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Reducing Grade Inflation and Deflation with Data Insights: 3 Actions to Take Today
Grades play a critical role in a student’s academic and future success, yet rising instances of grade inflation (and sometimes deflation) can derail this path forward. In this article, I explore why grade in/deflation matters and three ways educators can use student achievement data more strategically to isolate and resolve potential misalignment. Read it here.
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Data: The Key to Impactful Teacher Coaching
Even with decades of research backing the impact of instructional coaching on learning outcomes, districts still need data to ensure their coaching efforts deliver such results. Learn what kind of data matters and how district leaders can leverage them, regardless of the coaching model implemented. Read here.
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Four Reasons Why You Need A Modern Professional Development Management System
Most education leaders think they have a professional development management system (PDM), only to find it fails to deliver on their needs when it comes to tracking teachers’ CEUs, identifying whose licenses up for renewal, broadcasting qualifying PD opportunities, and more. This article clarifies key reasons why a true PDM is a critical investment for…
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3 Reasons Why Districts Should Prioritize Accurate Data This Year
Bad data makes for bad decisions. More specifically, poor-quality data means leaders act without the right information and may inadvertently lead their communities down the wrong path. Learn why accurate, clear data is essential for district leaders this year especially. Read more.
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The 4 “Cs” Every K-12 Recruiter Needs To Keep Candidates Engaged
K-12 recruiters who keep candidates engaged throughout the application process ultimately secure top talent for their schools. This article outlines four “Cs” – communication, connection, creation, and clarity – to guide any recruiting expert in today’s competitive hiring environment. Read here.
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Not Your Corporate ROI… Defining and Measuring eROI
What is “educational return on investment” (eROI) and why does every K-12 superintendent need to understand it? This article explains the benefits and challenges of eROI, as well as practical steps for districts to leverage this metric to make smarter financial and instructional decisions. Read here.
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6 Things to Consider Before Purchasing That K-12 Digital Recruiting Solution
This article offers district and school administrators guidelines for choosing the best digital recruitment platform for their hiring needs, from flexible configurations to thoughtful, expect vendor partners. Read it here.
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Hard Data for Hard Decisions: 3 Strategies To Understand & Maximize Your Return On Instruction
Measuring the “return on instruction” for educational programs is easier said than done, yet it is all the more critical for district leaders to understand this data. Read the article here to learn three practices essential for districts to quantify the educational ROI of any program and make smarter decisions with their budgets.
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Building Momentum: What We Learned From 16,000+ Substitutes To Make the Job Even Better
I analyze this year’s Red Rover’s Substitute Survey results, the largest survey of guest teachers yet. Read the article here to discover why subs keep coming back each year, as well as what opportunities districts can leverage to improve their experiences.
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The State of K–12 Education Federal Funding: What Leaders Need to Know Now to Prepare for the Future
As we approach the 2025-26 school year, K-12 education funding is at a critical tipping point. This article breaks down what educators need to know about federal funding changes (at the time of its writing) and offers essential practices that district leaders need to responsibly manage their organization’s limited funds, regardless of what comes next.…
Maren Madalyn, Education Freelance Writer & Strategist 