Charlie DePascale

It’s Time, for a Change

As we approach the one-year anniversary of watching Americans struggle to read graphs, interpret data, and cope with the harsh reality that even the tiniest percentage of a very large number is still too many individual stories, there may have never been a time when there was such universal agreement that it’s time for aContinue reading “It’s Time, for a Change”

Emma and Allie

A story of Learning, Loss, and Middle School Life This is the story of two girls, Emma and Allie. They met on the softball team in the spring of third grade. They became fast friends. Even though they just met, it was like they had known each other their entire lives. Over the next fewContinue reading “Emma and Allie”

All Aboard!

When the recovery train leaves the station will we be ready to hop on board Throughout this month I have stressed the importance that planning will play in the recovery from the impact of the pandemic on student learning. What does that planning look like? What should be considered? And what role do large-scale stateContinue reading “All Aboard!”

Where Angels Fear to Tread

Even as local educators, parents, and students continue to work through schooling in the midst of a pandemic, attention turns toward recovery. As I mentioned in my first post this month, the first inclination of many will be to jump right in. Stories are already popping up about extending the current school year through theContinue reading “Where Angels Fear to Tread”

Seeking Comparability in an Incomparable Year

The past year has been a year like no other. We experienced a summer like no other, a World Series like no other, an election like no other, followed by a Thanksgiving, Christmas, Presidential Inauguration, and Super Bowl like no other. How can we possibly expect to produce comparable state test results in this schoolContinue reading “Seeking Comparability in an Incomparable Year”

On The Road Again

K-12 education and the road to recovery K-12 education is about to head out on the road again. This time it’s the road to recovery from the pandemic. As I think about K-12 education starting this journey, I can’t help but make the connection to a journey of my own that took place 50 yearsContinue reading “On The Road Again”

Be Afraid of Being Very Afraid

We are being conditioned to distrust one another. The message of fear that has been building steadily over five years has now reached new and dangerous levels, breaking through natural barriers of resistance in the weeks since the horrific and tragic events of January 6th. From the basket of deplorables to the compulsion to furtherContinue reading “Be Afraid of Being Very Afraid”

Ninety-five Theses on State Testing

“Out of love for the truth and from desire to elucidate it, the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and ordinary lecturer therein at Wittenberg, intends to defend the following statements and to dispute on them in that place. Therefore he asks that those who cannot be present and dispute withContinue reading “Ninety-five Theses on State Testing”

The Three Ps of State Testing

We are all familiar with the Three Rs, reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, which have been the focus of federally-mandated assessment and accountability systems for the this first quarter of the 21st century. Those actually involved in education in the 21st century undoubtedly also have intimate knowledge of the Four Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity),Continue reading “The Three Ps of State Testing”

Assessment by Any Other Name, Please

Edy’s Pie, Ben’s Original Rice The Chicks, Lady A The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs The Washington Football Team The Altria Group, American Outdoor Brands Corp. WW, Dunkin’ One of the legacies of 2020 is a spate of name changes, most for the same underlying reason. As demonstrated by final rows of theContinue reading “Assessment by Any Other Name, Please”