You have probably heard people say they are just bad at math, or perhaps you feel like you are not “a math person.” Not so, says Stanford mathematics education professor Jo Boaler, who shares the brain research showing that with the right teaching and messages, we can all be good at math. Not only that, our brains operate differently when we have confidence and a growth mindset.

Boaler gives hope to the the mathematically fearful or challenged, shows a pathway to success, and brings into question the very basics of how our teachers approach what should be a rewarding experience for all children and adults.

Superintendents across Illinois have been checking their data through the Data Verification Review Tool (DVRT). ISBE will be working over the next 4 weeks to assign Summative Designations for K-12 schools. Every principal and superintendent should spend time reflecting on the eight indicators utilized to complete the designations. Designing a system to ensure student achievement takes work.

School improvement work should include:

• Identifying local needs through data analysis
• Planning professional development activities
• Selecting evidence-based practices and interventions to mitigate deficiencies
• Implementing standards aligned curriculum
• Monitoring changes for impact.

This August, a Texas teacher posted her classroom AI policy to her nearly 60,000 social media followers. Students who break the policy will receive a zero on assignments, “and there will be no exceptions,” (Chanea Bond, teacher)

The post was viewed over 100,000 times and caused a bit of a stir. Bond believes that allowing students to outsource their ideas and rough-draft thinking to AI doesn’t help them and in fact devalues vital literacy skills like originality, creativity, analysis, and synthesis.

In support of the Navy’s need to build submarines for the future, a collaborative group is providing middle schools fully funded access to the Learning Blade's STEM, Computer Science, and CTE career awareness resources.