Charlie DePascale

The Personalization Paradox

On the surface, standardization seems to be the antithesis of personalization. The current attitude toward standardized tests and testing bears that out. But if we look below the surface, we might reach a very different conclusion.

Death By A Thousand Arrows

Theory of Action for Educational Assessment and Accountability: A concept that sounds good on paper until you see a theory of action on paper. Generally not much actionable action and the theory tends to be theoretical. But lots of arrows!

A Shift in My Perspective on Vertical Scales

I’m not sure whether wisdom comes with age, but I was barely 65 for twelve hours when I had an epiphany that forever changed the way that I will view vertical scales.

Top Of The World

My big employment decision came at 60. Social security is deferred ’til 68. I used a senior discount to see the Eras Tour film. I expected turning 65 to be anticlimactic. I was wrong.

The Philadelphia Story (NCME’s Version)

I don’t usually share two posts in the same week. In my last two posts, however, I wrote about the personal journey I was on last week in Philadelphia. But NCME, too, is on a journey to find itself. A journey much more consequential than mine.

Feeling All The Feels In Philly

My suitcase is unpacked. The second load of laundry is in the washer. It’s time to reflect on my future and my five days in Philadelphia.

All Things Considered…In Philadelphia

Once again I find myself at a professional crossroads, and once again that has led me to Philadelphia.

A Chronic Problem

I’d like to think that we have progressed well beyond 2012 when a district asked me to help them create a dynamic dashboard to support instruction, using only indicators that were updated annually. I’d like to think that, but …

It Was Always In The Cards

The first day of spring. Easter. Opening Day!

All full of hope and the promise of renewal and rebirth.

Reflecting on Opening Day’s past, however, reveals that my future was there, staring me in the face all along.

Striving for Imperfection

“The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise. Alden Nowlan”

We appear to be adolescents – still learning how to deal with imperfection.