It's Really BEST to Know the BRUTAL Truths

Dear Colleagues,

As I researched information about the Direct Writing Assessment, I discovered a PowerPoint presentation uploaded on the USOE website. As I reviewed the slides, I saw that Education Specialist Jeannie Rowland's November presentation reiterates Mike Schmoker's keynote address at last fall's USACD conference. I like both slide shows; Mike's ties in math more than Jeannie's, but I am creating links to both for you.

I know your time is limited, but I highly recommend that you review one or both of these presentations because they emphasize what we REALLY need to do to improve our schools and better prepare our students.

• Mike Schmoker's "The Opportunity: From 'Brutal Facts' to the Best Schools We've Ever Had," click HERE
  
• Jeannie Rowland's "Practical Assessment Tools," click HERE

Some points I suggest that you review are as follows:

• What are the "BRUTAL FACTS?"
• What is the "TEACHER EFFECT" and how does it impact student learning?
• What can we do as educators to support students in being "college ready" and/or "life successful?" 
• How would increasing the amount of writing throughout the school day affect college readiness? What are some examples of how we can do this?
• What other kinds of writing and reading should be emphasized?
• What kind of school organization can make this happen?

Please share your responses to these comments. Some are VERY pointed. What do you think?

Best wishes,
Renae