Edublog2024-01-04T14:30:12-05:00

EduBlog

What is steam education?

There’s plenty to know about STEAM learning, a form of education that’s exploded in popularity in recent years. And we’ll cover it all in this article.

March 4th, 2024|Categories: EduBlog, Featured Blog|

What is math tutoring?

Continuing the post-pandemic trend of plummeting test scores, recent data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests revealed that math scores for American students dropped to an all-time low. Let’s dive into math tutoring, its benefits, what to look for, and how Catapult Learning can help your district’s students improve in math.

February 12th, 2024|Categories: EduBlog, Featured Blog|

Making the Transition from EANS to Other Funding

The federal education funding landscape can be difficult terrain for even the most experienced educators to navigate. . In this article, we’ll discuss how schools can make the transition from EANS funding to other funding, such as Title and IDEA, and how Catapult Learning can help make this switch seamless.

January 12th, 2024|Categories: EduBlog, Featured Blog|

What Is Classroom Management?

Educators have what seems to be an endless list of responsibilities and tasks, but one stands out among them all--supporting all students regardless of their learning differences.

January 4th, 2024|Categories: EduBlog, Featured Blog|

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism

This may be stating the obvious, but education is most effective when students are consistently in school and learning. Unfortunately, chronic absenteeism from school—which increased dramatically during the pandemic—continues to be a nationwide crisis.

November 14th, 2023|Categories: EduBlog, Featured Blog|

How School Transformation Helps Underperforming Schools

Underperforming schools often require significant changes to achieve their goals. School transformation is a process that involves thorough analysis, observation, and assessment of a school’s strengths and challenges, followed by an implementation plan to improve in all areas.

November 9th, 2023|Categories: EduBlog, Featured Blog|

What Is Blended Learning?

Education hasn’t looked the same since the pandemic as new approaches and innovations make their way into classrooms around the world. One of those approaches, which remains quite popular and effective today, is blended learning.

October 24th, 2023|Categories: EduBlog|

What is Financial Literacy?

Did you know that more than 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck? When this is the case, how do people set themselves up for long-term financial security?

October 12th, 2023|Categories: EduBlog|

What is Tutoring?

Tutoring is extra academic learning and support that can be delivered by a teacher, other school staff, an experienced peer, or a professional tutor.

October 12th, 2023|Categories: EduBlog|

Making the Most Out of Your Investment in Educators

The most recent NAEP scores are not pretty…especially in reading and math, with the latter seeing its largest drop since 19901. But academics is just one issue facing educators today— non-academic barriers to learning are on the rise across all student populations.Many teachers are simply not prepared to handle the [...]

September 7th, 2023|Categories: EduBlog|

3 Keys to Teacher Retention

We’ve reached an inflection point regarding teacher retention, and education leaders must strategize on how to keep their best educators before it’s too late. Consider these 2022 statistics: 80% of teachers indicate that burnout is a serious problem.1 55% of educators now indicate that they are ready to leave [...]

April 11th, 2023|Categories: EduBlog|

How California Schools Can Best Use Their EANS Funds

California’s student literacy rates are low, teacher stress is high, learning gaps are expansive, and student mental health is nearing crisis levels. There is hope to be found in the form of California Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) funding. And there are plenty of areas in which this [...]

December 14th, 2022|Categories: EduBlog|Tags: |

The Only Real Way to Recover from Learning Loss

The devastating learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been well-documented, and its effects still linger today. A recent survey shows that  59% of families are worried that their children will experience long-term academic struggles because of disruptions to their education (both academic and emotional) during the COVID-19 [...]

November 1st, 2022|Categories: EduBlog, Press Releases & Announcements|

Recent NAEP Test Scores Illustrate the Importance of High-Dosage Tutoring

Two decades’ worth of progress…gone. Just like that. Everyone was aware of the learning loss and intellectual damage done by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the recently released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores offer grim, sobering insight on just how devastating the pandemic was to education—math and reading [...]

October 4th, 2022|Categories: EduBlog, Press Releases & Announcements|

Tips for bridging learning gaps and achieving positive student outcomes

Actionable strategies and solutions designed to prepare administrators for a successful new school year As the 2022-2023 school year kicks off, the obstacles facing faculty, staff, and students remain significant. In fact, the upcoming school year might be the most challenging yet. Administrators continue facing pandemic-induced hurdles such as [...]

August 29th, 2022|Categories: EduBlog|

How to Address Summer Learning Loss

Summer learning loss, also known as summer slide, has been a point of discussion and concern in K12 education for decades. While some experts claim that summer learning loss is a myth, assessment data and other evidence show otherwise. COVID-19 school closures and prolonged virtual learning have disrupted learning [...]

