Changing Schools | May Newsletter

Note some of the remote learning items in this RELs newsletter.

May 2020 Still Going Where We’re Needed Months before Covid-19 made virtual learning virtually inescapable, the board and leadership of McREL were doing some heavy thinking about creating more online options for delivering our services to educators worldwide. Our students, of course, are teachers and school leaders, and for the past 50-plus years, beyond making many popular books and reports available to educators, we have had two main ways of delivering professional learning to educators who want to go deeper with our research-based guidance: We fly to them, or they fly to us. Either way, that gets expensive. Federal support for much of our research and technical assistance work evens the field between rich and poor districts somewhat, but with much of public education still funded by local property taxes, unequal access persists. McREL was founded in the War on Poverty two generations ago specifically to draw upon research to make great teaching and schooling practices available universally, and we need to acknowledge that this war hasn’t yet been won. On the urging of our board, whose members have a profound commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice, we are launching virtual versions of our most popular professional learning experiences in the coming months. The first one, which focuses on quality questioning, will launch in early June. It’ll be hosted by a familiar face—Dr. Kristin Rouleau, our executive director of learning services & innovation—and it’ll offer plenty of opportunities to interact with fellow participants, just like the “live” version. We recognize, however, that rapidly switching to online learning for students has, in many places, exacerbated inequities among students, revealing that even in 2020, not all students have the same access to computers and high-speed internet. Moreover, it has revealed, often in stark contrast, the unevenness of students’ classroom experiences prior to the coronavirus. For students whose teachers were already skilled in creating challenging, engaging, student-driven learning experiences that reflect what brain science says about how students learn best—through inquiry, reflection, and curiosity—the transition to online learning has been smoother and more engaging. Our own work to translate our learning experiences to online formats has been guided by a simple principle: Start with what brain science tells us about how to design effective, engaging learning experiences and find ways to make them even more effective and engaging online. We also know this: Few perfect models exist for how to do this perfectly. There are no ready-made solutions to implement. Instead, we must experiment, test, and engage in rapid-cycle improvement efforts—the same thing our partner districts and schools are doing. At this point, it’s unclear how long this crisis will last or what lies on the “other side” of all of this. Our deep, abiding hope here at McREL is that by working together, sharing successes, and remaining focused on what matters most—ensuring equitable outcomes for all learners—we’ll find that when this storm finally passes, we’ve redesigned our system of learning as something that’s even better for all students. It’s in that spirit of community that we offer the insights in this newsletter and also invite you to share your own successes and breakthroughs—however large or small they may be—so that we can share them with others. Bryan Goodwin, CEO, McREL International New From McREL Pete Hall on Journaling and Teaching Journaling aids reflection, and reflection aids teaching, writes educator, consultant, and author Pete Hall. Implication for teachers? Become a journaler! To help you get started and focus on specific actions and attitudes to improve your skills, Pete, Mary Smith, and Alisa Simeral have penned A Teacher’s Reflective Impact Journal: Pursuing Greatness Every Day, a guided journal featuring inspiring stories from fellow teachers and writing prompts to help you focus on what’s working well—and what could be working better—in your classroom. Recently Pete contributed a piece to the McREL blog explaining why he has always found journaling to be the ultimate way to synthesize information. Read the post and also check Pete’s videos about getting the most out of journaling on this special page: A Teacher’s Reflective Impact Journal. Curiosity Brings School and Joy Closer Together It’s tragic that for many students—and the teachers who spend their days with them—much of the joy of school slips away the longer the students spend in school. Rather than accept this as inevitable, McREL CEO Bryan Goodwin says there’s a fix: curiosity. Curiosity may come naturally to all of us in early childhood, but it has to be nurtured and encouraged as we age, a process Bryan outlines in his new book, Building a Curious School: Restore the Joy That Brought You to School. There are things that teachers and school leaders can do to build curiosity in students and themselves, improving the school experience for everybody . . . so learn them and incorporate them into your school! Find Building a Curious School now at the McREL bookstore and register to join Bryan in a free webinar hosted by Corwin on Monday, June 1. Brain Science and Learning The May edition of ASCD’s Educational Leadership magazine is all about Learning and the Brain, a topic of great interest to us here at McREL. For the issue, Bryan Goodwin and Darienne Dey contributed a Research Matters column on how and why teachers should get familiar with the ways the brain creates memories and facilitates the thought process. A great way to do this, they write, is McREL’s six-phase learning model, which is based on science that has been well-established for decades but hasn’t been effectively communicated to educators. Read the column Keep Meeting and Keep Improving We’ve all heard a lot about how virtual school has been impacting student learning, but what about teachers? On the McREL blog, Dale Lewis and Lisa Jones have shared some thoughts on how to keep the peer collaboration momentum going. The important characteristics of a community of practice or professional learning community can transition successfully to an online environment with a little effort. Read Dale and Lisa’s post Teachers Have a Historic Opportunity