Academic Support Services

Educational Directions (Ed Directions) provides a variety of academic reviews for schools, groups of schools, and districts. The reviews are conducted by a team of educators who have been trained to collect, organize, and summarize different types of data that describe current conditions and current practice in schools. All of the review processes include a preparation phase, a site visit, and an interpretation and report writing by the Ed Directions senior team.

It is important to note that Ed Directions does not market a curriculum or a specific “canned” strategy. Ed Directions first looks at the current status of teacher and student work to determine if it represents best practice for the spring (Calibrating Period). If it does not, then Ed Directions will facilitate discussions about how student work needs to change create proficient learners and performer.

Contact us today to find out how we can partner to advance your school or entire district through academic reviews.
Let's Talk About Supporting Your School(s)

All our training, intellectual property, and our approach to school improvement works with the system and the resources the district has selected. Our role is to help each school best implement the programs to make sure every student is becoming a confident, self-initiated learner and is able to work at the pace and the rigor of how they will be assessed (especially in terms of testing). By working inside the educational ecosystem of the district, it should be a seamless process for us to ensure sustainable processes and results after our partnership time is complete.

Our Student Improvement Approach

Improving Student Learning

Educational Directions uses a number of strategies to improve student learning and academic achievement. The core of our approach is our understanding and attention to the rhythm of the learner year and the types of experiences students need to have in each part of the year. We use a variety of data points other than test scores to identify and to track student performance. Teachers and Educational Directions staff utilize data, portfolios, and assessment samples in PLC discussions to inform decisions about student needs.

Increasing Learning Opportunities

Another core element of the Educational Directions approach to students is focused on equal opportunity in experience as learner and performer. Academic and management rituals and routines are used to build an equal experience basis for all students and performers. As part of this, Educational Directions uses diagnostic tools to determine where students are as learner and performer as a starting point to develop a plan to move all students to the transition expectations established for that particular academic year.

Innovative Learning Methods

Educational Directions encourages innovation by training school leadership and teaching staff to do student-focused unit and lesson plans. We establish goals for the year, which are translated into course, unit, and lesson plans and used to establish specific competencies expected of all students. The diagnostics that identify where students start that learning process help determine the types and levels of work that students need to move from where they are to where they need to be by the end of the academic year.

Progress Monitoring

The development of a true “plan backwards – deliver forwards” curriculum depends upon extensive monitoring of not only student scores but also upon the learning and performing competencies, attitudes, and perceptions required for the student to demonstrate a potential as a performer and to make successful transitions to the next level.