March 2015
Research Roundup

Re-balancing assessment: Placing formative and performance assessment at the heart of learning and accountability  
McREL International and Measured Progress
  

Given today's environment of high-stakes testing and top-down accountability, there is growing concern that the way we teach and assess students is not enough to meet the "deeper learning" demands of the 21st century. This white paper examines the current formula of summative assessments and external pressure and recommends replacing it with a new, more balanced formula centered on formative and performance assessments that are embedded in curriculum. 
Personality similarity between teachers and their students influences teacher judgement of student achievement

Taylor & Francis Group

 

According to a new study, teachers rely on non-academic, personality cues when judging a student's general academic abilities, favoring students whose personalities are like their own. 

The ABC of gender equality in education: Aptitude, behaviour, and confidence 

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
  
Despite major progress toward closing gender gaps in student performance in science and math, this recent PISA report states that girls still have less confidence than boys in their academic ability due to persistent social and emotional beliefs about themselves rather than their actual academic performance.

The potential for school-based interventions that target executive function to improve academic achievement: A review 

Review of Educational Research
  
A meta-analysis of data on the link between executive function and achievement finds little evidence that they are causally related.
In the Field

Upcoming conference presentations

 

Visit with our researchers and consultants at the following events to hear the latest insights and discoveries we've made:

 

ASCD Annual Conference and Exhibit Show in Houston, March 21-23.Attend of the many sessions led by McREL consultants, and visit us in booth #778. Follow the hashtag #ASCD15 on social media for conference news and updates. 

 

American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 16-20. Attend our sessions, and visit our table in the job fair. Follow the hashtag #AERA15 on social media for conference news and updates.  

 

2015 National Forum on Dropout Prevention for Native and Tribal Communities in Prior Lake, Minn., April 26-29.

 

AQuESTT Empowered by Data Conference hosted by the Nebraska Department of Education in Kearney, Neb., April 27-28.

New on our blog


In her post, "Empowering teachers with collective efficacy," consultant Heather Hoak recalls some tough teaching years that led her to a career building collective efficacy in schools. She writes, "As a teacher, I never felt we lacked the 'right stuff' in terms of resources or professional development for staff. Deep down, I felt unable--as an individual teacher--to make broad, sweeping, systemic changes. What was really missing was a collective will and belief that we all needed to move in the same direction." 
Events & Opportunities

Free webinar on family and community engagement 

 

Join REL Pacific on March 26 at 3:30 p.m. (MDT) for this free webinar, "Family and Community Engagement: Building a Cultural Bridge," to learn more about cultural factors that contribute to family and community engagement and tools that help school staff foster engagement across a wide range of cultural backgrounds. The webinar will introduce the second section of REL Pacific's Toolkit of Resources for Engaging Family and Community as Partners in Education: Building a Cultural Bridge.  

McREL's Summer of Learning 2015 

 

Take your teaching and leading to the next level. Join us this summer in sunny Denver! Our workshops and institutes combine insightful research with best practices for educators and leaders at all levels to help improve students' odds of success. Group discounts available.  
McREL in the News

A program evaluator shares her "why" on BOOST blog 

 

On the Best of Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Collaborative Breakfast Club Blog, McREL program evaluator Tara Donahue shares why "purpose" and "impact" are her reasons for working in education research and evaluation. She writes, "I have to believe that what I do helps those working daily in the trenches improve their practice... We hope we have had an impact on at least one other human being."  
In This Issue
Featured Content
McREL at ASCD annual conference 

ASCD Annual Conference and Exhibit Show in Houston, March 21-23.Visit us in booth #778 for great giveaways and to get a schedule of the conference sessions led by our consultants. Follow the conference hashtag #ASCD15 on social media for the latest information.
Research says: Simple interventions boost self-esteem 

In his latest Research Says column in ASCD's Educational Leadership magazine, Bryan Goodwin discusses effective ways to help students overcome self-doubt associated with the "stereotype threat" that, according to research, negatively impacts student achievement in classrooms. 
Policy brief on educational equity 

Our latest policy brief, "Educational Equity: Challenges for Educator Effectiveness," provides an overview for policymakers on addressing equity gaps for vulnerable student populations through effective educator equity. 
Careers at McREL
    

We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to improve education through applied research, professional development, and service to teachers and leaders at schools, districts, networks and agencies, and higher education institutions. 

 

Having the right people at McREL is important to our mission. Our employees are passionate about the work they do, not only because they are helping enhance lives, but also because they are surrounded by diverse, enthusiastic, and innovative thinkers.

 

We are seeking qualified candidates for the following roles:

 

Executive Director of Research, Evaluation, and Expertise 

Denver

 

Follow our @McRELJobs Twitter feed and never miss an opportunity to join our staff.

 

Learn more about our work culture and employment listings at our  Careers at McREL site.
Connect with Us on Social Media
    

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