to Embrace Curiosity There could be an educational upside to the coronavirus crisis if teachers seize the moment, writes Bryan Goodwin in this new blog post. Curiosity, and all the learning opportunities that stem from it, thrives in relatively “unschooled” environments. With districts relaxing or even waiving grading and testing, now is the time to launch students on independent projects that let them develop a passion rather than satisfy a requirement. The results could be liberating for students and teachers alike. Read Bryan’s post Research Roundup A monthly selection of research news that ties into our work on leadership, instruction, school improvement, and professional learning here at McREL. Practice PLUS good instruction make perfect. You may have heard of the 10,000-hour rule: Supposedly you can become an expert at anything at all, if only you put 10,000 hours of practice into it. Well, the researcher behind the rule, Anders Ericsson, recently told EdSurge that it’s not quite that simple: Great teaching has to be involved too. Listen to the EdSurge podcast. McREL’s take: Our 2018 book Out of Curiosity and its new 2020 update titled Building a Curious School cite multiple theories of learning, including Ericsson’s, to explore the interconnectedness of expertise and curiosity. Do schools increase or alleviate inequality? Some researchers believe schools are an equalizing influence. Some believe the opposite. How can equally smart people come to opposite conclusions? An article in the American Educational Research Journal says the answer lies in each camp’s emphasis on different models and data sets. McREL’s take: The online learning initiative that Bryan Goodwin announced above aims to expand equitable access to learning among students by expanding it among teachers. Grant Opportunities One activity for these homebound days could be researching grants that can help your school be an even more dynamic place when we can all report back. Below, we’ve listed a few recently announced grants that your school, district, or agency might be interested in applying for. McREL can partner with you on your application, helping you with the needs assessment or evaluation components of your project plan and creating a competitive proposal supported by a sound theory of action reflecting your goals and intended outcomes. Note: IHE = institute of higher education; LEA = local education agency; SEA = state education agency. Interested? Contact us at info@mcrel.org. Expanding Access to Well-Rounded Courses Demonstration Grant Eligible Applicants: SEAs Funds SEAs to demonstrate models for providing well-rounded educational opportunities through course-access programs. These grants can range from $1M to $3M per year for five years, with the average being $2M per year. Applications are due June 26. Learn more. Education Stabilization Fund – Rethink K12 Education Models (ESF-REM) Grants Eligible Applicants: SEAs in states with high coronavirus burdens Funded through the CARES Act, this program will support SEAs in states with the highest coronavirus burdens. Priorities are: (1) continued learning parent microgrants; (2) statewide virtual learning and course access programs; or (3) field-initiated remote learning projects. These grants can range from $5M to $20M, with the average being $15M. Intent to apply notices are due May 19 and applications are due June 29. Learn more. Education Stabilization Fund – Reimagining Workforce Preparation (ESF-RWP) Grants Eligible Applicants: States with high coronavirus burdens Funded through the CARES Act, this program will help states with the highest coronavirus burdens create new educational opportunities and pathways to help citizens return to work, small businesses recover, and new entrepreneurs thrive. This program also aims to build new capacity for responsive, short-term postsecondary programs that will allow individuals to rapidly adapt to changing workplace and community needs. These grants can range from $5M to $20M, with the average being $15 million. Anticipated due date is June 29. Learn more. (Note: A supplemental notice with more details will be posted for this opportunity.) Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Grants Eligible Applicants: High-need LEAs with a partnering IHE The TQP program focuses on preparation and professional development for prospective and new teachers, as well as recruiting highly qualified individuals, including minorities and people from other occupations, into the teaching force. For 2020, the priority is teacher residency programs, and these grants can range from $500,000 to $1.5M per year for five years. Intent to apply notices are due June 17 and applications are due July 2. Learn more. Education Research and Special Education Research Grants Eligible Applicants: SEAs, LEAs, IHEs, and other educational organizations These grants fund research in areas of demonstrated national need that will provide reliable and valid information about education practices that improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. Grants can range from $500,000 to $3.8M across five years. Applications are due Aug. 20. Learn more here and here. CONTACT US TODAY Learn more about how our coaching, professional learning, and analysis services can help your school or system reach its goals. CONTACT US WE’RE HIRING! We’re seeking candidates for positions in our Denver and Honolulu offices. Our research and evaluation teams give our clients and partners a big-picture view of existing improvement initiatives to determine what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next, and we provide independent evaluation of grant-funded programs. Our learning and innovation teams provide our clients with professional learning, coaching, technical assistance, and guidance for effective instruction, systemic change, strategic planning, and capacity-building. Opportunity in Denver: Managing Consultant Opportunity in Honolulu: Communications Specialist VISIT OUR CAREERS PAGE CONNECT WITH McREL  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌ JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Bookstore | News | Careers | Events | Free Resources | Ed-Tech Evaluations McREL International P 800.858.6830 | F 303.337.3005 info@mcrel.org | www.mcrel.org 4601 DTC Blvd., Suite 500 Denver, CO 80237 Copyright © 2019, McREL International. All rights reserved.

