Welcome to the Fall 2022 edition of the CORE Academic Quarterly newsletter! In this edition of the Academic Quarterly, the Reading Expert discusses early screening for students who may be at risk for reading difficulties or dyslexia and evaluating a child for a diagnosis of dyslexia. The Marvelous Mathematician explores effectively utilizing student mistakes for […]

In August, CORE Learning convened the inaugural meeting of our newly formed CORE Math Advisory Board, a group of teachers, instructional leaders, and researchers with expertise spanning math instruction, assessment, teacher education, and professional learning. This advisory board brings to CORE deep knowledge and expertise about the challenges and successes of math professional learning and […]

The problem with having students work in groups is getting students to work in groups. Educators have done a great job of overcoming many group-work challenges over the last couple of decades. For example, providing seating arrangements more conducive to collaboration, asking deeper-level questions focused on the why not just the what, and assigning more […]

Welcome to the Spring 2022 edition of the CORE Academic Quarterly newsletter! In this edition of the Academic Quarterly, the Reading Expert resurfaces an important topic related to the language comprehension portion of Scarborough’s Reading Rope—language structures, or syntax. The Marvelous Mathematician explores how developing teachers as self-directed learners can help organizations make the necessary […]

Over the last few years, I’ve worked to support elementary teachers across several states with the teaching and learning of mathematics. Many times, the most meaningful activities I model in classrooms are those that build fluency and number sense. Almost everyone believes that learning how to read and being able to read fluently with comprehension […]

Welcome to the Winter 2022 edition of the CORE Academic Quarterly newsletter! In this edition of the Academic Quarterly, the Reading Expert provides recommendations for Tier 2 reading interventions in a time when universal screening data show that upwards of 80 percent of first- and second-grade students are performing below grade level on foundational literacy […]

By Cyndia Acker-Ramirez and Katie Laskasky Teacher Practice Teams (TPTs) engage in collaborative inquiry to advance students’ sense of belonging and achievement in mathematics through professional learning routines that embrace teacher creativity and ownership of instructional decisions. Imagine a thriving team of math teachers, impassioned about growing students’ belonging in their math classroom communities and […]

Enhance your practice with CORE’s 2021-22 free professional learning webinar series. From word problems and evidence-based practices in reading instruction to culturally responsive teaching, our webinars are a convenient and free way to build your knowledge. Watch them on your own or as part of your PLC. Everyone is welcome!

Near the start of the 2020-21 school year, El Rancho Charter Middle School in Anaheim, California, opened its doors to a hybrid model of instruction, with some students attending classes in person and some students attending simultaneously online. In this interview with Dean Ballard, CORE’s Director of Mathematics, principal Michele Walker shares the experiences at […]

“Once you learn to read you will be forever free.” Frederick Douglass As I get ready to retire from CORE in late December, I have been looking back at all of those who guided us along the way. CORE started inside an education, public policy think tank because of the willingness and vision of my […]

Like many educators, teacher/consultant David Hedges has been teaching his 7th graders using a hybrid model this school year. Each day, Mr. Hedges has students sitting at socially distanced desks in his classroom as well as students joining by Zoom. Watch the 30-minute conversation with CORE’s Director of Mathematics, Dean Ballard, to learn Mr. Hedge’s […]

Remote instruction has moved to the top of almost everyone’s list of concerns. We are asking ourselves how to do it, will students be there, what will actually be learned, and what will this mean when we return to face-to-face instruction? I cannot tackle all of this in one blog; however, I will share a […]

In one of my favorite movies, The Gods Must Be Crazy, there were two side characters who drove the jeep in their guerrilla warfare army. Whenever there was a stop in the movement forward, they’d pull out a deck of cards and get back into whatever game they were playing. I totally relate to them. […]

As we all continue to navigate COVID-19 school closures, we are aware that many of you are faced with an increased challenge to provide equitable access to learning for all of your students. We wanted to share a few free resources we’ve curated from our trusted partners that can support your own professional learning around […]