The Fab Formatives

One of the great parts of working with lots of smart, dedicated educators on a regular basis is the number of smart ideas and insights you share with us at trainings. Recently, a teacher asked whether we had any self-assessment tools for students, developed from our The Common Core, Clarifying Expectations for Teachers and Students books.  Read More

We are delighted to bring you a post from Phyllis Magold, an accomplished educator and engaging author, who discusses her reluctant adoption of the Common Core and how she came to develop an exemplary Common Core resource.   Read More

We are excited to introduce Nathan Schleicher, who has been doing some very impressive work, transitioning to standards based grading. He has some great thoughts and pointers for those of you who may have questions about or have started working on implementing an SBG classroom.  Read More

Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) bring into focus all the components of highly effective teachers. As we have discussed in earlier posts, highly effective teachers inform their instructional decisions using formative assessments and then take action to improve or adjust instruction to meet student needs. Oftentimes, we may think of student growth and student mastery as being synonymous, however there are important differences between the two. The following illustration may help paint a clearer picture in our minds.   Read More

We've heard about it, we've talked about it, and now we've got to prepare for it: teacher evaluations are no longer a possibility; they are a reality. The good news is, as educators, you are probably more prepared to be on the receiving of assessment than you think.  Read More

Everyone's talking about the Common Core State Standards and, as with any big new venture or concept, there are a variety of emotions and reactions: I'm nervous about these changes.; This is so exciting!; How will this work?;It's great to see something new!; etc.

Teachers and administrators are becoming increasingly familiar with the Core standards, but for a lot of parents they are a new and sometimes confusing prospect. In this post, I'll talk about some of the changes you may see in your child's classroom and how these changes can help your children learn more effectively.  Read More

Anna Maria Tabernik joins us again, to talk about what parents should know & look for in a math classroom which is following the Common Core.

The Common Core State Standards are here, there, and everywhere across the United States. These standards present educators with a wonderful opportunity to embrace the philosophy that every student can learn mathematics. The standards outline what students must know and be able to do in order to be prepared for college or a career upon graduation. They emphasize that mathematics is a major key to unlocking a student's intellectual future and earning potential.  Read More

As the new school year begins, parent-teacher open houses and introductory letters abound with mentions of the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS). As friends and colleagues pass along teacher and parent emails about the CCSS, I notice some misconceptions. Let’s take a minute to look at some of the key ideas associated with the Core and how you can expect to see the Core unfolding in your child’s classroom.  Read More

Following up on his last post, about SLOs and student growth, Mark Kevesdy discusses the differences between growth and mastery.

As educators, we may sometimes think of student learning growth and student learning mastery as being one and the same. However, a closer examination of the two shows a slightly different picture and this distinction has important implications for both students and teachers.  Read More