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This Week’s Remote Learning Resources from the REL Program

A weekly series of resources form the Regional Education Laboratories program.

This Week’s Remote Learning Resources from the REL Program
In response to COVID-19, the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) have collaborated to produce a series of evidence-based resources and guidance about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic. See below for a roundup of featured resources on this topic. A full list of resources is available on the REL COVID-19 webpage. Dropout Prevention in the Time of COVID-19 Blog | REL Appalachia Audience: Secondary school leaders and counselors Learning Remotely in the Age of COVID-19: Lessons from Evidence and Concerns for Equity Webinar recording | REL Mid-Atlantic Audience: District leaders, school boards, state leaders Supporting Educators in Implementing Reading Across the Content Areas Webinar recording | REL Pacific Audience: School leaders, district leaders, state leaders, community college staff Using Transparency to Create Accountability When School Buildings Are Closed and Tests Are Cancelled Blog | REL Mid-Atlantic Audience: District leaders, state leaders Where Can Teachers, Caregivers, and Parents Find Free Digital Resources to Support Early Math Learning? FAQ | REL West Audience: Families, caregivers, teachers ***** The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter. To provide feedback on this or other REL work, email Contact.IES@ed.gov.
The Institute of Education Sciences, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics.
By visiting Newsflash you may also sign up to receive information from IES and its four Centers NCES, NCER, NCEE, & NCSER to stay abreast of all activities within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). To obtain hard copy of many IES products as well as hard copy and electronic versions of hundreds of other U.S. Department of Education products please visit http://www.edpubs.org or call 1-877-433-7827 (877-4-EDPUBS).

This Week’s Remote Learning Resources From The REL Program

Another item from a REL this morning.

