Educational Directions Blog

Ed Directions coaches and leadership team encounter lots of educational challenges in the schools we partner with.  Read more about how to overcome some of the more common challenges that we have helped schools overcome.

Assessing Student Status in Schools: Methods, Challenges, and Goals

Since the early 90’s states have been requiring schools to “monitor student progress” and provide “targeted assistance.” The theory is that schools need to use data to inform decisions and make strategic plans to move all students. Currently most school districts rely on assessment scores (either state summative or local

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Empowering Future Minds: An almost In-Depth Look at Critical Thinking in the Curriculum for K-12 classrooms

Nurturing Questioning, Reasoning, and Problem-Solving Skills in Every Classroom Critical thinking is widely recognized as one of the most important core skills students can develop during their formative years. In an age of information overload, rapid technological advancements, and shifting social dynamics, the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information

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Managing Negative High School Classroom Behaviors

Navigating a high school classroom requires a unique blend of academic expertise and skilled classroom management. While teenagers are capable of deep critical thinking and creativity, they are also navigating complex social and emotional changes that can sometimes lead to negative behaviors. From persistent phone use to outright defiance, these

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The importance of rituals and routines

every group ( community, organization, or social group) evolves rituals and routines that support the group’s formation, continued existence, and social interactions with in the group. There are fundamental part of every group’s culture and climate and create collective perceptions of “the way we do things”. They support the groups

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Recognizing Tests as Their Own Genre: A Guide for Teachers

In the 1990s the Kentucky education Reform Act (KE RA) establish a cohort of “distinguished educators” (DE) who were assigned to underperforming schools to assist or actually take over and run schools that were underperforming on the state assessment. In the early days the DEs found they had to invest

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Teaching Purposeful Writing Across Subjects

Purposeful Writing is a Critical academic process that transcends The English Language Arts (ELA) into subjects like Science, Mathematics, History, and Social Studies. Developing purposeful writing in these areas not only enhances student comprehension Of basic concepts and processes but also prepares them for real-world applications.  Here are some strategies

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Beyond the Numbers: Meaningful PLC Discussions on Test Performance

Student test scores have arrived, and the data is on the table. For many educators, this moment can be filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. But what happens next is what truly matters. Moving beyond a surface-level review of scores toward deep, meaningful PLC discussions is the key

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Building Effective Unit and Lesson Plans Around Student Learning Work

In the world of standards based education, effective lesson planning plays a crucial role in fostering student success. Teachers, educators, and instructional designers are constantly seeking strategies to not only deliver content but also to ensure that students become masters of it.  This blog post will explore the key components

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Exploring Classroom Question Types: A Guide for Teachers – Empowering Educators to Foster Deeper Learning Through Effective Questioning

Introduction: The Importance of Questioning in the Classroom Questioning is one of the most powerful tools in a teacher’s toolkit. Well-crafted questions not only check for understanding but also stimulate student thinking, encourage engagement, and promote higher-order cognitive skills. By understanding the different types of questions and their strategic uses,

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What Does a Successful School Transition Look Like?

Transitions are an inevitable part of a student’s educational journey, whether it’s moving from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, or even transitioning between grades. Yet, these transitions often pose significant challenges for students, teachers, and administrators alike. When handled poorly, transitions can leave students feeling

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Modeling Adaptive Thinking: A Principal’s Guide to Inspiring Teachers

Educational challenges evolve faster than ever before. Technology shifts, curriculum updates, and unexpected disruptions like the pandemic have made one thing clear: adaptability isn’t just helpful for school leaders—it’s essential. As a principal, your ability to model adaptive thinking directly influences how your teachers respond to change and uncertainty. When

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Leading Change: A Principal’s Checklist for Getting Teachers on Board

Change is hard—especially in education where teachers have seen countless reforms come and go. As a principal, you know that even the most promising educational techniques will fail without teacher buy-in. The difference between successful change and another forgotten initiative often comes down to how well you shepherd your team

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Leading with Purpose and Flexibility: A Principal’s Checklist

The most effective school principals know that leadership isn’t about choosing between purpose and flexibility—it’s about mastering both. In an educational landscape that shifts constantly, successful principals anchor their schools with clear vision while remaining agile enough to navigate unexpected challenges. Research from the Wallace Foundation shows that effective principal

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