We have reached the point where MLK Day may be the least controversial of all of the federal holidays. I wouldn’t have predicted that back in 1981, and I’ll take it as a positive sign. Even if there is still much more work to be done.
Category Archives: Life
The Year Is The Only Thing That’s New
It’s a new year and we have resolved to make it a good one. But what is really “new” about the new year, and what can we learn from the New Year’s Resolution process to make better use of large-scale assessment results.
The First Thanksgiving – Myths & “Myths”
For years, the story of the “First Thanksgiving” was used to support a particular narrative. Reframing American history, however, doesn’t mean that there are not important lessons to be learned from the simple story of that gathering in the fall of 1621.
The Big Questions
We all feel a sense of urgency regarding the need to improve state testing. Before plowing ahead willy-nilly, however, perhaps it would be beneficial to our peace of mind, our field, and our stakeholders, if we pause a moment, take a breath, and consider the big picture and the big questions.
Happy Halloween – Assessment Edition
Whether you regard large-scale assessment as a cruel trick or a tasty treat, one thing is clear. Large-scale tests and Halloween go together like chocolate and peanut butter or Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Test or Treat! Trick or Test!
Happy Halloween!
This Is Only A Test
We know that large-scale state testing is never all that important. But some weeks it feels even less significant than usual.
Win Some. Lose Some. Learn A Lot.
Another baseball season has come to an end. 162 games to gather information about the strengths and weaknesses of teams, managers, coaches, and players. Information to inform decisions and lots of conversations about what to do next. Who could ask for anything more?
2 + 2 = ?
I’ve been thinking about “2+2” quite often recently. Somewhat less often than I think about Taylor Swift but more often than I think about the Roman Empire, which truth be told, is more often that you might think.
Remember This Moment
Last Sunday, Tom Brady returned to Gillette Stadium for the first of what undoubtedly will be many ceremonies celebrating his amazing 23-year career, the first twenty of which were spent in New England with the Patriots. It was a time to celebrate Tom Brady. It was a time to remember the six championship seasons andContinue reading “Remember This Moment”
Summer Reading
It’s over. Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial end of summer, has come and gone. For most of my life, Labor Day weekend meant periodically checking in on the Jerry Lewis Telethon. It was always exciting to watch the frantic finish, waiting for the heavy hitters like Sammy Davis, Jr. or Wayne Newton to make aContinue reading “Summer Reading”
Embrace the Absurd 