This Week’s Remote Learning Resources From the REL Program
In response to COVID-19, the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) have collaborated to produce a series of evidence-based resources and guidance about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic. See below for a roundup of upcoming REL events and featured resources on this topic. A full list of resources is available on the REL COVID-19 webpage. Upcoming Webinars Adapting Educator Professional Learning to a Virtual Environment Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. HST REL Pacific This webinar will focus on strategies to help administrators, staff development coordinators, and others adapt teacher professional learning to an online environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will draw on adult learning theory and characteristics of high-quality professional learning. Audience: Administrators, staff development coordinators, teachers Featured Resources Family Resources for Supporting Children’s Reading at Home Blog | REL Southeast Audience: Families, caregivers Guidance for Navigating Remote Learning for English Learner Students Blog | REL Midwest Audience: Teachers, school leaders How Education Leaders Can Support Students with Autism During School Closures Blog | REL Northwest Audience: Teachers, school leaders, district leaders Preventing Students from Dropping Out During COVID-19 School Closures Blog | REL West Audience: School leaders Using Culturally Responsive Practices to Foster Learning During School Closures: Challenges and Opportunities for Equity Blog | REL Mid-Atlantic Audience: Teachers, school leaders ***** The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter. To provide feedback on this or other REL work, email Contact.IES@ed.gov.
The Institute of Education Sciences, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics.
By visiting Newsflash you may also sign up to receive information from IES and its four Centers NCES, NCER, NCEE, & NCSER to stay abreast of all activities within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). To obtain hard copy of many IES products as well as hard copy and electronic versions of hundreds of other U.S. Department of Education products please visit http://www.edpubs.org or call 1-877-433-7827 (877-4-EDPUBS).

New Remote Learning Resources From The REL Program

Note these webinars and resources that may be of use to some of my teacher readers.

New Remote Learning Resources from the REL Program
In response to COVID-19, the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) have collaborated to produce a series of evidence-based resources and guidance about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic. See below for a roundup of upcoming REL events and recently published resources on this topic. A full list of resources is available on the REL COVID-19 webpage. Upcoming Webinars Engaging Parents and Students from Diverse Populations in the Context of Distance Learning Monday, May 11 at 1:00–2:00 p.m. PT REL West Effective student and family engagement relies on establishing trusting relationships in which educators, students, and parents see themselves and each other as equal partners. Without opportunities to interact in person, it is now more difficult and more important to build and maintain these strong relationships. This webinar will share lessons from research and practice to help educators engage with students and their families to support continued learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will discuss strategies in three areas: cultivating a partnership orientation, practicing cultural responsiveness, and establishing two-way communication. Audience: State, district, and school-level staff Supporting Families in Promoting Early Learning at Home Wednesday, May 13 at 3:00–3:45 p.m. CT REL Southwest This webinar will share resources to support learning at home for prekindergarten- and kindergarten-age children that educators and families can use during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel of early childhood education practitioners also will discuss how they are supporting the families of early learners. Audience: District leaders, school leaders, teachers, and families Supporting Postsecondary Transitions During COVID-19 Thursday, May 14 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET REL Appalachia This virtual chat will discuss logistical and nonacademic supports for keeping students on the path to postsecondary education, such as supporting students and families in completing and making updates to FAFSA applications, understanding financial aid award letters and comparing costs, addressing “summer melt,” and providing students with social-emotional supports. Following a brief presentation, a panel of representatives from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), the College Transition Collaborative (CTC), and the Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC) will answer questions from participants and discuss resources to address current concerns. Audience: School counselors, school leaders, teachers, and other support providers New Resources Strategies to Support Remote Learning Along a Continuum of Internet Access Webinar recording | REL Central Audience: State leaders, school boards, district leaders, and school leaders Learning Remotely in the Age of COVID-19: Lessons from Evidence and Concerns for Equity Webinar recording | REL Mid-Atlantic Audience: State leaders, school boards, and district leaders Where Can Teachers, Caregivers, and Parents Find Free Digital Resources to Support Early Math Learning? FAQ | REL West Audience: Teachers, families, and caregivers Resources for Schools and Districts Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis FAQs | REL Northeast & Islands New topics covered on this page include communicating with families about student progress and addressing student promotion and retention. Audience: District leaders, school leaders, and teachers ***** The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter. To provide feedback on this or other REL work, email Contact.IES@ed.gov.
The Institute of Education Sciences, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics.
By visiting Newsflash you may also sign up to receive information from IES and its four Centers NCES, NCER, NCEE, & NCSER to stay abreast of all activities within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). To obtain hard copy of many IES products as well as hard copy and electronic versions of hundreds of other U.S. Department of Education products please visit http://www.edpubs.org or call 1-877-433-7827 (877-4-EDPUBS).