January 27th, 2022|Categories: EduBlog|

How Schools Can Responsibly Spend EANS Funding

EANS funding can be a difference-maker when you allocate those funds toward resources that allow your schools to accelerate their students’ learning, make up lost learning time that resulted from COVID-19, and address social-emotional learning. Before we get into some of the most impactful ways to spend your EANS [...]

October 27th, 2021|Categories: EANS Blog, EduBlog|

Educator’s Guide to EANS Funding

Whenever federal funding is made available to schools, questions inevitably follow. Our Educator’s Guide to Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Funding helps clarify the many rules and regulations involved with this type of funding, and provides answers to the questions you may have. As an educator, you’ll need [...]

September 23rd, 2021|Categories: EANS Blog, EduBlog|

Instructional Coaching Strategies: 7 Smart Tips for Success

Research consistently shows that teachers, particularly new teachers, who work with instructional coaches are more likely to remain with their schools.1,2 Many schools and districts continue to be challenged with hiring and retaining qualified teachers, making it important to employ strategies to both retain and develop teachers. Coaches are increasingly [...]

December 10th, 2020|Categories: Coaching, EduBlog, Professional Development|

Back-to-School Tips for K-12 Educators

Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! Whether you're finishing your preparation for students to return or already a few weeks into instruction, right now is an exciting and busy time. We support over 300,000 students through 500 district partners across the country each year, and we've compiled a set [...]

September 6th, 2019|Categories: EduBlog|

Back-to-School Tips for Principals (Part 2)

The new school year is well underway – and hopefully off to a great start. As the principal of your school, the tone you set in these early days serves as the foundation for the months to come. You have likely already established habits that promote an open and [...]

September 3rd, 2019|Categories: EduBlog|

Back-to-School Tips for Superintendents (Part 2)

The new school year is well underway. As superintendent of your district, your leadership sets the tone for how the months to come will unfold. You likely have already visited your schools and made contact with all of your principals and teachers. They know you are there to help, [...]

September 3rd, 2019|Categories: EduBlog|

Back-to-School Tips for Principals (Part 1)

It’s August at last and that means students across the country are back in the classroom. It’s a time when students anticipate new clothes, school supplies, lessons and experiences. Your faculty and staff spent a portion of their summer preparing for a great 2019-20 school year. As principal, you [...]

August 12th, 2019|Categories: EduBlog|

Back-to-School Tips for Superintendents (Part 1)

School is in session across the country and that means communities are coming together for the 2019-2020 academic year. Your principals, teachers and staff have already welcomed students back into the classroom. Students are reconnecting with one another and anticipating many new and exciting lessons and experiences. As superintendent, [...]

August 12th, 2019|Categories: EduBlog|

When your child’s education calls for a holistic approach

All students have dynamic needs, but when traditional education isn’t working for your child, it may be time to consider alternatives. Often educators look to add academic or behavioral interventions but fail to program strategies that support students’ holistic needs. When educators take a holistic approach that [...]

April 22nd, 2019|Categories: EduBlog|

Year-End Solutions to Support Students and Build Instructor Capacity

Year-End Solutions to Support Students and Build Instructor Capacity According to recent ESSA guidelines, “funds must be obligated for the fiscal year in which they were allocated.” At Catapult Learning, we’re here to help ensure you get the most from your funding. Allocate your school’s year-end funds on turnkey solutions [...]

March 24th, 2019|Categories: EduBlog|

3 Tips for Effective STEM Instruction

STEM is an engaging, hands-on learning experience driven by inquiry-based learning. Students develop their skills in collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking to tackle challenges and objectives. With growing career opportunities in STEM-related fields, and the applicability of those 21st Century skills across academic and career disciplines, there is [...]

November 8th, 2018|Categories: EduBlog|

How to Foster a Growth Mindset in the Classroom

Teaching isn’t simply about getting students ready for tests. As educators, we know our work goes way beyond that to prepare them for a successful life. In every classroom, teachers have the power and platform to become positive influences, even role models and mentors – especially for students who [...]

November 5th, 2018|Categories: EduBlog|

Strategies for Developing Core Values at Your School

Every school has its own culture that expresses shared values and expectations for students, faculty and staff. As the principal, you to set a positive example for others as they contribute to a productive learning and teaching environment. Core values help communicate your school’s story – its mission, standards [...]

October 24th, 2018|Categories: EduBlog|

Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom (Monthly Steps)

In May 2018 I wrote about Culturally Responsive Teaching. To be a culturally responsive teachers we ourselves must be culturally competent. According to The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “cultural competence means to be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs and practices—and cultural and linguistic needs—of diverse population groups. Developing cultural competence is also an [...]

