Throwing out Report Cards

A movement to throw out traditional A-F grades in favor of tracking high school students as they gain mastery of academic and life skills is gaining momentum, with five states and powerful players joining forces to advance it.
The hope of the “Skills for the Future” collaboration is to make it easy for schools to treat so-called “durable” skills such as critical thinking, teamwork and perseverance the same as traditional subjects like math and English. That includes giving students new tests and a new report card that shows how well they have mastered those other skills as they apply to colleges or jobs.
Building your Leadership Teams

Teams need trust, transparency, and an investment in leadership development in order to thrive.
Building a strong leadership team is crucial for any school’s success. A cohesive leadership team not only steers the school toward its academic goals but also fosters teamwork and an enhanced culture of trust and transparency among everyone in the learning environment.
I used to believe that I could do it all solo. But in my journey as a leader, I’ve learned the power of collaboration—the importance of fostering a supportive team.
Digging deeper into Chronic Absenses

Nearly 15 million children were chronically absent in the 2021-22 school year, doubling pre-pandemic numbers, and millions have lived through at least one traumatic experience, such as parent death or abuse.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2024 Kids Count Data Book examines the causes driving the “astonishing” rates, resulting in bleak educational outcomes and disproportionately impacting Native, Black and Latino children.
The national report, which explores social, health and economic factors across all 50 states while also highlighting programs that work, paints a stark portrait of the state of child well-being. From a decline in the number of 3 and 4 year olds in school to an increase in the rate of child deaths, it warns the United States “stands on the precipice of losing our economic standing.”
Don’t hit that button just yet!

Pause Before You Post: A Social Media Guide for Educators in Tense Political Times
Emotions were already running high this election season when the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump pushed them to new levels, flooding social media with disinformation and crass and inappropriate comments that landed some educators in hot water.
The moment serves as a reminder that as the presidential election campaigns switch into high gear and schools come back into session, it’s an important time to teach students the skills needed to be responsible digital citizens.
Provide the “JOY” on your campus

NASHVILLE — When students leave the school building at the end of the day, they should be asked to recall one positive experience they had. That simple activity can help move students from a negative to a positive mindset, leadership speaker and author Jon Gordon told the 4,200 attendees at the National Conference on School Leadership on Monday.
Never Stop Learning!

It’s easy to interpret Peter Drucker’s famous advice about learning—“the most pressing task is teaching people how to learn”—through the lens of a leader. Help your people become better learners and your team will be nimble and ready for change. It’s a common trap for top-level leaders: We forget to view advice through the lens of a high performer who needs to personally keep growing and improving.
Any of us can become better, more active learners at any point in our careers or life. For CEOs it might be one of the most important opportunities to grow, improve our leadership, and strengthen our relationships and organizations—because we’re surrounded by amazing opportunities, environments, expertise, challenges and generally, people who know more than us about most things.