New Remote Learning Resources From The REL Program

A reminder of these up-coming webinars.

New Remote Learning Resources from the REL Program
In response to COVID-19, the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) have collaborated to produce a series of evidence-based resources and guidance about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic. See below for a roundup of upcoming REL events and recently published resources on this topic. A full list of resources is available on the REL COVID-19 webpage. Upcoming Webinars Adapting Instruction for English Learner Students During Distance Learning Tuesday, May 5 at 3:00–3:45 p.m. CT REL Southwest This webinar will provide an overview of promising practices and resources to support remote instruction of English learner (EL) students, followed by a discussion with EL teachers and specialists about how they have leveraged strategies and resources to engage English learner students in remote instruction. Audience: Teachers, principals, instructional coaches, district superintendents, and state education staff Teaching Young Learners in a Pandemic: Supporting Children Pre-K–Grade 3 and Their Learning Partners at Home Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET REL Mid-Atlantic This webinar will provide research-based information about remotely teaching young children in pre-kindergarten to grade 3, including practical steps that align with research guidance. The webinar will also address ways state and local education agencies can strengthen support for remote learning over the longer term. Audience: Teachers, principals, and administrators from state education agencies, districts, and schools Engaging Parents and Students from Diverse Populations in the Context of Distance Learning Monday, May 11 at 1:00–2:00 p.m. PT REL West Effective student and family engagement relies on establishing trusting relationships in which educators, students, and parents see themselves and each other as equal partners. Without opportunities to interact in person, it is now more difficult and more important to build and maintain these strong relationships. This webinar will share lessons from research and practice to help educators engage with students and their families to support continued learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will discuss strategies in three areas: cultivating a partnership orientation, practicing cultural responsiveness, and establishing two-way communication. Audience: State, district, and school-level staff Supporting Postsecondary Transitions During COVID-19 Thursday, May 14 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET REL Appalachia This virtual chat will discuss logistical and nonacademic supports for keeping students on the path to postsecondary education, such as supporting students and families in completing and making updates to FAFSA applications, understanding financial aid award letters and comparing costs, addressing “summer melt,” and providing students with social-emotional supports. Following a brief presentation, a panel of representatives from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), the College Transition Collaborative (CTC), and the Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC) will answer questions from participants and discuss resources to address current concerns. Audience: School counselors, school leaders, teachers, and other support providers New Resources Guidance for Navigating Remote Learning for English Learner Students Blog | REL Midwest Audience: School leaders, teachers How Can Educators Engage Families in At-Home Learning and Provide Support to Them During These Challenging Times? FAQ | REL West Audience: School leaders, teachers, families Plan and Deliver: Educating Students with Disabilities in Remote Settings Blog | REL Midwest Audience: School leaders, teachers Remembering Social Presence: Higher Education Remote Teaching in COVID-19 Times Blog | REL Southeast Audience: University leaders, university instructors Using Culturally Responsive Practices to Foster Learning During School Closures: Challenges and Opportunities for Equity Blog | REL Mid-Atlantic Audience: School leaders, teachers ***** The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter. To provide feedback on this or other REL work, email Contact.IES@ed.gov.
The Institute of Education Sciences, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics.
You have received this message because you subscribed to a newsflash service through IES or one of its centers. Change your options or unsubscribe from this service.By visiting Newsflash you may also sign up to receive information from IES and its four Centers NCES, NCER, NCEE, & NCSER to stay abreast of all activities within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).To obtain hard copy of many IES products as well as hard copy and electronic versions of hundreds of other U.S. Department of Education products please visit http://www.edpubs.org or call 1-877-433-7827 (877-4-EDPUBS).