DC Public Charter School Board’s Post

"Rigorous" is one of the most overused terms in higher ed. EVERYONE wants to be known for this. And my question is why? Yes, we want to be known for the quality of our academics. I get it. But we have got to stop positioning this term as inherently positive all the time. Because it deters students. Think about this: one of the biggest fears of perspective students is "will I be able to handle this academic challenge?" So when we tout academic rigor, we also have to tout supportive faculty and staff. And when we tout our supportive faculty and staff, we have to tout DEI. And when we tout DEI, it means we're accepting to all. But when we say "rigor" it can easily translate to "exclusive". And that can negate both the support and DEI initiatives that we think we have to shout at prospective students. Rigorous is not "bad". It just isn't an adjective thats suited for all institutions. Does your institution have a higher acceptance rate? Good. That doesn't dilute the quality of your academics or quality of student. It means that you are living out the mission of what education was meant to be in this country... and that is accessible for all. It means that you HAVE to have supportive faculty and staff that meet students where they are. It means you're likely to have DEI efforts interwoven into who you are naturally, rather than forcefully. It doesn't diminish your rigor. Students know that college is challenging. Hence the fear of being able to handle it. So why instill fear in them even more? Rigor is a term that is appropriate for many schools, but it may not be for yours. That doesn't make you any less quality. It doesn't diminish the prestige of your faculty and staff. It doesn't take away your accreditation. It makes you a better option for the millions of students who may not have a chance anywhere else. And it gives them a chance to have confidence that they are not only able, but worthy to get a degree. And be freaking proud of it. And that is a BEAUTIFUL thing. I write this as a note of encouragement... Plant your flag in what your STUDENTS need from you. It will make all the difference. #higheredmarketing #highered #brandstrategy

My proudest achievement when I was at school, was going a whole term without attending a lesson. I detested school. I decided on a Digital Media course as I had never done anything creative before. I was told at school my art was rubbish, so that put me off doing anything artistic for decades. I started Uni, not knowing what to expect. My first year was a write off, due the the pandemic. Trying to home teach kids and do a Uni course was just unrealistic. So I transferred to another course. All the students I have come into contact with over the past 4 years have been fantastic. How they manage to hold down jobs and study for degrees at the same time has bowled me over. Their fresh ideas and perspectives have made me challenge my own views and helped me learn more. Their commitment, creativity, fresh ideas, and problem solving has been a joy to watch. Many a time I thought, WTF am I actually doing here, imposter syndrome kicked in big time, yet I thought I have an opportunity that some I know, sadly don't have, which has been my ultimate goal. To have achieved a 2:1 has finally sunk in. Yet any student passing Uni should feel proud, you have undertaken 3 years of continuous study, assignments and all the pressures and hassle that go with it. It's not about the grade, it's about the commitment.

So many higher education institutions that I collaborate with and support are either: 💡 in the beginning stages of assessing their academic advising practices OR 🤯 already in the midst of full blown academic advising redesign efforts in order to improve student success outcomes This work, while often complicated, is critical. Jane Marie Souza and Tara Rose, Ph.D. recently published their second volume of "Exemplars of Assessment in Higher Education: Strategies for a Changing Higher Education Environment" and I am honored to have co-authored chapter 17: "Remodeling Academic Advising into a Holistic Case Management Model and Assessing the Effectiveness of the Model and the Impact on Student Success" ❓ Are you involved in or leading this work at your institution? ❓ Are you navigating the complexities of seeing this work through? While chapter 17 in "Exemplars of Assessment in Higher Education" highlights one approach to strategically aligning resources to student support efforts, I would love to hear about other approaches you have taken at your institution. ✋🏼

At NCEE, 'thinking differently' isn't just a phrase—it's one approach we take in #EdResearch. Join us for part two of our series to explore transformative teaching and learning methods. Let's innovate together! https://bit.ly/3zCGyny #EdResearch #EducationInnovation #EdPolicy #TimeManagement #TeacherSupport #StudentSuccess #GlobalEducation #PersonalizedLearning #SchoolLeadership #FutureOfEducation

Wondering what makes a college application stand out from thousands? 📌(Save this post!) Admissions officers aren’t just looking at your grades. Here’s what they really consider to make their decision... When admissions officers sift through heaps of applications, they’re not just tallying GPAs and test scores. Here’s what really catches their eye: 1. Holistic Engagement: Admissions officers are curious to know how have you engaged with the community beyond your classroom. Leadership roles, community service, and your highlight your broader contributions beyond the classroom. 2.Personal Essays: Your story matters. Authentic essays that reflect real challenges and personal growth can set you apart more than a perfect SAT score. 3. Recommendations: Passionate endorsements from teachers who can vouch for your curiosity and character speak volumes. 4. Consistent Theme: A cohesive application that ties your activities, aspirations, and academic interests together shows foresight and maturity. Remember, colleges are communities looking for individuals who will contribute as much as they will gain. How do you showcase your unique contributions in your application?

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Is “Teacher of the Year” truly legitimate if nominations are never from the very students we serve daily? If teachers are the only ones nominating/ voting, then let’s lay the cards on the table… “Colleague of the Year” is a standard popularity contest, and I’m not sure that’s an appropriate professional practice that inspires collegial equity or camaraderie. Being a good work peer is important, but let’s remember our why and who’s in our classroom every day. #Studentsfirst #Education 👩🎓☺️

How do we tackle the awarding gap between black and white students' degree outcomes? Chido Chipato explores here how focusing culture, community and curricula can provide a framework for change. This collaborative project is really important, not just for us, but for the sector so do take the time to read Chido's insightful blog 👀