October 3rd, 2018|Categories: EduBlog|

Better Hearing & Speech Month – Part 2: Safe Hearing & Listening

By Janelle Paul, M.S., CCC-SLP, Supervisor of Specialized Services, Catapult Learning Earlier in the month, I wrote about caring for your teacher voice in Part I of my blog highlighting National Better Hearing & Speech Month. But it wouldn’t be Better Hearing and Speech Month without some tips about hearing [...]

May 29th, 2018|Categories: EduBlog|

In-Service Days Complement Professional Development Activities

A rich knowledge base exists on the benefits of thoughtful, multi-year professional development activities for schools, districts, and dioceses, inspired in large part by federally funded research on school improvement, organizational change, and adult learning styles. Effective educational leaders are familiar with insights gleaned from this knowledge base, and typically [...]

May 8th, 2018|Categories: EduBlog, Professional Development, School Leaders|

How Strong Instructional Leaders Can Bring Out the Best in Educators

Great leaders and managers recognize the importance of maximizing their resources, including recruiting and retaining the right people for their organizations. In the book, First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently, authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman state, “Select a person, set expectations, motivate the [...]

January 25th, 2018|Categories: EduBlog|

Investing in Self-Reflection: A Resolution for the New Year

“Happy New Year!” This time of year, and specifically those words, often lead one through a customary self-reflection of the previous year—personally and professionally—with recollections of the good, the bad, and the indifferent in hopes of setting new goals. January 1st brings optimism for a new beginning, the perspective of [...]

January 10th, 2018|Categories: EduBlog|Tags: , , |

Top 10 EduBlogs of 2015−16

As we look back at the blogs posted by our EduExperts over the last eleven months,  we notice several topics popular with our blogs readers throughout the 2015−16 school year. These topics range from the Every Student Succeeds Acts (ESSA) to differentiated instruction to special education and more. Following is a list of [...]

July 5th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Creating Authentic Learning Experiences in Your Local Community

Preparing students for the real world is central to current education pedagogy. To do this, educators create problem- and project-based learning assignments, encourage students to work collaboratively, develop engaging lessons, and produce a myriad of learning opportunities and assessments.  Whether we are talking about project-based learning, inquiry learning, [...]

June 29th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

NAEP Results: Less “Bang for Our Buck” (But Plenty of Whimpers)

“Between the idea and the reality . . . falls the shadow.”      —T.S. Eliot A new report from our friends at the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” provides data on student performance in reading and mathematics across multiple [...]

May 24th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Using Visual Supports for Students with Developmental Disabilities

It is true, no two learners are alike. Some learn better through reading; others through listening or doing. For students with developmental disabilities, who have difficulty communicating with others and especially difficulty understanding what people in their environment are communicating to them, it is important to present information [...]

May 17th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Engaging Special Needs Students with Experience-Based Learning

Students with special needs have unique strengths, motivators, preferences, and interests in a learning environment. By identifying and addressing these elements, educators can encourage a higher level of engagement. In experience-based learning, facilitators take a step-back approach—allowing for natural discovery of consequences and problem-solving-based learning The result of [...]

May 9th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Facing Hard Facts and Tough Decisions

As I looked at the calendar and considered what I wanted to write about in this blog, I started to reflect on my last few months of work-related travel and my conversations with school leaders throughout the country. I also thought about the countless conversations about education that [...]

April 26th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Five Ways to Motivate the Reluctant Learner

Educators can readily identify the student who seems to lack motivation. While he or she is generally not a behavior problem in the classroom, the unmotivated student can cause a teacher many sleepless nights. There are a variety of labels used to describe a student who just doesn’t [...]

April 5th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Three Ways to Celebrate Women’s History Month in Your Classroom

Women’s History Month began last week. In 1980, President Carter signed documents proclaiming March 2−8 to be Women’s History Week; by 1987, Congress passed a proclamation establishing March as Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service [...]

March 8th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Academic Intervention: What Does It Really Mean?

Outside the classroom, the word “intervention” has pretty clear associations. Think of the literal meaning of the word—a coming between—and how it manifests itself in our culture. We all know of instances where people have had to place themselves in someone else’s pathway and make them travel in [...]

February 22nd, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Teacher Education, Part II: What Makes an Effective Teacher Education Program

“Evidence shows that effective teachers are the most important in-school contributors to student learning.” —from “Best Practices for Evaluating Teacher Ed. Programs” How do we prepare effective teachers? What are the components of an effective teacher preparation program? To begin researching the answer, I wrote the blog “Teacher [...]

February 2nd, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|

Bridging the Knowing-Doing Gap: How School Leaders Can Transfer Knowledge into Action to Impact Student and Teacher Learning

“Action expresses priorities.”   —Gandhi “Action is the foundational key to all success.”   —Pablo Picasso A new year has begun, and along with it come the resolutions–to eat better, exercise more, read more, stay in touch with friends, travel; the list goes on. The beginning of a new year [...]

January 19th, 2016|Categories: EduBlog|
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