Edina Digital Age Learning

Last week, I attended the Solution Tree Standards & Assessment Conference in Phoenix. As I reflect back on the three days of learning, I decided to put together my top 10 take-aways. Here they are: 10. On Retakes-Do you want to be a school that picks the winners, or one that creates the winners? Tim Brown  In her talk, Cassie Erkins echoed the theme stating:   We have a moral obligation to set students up for success! 9. "Grading is not essential to the instructional process. Teachers can teach and students can learn without grades!" - Thomas Guskey Guskey identified three keys to moving toward standards based assessment: Begin with a clear statement of purpose. Provide accurate and meaningful descriptions of student learning. Use grading and reporting to enhance teaching and learning. Get rid of % grading and you get rid of problem w/ 0's!! 8. Phases of Professional Development from Eric Twadell Twadell, the Superintendent at Adlai Stevenso...

Dr. Gerry Swan discussing rigor in assessment This week, I have been participating in a workshop with our administrators on developing a Standards Based Report Card for Minnesota. Dr Lee Ann Jung, Dr. Gerry Swan, & Dr. Thomas Guskey are leading us through three days of training using a model they developed in Kentucky. Here are the shared notes our group put together on all of the sessions thus far. Here are some of key take-aways thus far: 1.  The Kentucky Model 1st State to adopt Common Core No parents on development Gave parents the option of both, they picked Standards Based 3 the first year, 10 the second, now 17 using it (177 total) Now, Department of Ed is funding and could be state wide in 2-3 years 2.  This is the FOUNDATION-3 Types of Grading Criteria Grading and Reporting should ALWAYS be done in reference to LEARNING CRITERIA, never “on the curve.” Grade on what they learned, not in how they did in relation to others. Why would I h...

At the first conversation of Edubloggercon , I lead a discussion on the topic of high performing districts and what motivation they have for making "the shift" toward a more student-centered, tech infused model.  Scott Mcleod pointed out before the session that in many ways, it's harder for these districts to change, when the current model seems to be working for them. In many ways, it takes a "leap of faith" for a district like Edina to focus on higher level, student-centered learning, or project-based learning without having an implementation dip. In fact, to many, that dip CAN'T happen. The constant increase in Adequate Yearly Progress requirements, also put strain on districts. Someone mentioned that this MAY be an opportune time for change, because of Common Core Standards going into effect. In Minnesota, the new Language Arts standards are an open door...an increased emphasis on non-fiction along with digital reading and writing mean opportuni...