits of mind helping teachers define good practice; as processes teachers use for reflecting on their own teaching and learning; and as new teaching strategies mirroring student learning practices. (MLH)

Presents a professional-development template to help increase teachers' growth, satisfaction, and motivation. Programs should offer small, significant doses of user-friendly, high- challenge, low-threat, and hands-on activities that encourage teachers to construct their own knowledge, reflect on their practices, and try new approaches. (MLH)

Describes how an instructor used portfolios to help graduate students in elementary and early childhood education class in Korea use personal reflection and classroom observation to develop individualized approach to instruction. (PKP)

As a beginning teacher, the author did not recognize that knowing her students was as important as knowing her subject. Teachers should personalize assignments and ask students to write a letter about themselves, write notes explaining tardiness or late homework, create learning logs, and help solve classroom problems. (MLH)

Ordinary, daily teaching experiences form the essence of teachers' practice. Using a guide to reflect on those experiences, either individually or with colleagues, is a step toward self-improvement. The Guided Reflection Protocol helps teachers examine what happened, why it happened, possible meanings, and implications for practice. (MLH)