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Florida schools won't be held accountable for low FCAT writing scores
The state Board of Education lowered the passing score required on Florida's standardized writing test Tuesday because so many students statewide would have failed to meet the acceptable threshold on the test.

Column: Teach black and Hispanic students differently
In late March, a panel of 10 education experts gathered in Washington to nominate four most-improved urban school districts for a national education prize. What should have been a routine review of student data, however, suddenly took a new direction.

Researchers See Potential for Common Core to Boost Learning
A new research paper offers what amounts to a spirited defense of the Common Core State Standards in mathematics, making the case that the standards are, in fact, consistent with those in high-achieving countries and suggesting their faithful implementation holds considerable promise to improve student learning.

Schools try to pull out of science slump
New educational science standards due out Friday give teachers hope that they can turn around U.S. students' lackluster science performance.

Big Idea Tips and Do It Tips for School Improvement
BIT: Meeting students where they are is key to their social, emotional and academic success. It helps a lot to allow them to be empowered in the learning process. Students are aware of their likes and dislikes, their own opinions, the things that they feel confident with and the things that challenge them, as well as the dreams they have. Take the time to establish routines and model expectations, but then step back and offer opportunities for students to make choices during their learning. Misfortune may ensue, but true learning occurs through mistakes and the correction of them.

DIT 1:  Allow students to choose some goals they will work on each day, or choose their materials or resources. Even choosing where they sit to experience learning or who they work with. These factors can be crucial to a student's learning. Let them be their own guides. This is empowering in itself.

DIT 2:  Show students how to be reflective in their learning, moment to moment, and allow them time to do it. Passive engagement with learning is not engagement. Students must actively engage in the learning process and reflect on their own personal contributions, knowledge and connections. Make reflection a part of the daily routine for every learning experience. They need to be allowed time to process their learning as a step of retention. Reflection allows for closure to a situation, conversation or lesson; empowering students to make sense of their learning.

DIT 3:  Students must have opportunities to articulate their knowledge. Give them the chance to help others understand a concept. By allowing students to teach students we enlarge the learning platform. We suggest to them that there are other experts present in the learning environment. Teaching empowers students to demonstrate and share knowledge, deepening their own understanding.

DIT 4:  Give students the ability to assess themselves according to specific criteria. They also need to develop the ability to provide effective feedback to others. When given opportunities to self-assess their own progress towards specific goals, students' growth will soar. They can also be given the chance to positively impact others' learning by offering feedback.  Peer conversations regarding student work is a powerful thing. Again, it provides the clear message there are other experts in the learning environment. Allowing students to engage in these conversations expands their academic awareness. 

DIT 5:  Seek out student voice. Ask the students for their opinion. Allow them to provide you feedback about your teaching and honor it. The most valuable voice in the learning environment is that of the student. They are the consumer of the product of teaching and can provide feedback regarding their needs being met. Ask for input on a regular basis regarding structure, routine, systems, rules, responsibilities, etc. Taking their ideas into account for lesson planning/design and instructional strategies can also prove beneficial. You never know the possibilities unless you ask. Honoring their ideas builds trust and empowers them to think critically.

Check out these good ideas of Celina Brennan, “Empower Students: 5 Powerful Strategies,” ASCD Edge.