ASCD Express Articles by Guest Columnist Doug Reeves
Douglas B. Reeves, the founder of the Leadership and Learning Center in Boston, Mass., is the author of the several ASCD books, including Leading Change in Your School: How to Conquer Myths, Build Commitment, and Get Results.
The Assessment Gap in Career and College Readiness
Critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration are keys to college and career readiness, but schools need to assess these skills if they want students to master them.
Confront Teacher Burnout with More Safety, Time, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Students need an environment that is respectful and safe—and so do their teachers.
What Is "Good Reading," Anyway?
Reading assessments, writing about reading, and stronger secondary-level support should work together to increase students' reading comprehension—the crucial but sometimes elusive goal of school-based literacy.
From Spin to Win
Rather than trying to wrestle with the cyclone of negative spin, educators should set a new direction for education.
Unexpected Lessons from Global Education
It's not just the international assessment high-fliers like Finland and Singapore, but also developing nations like Zambia and Oman that can offer the rest of the world lessons on education.
From Differentiated Instruction to Differentiated Assessment
Although there is a large focus on differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment also needs to be used in the classroom.
Neutron Bombs and School Turnarounds
Consider these five evidence-based challenges to dominant beliefs about turning around schools.
The Key to Equity—A Clearer Focus on Fewer Practices
Schools that deeply concentrate on no more than six key priorities show the greatest achievement gains.
Reframing the Equity Debate
We need to ditch the rhetorical extremes in the debate on education inequity in order to see, understand, and successfully deal with the many variables that cause it.
Practices, Not Programs: High-Leverage Interventions That Work
Teacher practices—not expensive, high-profile programs offering a cure-all—have the most effect in the classroom. See five practices that educators should try.
A Modest Proposal for 21st Century Professional Learning
Four suggestions for debunking myths about how your school employs technology for professional learning.
Focus, Feedback, Flexibility—What Makes Reconfiguration Work
The history of education is rich with suggestions for changes in structure, governance, and schedule. However, reforms that reconfigure schools are meaningless without three essential criteria: focus, feedback, and flexibility.
Getting Ready for National Standards
Governors and chief state school officers of 48 states have already agreed in principle to accept national reading and mathematics standards, so if the train is moving in that direction, how can schools prepare to implement national standards?
Three Challenges for Education Leaders
School leaders will need to lay the accountability groundwork and move outside their comfort zone if they truly expect to foster 21st century skills among their students.
Motivating Unmotivated Students
To be motivated, students must feel challenged by the work they are given and the lessons teachers are presenting. Five techniques can help motivate a student to learn.