McREL's Power Walkthrough software and training helps school leaders turn their regular classroom observations into "power walkthroughs" by using a PDA, Tablet PC, Blackberry, or iPhone device loaded with McREL's Web-based software.

 

English as a Second Language staff developers and coaches, come to McREL's Denver office to attend a 3-day program to learn how to deliver Classroom Instruction that Works with English Language Learners in your own school, district, or area.

Participants will learn how to incorporate Classroom Instruction that Works strategies into their own lesson plans and practice integrating technology into each strategy. By the end of the workshop, participants will have technology-infused lesson plans ready to use in their classrooms.

Vision problems not caught by traditional screenings may contribute to reading problems in as many as one in 20 students, eye doctors say. Twelve weeks of specialized eye-muscle training can help such students focus better on images at close range, such as words in books or on worksheets.

A new study from the American Mathematical Society has found that American culture is preventing many students from reaching their potential in mathematics. Many of the most successful mathematics students in the United States are immigrants or children of immigrants from countries that place a higher value on mathematics achievement.

Higher education is beginning to experience the influence of trends already making their way though the K–12 system, and if members of higher education will take a long, thoughtful look at these forces, they will get a 20-20 glimpse into their own futures. But can the same be said of K–12 education? Could it be that some trends in higher education are harbingers of change in K–12’s own future? To answer these questions, we only have to look as far as the development and rise of online learning opportunities in higher education.

This paper discusses a study involving two groups of teacher candidates' implementations of a visual literacy curriculum in their preclinical field experience. The purpose was to explore whether the curriculum provided a viable way for them to implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in teaching their diverse learners, including students with disabilities and English as a second language learners. Findings indicated that the visual literacy curriculum promoted universal access to learning and UDL principles provided valuable guidelines for creating lessons that maximize the effectiveness of the visual literacy tools.

Teachers in Space is now accepting applications for the Pathfinders program. Applicants should be knowledgeable in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Pathfinders will be the first astronaut teachers to fly in space and return to the classroom. These Pathfinders will not only fly in space, they will also help design the three-week training course for teachers who follow.

 

Application Deadline: December 4, 2008

Managing change is critical for Loudon County Public School District in Virginia. This successful district is one of the fastest-growing school districts in the United States. Despite their success, the district felt they could do better, and contracted McREL to help them lead change efforts in their school.

McREL has been chosen by Summit School District, in Frisco, Colo., as its professional development provider in a three-year state initiative to close the district's achievement gap. McREL is providing Summit teachers and administrators with a comprehensive range of services, including professional development for teachers, helping them improve their instruction of English-language learners (ELLs), and to school leaders, helping them effectively guide school-wide improvement efforts. McREL will also provide technical assistance to help the district ensure uniform adoption of a rigorous curriculum.

McREL and the Gesell Institute for Human Development have begun a year-long effort to update the widely-used Gesell Developmental Observation (GDO), a tool for assessing the development of children entering kindergarten or preschool.