Abl 
Elk Grove Unified School District had an ambitious plan to improve pathways for secondary students and increase underrepresented student participation in advanced courses. However, precise data on enrollment patterns, course offerings, and disparities was lacking, and faster feedback during scheduling was needed.
Whenever we introduce Abl’s Academic Intensity Measure (AIM) during our professional development sessions, one question keeps popping up: “I get that intensity is important, but not every student will be successful taking seven AP courses. Trying to fit them all in could set them up for failure – what’s the approach then?”
There is no single solution, or silver bullet, that can effectively address the educational gaps arising from differences in socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, gender, and geography. Consequently, it is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach and a well-defined framework for best practices in college and career readiness.
Close Achievement Gaps and Prepare Students for College and Career with Insights from the Abl Dataset Close Achievement Gaps and Prepare Students for College and Career with Insights from the Abl Dataset Speakers
Student Outcomes: What Every School Board Member Needs to Know What Every School Board Member Needs to Know About Outcomes Based Governance Speakers
5 Strategies to Unlock the Power of Student Centered Scheduling 5 Strategies to Unlock the Power of Student-Centered Scheduling Speakers
A school’s schedule and the resulting student academic journey are crucial components in preparing students for postsecondary readiness. Henry County Schools experienced a common challenge in that student opportunities varied widely across schools within the district, which resulted in an overall trend of low advanced course enrollment.
Taunton High School, which includes the district’s eighth grade students, has utilized block scheduling since 1996. But four years ago, faced with the reality of declining accountability ratings and accreditation challenges, school leaders began to evaluate whether the schedule was helping or hurting student performance. They needed data and stakeholder engagement to make the case for change.
In today’s fast-paced world, time management has become a crucial aspect of our lives, especially for schools, and building an efficient master schedule can make a significant difference in a school’s success. However, the traditional scheduling methods used by schools may not always be the most effective approach. This is where strategic scheduling comes in. … Read more
I vividly remember the moment when I had an epiphany regarding strategic scheduling. I had been a school leader for years, mastering the technical aspects of scheduling at a large comprehensive high school. I could quickly produce an efficient schedule that aligned offerings with teaching resources and was optimized to meet student demand. The vast majority of students started the school year with a full schedule and the schedule was built to maximize high school graduation requirements and to live within our allocated budget; so we always had a smooth start to the year.
Washington State education leaders and policymakers have taken a bold stance on the need for expanded access to academically intense courses for all students. State and district-level leaders know that academic acceleration is a key driver of statewide college readiness and career preparation.
Yet state leaders and school district superintendents recognize a challenge: Access to high academic intensity courses cross the state is uneven and often has low participation, or enrollment disparities do not reflect students’ diversity.
Dr. Hafedh Azaiez took the reins of the Round Rock Independent School District at a time of seismic shift in public education. The sprawling school district located in the northern suburbs of Austin, Texas, has long enjoyed a stellar reputation as a destination district. But when Azaiez was hired as Superintendent in 2021, Round Rock ISD, like districts across the nation, was still reeling from the effects of the pandemic – virtual instruction, declining enrollment, teacher burnout, and, the perineal challenge for public schools, insufficient funding.
Excerpt from Center for American Progress: “The world has evolved dramatically since the public school schedule first took root. When the school day first evolved, millions of children—many as young as 10 years old—worked, and most mothers stayed at home. Today, child labor for the most part is outlawed, and 75 percent of women with … Read more
Excerpt “Across the nation, many school districts are asking themselves, “What can we do to better serve our students of color and those from low-income communities?” In Ed Trust’s podcast, ExtraOrdinary Districts, writer-in-residence Karin Chenoweth explores that question by visiting ordinary school districts that are getting extraordinary results for historically underserved youth. Whether you’re a principal or parent, … Read more
Excerpt “Karen Ritter, an assistant principal at a high school just outside of Chicago, wanted to see her school through a student’s eyes. So she decided to follow 9th grader Alan Garcia, who came to her asking to be switched out of the many remedial classes in which he is enrolled, hoping to get a … Read more
The Diploma Dilemma: A Policy Analysis from the Hoover Education Success Initiative Excerpt “The thesis of this paper is that there is a critical need to redesign or, at a minimum, realign states’ approaches to high school diplomas. Education leaders have to face the unpalatable reality that lowering high school requirements tacitly condones the lack … Read more
Cedar Rapids school district planned to switch to a new Student Information System provider and a block schedule in the 2019-2020 school year. The district wanted an audit of its information systems to ensure efficiency, equity, and data health, specifically looking at class sizes, staff distribution, disparities across schools and student groups, and accuracy of information in the SIS.
Federal Way Public Schools Improving College and Career Readiness for all Students Federal Way is focused on an advancement of a college-going culture and expanding STEM access to all students. An analysis of transcript and scheduling data helped them identify ways to improve college and career readiness for all students in the district. More Success … Read more
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I’m baby direct trade cliche cloud bread hammock kinfolk deep v. Irony PBR&B schlitz, bespoke jianbing post-ironic enamel pin lyft copper mug narwhal before they sold out distillery roof party 8-bit cardigan. Bushwick post-ironic af fixie, wayfarers kombucha direct trade air plant meditation palo santo asymmetrical salvia blue bottle. 3 wolf moon subway tile fam, … Read more
I’m baby direct trade cliche cloud bread hammock kinfolk deep v. Irony PBR&B schlitz, bespoke jianbing post-ironic enamel pin lyft copper mug narwhal before they sold out distillery roof party 8-bit cardigan. Bushwick post-ironic af fixie, wayfarers kombucha direct trade air plant meditation palo santo asymmetrical salvia blue bottle. 3 wolf moon subway tile fam, … Read more
